The Official Newsletter of the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading Campaign, Volume 7, #1
A Welcome Message from Tom Allen
Dear Get Caught Reading Supporter,
In our seventh annual AAP Adopt-a-School program, 30 authors and illustrators of
children’s and young adult fiction representing 13 AAP member publishing houses
visited 36 schools in Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.
In cooperation as always with the New York City Department of Education and the
Children’s Book Council, Adopt-A-School continues to be an effort to encourage
reading with students across the greater New York City area by matching AAP and
CBC member publishers with New York City public schools to schedule author visits.
This year, we are happy to announce that hundreds of schoolchildren ranging from
grades K-12 were adopted and had the opportunity to meet an author or illustrator
face-to-face. Some of the participating supporters are featured in this special Adopta-School 2012 newsletter. A big thank you to our generous publishers for giving
back to the city by joining this effort to support the art of reading and writing for New
York City school children!
Keep reading,
Tom Allen, President and CEO
Association of American Publishers
To the Association of American Publishers,
Thank you so much for continuing to invite our schools to participate in the Adopt-aSchool program. As we challenge ourselves to engage our students and encourage
them to read, allowing them to experience an author visit extends the joy of reading.
Not only are students able to meet the author and discuss their books, but the prereading and discussions that follow often piques the interest of even the most
reluctant readers. School librarians have continuously expressed excitement about
participating in the Adopt-a-School program, as it allows them to engage students in
different literacy-based learning activities. Over the past few years, many librarians
looking to enhance their library programming have been fortunate enough to be
paired with an Adopt-a-School author. We look forward to collaborating with the
Association of American Publishers throughout the school year.
Arlene Dominguez
New York City Department of Education
Office of Strategic Partnerships
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
Henry Neff Visits GJA
George Jackson Academy in
Manhattan was adopted by
Henry Neff for three classroom
th
th
th
sessions for the 4 , 5 , and 6
graders on Friday, February
th
15 . Random House dated
several copies of THE HOUND
OF ROWAN, which is the first
book in his Tapestry Trilogy.
Henry did a presentation on
what makes a good book and
led the boys in an interactive
drawing exercise. Learn more
at www.henryhneff.com.
PS 49X Gets
Stuck With the Blooz
Author and educator Caron Levis visited PS 49X
th
in the Bronx on Tuesday, December 11 to do
three auditorium sessions for their Pre-K and
Kindergarten students. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
donated a classroom set of her book STUCK
WITH THE BLOOZ for the visit, which she signed
for the children after doing interactive sessions
with them on imagination and emotion. Learn
more at www.caronlevis.com
Dockray Draws with PS 536X
A returning author/illustrator to the
Adopt-a-School
program,
Tracy
Dockray visited PS 536X in the Bronx
th
on Monday, December 17 to do two
library visits for the second and third
graders. Using the school’s Elmo
technology, she did a presentation on
her experience working on children’s
books, and then she drew for the
children, taught them art games, and
read portions of THE LOST AND
FOUND PONY, which she wrote and
illustrated.
Macmillan Children’s/
Feiwel and Friends donated a
classroom set of her books for the
students. Visit www.tracydockray.com.
Elisha Cooper Inspires CS 154M
th
On Thursday, December 6 , Illustrator Elisha Cooper visited
Manhattan-based elementary school CS 154M: Harriet Tubman.
Over the course of the morning, he did three library visits with the
nd
Kindergarten through 2 grade classes, including live illustrations
and caricatures. Scholastic donated copies of his books BEACH
and FARM, and he left with a hand-written note that said, “For Mr.
Cooper,
You
inspire
us,
Class
2-217.”
Visit
www.elishacooper.com for more info.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
Lincoln and Pluto Visit Two Bronx Schools
Long-time Adopt-a-School supporter and author Steve Metzger adopted two Bronx schools this year. PS 360X had three
th
library visits for grades 2, 3, and 4 on Wednesday, December 5 , and PS 63X enjoyed three library visits for their second
th
through fifth graders on Tuesday, December 18 . For both visits, Scholastic donated full classroom sets of LINCOLN
AND GRACE: WHY ABRAHAM LINCOLN GREW A BEARD and PLUTO VISITS EARTH, Steve’s most recent books.
And a special congratulations to Steve, because shortly after his participation in Adopt-a-School, PLUTO VISITS EARTH
rd th
was selected as a nominee for the 3 -4 Grade Book of the Year Award for the 2013 Children’s Choice Book Awards,
hosted by the Children’s Book Council (CBC) and Every Child a Reader! Learn more at
http://www.stevemetzgerbooks.com/.
Ollie and Moon Visit Inwood
th
On Wednesday, December 19 , author and illustrator
Diane Kredensor visited three classrooms at the Good
Shepherd School in Inwood, meeting with their pre-K
rd
through 3
graders. Random House provided a
classroom set of her book OLLIE AND MOON for the
teachers to distribute. No stranger to children’s
entertainment, Diane is an Emmy Award-winning artist
for her work on such hit shows as Pinky and the Brain,
The Animaniacs, Oswald, Clifford the Big Red
Dog, and WordWorld, to name a few. The children
enjoyed animated videos of her characters, a reading of
her book, and interactive arts and crafts. Learn more at
www.DianeKredensor.com.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
Emily Jenkins Visits PS 32K
At PS 32K: Samuel Mills Sprole Elementary School, author
Emily Jenkins did three library visits for grades 2-5 in January
2013 as part of Adopt-a-School 2012. HarperCollins Children’s
Books donated copies of INVISIBLE INKLING and INVISIBLE
INKLING: DANGEROUS PUMPKINS for the children in
attendance. Emily showed the students her writing process and
took questions. Visit www.emilyjenkins.com to learn more.
“Jack” is Back!
F. Paul Wilson Visits PS 252X
A faithfully supporter of the AAP’s Adopt-a-School
program, F. Paul Wilson visited Mott Hall High
School: PS 252X in the Bronx on Friday,
th
December 7 . He did two library visits for creative
writing students in grades 11 and 12, talking about
the writing process and film adaptations, and
signing copies of JACK: SECRET HISTORIES
which were donated in advance by Tor Teen. Visit
www.repairmanjack.com for more info.
MLK Takes a Bow
The Sunbeams are Green at JHS 302K
Elizabeth Eulberg visited two schools on
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational
Campus (the High School for Arts,
Imagination, and Inquiry and the Manhattan
High School Theatre Lab) on Friday,
th
December 7 and did three classroom
th
th
visits for the 9 through 12 grader English
classes. She spoke on the writing process,
did some exercises, took questions, and
signed copies of TAKE A BOW, THE
LONELY HEARTS CLUB, and PROM AND
PREJUDICE (all donated by Scholastic).
Learn more at www.elizabetheulberg.com.
Adopt-a-School
author
Helen Phillips may be an
English
professor
at
Brooklyn College by day,
but she proved herself
every bit as adept at
th
teaching 6 graders on
th
January 11 when she
visited JHS 302K in
Brooklyn. In three library
visits,
she
and
her
husband (fellow professor
Adam Thompson) did
presentations on her book
HERE
WHERE
THE
SUNBEAMS
ARE
GREEN (Random House
donated a classroom set
for attending students).
They led a discussion on
the process of writing and
getting published, working
with publishers in different countries, creating a book trailer, and the
struggles and challenges of growing up with alopecia areata (the
condition that caused her to lose her hair). For more information on her
books, visit www.helencphillips.com.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
Additional Adopt-a-School 2012 Author Visits
th
Tuesday, December 4 : Laura Toffler-Corrie adopted East Side Community High School in Manhattan for two library
visits to their middle schoolers. Macmillan Children’s donated copies of THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF AMY FINAWITZ
and MY TOTALLY AWKWARD SUPERNATURAL CRUSH. www.lauratofflercorrie.com
th
Tuesday, December 4 : Alan Katz adopted PS 156K: Waverly in Brooklyn, singing his Silly Dilly Songs in two auditorium
nd
rd
th
th
visits—one for the 2 and 3 graders and one for the 4 and 5 graders—and a kindergarten classroom visit. Simon &
Schuster Children’s Books donated copies of TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB. www.alankatzbooks.com.
th
nd
Thursday, December 6 : Lisa Graff adopted PS 131K in Brooklyn and did three library visits for the 2 graders.
Macmillan Children’s donated copies of SOPHIE SIMON SOLVES THEM ALL. www.lisagraff.com
rd
Wednesday, January 23 : Matt Myklunsch adopted IS 355Q in Queens for two library and art room sessions for the 6
th
and 7 graders. Simon & Schuster Children’s Books donated copies of the JACK BLANK series. www.jackblank.com
th
January 2013: Daniel Ehrenhaft of Soho Press adopted PS 605R in Staten Island and did a series of presentations and
th
video interviews for their 7 grade journalism students. Bloomsbury donated a classroom set of his book
AMERICAPEDIA. www.danielehrenhaft.com
January 2013: Matt Myklunsch adopted PS 63R Marsh Avenue Expeditionary Learning School in Staten Island for three
th
classroom visits to their 8 graders. Simon & Schuster Children’s Books donated copies of the JACK BLANK series.
www.jackblank.com
th
January 2013: Dan Poblocki visited PS 10K in Brooklyn to do three library visits for their 3-5 graders. Scholastic
donated copies of THE GHOSTS OF GREYLOCK and THE MYSTERIOUS FOUR #1: HAUNTINGS AND HEISTS
www.danpoblocki.com
February 2013: Adele Griffin visited the New York Harbor School (PS 551 M) on Governor’s Island to do three library
th
sessions for the 9-12 graders. Random House donated a classroom set of copies of her most recent book, ALL YOU
NEVER WANTED. www.adelegriffin.com
February 2013: Actress and novelist Marisa Calin adopted East Side Community High School in Manhattan for two
library visits to their middle schoolers. BETWEEN YOU AND ME (Bloomsbury) www.marisacalin.com
Spring 2013: Zoraida Cordova adopted IS 109Q in Queens for three auditorium sessions with their high schoolers.
www.zoraidacordova.com
Spring 2013: Actress, playwright and novelist Leanna Renee Heiber returned to our Adopt-a-School program by
adopting IS 355Q in Queens this year. www.leannareneehieber.com
Spring 2013: The Deadtime Stories (Tor Teen) by “Twisted Sisters” Annette and Gina Cascone, aka The Cascone
Sisters (Tor/Forge) adopted IS 2R in Staten Island to do three library visits for grades 6-8. http://agcascone.com
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
StoryCorps Adopts Three NYC Schools
Always fantastic supporter, this year StoryCorps participated in Adopt-a-School 2012 by leading workshops for middle
and high schoolers at three schools this year. IS 204Q in Long Island City received 3 auditorium sessions for grades 6-8
th
on Wednesday, December 5 . The Humanities Education Complex in Manhattan (which serves five high schools and a
th
middle school) had two library visits on Tuesday, December 11 for selected students. The New York Harbor School (PS
th
551M) on Governor’s Island received three library sessions for their 9-12 graders on Wednesday, January 16 .
Using the StoryCorps approach to oral history to teach elements of storytelling and interviewing, the students listened to
and discussed interviews that had been edited and broadcast, and then they interviewed each other. StoryCorps ended
the class by letting students know how LISTENING IS AN ACT OF
LOVE, the book each of them received as a gift from Penguin
Group USA, contains more stories that reflect their own
backgrounds and experiences. Although the publisher donations
are always appreciated, this year’s schools were especially
grateful. The Humanities Education Complex is in its first year of
building up its library collection, and these books were among the
first on the shelves, and the New York Harbor School is building
back up after damage they received from Hurricane Sandy, so
thank you, Penguin and StoryCorps!
To learn more, visit http://storycorps.org.
Starr Returns to Staten Island
It seems that last year was the beginning of a beautiful Adopt-a-School
friendship! Illustrator Bridget Starr Taylor returned to PS 21R: MargaretEmery Elm Park Elementary School in Staten Island—the school that
she adopted through last year Adopt-a-School program—on Thursday,
th
th
December 6 to do three library visits for the 4 graders.
She led the children in an interactive illustration session, revealing
some of her original artwork from THE ADVENTURES OF ISABEL by
Ogden Nash (Sourcebooks), and Capstone Publishing donated several
copies THE TRUTH ABOUT TROLLS to the students of PS 21R. View
her artwork and illustrations at www.bridgetstarrtaylor.com.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2012
Cartboy and the Time Capsule Visits the Bronx
th
L.A. Campbell visited PS 386: School for Environmental Citizenship in the Bronx on Thursday, December 6 and
rd
th
th
surprised the 3 , 4 , and 5 graders with three library visits. Tor Teen/Starscape provided a classroom set of her book
CARTBOY AND THE TIME CAPSULE for interested students. She read from her book (to a lot of laughs), did a
presentation on writing and how authors get their ideas, and answered questions from the students. We found out
afterward it was her very first school visit! But she’s hooked and wants to do more. Learn more at
http://lacampbellwriter.com
Jumping Jenny Returns!
A return supporter to the Adopt-a-School program, Ellen Bari, author of Kar-Ben Publishing’s JUMPING JENNY,
encouraged the early grades of PS 139K in Brooklyn to jump for joy in several library sessions. Kar-Ben Publishing
provided several free copies of JUMPING JENNY. Here is a follow-up letter from the school librarian:
“Thank you for arranging tor Ellen Bari to visit PS 139. Ellen saw three first grade classes in the school library on January
rd
23 for a total of 83 children. She connected well to the children as she read her story Jumping Jenny aloud and as the
children made their own Jumping Jenny puppet. It was a pleasure for her to visit our school. It is such a valuable
experience for children to meet a real author and hear about the writing, editing and publishing process. I look forward to
sharing her future books with our students.”
We’re so pleased it was a success! Learn more about Ellen and her Jumping Jenny project at www.ellenbari.com.
/WhatAreYou
Reading1
/WhatAreYou
Reading
ReadingWithAAP
#WhatAreYouReading