The annual NCTE conference always brings an abundance of opportunities. It is great to meet with friend and colleague--far too many to even begin to mention. I learned new things, made plans for new projects, and made new friends. I have to say that the moment that will stay with me for along time was the session with two keynote speeches--one from Padma Venkatraman (here on Facebook and here for an official page) and one from Dana Walrath (here on Facebook and here for an official page). One of the sad things about missing a session is that a summary never captures the heart or the impact of the experience. Briefly, they talked about the resiliency of youth. The power of the ability to overcome obstacles. There is indeed hope in the world if we focus on what adolescents can do instead of testing them endlessly through meaningless cycles of standardized tests. Let's work on letting them read. I strongly recommend A Time to Dance and Like Water on Stone; really, you should click on these links and explore these books. There is too much pain in the world to not take a moment and let your hear expand.
The rest of these weeks blog posting is a collection of paragraphs from colleagues and friends who attended the ALAN Workshop. Explore and feel their passion.
The rest of these weeks blog posting is a collection of paragraphs from colleagues and friends who attended the ALAN Workshop. Explore and feel their passion.
Paul W. Hankins My first experience of ALAN 2015 was when Kwame Alexander asked to borrow my copy of his new title, BOOKED so that he could read from it during his keynote. I playfully told him that I would be watching him the whole time to make sure that book came back. And when he stepped off the stage, he found me with book in hand. Along with his new picture book. This is what readers do. What readers in community do. It what we want our readers in our classrooms to do. When they come to borrow a book, they come back. . .with something more. A "review." A "reflection." And we hope. . .a request. For another book. It's the greatest reciprocity that comes of books being passed from hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart.
Paul W. Hankins
Paul W. Hankins
This is my first time at the ALAN Workshop. People told me I would get some books. I’m not sure how I’m going to get all of these books to my car!
Also, I can’t believe how many YA authors I’m having the opportunity to hear from. Panels, individuals, conversations between two authors, book talks, sessions. My favorite so far today has been Hannah Moskowitz – she’s down-to-earth, funny. She writes about characters who are Jewish and have mental illness but these parts of their identities are not the conflicts in the novel – they’re just part of life. I’m going to read ALL of her books J
Kristen Nichols-Besel
Also, I can’t believe how many YA authors I’m having the opportunity to hear from. Panels, individuals, conversations between two authors, book talks, sessions. My favorite so far today has been Hannah Moskowitz – she’s down-to-earth, funny. She writes about characters who are Jewish and have mental illness but these parts of their identities are not the conflicts in the novel – they’re just part of life. I’m going to read ALL of her books J
Kristen Nichols-Besel
Besides the obvious draw of wonderful books, the ALAN conference brings together fans of YA lit and their authors in the most positive and inspiring atmosphere anywhere! The sheer variety of books and voices cannot be matched.
Jean Boreen
I recently attended a session at NCTE regarding the use of paired graphic, prose, and informational texts in the classroom. I walked into the auditorium and found a seat as well as a place to put my laptop. I looked up at the panel of speakers and found myself surprised to see Eliot Schrefer, the author of Endangered and Threatened sitting in one of the panel chairs. As he was talking, I found myself soaking in every word, not only for me but also for my students. My 8th graders are huge fans of Schrefer’s work; I never have a copy of his book left on my bookshelves. His books are always in the hands of my students. After the panel I mustered up the courage to thank him for writing such great texts to engage my students. I told him that he made my job a little easier as a teacher. His response by handing me his business card wihis email address along with his offer to visit my students if he is in Dallas area again left me speechless and inspired. We need more authors like Eliot Schrefer who not only care about the current status and successes of their novels, but also genuinely care for the students reading and enjoying every turn of the page in their books. Schrefer inspired my students, who struggle to find joy in reading, to find a love for something beyond the pages of a book and to submerge their imaginations in a story beyond the realms of their lives.
Stephanie Krolick Branson
Jean Boreen
I recently attended a session at NCTE regarding the use of paired graphic, prose, and informational texts in the classroom. I walked into the auditorium and found a seat as well as a place to put my laptop. I looked up at the panel of speakers and found myself surprised to see Eliot Schrefer, the author of Endangered and Threatened sitting in one of the panel chairs. As he was talking, I found myself soaking in every word, not only for me but also for my students. My 8th graders are huge fans of Schrefer’s work; I never have a copy of his book left on my bookshelves. His books are always in the hands of my students. After the panel I mustered up the courage to thank him for writing such great texts to engage my students. I told him that he made my job a little easier as a teacher. His response by handing me his business card wihis email address along with his offer to visit my students if he is in Dallas area again left me speechless and inspired. We need more authors like Eliot Schrefer who not only care about the current status and successes of their novels, but also genuinely care for the students reading and enjoying every turn of the page in their books. Schrefer inspired my students, who struggle to find joy in reading, to find a love for something beyond the pages of a book and to submerge their imaginations in a story beyond the realms of their lives.
Stephanie Krolick Branson
I come to ALAN especially to hear the amazing YA authors -- I always learn of new writers; I always hear words of inspiration; I always get new ideas that I want to share with future English teachers. I come to ALAN for all the free books that I share with my students in YA Literature; I want to "pay it forward" and the publishers and authors are very generous in helping me have books to pass on to others. I come to ALAN to become a better teacher of YA Lit and of future teachers; and I come to ALAN to be with all the other ALAN members (join here) -- teachers and librarians and other supporters who know how important it is for us to find ways to help teens and tweens find their homes in reading.
Mary Warner
I attended ALAN from 2003 to 2007 as an English Teacher for high school students who had exhausted all of their other public school options. The workshop provided a wealth of great books for my reluctant and struggling readers. It also provided ongoing inspiration for my own writing. In 2015 my debut novel, Surviving Bear Island was published and I was invited to be on the Debut Author's Panel.
Paul Greci
Mary Warner
I attended ALAN from 2003 to 2007 as an English Teacher for high school students who had exhausted all of their other public school options. The workshop provided a wealth of great books for my reluctant and struggling readers. It also provided ongoing inspiration for my own writing. In 2015 my debut novel, Surviving Bear Island was published and I was invited to be on the Debut Author's Panel.
Paul Greci
It's going to be difficult to encapsulate the memories I will leave Minneapolis with in a single paragraph. From finally getting the chance to meet authors I admire like Kwame Alexander and Margarita Engle, to getting hugs from authors I love like Laurie Halse Anderson and Jason Reynolds, to meeting and interacting with authors I didn't know much about like Shaun David Hutchinson, my experience at NCTE and ALAN this year has been, as it always is, rejuvenating and transformative. But more importantly, looking around the ballroom at a sea full of elated teachers behind toppling piles of free books, being at NCTE and ALAN reminds me that I am not alone and that there are thousands of teachers just like me who want to do right by their students, no matter the cost and no matter the top-down mandates that are being forced upon us. Becuase no test and no force-fed reading program can teach empathy or will help us feel less alone. Books do that. A classroom community of readers and writers does that.
Beth Shaum
Beth Shaum
"The sky's always falling. Always. You'll see." Page 88
So I was planning on writing my YA Wednesday paragraph about how I couldn't wait to read I’ll Give You the Sun, the Printz award winner from Jandy Nelson that I felt certain I'd connect with as soon as Nelson exclaimed at ALAN this year that, to write real and true and meaningful poetry, “kids have to put their asses in the wind.” But then...I literally couldn't wait and devoured the whole book on my plane ride from Minneapolis to Houston. So here I am, on my final flight of the day, on my way home from what is, without a doubt, the most meaningful and rejuvenating professional development I get all year, thinking about how to talk about this book that made me shamelessly cry seated next to strangers. I think the best review I can give it is that it gave me hope. I usually leave ALAN each year thrilled, of course, but also a little devastated about the year that stands between me and next year’s conference, but this year, after breaking into I’ll Give You the Sun, I'm reminded that the year will be filled with unique, interesting, and important books to explore and pass on to students. Nelson’s novel is written from two perspectives- twins Noah and Jude- who are reeling and flung apart, at least emotionally, after the unforeseen death of their mother. The book gives each character the chance to tell their story- Noah tells the beginning and Jude tells the middle until they catch up with each other at the end. The stories layer until the truth about their mother is uncovered and the distance between these round and complex characters is revealed. An engaging story, Nelson beautifully explores the harsh realities of adolescents who find out that while their parents aren't infallible, the world can still be put back together again.
Kate Youngblood
So I was planning on writing my YA Wednesday paragraph about how I couldn't wait to read I’ll Give You the Sun, the Printz award winner from Jandy Nelson that I felt certain I'd connect with as soon as Nelson exclaimed at ALAN this year that, to write real and true and meaningful poetry, “kids have to put their asses in the wind.” But then...I literally couldn't wait and devoured the whole book on my plane ride from Minneapolis to Houston. So here I am, on my final flight of the day, on my way home from what is, without a doubt, the most meaningful and rejuvenating professional development I get all year, thinking about how to talk about this book that made me shamelessly cry seated next to strangers. I think the best review I can give it is that it gave me hope. I usually leave ALAN each year thrilled, of course, but also a little devastated about the year that stands between me and next year’s conference, but this year, after breaking into I’ll Give You the Sun, I'm reminded that the year will be filled with unique, interesting, and important books to explore and pass on to students. Nelson’s novel is written from two perspectives- twins Noah and Jude- who are reeling and flung apart, at least emotionally, after the unforeseen death of their mother. The book gives each character the chance to tell their story- Noah tells the beginning and Jude tells the middle until they catch up with each other at the end. The stories layer until the truth about their mother is uncovered and the distance between these round and complex characters is revealed. An engaging story, Nelson beautifully explores the harsh realities of adolescents who find out that while their parents aren't infallible, the world can still be put back together again.
Kate Youngblood
When I think of this year's ALAN conference, there are so many highlights. There's the seemingly endless supply of books just waiting to be autographed by real-life authors; the meet-and-greet cocktail party where authors mingle, ready for conversation and the occasional selfie; rows and rows of kind people who love teaching and young adult literature just as much as I do; the breakout sessions that inspire and reinvigorate our practices. One highlight in particular is especially meaningful: the chance to meet, and learn from, Andrew Smith. During his Monday morning conversation with A.S. King, Smith emphasized that we must continue to give our students books that they desire to read. No doubt Smith has taken such a directive to heart; his Winger has been "that book" for many of my reluctant readers. At the author signing, I was among the first in line, and thanked Smith for the many ways that he continues to create readers. I also had the good sense to ask for a photo. Then, of course, I texted the picture to some of Smith's devoted readers at my school. My favorite response? "Hey--can you grab me a copy of the new book?"
Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil
Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil
People speak about heart print books, ALAN is where I gather with my heart print tribe; a tribe that formed on both passion and promise. We have a passion for the profession we have chosen; it is in our marrow, and a promise to put books in the hands of kids. Both books AND kids matter, and the relationship between them is nothing short of lifesaving. My soul is nourished, my mind is full, and my heart is happy. I am secure in the knowledge that this heart print tribe, while separated by geography, are tethered with a sacred bond that will continue to pull us toward the work and toward each other. Here's to Atlanta and beyond.
Cathy Blacker
Cathy Blacker
I am at the airport going through all my ALAN 2015 memories...yes, they are already memories! I miss everyone already! What a great NCTE/ALAN! We lucked out with the weather too. I learned so much and got so many great books! 3 boxes this time! Glad for "media mail." I attended thought-provoking publisher dinners that covered the gamut of topics, reconnected with and met lots of people, and received lots and lots of books! Thankful for incredible ALAN President Daria Moskwa Plumb, all the fabulous publishers and authors (especially the ones like Jennifer Nielsen and Tamara Ireland Stone who went to the Miami Book Fair mid-weekend and came back for ALAN!). All my dear, dear teacher and librarian friends and co-committee members (overlaps among those!). Meeting all the young and inspiring new teachers and librarians who will carry the ALAN torch for us long-timers (notice the purposeful choice of word!). Happy trails and safe travels to you all, and Happy Thanksgiving! WE ARE ALAN!
Diane Wilhelm Tuccillo
Diane Wilhelm Tuccillo
I read to feel the joys of the world. I read to inspire others. I read so that I don't feel alone. I read so my children and grandchildren will find joy and acceptance in the world when it might appear bleak. Keep reading, keep sharing, and keep attending the ALAN Workshop. (If you have paragraphs send them my way. I will save them and post another set when the workshop feels to far away.) I am already looking forward to what Jennifer Buehler has to offer as she plans next years workshop. Oh, and remember you have plenty of people willing to help.
Thanks for reading. Until next week.
Steven T. Bickmore
Thanks for reading. Until next week.
Steven T. Bickmore
RSS Feed