Scholastic Reading Summit: Houston Highlights!

My summer is coming to a close, and as I look back on it, I can see it was not a traditional summer in the way that others picture: no swimming, no camping, and I didn't get my toes in the sand once! Instead, I had a great time learning about libraries, books, and connecting with members of my PLN, just as I did last week at the Scholastic Reading Summit.

I have attended four Reading Summits now, attending two and then presenting last year in San Antonio and this year in Houston. I was there to present a session on picture books (a topic for an upcoming blog post!), and had a great time doing so. (Many thanks to Anne Lee and the entire Scholastic team for all of their kindness and for making my Summit experience so wonderful!)

I enjoyed chatting with our amazing Scholastic hosts for the summit, friends John Schu and Donalyn Miller - - (it is ALWAYS great to see them!) and it was also great connecting with Todd Nesloney and Becky Calzada,  (fellow presenters, friends, and valued members of my PLN.

Kylene Beers and Bob Probst were keynote speakers. Of course, their work in literacy is legendary, and I always learn something valuable about reading when I hear them present.

I brought back a copy of their latest book Disrupting Thinking (Scholastic, 2017), and I am reading this now. I think it's a great read for school librarians. I have highlighted and underlined many sections!

Here is one of the slides from their presentation. It was one of my biggest takeaways of the day:

Our closing speaker was Jarrett K. Krosoczka, author of the ever popular Lunch Lady series. He was energetic, enthusiastic, and entirely inspirational! His childhood journey story of how he came to illustrate and write graphic novels was fascinating! His speech reminded me of the time I heard Kadir Nelson speak at NCTE, where he also spoke about pursuing his passion for art as a child and how that led him to the work he does today. 

t

Krosoczka also writes/illustrates #4 and #5 installments of the Jedi Academy series. 

Here are a few of the many slides that scrolled through during the day. I appreciated these two in particular:

Of course, another wonderful part of the Scholastic Reading Summit is being able to shop the Book Fair that is set up! I spotted some of my very favorite picture books. I didn't get a picture of all of them, but here are a few:

As I blog about this memory now, I realize what an utterly ovely day it was! I gained so much, both in the way of learning and connections made. How energizing it was to be around other educators who love reading and understand its power as much as I do! 

Perhaps next year I will have the kind of summers others have -- nostalgic s'mores by the campfire, peaceful walks down the beach, days by the lake, etc. But even if I don't, I know that this summer I was right where I was supposed to be! 

The Newbery-Caldecott Wilder Banquet: 2017 Highlight

The Newbery Caldecott Wilder Banquet was several weeks ago, and I should have blogged about it earlier! But it has been a busy summer and I am trying to get a lot of reading done. I am aslo attempting to redecorate my school office AGAIN. But even though this event has passed, it's already shaping up to be one of my very best library - and lifetime -- memories.

My program for the night 

The Newbery Caldecott Wilder Banquet feels like a celebration of the entire year in books -- and it is!  The Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder Medals are awarded here (announced in January at MidWinter), and everyone is in a celebratory and jovial mood. As it is usually my last night at ALA, it is the culmination of the conference for me and a last chance to see friends before the next conference.

My view

Caldecott Medal Winner Javaka Steptoe 

What I enjoy about the Banquet:

1.) Seeing friends 
The conference is busy for everyone as well all have our own sessions and meetings, so it is not always possible to see everyone during conference days. But just about everyone goes to the Banquet, and I love gathering with them and chatting with them -- if only briefly. I also have a great tradition of meeting up with two friends in particular both before and after the Banquet. And we are all dressed up!

2.) Hearing the award speeches:
They either make me cry or laugh or both. And they are SO well-written! After all, the winners are book creators! They share from the heart, and they share their process. I am always grateful to hear their words.

3.) Remembering the books
With each winner, I have a memory -- the first time I saw the book, the time I received a copy, the first time I shared it with someone. I can remember when I first read them or heard about them. And to think of the full cycle they have come through is astounding! For example, I can still remember getting ARC of THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON by Kelly Barnhill in the summer of 2016! And now, it is the winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal.

It makes my librarian heart happy to see authors and illustrators get celebrated because they deserve to be!  They write books for young readers that help them become lifetime readers, and they bring beautiful stories to all of us!