ROAR FOR CAVALCADE OF AUTHORS

Happy Children’s Book Week! And welcome to a Special Edition of Library Lions. This week we’re Roaring for the Cavalcade of Authors now in its 5th year!

The Skinny
Cavalcade of Authors yearly conference is dedicated to providing the secondary students of our region access to some of the best Young Adult authors of our modern era. Our special interest is to celebrate Pacific Northwest Authors while introducing students to a variety of genres and subject matter and to furthermore, promote reading and writing within our community. We provide for our participants an authentic writing conference experience where students can learn from the ultimate mentors: the authors of the books they are reading.

Cavalcade 2013 Authors

(Front Row Left to Right: Michelle Lane (Director), D.J. MacHale, Jeff Burlingame, Holly Cupala, Suzanne Selfors, Maureen McQuerry, Lisa McMann, Veronica Rossi, Brandon Dorman, and Kelly Milner Halls. Back Row: Jonathan Maberry, Gregg Olsen, Jonathan Auxier, Trent Reedy, Chris Crutcher, and Brandon Mull. Guadalupe Garcia McCall not pictured)

[All Cavalcade photos by Aaron Pelly Photography]

The Day Begins . . .   
Students arrive by 8:00 at Columbia Basin College and are ushered to their first session by high school student volunteers who know the campus.  The first session starts at 8:15 and lasts one hour.  Students attend three sessions of their choosing that they’ve signed up for through their school librarian.

Check out the wonderful workshops our Authors offered this year!

(Students arrive for Brandon Mull's workshop)

 

                                                      (Gregg Olsen's workshop)

(Kelly Milner Hall's workshop)

Students have 15 minutes in between sessions for autographing and connecting with the authors and passing time. 

 

                                   (Suzanne Selfors and Savannah, Gr.7, from Desert Hills MS)
 

                                                           (Lisa McMann signing)

(Veronica Rossi with students, Persephone D Angeli, Nelly Ruelas-Mendoza, Payton Griffith, and Elizabeth Fredrick)

Cheers for Cavalcade!

                             (Guadalupe Garcia McCall and Bianney, Gr. 8. Clara Brownell MS)

“I loved how many people attended [Cavalcade of Authors].  It was great to see so many students at my sessions!  I really loved showing them what I do to write, and sharing my experiences as a writer with them.  I also loved that I saw many Hispanic students there that I would not have reached otherwise.  Thank you. Cavalcade of Authors is a buzzing, lively hive where both students and authors can meet to discuss the most important of interests…reading good books.”  Guadalupe Garcia McCall

 

(Kelly Milner Halls)

“[I enjoyed most of all] the author dinner and hanging out with all those great kids the day of the event.  It was all terrific. Sharing in the wonder that was the Cavalcade of Authors may have been a job, technically.  But it was so much more.  Speaking to hundreds of eager young people at a well-organized festival with more than a dozen other exceptional authors was a sheer pleasure.  The kids left with inspiration and warm memories.  The authors did, too.  Clearly, the Tri-cities population values their young people and the future that will soon be in their capable hands.  This was an exceptional experience, all the way around.”  Kelly Milner Halls

(Jeff Burlingame)

“Being a featured author at Cavalcade of Authors is like taking the stage to front a world-famous rock ‘n’ roll band for two days.  From the moment you arrive, its fun, fervor, and fantastic.  For students, attending Cavalcade of Authors is like being in the crowd when that band—your all-time favorite—performs in an intimate setting in your hometown for you and 1,000 of your closest friends.  Cavalcade of Authors isn’t just an excellent Eastern Washington conference.  It’s an excellent conference, period.”  Jeff Burlingame

                                                                   (D.J. MacHale)

“[With the Cavalcade of Authors] it’s all about the kids.  Being able to speak to such a large group of interested readers is a rare treat.  Usually during school visits, maybe 20% of the group really wants to be there.  With Cavalcade, it was 100%.  You can’t beat that.  Also, the entire event was buttoned up and well run.  That’s not always the case. The Cavalcade of Authors should be called ‘The Cavalcade of Kid Readers.’  Being able to speak to a thousand interested, engaged young readers is like author heaven.  I can’t wait to do it again!”  D.J. MacHale

                                                                     (Trent Reedy)

“I liked Cavalcade of Authors because, not only did it foster a love of reading and writing for young people, but it was a practical, useful opportunity for young writers to learn more about the craft of writing.  It was wonderful to see excited young writers carefully taking notes and working to improve their writing. Cavalcade of Authors is a good opportunity for young people to foster their own love for reading, and it is a great opportunity for young writers to get excellent writing instruction from some of the best authors of books for young people.”  Trent Reedy

                                                               (Jonathan Maberry)

“Michelle...I wish I'd been able to give you a big good-bye hug. This was such a wonderful event and I had the best time. You and your crew throw a first-class event --professional, smooth, and fun!  Although I've never been to the Tri-Cities area before, I can now say that I've made real friends here.  If I can ever be of assistance with future events, either as a presenter or as a resource to contact some of my colleagues, you have but to ask. Again...thanks for everything!  You so rock!”  Jonathan Maberry

Teachers’ Roars
“It’s simple.  Kids who like to read, read.  Cavalcade brings relevant, high-interest authors from near and far to eastern Washington.  Students who never dreamed they’d meet real authors, listen to their stories, learn first-hand about their craft, and interact with them personally get a chance to do just that.  My students devour the books.  They argue, share secrets, and quote them.  They are as affected, dazed, and amazed as if they were meeting rock stars.  In fact, they are.” – Doug Lane, 6th grade teacher, Enterprise MS

 

“It is so awesome to see so many of our kids get excited about reading because of your awesome event! I am even more amazed than last year at the level of interest and hope to see it continue to grow and grow as an opportunity for our students.”  Tammy Fisher, 7^th/ 8^th grade Reading Teacher, Clara Brownell MS

                                                    (Maureen McQuerry's workshop)

“Cavalcade gives students the opportunity to experience authentic writing from published authors.  Often, they discover a common bond with these people who get paid to write!” – Colette DeHaan, 7^th grade LA teacher, Enterprise MS

                                               (Jonathan Maberry signing)
Student Roars"They're known all around the world for their books and I actually get to go home and say I met an author. If someone's reading that book, [I can say], 'I've met that author.' That's so cool!," Elena, 9^th grade Chiawana HS

“It was nice to see a Hispanic author since I am Hispanic myself.”  Park MS

“[I learned] you’ve got to dig deeper in order to get where you want and what you want.”  Cristianna, Grade 8, Park MS

“[I was] inspired to never give up and write what you believe.”  Nicole, Grade 7, Park MS

                                                   (Mark, Gr. 7, Horse Heaven Hills MS)

“Cavalcade was like a treasure trove of advice on writing and how to keep enjoying it.  It has changed my view on how books are made forever.”  Sydney, Grade 6, Enterprise

“[Jonathan] Auxier’s session [was my favorite] because he included student interaction and as a group we completed a ridiculous, but funny story.” – Timmy, 7th grade

“I liked them all because they all were interesting and the information that they shared was really cool. Some things they share really inspired me.” – Adriana, 8th grade

Special Moments:
A student (Elena) from Chiawana High School during her session with Jeff Burlingame, was gifted a get up that much resembled Elvis. 

When she left Jeff’s session – she was walking through the crowds of kids shouting, “This is the BEST day EVER!!”  Later she was interviewed by the news station – it totally brought tears to my eyes.  I was so excited for her and proud of all our students who attended that day!

ONE LAST BIG ROAR On average our 800+ kids are reading 6 books between August and January to attend Cavalcade.  Many of them continue reading Cavalcade books long after the event is over.  These kids are spreading the word to others about the great books they are reading, creating a reading climate in our schools!

Also, Cavalcade sponsors a writing contest where three places are awarded for each of both High School and Middle School entries. 

                          (Vance, Gr. 8 Enterprise MS, 1st place Short Story Contest)

Let’s Link:

Cavalcade of Authors   
 
Cavalcade Facebook 
 

Stay Tuned for Cavalcade 2013 Part 2 coming to LL blog soon!

                                                                              ~  

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. If you have a Young Authors conference like Cavalcade you would like to highlight. We'd love to showcase your conference.
Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot. 

44th ANNUAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Welcome to Library Lions interviews. This month we’re Raising a Roar for the 44^th Annual Children’s Literature Festival at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. I was lucky enough to present this year. Here’s my report on the huge book festival with the largest number of student participants in the U.S.

It was already spring in Missouri when we arrived. The trees were in bloom and I wore my shades for the first time in months and months!

Judy Young, Vivian Vande Velde and moi. 

The day before the Lit Fest launched in full, 34 authors and illustrators were treated to a luncheon on the college campus followed by a book signing. This year the festival was presented with a commendation by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Dean of Library Services, Mollie Dinwiddie, accepted the award on behalf of the festival.

We enjoyed a live performance of The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town, by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt below (winners of this year’s Missouri Show Me award)

A team of authors and illustrators participated in the dramatic reading.  

Bright and early Monday morning the first half of the 4200 students signed up for the festival arrived in busloads from all across the state.

Thousands of grade school students poured through the college campus moving from event to event. The Festival runs smoothly in the talented hands of the Festival Director, Naomi Williamson. Three cheers for Naomi!!

Some kids had been on the bus for three hours, but they were all raring to see the authors and illustrators presenting workshops at University of Central Missouri. Festival Director, Naomi Williamson was ready for them at the conference greeting table.

Students packed into the classrooms for their first workshop!

With 34 Authors/Illustrations to choose from, the librarians at each school had to pick just 4 workshops for their students to attend. Multiple classes from many schools crowded into each room first thing in the morning and we were off!     

 

                    Author Veda Jones in action.

Aside from presenting 4 workshops per day, the authors and illustrators signed scads of books. Here are just a few of us signing.

                                                                                     Elizabeth C. Bunce & Brad Sneed

        

                                    

Terry Trueman

                                   

Janet Lee Carey, Stephanie Tolan, Roderick Townley, Patricia Hermes

The first day of the festival whizzed by. Tuesday began with busloads of excited students arriving for workshops, book signings, and a chance to meet their favorite authors and illustrators in person.

I hope you Library Lions readers enjoyed a peek at this dynamic literary festival for children put on by the librarians at the University of Central Missouri and the hundreds of school librarians bringing eager students from their schools. Bravo to all the librarians, volunteers, authors & illustrators !!!! 

Roar for Middle School Librarians!

Welcome to Library Lions interviews. Raising a Roar for Libraries and for the outstanding Librarians serving Children and Young Adults in Schools and Public Libraries across the U.S. Please Roar today’s guest Middle School Librarian, Teresa Young.



Mrs. Young works in Springfield, MO. We first met when I presented at the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks. We're pleased to interview her here on Library Lions!

The Skinny: How long you’ve been a Youth Librarian?
This is my 8th year as a school librarian. I served four years in an Elementary and then followed my students over to the Middle School. This will be my fourth year in Middle School.

When I switched from Elementary School Librarian to Middle School Librarian, I read the student evaluations and presented a vision to the principal of how I could transform the library by rearranging furniture, splashing some paint on the walls and creating new reading spaces for the students to enjoy.
I’m happy to say we made some fun changes.

Before


After


Library Love: Briefly, what do you love most about your work?
Every day I look forward to serving in the Middle School library because each day is unique! As I work with young teens, my goal is to increase their knowledge of being effective users of information.



I love connecting to the students and staff, promoting literature, teaching how to be ethical with technology and serving the families I work with on a daily basis.



This school year I am serving as the President of the Regional Area of School Librarians and have been an active part of the state wide professional organization, MASL, Missouri Association for School Librarians.

Library Laughs:
When you think of a Middle School student, you have to think of a cell phone. Our school rule is no phones during school time however as soon as the last school bell rings, cell phones come out of everyone’s pockets.



During National Library Week, the Student Library Advisory Board, SLAB, decided to have a book drive for the new Preschool that opened just down the street from us. They have a great facility but only a small space for a library with books supplied from donations. A teacher in our school building volunteered to bring her young children’s favorite toy car into the library so that the preschool book DRIVE could be collected to donate to our neighbors. Students saw the car, came into the library and then asked permission to take a picture of the car because it was so cute!



Cameras were flashing but no students were allowed to get inside the car. Not sure anyone our size would even fit! The book DRIVE was a success and boxes of books were brought to build a preschool library or to put books in backpacks to take home.

A Lion’s Pride of Programs:
The Library is the place to be from before school programs, during school learning and after school clubs. Before school the Spanish Club meets one morning a week, the Breakfast Club meets two mornings a week to listen to a Truman nominee book be read aloud, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets with one of the coaches and SLAB, Student Library Advisory Board alternates meetings with the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) which both create activities that involve school spirit around literacy or scholarship and serving others in our school or community.


During school, the library is used constantly by the reading teachers who require students to read to science and social studies teachers needing students to do research on a topic. The Health teacher uses the library for technology projects where students create and then share about a health topic. The art teacher makes uses of the library space and computers when starting a new project such as perspective. Even the PE teacher will use the library to have students do research on sports that are being taught in class.

The library is really the heart of the building and offers so many opportunities for others to learn about the resources inside by celebrating National Geography Awareness Week, Money Smart Week and Pi Day!



After school, the students proposed to start a Twilight Book Club and all those students who loved the books, gathered together to share their favorite book character, play Twilight games and even eat Twilight snacks. Again, the students created a club to “hang out” and called themselves the “Couch Club”. Nothing formal was announced as there was a limited space on the couch, but the club grew from word of mouth and the students quickly found a safe place to just chill.

Readers Roar: Let’s hear from the kids!
Students wrote metaphors about the library. Some chose to use a simile, since that was a little easier to do. Here are some samples of what the students said about the School Library:

“Walking in the library is like walking in the mall; you can look at stuff and not walk out with anything.” Alex, 7th

“Reading is a doctor because it helps.” Riley, 6th

“The library is like my room where I feel safe inside.” Daphne, 6th

“A book is like a roller coaster ride, you read it and want to read it again.” Audryanna, 6th

“The library is like Wonderland where we are Alice with a new discovery around each corner.” Kali, 8th

“The library is a thrift store; everything is used.” Tori, 6th

“The library is a friend because when I am down, I can always turn to it.” Sarah, 7th

“The library is like a recycling center; you read, return and repeat.” Rose, 7th

“The library is a toolbox I use for my work.” Mitchell, 6th

Book Brag: What three books are hot this year? Why?
The Truman Readers Award is promoted in this school library. This is a state program sponsored by MASL where the students pick their favorite. Reading teachers use the books in literature circles in class. Students hear about all the books and then select the one that interest them. There are twelve books on the list and students read at least four titles to be eligible to vote in early March. These are the hot books from that list:

1. MAZE RUNNER I can not keep copies of this book on the Truman rack nor on the Hold shelf. As soon as students know it is available they want to read it. This is the first book in a trilogy about boys who work through obstacles in their “community” as they seek out an escape.

2. THE LAST THING I REMEMBER Another title that students are talking about after they read it and everyone wants to get their hands on it! This is another book that is the first in a series. The main character awakens in a torture chamber with no memory of how he got there. He flashes back to the last thing he remembers.

3. JANE IN BLOOM Every student who reads this title tells at least two others and the book constantly moves from student to student. This is a first novel for author Deborah Lytton. A deeply personal look at sisters, the oldest sister faces issues with anorexia and the youngest has to deal with grief issues.

Author! Author!
One of the Middle School reading teachers used the book, THE MAN WHO LOVED CLOWNS with her classes.



When I asked her if she had ever met the author, June Rae Wood, a Missouri Author, she told me no. I immediately contacted June Rae Wood and asked her if she could squeeze in a visit to my school library before attending the Children’s Literature Festival of the Ozarks in October. She told me her fee and then I started making phone calls asking if businesses would like to fund her visit. A local business contributed so the students and the teacher got to interact with the author. We even had a parent reception after school. This made reading come alive to these students who continue to ask for June Rae Wood books.

June Rae Wood Author Visit


Library Lion’s Roar: ONE LAST BIG ROAR
Because I see a great need for new and fresh materials in the Library, I write grants every year to fund a special project. Some of the grants are local and others are national. Each grant makes a difference and helps me to offer the newest and best to my students and staff. I would like to send a ROAR to Lowe’s who gives grants to libraries nationwide. Lowe’s gave over $5,000 for our library to build our nonprint collection as well as a computer kiosk where the students can easily access the card catalog for searching or to work on a health technology presentation.

Building the Kiosk


Finished Kiosk



Thanks again for interviewing with us here on Library Lions!

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.

Roar For Children's Lit Fests!

Welcome to this Library Lions Special Edition. This week we’re highlighting the terrific Children’s Literature Festival at Truman State University, MO!


Host Campus Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri

Daisy Rearick, Reference Librarian/Periodicals/Microforms at Pickler Memorial Library, Kirksville, Missouri, is here to tell us about the Lit Fest! Daisy grew up in Mexico. She loves children’s books. Welcome Daisy.



Share Your Dream with Us.
The purpose of the Children’s Literature Festival is to stimulate an interest in reading and literature among young students. The festival provides an opportunity for children from the northeast Missouri region in grades 4-6 to meet and interact with authors and illustrators from around the country.


Francisco Alarcon's workshop 2011

We lost the Festival for a few years. What Happened?
The Children’s Literature Festival was an annual event for 21 years until 2004 when it was discontinued due to severe budget cuts. In 2007, a Children’s Literature Festival Fund was created in an effort to bring the festival back, and two years later, the event began taking place once again. For the past two years, the Festival has also received grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

We're Happy to be back up and running now!


2011 Festival Presenters

Tell the LL readers what happens on the Festival Day.
During the festival, the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students have an opportunity to meet with three authors and ask them how their work was created and came to be published. The authors present fun workshops inspiring students' love for literature, encouraging them to explore their own writing and drawing projects in school and out.

The 2011 festival highlighted the work of 10 authors:
Francisco Alarcon, Darleen Bailey Beard, Carmen Bernier-Grand, Janet Lee Carey, Dianne Gray, Lynne Jonell, A. LaFaye, Laurie Lawlor, Anna Myers and N. A. Nelson. Ard Hoyt, an illustrator, also participated in the event.


Mary Amato's workshop



Janet Lee Carey's workshop 2011


We also have a book signing


Ard Hoyt at the book signing

Cheers for the Children’s Literature Festival at Truman University!

~ “Lots of kids don’t enjoy reading and this [festival] is another tool to encourage them to make it “cool”. Many students from Northeast Missouri don’t get an opportunity to travel and hear speakers other than school trips, so they are that much more engaged.” From a teacher.

~ “I cannot think of any other chance I have had as a student, and can think of few occasions I will have as a professional, that will provide me with such a unique chance to connect with so many different types of professionals all so concerned with literacy.” From an MAE student

~ “Thank you so much for inviting me! The young people were wonderful, and I hope that a few went away inspired. And the committee - I applaud all of you. Through your hard work and organization, the Festival ran seamlessly.” From an author who presented


Anna Meyers's workshop 2011

Readers Roar. Let’s hear from the kids!
~ “It has inspired me to want to try to write a short story.” Anne – Grade 4

~ “at the lit festival, I feel so inspired to read more books and learn more about authors.” Ben – Grade 6

~“[the festival] tempts me to read different kinds of books” Jennifer – Grade 5


N.A. Nelson's workshop 2011

~ “[I have changed how I feel about reading] because authors get their ideas from real events, and it makes me wonder what things go on in the world.” Student

~ “it changed how I feel about reading or books or authors because I learned to always have a problem.” Student


Darleen Bailey-Beard's workshop 2011

Library Lion’s Roar: ONE LAST BIG ROAR
We already have seven of our authors lined up for the 2012 Literature Festival, and we are thrilled to once again have a state grant to help us out with the expenses!

Let’s Link
Library Website: http://library.truman.edu/

Children’s Literature Festival website: http://library.truman.edu/Children'sLiteratureFestival.asp

Thanks again for the terrific interview, Daisy!

Love Libraries? Give a Roar in “Comments” below.

Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Contact Janet at jlcarey@hotmail.com for an interview slot.