Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library: Reading And Writing Festival

The annual Reading and Writing Festival for 7th and 8th graders will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Kent State University. Students in area schools read the 7 Festival books during the school year and spend a day at KSU participating in workshops on journalism and poetry, drama and storytelling, book art and more. Participants also meet the guest author and get to have books autographed! Students wishing to attend will be assessed a fee of $11.00 (for Compact schools) or $14.00 (non-Compact schools).

This year's featured author is Terry Trueman, author of Hurricane, Stuck in Neutral, Inside Out and Cruise Control. For more information about Terry Trueman, visit his website: www.terrytrueman.com. (More author websites at right.)

Our other special guest is acclaimed short story editor DON GALLO. Mr. Gallo will conduct workshops on how to create a short story collection, and give a presentation on Books You Won't Want to Put Down. Some of Don Gallo's books include Destination Unexpected, On the Fringe, Ultimate Sports, and What Are You Afraid Of? Stories About Phobias, all of which contain stories by many famous authors for teens. Check out Don's website, authors4teens.com for his interviews with many noted authors who write young adult literature.

2009 Reading and Writing Festival Books

Hurricane: A Novel -- Terry Trueman
Cruise Control -- Terry Trueman
Black Duck -- Janet Taylor Lisle
Heir Apparent -- Vivian Vande Velde
Airborn -- Kenneth Oppel
Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time -- Lisa Yee
Notes From the Midnight Driver -- Jordan Sonnenblick

Optional book: One of these two short story anthologies by Don Gallo

First Crosssings
What Are You Afraid Of?

All of the Festival books are available at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library and other area public libraries, as well as at your school library. Some additional websites to learn more about the authors and their books:

Terry Trueman [web site][catalog][Google Books]
Janet Taylor Lisle [web site][catalog][Google Books
Vivian Vande Velde [web site][catalog][Google Books
Kenneth Oppel [web site][catalog][Google Books
Lisa Yee [web site][catalog][Google Books
Jordan Sonnenblick [web site][catalog][Google Books
Donald R Gallo [catalog][Google Books

The Festival is also open to any adult (parent, librarian, educator or community member) who wishes to celebrate the importance of reading and writing to the quality of life. Donations are welcome and checks should be made payable to Hudson City Schools, 2386 Hudson-Aurora Rd, Hudson, OH 44236

Here's what students have said about previous Festivals:

"It was so much fun--I made new friends."
"It was very cool being able to meet the author."
"I liked the whole atmosphere of being at the college and mingling with other students."
"It was fun acting out the stories."
"The entire experience was perfect!"
"It's great fun and exciting!"
"It was fun working with people from other schools."
"I enjoyed the Festival greatly and plan to return next year!"

Email Stow-Munroe Falls Teen Services Librarian Christina Getrost at teenlibrarianATsmfplDOTorg with any questions you have concerning this webpage.

Reading And Writing Festival 2009