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In this Thanksgiving season we decided to feature businesses, authors and illustrators who, not only are dedicated to literacy, but have also found ways to give back to their communities. We hope these individuals and groups inspire you, your children, and students to give back too. If you do, e-mail your stories to us. We might feature them next year! | |
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by Carol
Spartanburg, SC, a 19th century railroad hub, is now home to one of the nation’s few independent non-profit bookstores. The store which opened in June, 2010, is an off-shoot of the Hub-City Writer’s Project; a group founded 15 years ago by three writers who wanted to give their community a literary identity. They've gone beyond that dream to create a space which invites readers, writers, and artists to share their creativity.
The Writer’s Project has published over 300 writers through its own press dedicated to publishing high-quality books emphasizing the Southern experience. The group has renovated two historic downtown buildings (one for the bookstore and one for the alternative arts initiative, HUB-BUB.COM--another off-shoot), given away more than $15,000 in scholarships to emerging writers, sold 70,000 books, commissioned public art, produced concerts and creative book launchings, and provided creative writing instruction to hundreds. All proceeds from book sales fund creative writing education and independent book publishing in Spartanburg.
Betsy Teter, executive director of Hub City Writer's Project & Rebecca Ramos, chair of the non-profit parent organization, HubCulture, Inc.,proudly display some Hub City Press titles.
These award-winning ventures reflect Hub City Writers Project’s serious commitment to reaching out to the community of Spartanburg and making it a better place for people to live and work. According to Betsy Teter, the executive director, “We want to show this community that words and books are important and we want to build a community through the arts.” Part of that commitment is reflected in providing fellowships and scholarships for emerging writers and artist residencies. “We want young people to come to Spartanburg and improve the community by staying here.”
Just a short drive off of I-85, you can visit the Hub-City bookshop, coffee shop and bakery, and then walk a few blocks to visit the art gallery. Come to the Hub and see why other communities across the country want to duplicate this cutting-edge organization.
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NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER, KATHRYN ERSKINE: ON GIVING BACK |
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by Joyce
Mockingbird, the story of a girl with Aspergers Syndrome, was just named a National Book Award winner! As you can see in the interview below, author, Kathryn Erskine has a heart for giving back to the world.
KATHY, first let us say how happy and proud we are for you and Mockingbird. Congratulations on a well deserved honor!
And as much as I want to linger on the award, I do have a few questions regarding service.
1. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU FEEL CALLED TO GIVE TO YOUR COMMUNITY OR THE WORLD?
Growing up overseas, I was exposed to a lot of different communities, many of them having less than what my family had, and some of them very poor. I was always keenly aware of how fortunate I was and how a lot of that was just kismet -- I could so easily have been born into a very poor family. I definitely grew up feeling a responsibility to help others have the basics: food, clothing, shelter, as well as medical care and education. Those are the causes I try to support.
2. IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU THINK WRITING IS AN ACT OF SERVICE?
Writing is a way to reach out to others. It's giving a part of your heart and soul, not just to one person or group but to anyone and everyone who wants to listen, to the "universe." It's opening yourself to criticism and even ridicule but if you have something to say I think you have a duty to say it. Many may not listen, some may not care, few may like it. But if what you say speaks to even one person -- lets them know they're heard or understood -- you've done a very worthwhile service.
To me, writing is my life and the way I connect with humanity.
3. REFLECT FOR US WHAT IT MEANS TO PASS VALUES OF SERVICE ON TO CHILDREN.
One of the values of service is empathy, learning that others have fewer options than we do. Another is gratitude, learning to be grateful that we have so much (even though there's always more that we might like to have). Another is that it's OK to give AND receive, that at some point you may need help and it doesn't mean you're a "lesser" person but rather that you're in a place at that moment when you don't have as much and someone else can share with you. I love this quote from Tony Curtis, an American actor who died this year: "Service to others is the rent we pay for life on this planet." I think service is a duty. Service is how we connect ourselves to others. Service is what helps us learn about ourselves. Service is what makes us human.
Well said, Kathy. Thanks for being so human and for sharing that humanity in your compassionate stories. We extend a great big CONGRATULATIONS for all your writing accomplishments!
Kathy is also the author of IBHUBESI: THE LION, a story of apartheid in South Africa and of QUAKING, the story of a foster child, Quakers, and war. Her newest book, THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE, is scheduled for release in June 2011.
Read a review of MOCKINGBIRD AT Carol Baldwin's blog.
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Interview with Bonnie J. Doerr: An Author Who Gives Back |
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by Carol 
Bonnie J. Doerr is the author of Island Sting (2010), the forthcoming Stakeout (January 2011), and Busted, a third in the eco-mystery series. These action-packed adventures are set in the Florida Keys and feature courageous young teens, Kenzie and Angelo, who together battle ecological destruction.
Carol: Island Sting is described as an "environmental thriller." You told me that the Florida Keys is like a character in your books. Why did you choose this setting and why do you incorporate environmental awareness into your books?
Bonnie: When I taught at Florida Keys Community College I lived on the water outside of Key West. From my windows I watched dolphins play, ospreys hunt, sharks swim, and herons fish. As I snorkeled and fished I learned about this fragile environment. I began to observe people dedicated to conserving the environment and about the ecological damage being inflicted upon the beautiful islands and surrounding waters. The Florida Keys serve as a microcosm of what is happening all over our planet.
A headline about the slaughter of a local endangered species touched me deeply and that was the seed of my first novel. Then came the inevitable questions: Who? Why? What if?—and the plot followed. To disregard obvious ecological concerns in the context of a contemporary Florida Keys adventure would make an implausible read.
Carol: How do you see yourself as “giving back” to the community or to the environment?
Bonnie: I spend an inordinate amount of time and money traveling, and it’s a rare presentation that doesn’t share information about endangered or threatened species, their habitats, and the heroes that work in the field of conservation.
There is a need to strengthen students’ reading comprehension and the growing disconnection between children and nature. And it seems this retired reading and science teacher continues, voluntarily, to act on a lifelong passion to promote literacy and environmental stewardship by writing mystery novels. Who knew?
Bonnie’s next book in the series, Stakeout is due out in early 2011. Here is the pitch:
Haunting visions of an ancient sea turtle incite a reckless rescue straining Kenzie’s bond with Angelo and placing the genus Kenzie Susannah Ryan on the hot list of endangered species.
You can read more about Bonnie and her environmental passion on her blog, Bonnie Blogs Green. Scroll down for my review of Island Sting.
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ILLUSTRATOR, KATHY TEMEAN GIVES GENEROUSLY |
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by Joyce
Illustration: Homework Helper by Kathy Temean
Kathy Temean designs websites & marketing materials, illustrates stories in magazines and other media and is writing her own middle grade novel. She's a busy lady with plenty of her own marketing to do. But over at her blog she shares writing tips, promotes authors and illustrators, and gives readers a heads up on upcoming contests.
In addition she organizes and runs YAAG (Young Authors and Artists Group) which focuses on helping students learn about publishing and find the support they need to enter the publishing world. If you have a young writer in your home or classroom, you might want to direct them to the YAAG website.
Kathy Temean
Kathy also heads up the New Jersey chapter of SCBWI and puts together a dynamite writer's conference held each June.
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Island Sting by Bonnie Doerr |
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 by Carol
What better way to hook your readers than have your main character almost drown as she rescues an endangered Key deer and is fished out by a cute guy? Bonnie Doerr uses events like this to keep 5th-8th graders reading this illustrated eco-mystery.
Kenzie Ryan and her newly-divorced mother (Maggie) have just arrived in the Florida Keys. While Maggie is starting her job as a nurse, Kenzie is supposed to be setting up housekeeping. Instead, she is quickly consumed by an obsession to discover the poacher who is killing the miniature Key deer who live on the Big Pine Key. Kenzie’s anger towards the unknown poacher is joined with a desire to clean up the litter-strewn island. These two themes intertwine and constitute the backbone of this entertaining and informative book—and become the focal point for the Keys Teens Care group which Kenzie helps form.
Bonnie Doerr's intimate knowledge of the Florida Keys comes through on every page. When I complimented her on how well she described the setting she said: “Since I have an environmental theme, I need readers to care about the setting--the Keys--before they will care about any wrong or crime associated with it."
In Teaching the Story, I discuss how setting should answer the question, "What can happen here?" This example of a well-honed description, by Bonnie Doerr prompts the reader to ask that question:
“Cars poured out of the shopping center under an ever-threatening sky. Clouds darkened and billowed upward. Armies of great mushrooms, brewing thunderous time bombs.”
Science and language arts teachers will be excited to find a contemporary mystery that can be used in both subject areas. Teachers and students will be happy with the end notes which provide more history and information about the Key deer and their fragile island environment. | |
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TEENS GIVE BACK THROUGH TUTORING |
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by Carol
Several years ago when Lori, our middle child, left for college she said, "Mom, you're not going to have anything to do once we leave home. You should volunteer somewhere." Although Lori was wrong about me having nothing to fill up my time, she was right that I would enjoy volunteering.
Since my passion is literacy, I thought about tutoring. I decided I could be most effective if I trained others to be tutors.
Three years later, a tutoring program that uses high school students from Covenant Day School, is going strong. Since the school is a ministry of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, we are able to use space which the church provides. The tutors earn service hours for the one hour a week when they help second through eighth grade students with homework, reading, math, and spelling. Last year we started each hour with a "Teaching Time" when the tutors took turns teaching something which interested them. Subjects included how to look for a college, how to play a guitar, and trips overseas. This year we're focusing on Spanish and the tutors are sharing fundamental Spanish skills.
We celebrate holidays and the end of the school year with parties and gifts of books. It's been a great learning experience for the tutors, students, and me!
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Winners of the contests in our last issue are as follows:
This School Year Will Be The Best - Debbie Matthews
Virtual Maniac - Kathy Beiler
Literacyhead (one year subscription) - Rene Thompson
Mermaids on Parade - Cheryl Cullen
Our thanks to Kay Winters, Margriet Ruurs, and Melanie Hope Greenburg for donating their books and to Jan Burkins for donating a subscription to Literacyhead! | |
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If you didn't win a subscription to Literacyhead last month, Jan Burkins is giving away another copy this month!
An autographed copy of Writing with Families by S. Arthur Kelly, courtesy of Carol's publisher, Maupin House.
An autographed copy of Island Sting by Bonnie Doerr.
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WRITERS SUPPORTING EACH OTHER! |
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Children's authors compete for editor attention, awards, and shelf space but we also support each other in some creative ways.
For example, Bonnie Deorr, (Island Sting) is part of a group called 2K10. She describes the group as follows.
The 2k brand of debut middle grade and young adult authors originated in 2007. Authors are spread across the United States and Canada representing fiction authors of several genres.
We formed a Yahoo group, communicated daily and held online meetings to make major decisions like setting up a website for teachers, librarians, and book sellers. Anyone who learned about a speaking opportunity shared it, and those who could do so traveled to the event. Any opportunity to donate time or books for worthy causes was also shared, as were interview requests and guest blog opportunities. Members of the class of 2k9 were our mentors and "go-to" authors when we were newly pubbed.
It’s hard to believe, but now we are mentoring the next class, and the saga will continue. We are more than the class of 2k10, we are a link in a chain of MG and YA authors. | |
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If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
Mother Teresa
If you have much, give of your wealth, if you have little, give of your heart. Arab Proverb
It is better to give than to receive, especially advice.
Mark Twain
Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family.
George Bernard Shaw
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein | |
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Other People who Give Back |
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Katherine Paterson, award winning author of 39 books, brought books and storytellers to Venezuelan children devastated by horrendous floods and landslides in 1999. In her role as
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature She continues to promote literacy both in the United States and abroad.
(from Reading Today. Oct/Nov 2010)
Both Joyce and I have benefitted from being members of SCBWI. Across the country and around the world, each region is headed up by advisors who spend many hours answering questions,
organizing events, and promoting excellence in children's and young adult literature. We'd like to recognize Teresa Fannin and Jo Hackl, the regional advisors for the Carolinas chapter. You do a great job and we appreciate you!
And thank you to all the teachers and librarians who give unselfishly everyday!
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Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patrica Polacco is a picture book tribute to the teacher who protected her from a bully and helped her to overcome dyslexia.
Dear Miss Breed nonfiction by Joanne Oppenheim. True stories of the Japanese American incarceration during World War II and a librarian who made a difference.
We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin - by Larry Dane Brimner - a biographical picture book about a little known but important civil rights activist.
We Could Be Brothers, a middle grade novel by Derrick Barnes - deals with the shaping of black men.
Healing Water by Joyce Moyer Hostetter was inspired by the compassionate service of a Catholic priest to leprosy patients in Hawaii.
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by Carol
It sounds corny, but I am thankful for you--our subscribers!
I am also thankful for:
- the Lord and His many gifts to me.
- my husband.
- for each one of our daughters.
- for my two granddaughters, and for my brand new (month old!) grandson.
- for the gift of writing and for the time and opportunities to exercise that gift.
- for Joyce. From whom I have learned so much about writing and creativity!
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by Carol and Joyce
We offer
Writers-in-Residence
programs and would be happy to customize workshops for your school and grade level. Here are some topics to choose from:
- Pump Up the Narrative!
- Writing Memorable Memoirs
- Writing Across the Curriculum: Using Short Fiction to Supplement Science & Social Studies
- Jazz Up your Writing!
- Writing From the 5 Senses
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We produce this newletter with the help of a lot of great writers, teachers and friends.
Family too! My sister, Joanne Hunsberger proofreads each issue of Talking Story and helps us deliver clean copy.
Just when we're tired of the details, Joanne comes in with fresh eyes to catch the places where we've glazed over! We couldn't do this without her.
And thank you to our special contributors this time: Bonnie Doerr, Maupin House, and Jan Burkins. They're responsible for the generous giveaways!
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Happy Holidays! We'll see you in the New Year when the January issue focuses on HEROES. | | |
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