Interview with Pam Allyn, Author & Global Literacy Advocate

I want to take a moment to welcome Pam Allyn, Author and Global Literacy Advocate to Kid Lit Frenzy.  Pam took time from her busy schedule to tell us a little more about LitWorld and how we can promote literacy, too.  Thanks Pam for stopping by and sharing your passion with us.

Can you share with readers how you developed LitWorld and what was one or two things you have learned about Global Literacy that most surprised you?

I visited a school for HIV/AIDS orphans in Kenya to do teacher training work and saw most profoundly how much children themselves so believe in the power of education not only to change their lives but to save them. They are hungry to learn, so hungry. When I came back home, I started to think about how in this new era literacy is going to be the one way every child can open every door for his or her dreams and how we can best make that happen.

I stated LitWorld three years ago to campaign for this dream.  One of the most surprising things I've learned is that while I love schools, they cannot be the only solution. We have to cultivate all families and everyone in the community as literacy leaders too. I think there are going to be lots and lots of ways we can imagine to help all people learn to read and write, whether it's via a mobile phone or by a roving LitWorld Ambassador. Although school was designed to give kids a chance, around the world I too often see kids piling into schools but nothing much is happening there. We cannot rely on schools alone.  I want LitWorld to be about learning to read transformationally.

The other surprising thing I learned is that the numbers of illiterate people worldwide are staggering, even more so than I had ever imagined.  The official number is 774 million, which is huge to begin with, but I have traveled a great deal in these past three years and both here and everywhere I meet hundreds of people who may be able to decode the aplphabet but are still not reading anywhere near what it would take for them to use reading as a powerful force for change in their own lives.  The numbers are unacceptable.  We can change this problem, if we all join together and see this as the Human Rights issue of our time. 

What advice would you give to teachers and librarians who would like to develop joint community literacy initiatives or activities?

I love this; collaboration is the key in this new era.  The internet is powerful but can also be confusing.  Please visit us at Litworld.org and we can help you organize for joint community initiatives.  Our World Read Aloud Day is in its third year and we need your support for that one!

In a day and age of scripted Language Arts programs and high-stakes testing, some teachers and administrators are hesitant to branch out or deviate from what has been given to them. Yet, for many urban schools, improvement in reading scores are still slow. Where would you advise a teacher or school to begin in supplementing required reading programs in order to support children in developing personal reading habits at school and at home?

The main problem is that children are never given an opportunity to actually read and to build stamina, fluency and enjoyment. They are constantly asked to do activities and responses to reading, which does not improve stamina, probably the key and most underdiscussed aspect of a personal reading life. Teachers simply must give kids more time to read in school.  It's actually that simple, truly.  Even ten minutes a day of independent reading levels in books they really love, about topics that matter to them, is going to improve test scores, and best of all, give them the idea that having a reading life matters. 

With decreasing/disappearing funding for school libraries and librarians - and even public libraries - the classroom library is becoming even more essential. What suggestions or tips would you have for a teacher in creating a basic functional classroom library that can grow over time and address the diversity of his/her students?

Invite your students to help you build the library.  Ask them what motivates them as readers and build baskets, bins and on-line resources around those passions.  Also, I co-authored a book The Great Eight (Scholastic) that has tons of really cool photos of classroom libraries.  These should help in setting up your own!  I believe the classroom library is truly essential and should change over the course of the year to reflect our students as growing readers. Access to powerful texts that inspire us as readers and writers is so crucial.  

For more information about Pam Allyn, check out the following websites -

Her official website: http://pamallyn.com/
Or her LitWorld page: http://litworld.org/
Or her LitLife page: http://litlifeinfo.com/

Friend her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamallyn

Follow her on Twitter: @pamallyn

From July 1-7, 2011, you also have a chance to win a copy of Pam Allyn's Best Books for Boys. For details, click here.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - When Life Gives You O.J.

Author: Erica Perl
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (June 14, 2011)
Audience: Ages 8 to 11 years old
Source:  Personal Copy
Realistic Fiction * Family Realtionships * Middle Grade

Description from GoodReads:

For years, 10-year-old Zelly Fried has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog. After all, practically everyone in Vermont owns a dog, and it sure could go a long way helping Zelly fit in since moving there from Brooklyn. But when her eccentric grandfather Ace hatches a ridiculous plan involving a "practice dog" named OJ, Zelly's not so sure how far she's willing to go to win a dog of her own. Is Ace's plan so crazy it just might work . . . or is it just plain crazy?

Erica S. Perl weaves an affectionate and hilarious tale that captures the enduring bond between grandparents and grandchildren.  Even when they're driving each other nuts.

If anyone tells you that middle grade fiction is just silly or filled with a lot of fluff, hand them a copy of When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica Perl.  Prior to reading this book, I was most familiar with Perl's picture books, especially her Chicken Butt series.  It doesn't take much to know that if you put chicken & butt in the same title you will likely get something hysterical.  So, though I didn't know much about When Life Gives You OJ, one look at the title and cover gave me the idea that maybe I was in for more of Perl's humor.  And humor, I did get.  But I got much, much more than humor.   


Zelly is a 10 year old transplant to Vermont.  Due to life circumstances, Zelly and her family have moved from Brooklyn to Vermont to share a home with her grandfather, Ace.  Right from the beginning, you get to meet Zelly's eccentric grandfather who prefers to be called Ace and who chooses to call Zelly - Kid.  From a crazy note secured to an empty OJ container with a rubber band, you discover something about Ace and Zelly.  Ace knows that Zelly wants a dog more than anything.  His plan - have Zelly show that she is ready for the responsibility of taking care of a dog by practicing on a "practice dog" which just happens to be in the shape of a plastic orange juice jug.  Will the plan work or will Zelly just die of utter embarrassment?  

Just this part of the story alone, would have made for a hilarious read.  However, this really isn't a dog book.  Behind this quirky, fun cover, Perl has disguised this amazingly rich and insightful story about family dynamics and a relationship between a child and a grandparent.  There is definitely an aspect of humor to Perl's story, but if that is all you walk away with, then you haven't really read the book.

Right from the beginning, I appreciated that Perl worked to capture the awkwardness of leaving everything behind for a new and radically different place.  (Just to note - It is true - you could have lived your entire life in Vermont but if you weren't born there you aren't a native.)  This aspect of childhood (moving and fitting in) is one that many children can relate to and Perl connects with her readers with both humor and insight.  The struggle with making friends, dealing with the class bully, having a friend go away to camp while you stay behind, the arrival of another new-comer (this time a boy) are all significant milestones in the development of the majority of school-age children.  

On top of this, there are all kind of family dynamics at play that most children face at some point in their life.  What happens after the loss of one grandparent (who just happened to be your favorite)? Or what insight do you learn about your own parent when you learn about her own relationship with her father? 


In some ways, there are truly deep concepts going on in this small book which makes it powerful in its own way and one that should be shared with as many children as possible.  When I finished reading Perl's book, I immediately knew that this would be on my read-aloud list for the 2011-2012 school year and would be one of the book I recommend widely.  

If you haven't heard of When Life Gives You OJ, definitely check it out. It just may end up on one of your lists.  

Check out the official book trailer for When Life Gives You O.J.:

For more information about Erica Perl, check out her website: http://www.ericaperl.com/ 

You can find her on twitter: @ericaperl 

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.perl

Hot Off The Press! New Picture Books (14)

This is a feature that I try to do weekly called Hot Off The Press! based on my visits to Vroman's Bookstore and checking out their wall of new picture books.  Here are the 5 new releases that stood out from the pile this week:

Jonathan And The Big Blue Boat
Author/Illustrator: Philip Christian Stead
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (June 7, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

According to Jonathan's parents, he has become to old for his stuffed friend.  Jonathan discovers a boat and a way to search for Fredrick.  He meets a goat, an elephant, and a whale along the way.  His journey eventually leads him to a beautiful understanding and a special ending.  Some books are unique and beautiful and powerful both in text and illustrations.  As I read through this book, and savored the story and pictures, I knew I was holding something special in my hands.  If this doesn't get on some award lists, I will certainly be shocked.

Below is the book trailer for this book.  Happy Watching!

Prudence Wants A Pet
Author:  Cathleen Daly
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Publisher: Roaring Brooks Press (June 21, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Prudence wants a pet.  Her parents have reasons why they don't want to get her one.  Prudence doesn't let this discourage her.  She finds a branch, and then a twig, and then various other objects that she attempts to turn into a faithful pet.  Even her baby brother isn't safe from becoming a potential pet.  I nearly fell out of my chair in a fit of a laughter when Prudence feeds him grass.  I smiled, I chuckled, and I just plain enjoyed this one.  A feel good story with a fun ending that is perfect for any child who is looking for a special pet.  

A Good Knight's Rest
Author: Shelley Moore Thomas

Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas
Publisher: Dutton Juvenille (June 9, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Parents planning to set out on a vacation trip in the car with their young ones might want to read this for fun.  The Good Knight sets off seeking a vacation of rest and relaxation which is waylaid when 3 young dragons join in.  It isn't long before there are choruses of "Are we there yet?" and "I need to go."  The Good Knight does the right thing until at one point he just can't take it any more and his young friends realize it is their turn to do the right thing.  Lots of chuckles in this one.  A good summertime picture book.

Detective Blue
Author: Steve Metzger

Illustrator: Tedd Arnold
Publisher: Orchard Books (July 1, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Little Boy Blue has grown up and is now Detective Blue.  His assignment - to find Miss Muffet.  All of your favorite Nursery Rhyme characters are grown up and make an appearance in this film noir style twist on some classic stories.  Adults can have fun helping young children make a connection between the characters and their original stories.  Tedd Arnold's illustrations add just the right touch to this book.

Who's There?
Author: Carole Schaefer
Illustrator: Pierr Morgan
Publisher: Viking Juvenile (June 9, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

There comes a time when every child seems to have a moment of fear about going to bed.  In this version, little rabbit wonders what is making the bumps and thumps outside his door.  His active and creative imagination comes alive with Morgan's illustrations.  Of course, in the end there is a perfectly good reason for all that scary noise.  A fun addition to the "bedtime fear" category.

UNEARTHLY Giveaway Winner!

The winner of Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (chosen by a random number generator) is:

KAYLIE B.!!

Congratulations, Kaylie! We've contacted you about details on receiving your copy. Thanks to everyone who entered. There will be other giveaways and contests on the blog, so look out for those.

Book Review: Pam Allyn's The Best Books For Boys

Author: Pam Allyn
Title: Pam Allyn's Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives
Publisher: Scholastic Teaching Resources (May 1, 2011)
Audience: Educators/Librarians/Parents
Source: Copy for Review

Description from GoodReads: 
Get all boys reading with this extraordinary guide—chock-full of a wide range of must-read titles organized by interest, age, and development. With this resource in hand, you'll never again struggle to find the right book for even your most reluctant readers. The carefully chosen book selections are accompanied by brief explanations of each book, and a recurring feature, Talk About It, will help you extend the book through conversation, supporting and enhancing the reading experience. In addition, ready-to-use lessons align with themes and topics of special interest to boys that will motivate and inspire them to read more. Finally, Pam answers your most pressing questions about the challenges for boys as readers and shows you how you can maximize environments, routines, and structures to ensure that boys are reading widely and passionately. For use with Grades K-8.


I must admit that I was slow in discovering Pam Allyn and her wonderful work to support literacy not just here in the United States but also globally.  My staff and I did our best (despite some District events) to celebrate World Read Aloud Day (March 9, 2011).  With a goal to increase student literacy and love for books, how could we not try to participate in some way?  And yet, I'm glad to have discovered Allyn, her books, and her passion for Global Literacy.


So when I was asked to review Allyn's new book - Pam Allyn's Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives - it was easy to say yes.  While I was reading the book, I couldn't help but think about teachers that I would like to give a copy to.  This practical resource for parents, teachers, librarians or anyone who cares about children and reading looks at why a book like this was needed as well as provides very practical ways to encourage and support reading with boys.

The book opens with an introduction, and if you tend to skim through introductions or think they aren't important, I encourage you to read this one.  Throughout the whole introduction, I wanted to verbally voice my agreements with her statements and observations.  I nearly cried at the story of Sammy who developed pride in his reading and shouted an emphatic agreement when Allyn indicated that "we need a Title IX for the classroom to equalize the gender opportunities for all..." (p. 8)

And I loved this explanation Allyn gives as to part of the purpose of the book:

"In this book, I will share with you the critical elements for helping boys build confidence, feel like contributing members of a reading world, and stretch the rope so that they can make progress in leaps and bounds." (p. 7)

Within the Key Question and Answer section, Allyn talks about the READ (Ritual, Environment, Access, Dialogue) Model and answers some very important questions about boys and reading.  I am already thinking about how I can use this section of the book as part of a discussion with the teachers that I work with.

As if it wasn't enough for the introduction and first two sections to have information that will just resonate with those who have spent any time with boys.  The final section is an amazing K-8 reading list in annotated bibliography format with talking points for specific books.  Each category looks at books for emerging readers, developing readers, and maturing readers.  The list is filled with old favorites and many new titles.  After reading the book, I find myself wanting to go back to read titles that I have missed or to keep referring the book to every teacher that I know (and librarians too).

If you are looking for a gift for a teacher or a librarian or parent, I would highly recommend Pam Allyn's Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives. I know that I will be handing out copies of this to both new and experienced teachers.

For more information about Pam Allyn, check out the following websites -

Her official website:  http://pamallyn.com/
Or her LitWorld page: http://litworld.org/
Or her LitLife page: http://litlifeinfo.com/

Friend her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamallyn

Follow her on Twitter: @pamallyn

To purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/3mmfpwb

From July 1-7, 2011, you also have a chance to win a copy of Pam Allyn's book.  For details, click here.

Freedom Giveaway Hop

Time to celebrate with another Giveaway Hop.  Thanks to Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Simply Stacie for co-hosting this hop.

Giveaway:
The winner of this giveaway will receive a prize pack with the following books:

A signed hard cover of The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared by Alice Ozma

A copy of Pam Allyn's Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading In Ways That Will Change Their Lives

Rules for the Contest:

1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section,you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest. Any comments with personal information WILL BE deleted.
2. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. PDT on Friday, July 1, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 7, 2011.
3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
4. You must be a follower of the blog.
5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

Welcome Renée to Kid Lit Frenzy

Life has been...well it has been insanely busy lately. I have officially declared June busier and more expensive than December. Of course, when things get busy, some of the fun stuff gets a little neglected. And the blog was getting a little neglected recently. To try and help bring some new perspective and ideas to the blog, I asked a former blogger & friend of mine if she wanted to come on board as a regular reviewer on Kid Lit Frenzy.  I got to know Renée when we both did some reviewing and posts for YA Lit Review. She has also been a guest blogger for me this past year. I was so thrilled when Renée agreed to be a regular. *does happy dance*

We have already started talking about some special features for the blog as well as some possible events.

Here is a little bio on Renée:

She is a college undergraduate one year away from getting Bachelor's degrees in English and Communication. She's been reading young adult literature since Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone captured her heart and imagination over 10 years ago. Her current favourite authors include Libba Bray, Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Lauren Oliver, Andrea Cremer, and 635174 more. She likes her heroines sassy and her heroes swoon-worthy. She owns 400 books and counting...

If you haven't seen Renée's most recent review, check out her review of Unearthly by Cynthia Hand.

You can follow Renée on twitter: @mcdonaldrenee

Welcome Renée!!!