It's Summertime, and the Reading is Easy…Join us as we celebrate the summer season with reading. In this installment, we delve into three more book bags and beach bags to find out what Dr. Timothy Shanahan, immediate past president of the International Reading Association; Carol Hampton Rasco, president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental; and Patricia Johnston, interim president of ProLiteracy Worlwide, are reading this summer. 
Timothy ShanahanHe is the immediate past president of the International Reading Association and serves as a member of the National Institute for Literacy's Board of Advisors, a presidential appointment. The University of Illinois, Chicago, professor is researching how specialists in fields like math, science and history read texts differently, hoping to produce new strategies for adolescent literacy instruction.
Lost City of the Incas 
Patricia JohnstonShe is the interim president of ProLiteracy Worldwide, a nonprofit international literacy organization based in Syracuse, NY, that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. ProLiteracy Worldwide is the oldest and largest nongovernmental literacy organization in the world.
Mountains Beyond Mountains Although I will spend much of my summer reading my favorite mystery books, I will make time to reread Tracy Kidder's wonderful book about Dr. Paul Farmer. This is one of the most powerful and uplifting books I've ever read. It is unforgettable. I've recalled Dr. Farmer and his determination, whatever the personal cost, to bring medical knowledge and services to the people of Haiti. Working in adult literacy, where we know the difference one person can make in the life of another, I was deeply touched by the difference Dr. Farmer has made in the lives of Haitians. Mountains Beyond Mountains narrates the relationship and travels of Tracy Kidder and Dr. Farmer. You don't want their journey to end; you want them to succeed in all they are trying to do for Haiti and for all the people of the world. 
Carol Hampton RascoThis longtime advocate for children, youth and families has served as the president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Inc. since 2001. RIF, the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit children's and family literacy organization, recently launched a Multicultural Literacy Campaign to promote and support early childhood literacy in African-American, Hispanic and Native American communities.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier As I have read reviews of this book one question continues to haunt me and creep into my conscientiousness-how does war look from the perspective of a child soldier? Not just war through the eyes of a child or the eyes of a soldier, but the eyes and heart and mind of a child soldier. This book is first on my list as I look forward to hearing the author speak in July. Luncheon of the Boating Party Friends who have seen a poster of this Renoir painting in my home for years gave me the book Luncheon of the Boating Party as we often sit looking at the painting of the same name and think about the various conversations taking place at this point in time. This escape into the artistic world of Paris in the 1880's is going to be fun! Heidi Each summer I choose in rotation a favorite children's book from my childhood…and this summer it is Heidi, my favorite and the book that I read many times in the late 50's. As I sat in the Deep South the image of a mountain, snow and cool air was enough to entice me, but truthfully, I just knew my grandfather and I were meant to be on that mountainside! |
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