Books change lives – even save them – and at the right time, a single book can have that same power.

A recent article from School Library Journal, discussed how libraries across the country are seeing diverse titles on the rise. After all, many readers – kids in particular – want to read about people and things they can relate to, and sometimes that means judging a book by its cover. Who's image do you see on the cover? What about the author's photo on the back? Do they look like you? Why not? The fact is, these images should be diverse as the plot lines in the stories that line the shelves. And thanks to a big push by librarians, that's becoming more of a reality. 

The SLJ article Can Diverse Books Save Us? shows that in today's divided world, librarians are on a two-fold mission. First, to address the need of representation and make sure readers can find characters, authors and illustrations who are like them on their shelves. The second is to deliberately give readers access to books with characters, authors and illustrators who are not like them, in hopes of building empathy and understanding by getting a glimpse of someone else's lived experience and point of view.
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According to the article, "Across the board, librarians are buying more diverse books – two-thirds of the sample, 68 percent of survey respondents – report purchasing an increased number of children’s/YA (young adult) titles with diverse characters in the last year." Not surprisingly, the level of importance of access to a diverse collection varies in communities where populations tend to be more homogenous.
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​While there has been a lot of progress made thanks to the work of individual librarians and organizations like We Need Diverse Books, there's still a long way to go. My own experience as a librarian and a few quotes for the SLJ article make this clear:
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I encourage you to read the entire article to draw your own conclusions, but mine is this: There are lots diverse voices writing books, and more readers are reading them. Librarians are buying diverse books now more than ever, which is great – but that can't be it. Now let's see the school curriculums change to reflect this, and let's support publishers who use their resources to make these types of books a reality. Let's hold each other accountable and not build any more unnecessary walls. Let's work together to keep tearing them down, brick by brick.
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Hello, dear readers! I find myself making excuses yet again for delayed postings (I've only managed one a month since October!), but this is always such a busy time of year. On that note, I hope everyone had a happy holiday. I can't believe that tomorrow is already the last day of 2015, but you know what that means .... it's time to rank the best books of the year!

Now there are countless "best books" lists and while there's usually some overlap, there is almost never two identical lists. But there's one source that I find myself coming to year after year for the best, best books rankings: The Goodreads Choice Awards.

One of the reasons I love the top books of the year as declared by the Goodreads Choice Awards is that they're chosen by average readers like you and I! No snobby critics with potential motives for selecting particular titles, just bookworms who know the good stuff when they see (or read) it. How cool is that? Since there's voting involved, it's also fun to get to choose your favorites (or at least try to predict the winners) during each round and see if your selections make it all the way to the winner's circle.

A little over one year ago I published a post about the 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards winners being announced, so I figured I'd continue the now-annual tradition and highlight this year's champion titles:
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It looks like I'm more on my game this year - I've already read, wanted to read, or at least heard of the majority of these titles before the voting for the awards began back in the beginning of November. But of course, that is not at all surprising considering I now have more than a full year's worth of experience working in the magical public library world to help fuel my literary fire!

As you can see, I've already marked my "want to read" selections. And while there are still a few titles from last year's Goodreads Choice Awards that I have yet to get around to reading (oops), I'm not opposed to tacking on a few more books to my ever-growing "to-read" list! I hope this post helps you find a few titles that interest you as well – particularly if your New Year's resolution is to read more books!
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There are many reasons the book's release is so highly anticipated, but the top two are probably because Lee hasn't published a book since 1960, and To Kill a Mockingbird has made such a strong impression on readers and critics alike. The mysterious Harper Lee has largely remained out of the spotlight since her first book's initial success, but people want to hear more from the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, and 55 years later — they finally will be.

While it's not sure what critics will have to say about the book, there's no question that it will be widely read. Some worry that Go Set a Watchman won't be able to live up to its high expectations, but considering that to Lee, this was the original story of Scout & Co., I have a pretty strong feeling it won't disappoint. At least I sure as heck hope not!

The reservation list for Go Set a Watchman is climbing rapidly at libraries and bookstores across the country, and according to The Guardian, the book is now the most pre-ordered book in publisher Harper Collins' history. As one CNN article explains, the book's massive pre-release demand speaks to the public's interest in a story that has been left up to readers to finish.

"'It's possible Go Set a Watchman will turn out to be a great work of literature," LA Times reporter Steven Zeitchick told CNN. '"But it will have some awfully stiff competition. Few books can outdo the one we've written in our minds.'"

An extra special shout out to all my librarian friends out there, as today is National Library Workers' Day!

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a nation-wide observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries – be it school, public, academic or special – are recognized and participate in this honorary week of recognition.

According to the ALA, "It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support." And guess what? I couldn't agree more! Libraries promote lifelong learning, equitable access to information and a love for literacy. They are safe havens and resource centers. Librarians are educators, friends, motivators, supporters and active community members. They are role models and tech support. The list goes on and on! 

In 2014 there was one particular library that couldn't stay out of the headlines – for all the right reasons. I've posted a few times about the Ferguson Municipal Public Library in Missouri, located just blocks from where racially-fueled protests took place following the Michael Brown shooting and Grand Jury ruling. It was there at that tiny public library that Director Scott Bonner and his staff embodied what librarianship is all about, which ended up bringing the small library donations totaling more than $200,000.

After the unarmed Brown was shot by a police officer in last August, the St. Louis suburb was hit by escalating protests and civil unrest. But while local businesses and schools closed their doors as riots, violence and arson raged, the Ferguson library remained open.

Bonner's exemplarily work recently won him the Lemony Snicket award, honoring “noble librarians faced with adversity.” He also put out this response on Twitter, and I think it says a lot about him as a person:

You see? This is how important libraries are to their communities! But everyone knows libraries are only as great as the people who work inside them! As part of this week's festivities, today is National Library Workers' Day. This is my first year I find myself in that category, and I can't wait to celebrate many more days like this during my quest to become a professional librarian. 

But I'll let you in on a little secret about this week: Even without it, librarians would still be more than happy to do what we are doing – to do what we love. Although I must to admit, a little public appreciation goes a long way.

For example, a few weeks ago I had an older library patron approach my desk and ask for some help planning an upcoming trip to Milwaukee. I helped her find an affordable hotel, contact information for the Mitchell Domes and the Milwaukee Art Museum, and even suggested a few restaurants for her to try out. Last Friday that patron came back to the library and rushed over to my desk, exclaiming "Oh I'm so happy you're here! I had such a wonderful time in Milwaukee! I couldn't have done it without you!" 

I couldn't help but smile and feel reminded me why I wanted to work in a public library: to help people like her and to give back to my community. Much to my surprise, she returned again the very next day, with a vase of fresh cut flowers from her garden and a thank you card reading "It's people like you who make it possible for people like me to be thankful for people like you." If that doesn't warm your heart I don't know what will.

The truth is, there are countless interactions like that occurring between patrons and library workers each and every day. Do you have a special library employee in mind that deserves recognition? Nominate a stellar library worker today as part of National Library Workers' Day. And go and pay your librarians a visit at your local library while you're at it! 

Earlier this month, Scholastic announced that 500,000 books were successfully distributed to young children wellness checkup sites across the country. This donation was made through work of the Scholastic Possible Fund and Reach Out and Read, a program focused on educating parents and caregivers about the importance of reading aloud to children from birth. 

This generous donation of books is essential for even the earliest of learners, with research showing the massive amount of brain development that takes place in a child's first three years of life. These early years of development are primed for parents and caretakers to help their babies' brain develop by doing things like reading aloud, talking, singing and rhyming (Remember, your child will not receive the same benefits by watching T.V. or listening to a CD about rhyming – they need your human contact)!

What better way to educate parents about the importance of promoting early literacy skills than to encourage parents to read to children at the doctor's office?

According to Scholastic's blog On Our Minds, "The book donation and distribution are part of a national partnership announced by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the fourth annual Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting (CGI America) in June, 2014. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Reach Out and Read, Scholastic and Too Small to Fail are using a multi-pronged approach to ensure that medical caregivers have the information, tools and books they need to help families make reading aloud with their infants a daily practice."

Massive book distributions like this are one of the many reasons I absolutely love Scholastic and miss being able to say that I work there (even if it was only a summer internship). The organization's belief that literacy is the birthright of every child is something that I could not agree with more. The right book at the right time can change a child's life! And the benefits of reading go far beyond the actual skill of literacy. The beauty of building strong readers is watching their young minds flourish and their confidence grow. 

Scholastic prides itself on striving to “Open a World of Possible” for every child around the world, and for that to be possible, access to the books kids want to read is key. 

To view the distribution details of the first shipment by state, click here. According to Scholastic, the second shipment is scheduled for early summer.

According to a study cited in a recent article published in the UK's The Independent, secondary students in England are being "seriously under-challenged" by the book they are given at school.

The article states:

The report gathered that many of these secondary school students are attracted to books that have recently been turned into movies such as The Hunger Games trilogy and The Fault in Our Stars, but dubbed them as too easy for the children's average reading level.

To provide you with some context, secondary school in England is roughly the equivalent of middle school here in the states. And the success of Suzanne Collins and John Green's books among early teenagers is hardly a phenomenon unique to the UK alone. So wouldn't this mean these books too easy for our young American readers too?

But wait a minute ... I see adults reading, watching and talking about The Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars and loads of other YA titles. Surely these books are also below their reading levels. Are you meaning to tell me that they shouldn't be reading them either? 

As someone who works in a public library where it is my job to help readers find books that interest them, I can't imagine turning them away from a particular title – especially a child who wants to read. Yes, a kid could perhaps get more mental stimulation out of a book that is a bit more challenging, but that could also push them away from wanting to read. In my opinion, one of the most important things for children to develop during their youth is an early love for reading. Once that habit is set, their tastes in literature will change and evolve, just as they will. More difficult books will come as they get older, and if they don't? They'll still be ahead of all the kids who weren't reading anything at all.

Earlier this week, Scholastic released the results of the fifth edition of its national survey on the state of kids and reading known as the Kids & Family Reading Report, and some of the conclusions are a bit hard to swallow. 

According to Scholastic, key findings from the report include:

• Half of all children ages 6–17 (51%) are currently reading a book for fun and another one in five (20%) just finished one.
• Both parents of children ages 6–17 (71%) and kids (54%) rank strong reading skills as the most important skill a child should have. Yet while 86% of parents say reading books for fun is extremely or very important, only 46% of kids say the same.
• Three-quarters of parents with children ages 6–17 (75%) agree “I wish my child would read more books for fun,” and 71% agree “I wish my child would do more things that did not involve screen time."

The report also shows that something needs to be done to sustain children's reading interest beyond age 8, after which it sharply declines. Another pressing issue raised by the report is the fact that boys aren't reading for fun as much as girls. In 2014, 56% of girls said reading was very important, whereas only 36% of boys agreed. Children's overall perception of reading importance even decreased by 5% between 2012 and 2014 – from 51% saying it is very important down to just 46%.

The fact that more than half of children surveyed are reading for fun is amazing, that is, if you're looking at the glass half-full. But to think that almost just as many kids aren't reading for fun is heart wrenching. And yes, it's great that most parents want to see their children doing things that don't involve a screen, but how on Earth has it gotten to the point that 71% of them are compelled to feel this way? How can parents get their children spending less time in front of a screen and more time reading for fun? 

We've all heard the expression "Monkey see, monkey do," and when it comes to reading, it's no different.

As someone who was raised as a bookworm, I will tell you from experience that my parents' reading habits served as the foundation for my own. I can still remember laying in the bed I shared with my sister, our mom sandwiched between us reading aloud while my dad laid at the end of the bed and listened along. I didn't know it then, but those countless nights spent reading with all four of us cramped on a tiny double bed would become some of my most cherished memories of us all together as a family. 

When it comes down to it, all it really takes to be a reading role model is a little effort. Here's a couple steps I would recommend to help get the children in your life reading.

Be seen: It's no secret that kids mimic the things they see others do, and this is particularly true for parents. Instead of coming home to plop down in front of a television or laptop, pick up a book and get reading. If you enjoy using eReaders, make sure you tell your kids that you're reading a book, not playing a game. The more kids see you interested in books, the more they will become interested too.

Read aloud: Even better than reading a book in the presence of your children is reading to them. Once your child is old enough, switch roles and have them read aloud to you! This is a great way to spend time with your children while having fun and improving their literacy skills.

Ask questions: When you read a book with your children, be sure to ask them questions to gauge their comprehension and interest in the book. Do you like this book? Who's your favorite character and why? What do you think will happen next? What is one thing you could ask the author if you could talk to him or her? Do you think this book would be a good movie?

The power of choice: According to Scholastic, 91% of kids say that their favorite books are the ones that the pick out themselves. What better way to do that than by bringing the children in your life to local libraries and book stores? 

Take a look at some of the graphs Scholastic generated showing what affects children's reading habits:

To see the full results from the State of Kids & Reading report, click here. To view the Kids & Family Reading Report in it's entirety, visit scholastic.com/readingreport.

I invite you to share your experience of being a reading mentor with me on Facebook or Twitter, using #TessaFoxReads. Tomorrow is National Readathon Day and a great time to get your little ones (and yourself) reading!

You know what the best day of the week is? Saturday. I mean, Sunday is cool too, but knowing that Monday looms just around the corner sort of puts a damper on things. But this Saturday – this Saturday is going to be extra special, because it's the first ever National Readathon Day!

According to publisher Penguin Random House, "40 percent of American adults are either at or below basic reading proficiency, and 14 percent are fully illiterate. But the trouble doesn’t stop there. Each year, millions of Americans – especially our youth – are losing touch with the power and importance of reading books. As Malcolm X said, 'People don’t realize how a whole life can be changed by one book.'"

To address this issue, Penguin Random House teamed up other bookish organizations like GoodReads,
Mashable and the National Book Foundation to create an event to raise awareness and funds to help share the power of literacy. And what better way to do that than dedicate an entire day to reading? As an added bonus, it gives you an excuse to lay in bed and read all day! 

How to get started

If you’re a reader:

• Create a Firstgiving Fundraising page to benefit the National Book Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit.
• Invite friends and family to donate to your effort.
• Check back into this site to find a participating venue near you or encourage your local bookstore or library to host a reading party.
• Join bookworms across the country for the inagural National Readathon Day Saturday, January 24th from 12-4 p.m. and make #timetoread!
  
  

How to host an event

If you’re a bookstore, library, school, or other venue:

• Tell Penguin Random House that you plan to host a Readathon party by emailing them at readathon@penguinrandomhouse.com
• Visit Penguin Random House's resources section and download supporting materials. If you're one of the first 200 venues to sign up, the publisher will ship a Readathon Day poster to you.
• Promote National Readathon Day in your store or library by displaying event signage and promoting it in your newsletter and social media efforts leading up to the day.
• Join bookworms across the country for the inagural National Readathon Day Saturday, January 24th from 12-4 p.m. and make #timetoread!

Now, unfortunately I won't be able to partake in National Readathon Day because I'll be at an all-day orientation for new graduate students pursuing their masters in Library and Information Science. Considering that this is really the first step of me becoming a librarian who will dedicate her entire life to promoting literacy, I think the book gods will excuse my absence. Plus, I spent my entire day off last week finishing the last couple hundred pages in A Storm Of Swords ... so that should count for something!

Still not sold on an excuse to spend your weekend working through that book you just haven't had a chance to get to yet? Take a look at what some Penguin Random House authors had to say about literacy and National Readathon Day. Here's to making #timetoread!

*To learn more about National Readathon Day, visit global.penguinrandomhouse.com/readathon