Getting Too Old For 14 Hour Days, But Excited That @S_StoryFest is Only a Month Away

Another great meeting with the youth board of the Saugatuck Story Fest - they're grouping and regrouping to welcome the authors on board for the weekend event in October.

https://www.ssfteenboard.com/author-gallery.

I have to admit, though, I can throw in a white towel for the 14-hour days. Being in schools in the morning, teaching in the afternoon at the University, and heading to meetings at night makes my eyes and brain very heavy.Ah, but it is worth it, especially to see the excitement rise as the hard work of so many come together.

Excited, too, to collaborate as part of the Great American Read. I love seeing these posters in all the schools (and knowing I have Jason Reynold's Ghost in my undergraduate philosophy course - at least I know they will have read at least one book on the list). It is a great program with a tremendous mission that works perfectly for those of us who labor in a world of literacy (and the list is phenomenal, too).

THE GREAT AMERICAN READ is an eight-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey)*.  It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience.  

Although novelists, television writers, children's authors and more are coming to the festival, our youth board is naturally most excited by the Young Adult composers who will be gracing us with their wisdom, expertise, passions, and commitment. Here's where the energy of our crew has been best felt (and excited to provide the books of these writers into the hands of our summer programs and throughout high schools in Bridgeport who will be joining us for the events).

And, of course, Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters, continues to gain momentum as the StoryFest kick-off. The Quick Center is filling up fast for the sports literacy event:

https://www.fairfield.edu/hoops-africa/

Phew! It's hard to believe that the dates are this close. Getting more and more excited everyday.