This generation’s literature is no longer the rage when it comes to entertainment. A battle for 21st librarians is suffering the tragedy that most kids simply DON’T READ. Head librarian at AISB Dr. John Kurtenbach is on a journey to bring the art of literature through hands-on experience. The battle of movies and TV programs that grab children’s attention means most students need more action than words on a page to get engaged.

As Kurtenbach says, “Unfortunately, not all students read, so our monthly collection of new books does not reach the entire student body.”

To help engage more students and get them excited about reading, AISB hosts several authors every school year. Children’s author Marissa Moss will be here this week, December 4-5. Then, later this year, two performance poets Sarah Holbrook and Michael Salinger in their duo group “Outspoken,” brings out-of-the-box workshops lasting from March 26-30 in 2018.

Here’s some more information on the upcoming visitors:

Marissa Moss, Children’s Author: Dec 6-7

Moss is a published author of over 50 books for children of all ages and has won many awards. Her cheerful characters and smile make writing seem like a walk in the park, but every book has a life and journey of its own. Moss’s life is much like the one lived through Amelia, the young girl protagonist in her world-famous series “Amelia’s Notebook.” Moss’s story shows that with early passion comes judgment and inevitable failure.

Moss attempted her first book (a picture book) at age nine. Her idea was rejected, but she kept creating. In early adulthood, she tried again; and for five years, worked hard and faced rejection, learning the valuable lesson that there is indeed a success in every failure.

“Each one [book] takes a lot of revising because I never get things right the first time. That used to frustrate me. Now I expect it. And I don’t mind, because that gives me permission to make mistakes. It means I can take risks and try new things because I don’t have to be perfect ,” says Moss.

During her stay, Moss will work with 6th and 7th graders on how to develop storybook characters with the hope to get them interested in writing by sharing her personal story. Stop by the library to see what comes out of the workshops.

 

Sara Holbrook & Michael Salinger, Slam Poets:Mar 26-30

Sara Holbrook and Michael Salinger will show you how writing poetry can be a competitive sport. Did you know that poetry could have an audience and a winner and a loser? This collaborative team called “Outspoken” has worked with teams to write poetry in competition situations. They are poets, but also performers, and even compete with other poets in events called “poetry slams.”

When they come to AISB they will share their secrets of writing poetry to win competitions, and also give insight on how this process changed their lives for the better.

Sara Holbrook says, “I write about two things, mostly — what I know and what I wonder about. Reading and writing poetry helps me understand my life, the world, and the people I care about. Whether I am writing funny or serious poems, writing poetry helps me see what’s true.”

“Outspoken” will show students how to bring poetry alive and bring it off paper to a stage on March 26-30. Prepare your minds for some out-of-the-box thinking. Don’t be intimidated by poetry. Salinger will show you that it can be a natural part of life.

“For me, poetry is to be shared with all walks of life–not just literary critics. I understand that I write to share moments of clarity, instants of realization that almost all occasions hold reason for reflection when analyzed in detail. I write to share these moments, whether they are collected from the window of an airplane, on a fishing pier in North Carolina, or amongst the clatter of machines on factory floor,” says Salinger.