As I began my second term as Murfreesboro Poet Laureate this past summer, I reconnected with Read to Succeed, a local organization that promotes literacy for people of all ages throughout Rutherford County.
In the past I’ve been a volunteer with RTS to select and promote its annual One Book selection, and as a classroom reader for Reading in the Schools Day. The organization also offers free youth and family programs, adult tutoring, ESL classes and much more. When I sat down with Family Literacy Coordinator Dianne Lamb and Executive Director Jolene Radnoti, I was thrilled to learn that the organization is now a partner of Project Lit, a grassroots literacy movement to “increase access to diverse books and promote a love of reading in schools and communities across the country.”
Project Lit was founded at Maplewood High in Nashville only a couple of years ago, and it now consists of over 500 chapters in 44 states. Each of these chapters is invested in questions such as these:
- What if…we invested in inclusive libraries that affirmed and valued all students?
- What if…we gave all students choice in what they read?
- What if…all students could see themselves in books?
- What if…we celebrated and cheered on readers the same way we champion our athletes
- What if…we all worked together to make our communities LIT, one book and one conversation at a time?
The teacher behind this movement, Jarred Amato, poses more great What If…? questions on his blog.
Project Lit is about empowering students as leaders and readers, and the resulting enthusiasm for reading that builds both community and individuals. It’s about school districts and communities supporting teachers and “vibrant” libraries. Learn more in this story.
I got even more excited when I learned from Dianne and Jolene that my alma mater, Riverdale High, is one of the schools participating this year.
Students participating in Project Lit do so voluntarily. At Riverdale, they can choose from 2 book selections each month. In November, I read and discussed BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah (a fast-paced, eye-opening read about apartheid, racism, faith, poverty, and his AMAZING mother).
#ProjectLit choices include poetry
In February at Riverdale (and likely at some other local schools this winter) TWO novels-in-verse are the book choices:
- THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo is a young woman’s coming-of-age story that explores “growing up first-generation American, Latinx culture, sizeism, music, burgeoning sexuality, and the power of the written and spoken word,” says Kirkus Reviews in its starred review. The book is winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, along with many other distinctions.
- LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds is an “intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger,” according to its starred Booklist review. It’s a Newberry Honor Award winner, along with many other distinctions.
Did you notice that word “community” has shown up a lot in this post?
This means you! The #ProjectLit community – our community – needs us, needs YOU reading these books, maybe attending a book discussion at a school, or showing up at a community event that relates to the books.
I’m challenging the Poetry in the Boro community – and anyone else interested – to read these books. Will you join me? Even if your schedule doesn’t permit you a library visit during the day, as Poet Laureate I plan to revisit these books through community activities in April for National Poetry Month. (If you can attend a book discussion during the day, let me know and I’ll connect you with Read to Succeed to volunteer.)
Barnes & Noble book fair benefits Riverdale, features local poets
Buy these books at the Murfreesboro Barnes & Noble on Thursday, Nov, 29, during Riverdale’s book fair, and benefit the school’s library. Or buy online at barnesandnoble.com from Nov. 29 – Dec. 3 and benefit the book fair using code 12417812. All purchases, including in the in-store cafe, benefit the book fair.
It gets even better. Come out and hear some local poets at the book fair. From 4:20 to 4:50, Christopher Williams, Caitlyn Parris and myself will be sharing our poetry; then from 7:00 to 7:20 I’ll be back (briefly) with Nick Bush and Amie Whittemore. Between these readings, there will be Riverdale musicians, singers, and more.
And eat to benefit the Riverdale library, too. The evening of Nov. 29, get dinner at The Avenue Newks, Blaze Pizza or Freebirds and benefit Riverdale, too – just tell them when you order!
