Spotlight on Books:
A Conference for Adults Focused on Youth Literature
April 8-9, 2005 Grand Rapids, MN
Friday Afternoon Workshop (Click for full description)
1pm-4pm
"Empowering Readers for Success" presented by Sue Klund
Backed by research and years of classroom use, you will learn three secrets that will empower students
to raise their reading levels forever. Parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, media generalists, paraprofessionals, principals and friends of children need to hear this and begin to share it. If these
ideas are used in your situation, that "fourth grade slump" might be a thing of the past.
Friday Evening Mini-Workshops (Click for full description)
Sessions 1-2 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Session 1: Dog Days at Your Library - MaryBeth Kafut and Rebecca Patton
Session 2: Shared Stories: Something for Everyone - Tom Fitzpatrick
Sessions 3-4 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Session 3: Children's Book Authors: MN's Underused National Resource - Vicki
Session 4: Everybody Loves a Winner - Heidi Hoks
8:30 Fireside Dessert
Saturday Featured Authors' Schedule
9:00-10 am Pete Hautman
10:30-11:30 am Gwenyth Swain
1:00-2:00 pm Eric Rohmann
2:30-3:15 Informal Panel discussion with authors
Book sales and author signing opportunities will occur throughout the day
2005 Festival of Authors - Regional authors will be available
for book signing and conversation throughout the day
Lodging Information
Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge will provide housing at special conference rates beginning at $75. To make conference lodging reservations, please use this
form, Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge.
Learn more about the Authors
Eric Rohmann
Eric Rohmann, painter, printmaker, and fine bookmaker, is the 2003 recipient of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for his book My Friend Rabbit, a lighthearted celebration of friendship illustrated in robust, expressive prints. In 1995, his book Time Flies, his first book for children, was awarded a Caldecott Honor.
Rohmann holds degrees in fine arts from Arizona State University and Illinois State University, is a former teacher, and has exhibited his artwork at numerous galleries and museums.
Gwenyth Swain
Gwenyth Swain is the author of more than twenty books for children, including two works of historical fiction: Chig and the Second Spread, a novel about a small girl attending a one-room school during the Great Depression, and I Wonder As I Wander, a picture book with illustrations by Ronald Himler. Swain's recent nonfiction works include biographies of Dred and Harriet Scott and of Taoyateduta, the Minnesota Dakota leader best known as Chief Little Crow. Swain lives and writes in St Paul, Minnesota.
Pete Hautman
Pete Hautman writes fiction for adults and teens and won the 2004 National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature for his book Godless. Hautman's work has won Best YA Book of the Year from the Michigan Library Association, the Minnesota Book Award for Best Popular Novel and for Best Young Adult Novel, and the Wisconsin Library Association Award in both the adult and young adult categories. He lives in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Sue Klund: Empowering Readers for Success
Sue Klund is a member of the Minnesota Quality Teaching Network and under Al Greenfield was a member of the Minnesota Reading Best Practice.
In this 3 hour workshop, Sue will share her passion for empowering readers. Backed by research and years of classroom use, you will learn three secrets that empower students to raise their reading levels forever. Parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, media specialists, paraprofessionals, principals and friends of children need to hear this and begin to share it. If these ideas are used in your situation, that "fourth grade slump" might be a thing of the past.
Friday Evening Mini-workshops
Session 1: 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Music and Books: Engaging Young Readers
Connecting sound, music, rhythmic responses, songs, and movement with picture books in an interactive way can increase children's engagement with the text, story comprehension, and interest in books. Learn strategies for sharing music-themed books in story times and other read-aloud settings.
Presenter: Joanna Cortright, Consultant for the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Golden Valley, MN
Session 2: 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Great Minds Think Alike: Reaching Readers Through Collaboration
Have you ever wanted to partner with a community organization, school library, or public library for reading promotion? A national reading consultant, a public librarian, and a school library media specialist will talk about creating collaborative avenues to increase participation in reading programs.
Presenters:
Maggie Snow, Branch Manager, Carver County Library System
Jill Hietala, School Library Media Specialist, Tower-Soudan School
Stephen Krashen, National Reading Consultant, Malibu, CA
Session 3: 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Winning Kids Over with Books: The Best of 2005
A professional children's book enthusiast will show how to entice kids to read the latest award winners. Patty will share tips for booktalking with confidence, using some of the 2005 Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King award winners, and the Minnesota Book Award nominees as examples.
Presenter:
Patricia Nunn, Coordinator of the Perham Early Childhood/Family Initiative and Storyteller/Literacy Consultant.
Session 4: 7:30pm - 8:30pm
The Power of Book Clubs
Book clubs offer a great way to connect with kids and pass on the joy of reading, especially during those critical summer months. A team of veteran book club organizers will talk about various types of clubs, how to structure, lead, and market them, and what did and didn't work for them.
Presenters:Joni Kreuser, Youth Services Librarian, St Louis Park Library
Adam Engdale, Head of the Hennepin County Guys Read Program