tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60226160297279115252024-02-19T00:38:25.617-06:00Million Boys ReadThis YA writer's journey to inspire one million boys to read.Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-89724553093057703342009-06-10T20:44:00.002-05:002009-06-10T21:06:13.710-05:00Thinking like a leaderI couldn't attend BEA this year, but one report from <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6662727.html?nid=2788&source=title&rid=808487273">Publishers Weekly</a> caught my eye. It was about a panel of booksellers on "Thought Leadership" and how important it is to the children's book market. <div><br /></div><div>I like to think of myself as a thought leader. Everyone I know who brings up the subject of books for boys gets my leading thoughts on the subject. Sometimes they're overwhelmed, sometimes I get nods of agreement, but I often see a sense of surprise at the depth of the subject. Many many people -- especially those of us who have raised or taught boys -- have felt the frustration and disappointment of trying to "get him to read." This doesn't count for every boy, of course. I recognize that there are lots of well-read boys out there. But the main current is one of effort and dismay. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, people often connect with my message of why boys don't read. If you haven't heard or read it before, I think the main issue with boys and books is CONTENT. I believe that there are two main issues: </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Most of the people (adults) in the chain of choice for young readers' books -- from authors to agents to editors to librarians and teachers and even the parent most typically responsible for a boy's education -- are women. Don't get me wrong moms, don't point that finger at me Mrs. Bandemere (my 3rd Grade teacher), please continue to consider my books Ms. Editor. We love you. You're doing great work for us. We appreciate it. (One of the most influential people in my life was Mrs. Jepeson, the librarian at my elementary school.) But when it comes to choosing books for boys, you have one MAJOR DISADVANTAGE -- you've never been a 12-year-old boy! It's not your fault, I know. But often, the chain of choice picks books with content they THINK boys SHOULD read (based on other-than-masculine tastes). Uninteresting content = disinterested readers.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Boys are often steered away from reading materials that they find interesting -- video game/tech magazines, comics, technical manuals -- and told that it's not "real reading." A study by two literacy professors in Maine found that while boys' literacy test scores are as low as the perception, boys do, in fact, have quite a capacity for being literate on the materials that they're motivated to read. Wouldn't you be discouraged if someone walked by while you were reading your favorite anything and said, "Oh, yeah, THAT. That's not real reading. Get back to Shakespeare or something else I find valuable." So, we tend to gently punish boys for their tastes and steer them away from reading that interests them. </div><div><br /></div><div>The article in Publishers Weekly quotes booksellers as saying that "we need to be a resource." I agree. The motto of our developing bookstore <a href="http://www.hisbot.com">www.Hizbot.com</a> is "Boy read. Guaranteed." While it's not fully developed yet, we'll be including guides and articles that parents, teachers and librarians can use to enhance boys' reading experiences. We're developing thought leadership with every choice we make. We want to inspire boys to read and give them the tools and materials they need to do it. </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-60310271198292619092009-05-27T13:07:00.010-05:002009-05-27T14:41:20.040-05:00EXTRA! EXTRA!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6JPAxFiexUr7XQSi6jn2KsN7OvgDfQ9QUNYhUuA3sAL0Ip5Gsn29dpb-2hzC5McJya378W4eOQu2YtqWLIdVgj8YSmpivpFSVUkGjd2xOo1L28dXeOAJgqcmFR_PL8iS8giMSdBTS1g/s1600-h/superman2.gif"></a>Read all about how terrorism strikes the city of Seaside and what 4 teens do about it. <div><br /></div><div>My graphic novels RECON ACADEMY are available at <a href="http://www.hisbot.com/">Hisbot.com</a> . This is the early online store that will become Hizbot.com, where Boys read. Guaranteed.</div><div><br /></div><div>RECON ACADEMY is about 4 teens who run a counterterrorism unit out of a secret headquarters hidden deep inside their high school. They battle their archenemy Shadow Cell to keep the high-tech town of Seaside safe for the citizens. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 70px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jtg3FbWaDuOLZOYygL_OBbXJpa8Ibmdr_chCow-MBriGP928l4YKVxYj2QAXN5Z6dJz9FAD2rqoPWUE_avQ1J6dJHHcL0fiFdRoIN_hwzm7QSn8nkr1OpB3bOUESJD1KuQ0tI1k-lT0/s200/Nuclear2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340585654861958162" /></div><div>Nuclear Distraction: Matthew (aka Hazmat) races to stop Shadow Cell's secret attack on Seaside's nuclear power plant and finish in time for a hot date. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5LiGeQrCJY2YBwCCbnBSuPMxbglNQFW1eS5gWRYaU-MbsxefONPJI9zH2GzCFLkV0PhfZEGm9hfgadm80UflCsvs-K7miB_ZvX1NqDY1ITXJ4HlbVAMZFE4pMq4gabacffvuEwkm1uo/s1600-h/squadron2.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5LiGeQrCJY2YBwCCbnBSuPMxbglNQFW1eS5gWRYaU-MbsxefONPJI9zH2GzCFLkV0PhfZEGm9hfgadm80UflCsvs-K7miB_ZvX1NqDY1ITXJ4HlbVAMZFE4pMq4gabacffvuEwkm1uo/s200/squadron2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340586253168495586" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 100px; " /></a>Prep Squadron: Jay is sent on a Recon training mission at the Navy base, not knowing that he's being tricked by Shadow Cell into infiltrating a high-tech weapon hangar. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaSZUwRWwi4mRo8d7iC-xi6p3dAwyQmdgvwCnse4tot4085ar_LTuSMzhVCUcI-wg9v2uepNIxICX2GYHOUjUsNU6FJLi13u4hajRdnrmiphXGhRhMe_FT68TdvzarmYxQoR8CF2sc5Q/s1600-h/Scam2.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaSZUwRWwi4mRo8d7iC-xi6p3dAwyQmdgvwCnse4tot4085ar_LTuSMzhVCUcI-wg9v2uepNIxICX2GYHOUjUsNU6FJLi13u4hajRdnrmiphXGhRhMe_FT68TdvzarmYxQoR8CF2sc5Q/s200/Scam2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340586168004755730" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 100px; " /></a>Shadow Cell Scam: Emmi has to save each Recon member from the new computers given them for free, which are actually gas time bombs, set to knock out the team while Shadow Cell prepares to shoot down a Navy rocket.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50DdHSBs6Lrq5XB-BPMWRZPS3m_3Ewuh17d9z-zoajukFpAK_l7FI7HGIr2I4vtJUKFGqKc_2EeF3DpY7xbO1GKG-0ucmBjxKXwjfelvDXDL0Ka6SFLyR_7YwZIWBMRyMZAsasgGtRr8/s1600-h/Frenz2.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50DdHSBs6Lrq5XB-BPMWRZPS3m_3Ewuh17d9z-zoajukFpAK_l7FI7HGIr2I4vtJUKFGqKc_2EeF3DpY7xbO1GKG-0ucmBjxKXwjfelvDXDL0Ka6SFLyR_7YwZIWBMRyMZAsasgGtRr8/s200/Frenz2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340586039229177474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 71px; height: 100px; " /></a>The Hidden Face of Fren-Z: The team responds to a bank robbery call and Ryker uses his super programming skills to stem an attack on the Federal Reserve by Shadow Cell's top hacker Fren-Z.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also available at <a href="http://www.hisbot.com">Hisbot.com</a> is my illustrated chapter book SUPERMAN: TOYS OF TERROR </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6JPAxFiexUr7XQSi6jn2KsN7OvgDfQ9QUNYhUuA3sAL0Ip5Gsn29dpb-2hzC5McJya378W4eOQu2YtqWLIdVgj8YSmpivpFSVUkGjd2xOo1L28dXeOAJgqcmFR_PL8iS8giMSdBTS1g/s1600-h/superman2.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6JPAxFiexUr7XQSi6jn2KsN7OvgDfQ9QUNYhUuA3sAL0Ip5Gsn29dpb-2hzC5McJya378W4eOQu2YtqWLIdVgj8YSmpivpFSVUkGjd2xOo1L28dXeOAJgqcmFR_PL8iS8giMSdBTS1g/s200/superman2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340587847692115778" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 71px; height: 100px; " /></a>Superman fights the wicked devices of Toy Man to stop the evil ever-child stealing a Metropolis Christmas Parade float full of innocent children. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All these books are great summer reading for boys and girls alike. They really fit my mission of getting boys to read. They have lots of action and techno-thrills. Buy them for your young readers and - please - let me know what they think of them. </div><div><br /></div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-74449393753537065112009-05-11T17:09:00.007-05:002009-05-11T17:32:23.180-05:00Wrap Up<div style="text-align: left;">Man, it's hard to get back once signed off. Things have been so crazy (in a good way) that I'm just now getting a chance to sit down and finish my <a href="http://www.reading.org/">IRA</a> story. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I went back to the IRA conference on Wednesday, just pumped up on the reading buzz. Getting exposed to 4,000(?) people all in the same place for the purpose of reading gave me an intellectual contact high. I still feel brainy from it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remembered my camera this time too! First thing, I stopped by the <a href="http://www.redbricklearning.com/">Red Brick Learning</a> booth, where my signing for <a href="http://www.stonearchbooks.com/aspx/padvancedsearch.aspx?Mode=QUERY">Stone Arch Books</a> was held on Tuesday. First person I saw was my friend and Stone Arch Acquisitions Editor Michael Dahl. He's the guy wearing the great tie in the picture below. Michael is a terrific guy whom I love discussing boys reading with because he's enormously knowledgeable and very dedicated. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tK5IPV31-G3M2RKpJGDouWAqEDx2__4SuC7tfbBdjQUmK3lj8lOt4nAg-zm4_TOs_HPGAx5A6fudUr7BL_rJxXPoj3vcWdPF2J1Zt_LjXfGvATEJUy9khq2DlQ7szEk5eB3v1w4u5PI/s320/DSC01041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334693382965897714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>We don't often get a chance to catch up so I tricked him into going to lunch with me a little later. In the meantime, I kicked around and found that there was a graphic novels for young readers workshop going on and I ran upstairs to jump in at the middle. That's where I met Matthew Holm, c0-creators (along with his sister Jennifer) of <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm">Babymouse</a>, a very fun graphic novel series for young readers, which, frankly looks like anyone of any age would enjoy. Very fun presentation of the trials and tribulations of an artist, a writer and a mouse, PLUS a great discussion of kids and reading. One insight Matthew shared was that a researcher told him that kids make no distinction between the multiple communications channels open to them, that a text message is a call is an email. Very interesting. Here's Matthew, making like we're old friends (thanks, Matt):</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaK9zOkUgB1LLQm2S6TF7cEgpZnqvveJD4qUN-MISwe7kqUsfYS7boIdwPN2M75NvjlqC1EU1XGHHM3lNLxwBX6RlKUj5bu_dYJDGr_7XwyCPM5Zlczg2zG6e8sd3zagxbsQzbUBWNv0/s1600-h/DSC01036.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaK9zOkUgB1LLQm2S6TF7cEgpZnqvveJD4qUN-MISwe7kqUsfYS7boIdwPN2M75NvjlqC1EU1XGHHM3lNLxwBX6RlKUj5bu_dYJDGr_7XwyCPM5Zlczg2zG6e8sd3zagxbsQzbUBWNv0/s320/DSC01036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334695853280445250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After that engaging discussion, I ran back downstairs to meet John Scieszka, who was around and signing books somewhere. Lo and behold, he was just feet away from the Red Brick booth, signing TruckTown books at the Simon & Schuster AND.....</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNveHuN4kXOZGCLQG5LcFXLGLNW8pUlLuScSUvk3EWHqEZzmrb75Ah1aRVvhQJfF4BLTb2Wmnsuapyt5hlxfWXTf7HTUXa-IF75j_IV6HABcYLgvbiPcZqPJel0dOJZjltTAE3YzL7uo/s1600-h/DSC01033.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNveHuN4kXOZGCLQG5LcFXLGLNW8pUlLuScSUvk3EWHqEZzmrb75Ah1aRVvhQJfF4BLTb2Wmnsuapyt5hlxfWXTf7HTUXa-IF75j_IV6HABcYLgvbiPcZqPJel0dOJZjltTAE3YzL7uo/s320/DSC01033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334697335085321698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Meeting a hero is so much fun. Hope we get a chance to meet again soon. So, International Reading Association is a great organization and the Minneapolis conference was a great event. I can't wait for next year's, which I hear is in Chicago. </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-85036688087123969162009-05-07T19:22:00.005-05:002009-05-07T20:57:16.374-05:00Me in the IRA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1s7SRdT0wLl95zpkIuly57GOwVfSmjGSgYCgZUUJS-7-h76jSAi7174YzZTh-DCLMl62ufHXgv4LZewDYFRb37KdmUueHNIdFhNGO8TPC1iYWHUY0cGRmNd3AjszqdZjMLbQ70F95U/s1600-h/DSC01039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE1s7SRdT0wLl95zpkIuly57GOwVfSmjGSgYCgZUUJS-7-h76jSAi7174YzZTh-DCLMl62ufHXgv4LZewDYFRb37KdmUueHNIdFhNGO8TPC1iYWHUY0cGRmNd3AjszqdZjMLbQ70F95U/s320/DSC01039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333266173757569330" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Remember a couple weeks ago, I told everyone that I joined the <a href="http://www.reading.org/General/Default.aspx">International Reading Association</a> (IRA)? <div><br /></div><div>I was wishing at the same time that I could go to one of their conferences because they sounded so in-depth and fun. What I didn't realize at the time was that a) one of the IRA conferences was scheduled for Minneapolis (where I live) and b) my publisher <a href="http://www.stonearchbooks.com/">Stone Arch Books</a> had already booked me to sign copies of my Recon Academy books at the conference. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was thrilled, jazzed and psyched all at the same time. So I asked my partner Mike to get a splash page posted for our boys reading site <a href="http://www.hizbot.com/">hizbot.com</a>, got some cards printed up, forgot my camera at home and headed over a couple hours early on Tuesday. </div><div><br /></div><div>I visited a few booths. At the Scholastic booth I met Michelle Kemp, who is an amazingly bright and knowledgable Implementation Specialist. We had a great talk about boys reading and she shared a ton of research materialsat in on a couple workshops - one with <a href="http://www.roccoart.com/">John Rocco</a> of Moon Powder and Shrek (he art directed the movie) fame. I heard that <a href="http://www.guysread.com/">John Scieszka</a> of Guys Read was around. John is one of my heroes in the boys reading movement and meeting him would have been a highlight. But I heard the I'd missed him -- bummer. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stopped by the Scholastic booth and saw that my Minneapolis writer friend <a href="http://petehautman.com/">Pete Hautman</a> was signing his new book "How to Steal a Car," I give Pete so much guff when I see him that I don't think he knows he's one of my writing heroes. I admire him so much that even thought I was cutting the clock close, I stood in line (no perks for Pete's buddies) and got a book signed, then RAN the 25 yards to the <a href="http://www.redbricklearning.com/">Red Brick Learning</a> booth (Capstone and Stone Arch partners) where they were sweating my arrival. </div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't even notice the LONG line waiting for my signing. I signed 75 books in about 20 minutes, accompanied by the lovely duo Krista Monyhan, Marketing Coordinator and Joan Coughlan Berge, President of Stone Arch Books. What a blast! I think I had a conversation with EVERYONE who dropped by. I love people and that was lots of fun. We were giving away a copy of Recon Academy to each person and I hope we sold or inspired the sale of tons of these books for boys. I know boys will love them. I'm proud to work with Stone Arch. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before I left for the day, I was hanging around wondering if there was just one more thing to do before I left for the day. So I left the doorway and walked back into the exhibit hall to the Pearson booth where TA DA John Scieszka was talking about his TruckTown books. I was thrilled, jazzed and psyched all over again. He talked about reading to kids, showed us pictures of his TruckTown creative team's studio at Simon & Schuster then READ one of his new books SMASH CRASH to a group of adults who hadn't had so much fun all day!</div><div><br /></div><div>I went up and got a book signed and told John about our project <a href="http://www.hizbot.com/">hizbot.com</a> and my initiative to personally inspire 1 million boys to read. He said he would link to us through <a href="http://www.guysread.com/">guysread.com</a> when we're ready! I also told him that I forgot my camera and would come back tomorrow for a photo. </div><div><br /></div><div>Come back tomorrow for my report (AND PHOTOS) of my Wednesday visit to the IRA conference. That's what we call a setup. </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-28446611380627048252009-05-05T18:51:00.005-05:002009-05-05T19:04:47.828-05:00De-ClassifiedIt's happening! The secret underground factory is flinging open the doors and letting the sunshine in! The powerful product we've been working night and day on?<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 370px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVdpgWPJCC3uWLg-518iJQQFalZsbvweR1rW8LWfbzOM_D88iEQOnYXDp8LsVR_4dvjHaO0ghNkHpV7uze5FBGoY9NPD8volcvSS8NxI8UWQn5IFTts3iaN5UuZ0KdqSj7Tt7I81Ju-s/s400/logo+temp+cap+bg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332492628964751634" /></div><div>You know I'm dedicated to boys reading I believe that THE biggest issue with why boys don't read is CONTENT. <a href="http://www.hizbot.com/">Hizbot.com</a> will be a boys-only online bookstore, with resources for parents and lists of books that boys WANT to read. </div><div><br /></div><div>We got our splash page up over the weekend and everything is under construction. Our plan is a full launch with working bookstore on June 1. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, go to <a href="http://www.hizbot.com/">hizbot.com</a> and sign in so we can keep you up to date as our launch approaches. We'll also send you "READ LIKE A HERO: The boys' guide to turning a book into an adventure." HERO is our own boys' easy-reading guide that clearly describes to boys the elements of a story, offers 10 easy things they can do to improve their reading and has a book report template they can "steal" and use. </div><div><br /></div><div>We'll see you at <a href="http://www.hizbot.com/">hizbot.com</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow, look for my report on my trip to the International Reading Association's conference in Minneapolis. It's been a blast!</div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-35261077694197203202009-04-28T08:26:00.007-05:002009-04-28T09:06:12.937-05:00Ban the Internet - Keep the libraries open<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWQVzC-dniSkDyIs5ZcHDOdlxuZ1vN1jYCliuSOjdCQ90lrR2RkOEnd8yoQzd1AaGUtFif_NNvMUdcAyQDi20mMsXGHC1XG7aK9C9Y8y7uiaAuKfMxfUxRjy0gLN_-hqLVilQ1cIf0Sc/s1600-h/i-robot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWQVzC-dniSkDyIs5ZcHDOdlxuZ1vN1jYCliuSOjdCQ90lrR2RkOEnd8yoQzd1AaGUtFif_NNvMUdcAyQDi20mMsXGHC1XG7aK9C9Y8y7uiaAuKfMxfUxRjy0gLN_-hqLVilQ1cIf0Sc/s200/i-robot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329741478169861730" /></a><br /><div>One of my favorite films of recent years is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">i, Robo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">t</span>. Will Smith plays a Chicago police detective named Spooner, living in a world where service robots are as common as dogs. Spurred by his distrust of the "can openers," as he calls them, he follows the trail of clues in a robot engineer's death right to the heart of the technology and information infrastructure. </div><div><br /></div><div>In an early scene, Spooner confronts the CEO of the robot company who easily sniffs out his "prejudice" against robots. The CEO says, "I suppose you would have banned the Internet just to keep the libraries open!"<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lucky for us, it looks like we're learning that the Internet and libraries can safely exist side-by-side. In fact, every time I hit the library (at least 3 times a week) there's not an internet computer left unoccupied - and by people of every age, gender, nationality, language. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and there are tons of books too. </div><div><br /></div><div>What's all this got to do with boys' reading? Well, someone has to keep the libraries open! We have lots of people to thank for that. One of them is the <a href="http://www.ala.org/index.cfm">American Library Association</a> (ALA). </div><div><br /></div>Ever wonder what the ALA is and what they do? In their words<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“To provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”</span></span><div><div><br /></div><div>Take a minute and click through to their <a href="http://www.ala.org/index.cfm">website</a>. Dive in an bask in the information. </div><div><br /></div><div>Especially check out the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/index.cfm">Association for Library Service to Children</a>. They deliver research and programs that help create excellent libraries for kids. They're also the ones who give out the Caldecott and Newbery medals (especially important to us children's/YA writers!). </div><div><br /></div><div>I, for one, credit pretty much all of my accomplishments to my ability to read and comprehend what's on the page. At a library, you can learn just about anything. Even boys can find interesting things to read! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad to be a member of the ALA and hope you and your community (and your boys) find lots of support and information there. </div></div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-60178431971404949882009-04-24T12:33:00.004-05:002009-04-24T13:03:45.601-05:00Heard you missed me!It's been a long time but I have only happy things to talk about. Why am I reactivating the Million Boys Read blog? Lots of reasons: I'm fired up; I've read some things lately that are inspiring me to actively promote this passion of boys' reading; and the secret underground factory is up and running again (what are we building? Stick around and see.).<div><br /></div><div>Why the long hiatus? I put way too much pressure on blogging at one time and found it was not fun -- what a surprise! It was basically writer's block (which I swear I don't believe in). I realize that there are tons and tons of stuff to talk about in the area of boys' and youth reading. I'll be bringing a little of it to you each week. I stand by everything I wrote in my first post <a href="http://millionboysread.blogspot.com/2008/01/lets-light-this-candle.html">January 14, 2008</a>. I've done a lot in the meantime (including having my first 5 books published -- more on those later) and am still passionately dedicated to the Million Boys Read initiative. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm back and revitalized, fired up to inspire one million boys to read and finding channels to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's today's news: </div><div>I joined the <a href="http://www.reading.org/General/Default.aspx">International Reading Association</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>In their own words: </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.35em; font-weight: normal; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Since 1956, IRA has been a nonprofit, global network of individuals and institutions committed to worldwide literacy. More than 85,000 members strong, the Association supports literacy professionals through a wide range of resources, advocacy efforts, volunteerism, and professional development activities. Our members promote high levels of literacy for all by:</span></span></span></p><ul style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- list-style-position: outside; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size:100%;color:initial;"><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Improving the quality of reading instruction</span></span></span><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.35em; font-weight: normal; "></p></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Disseminating research and information about reading</span></span></span><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.35em; font-weight: normal; "></p></li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Encouraging the lifetime reading habit</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I can get behind all of that. Plus they publish 4 really good journals. One that interests me the most is The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. I'm looking forward to diving further into the topic and techniques of helping boys read. </span></span></div></span><div> </div><div>You can also check me out at my author page <a href="http://web.me.com/chriseverheart/Site/Welcome.html">chriseverheart.com</a>. </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-64266542600175979952008-03-12T10:21:00.002-05:002008-03-12T10:32:26.784-05:00In the Trenches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX96wIPdpOI2IwGGY4W36388r4cqUH8yOw9DvzTN4-yNwfH7ZMdhfJRgqANy5tH4HGfH8QMar2XTDzWVAd5xD_GQkJWXwE9R8YuDTFTTwmqHnLC_9GBDS4551Y3KG3Ion2maYy-9Govc/s1600-h/working+class+dog.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176878343059580130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX96wIPdpOI2IwGGY4W36388r4cqUH8yOw9DvzTN4-yNwfH7ZMdhfJRgqANy5tH4HGfH8QMar2XTDzWVAd5xD_GQkJWXwE9R8YuDTFTTwmqHnLC_9GBDS4551Y3KG3Ion2maYy-9Govc/s320/working+class+dog.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hello again. There's so much great stuff going on that I haven't found a spare minute to blog to you! It's been awhile and we're overdue for an update. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have to say it's a little harder than I thought it would be to get a reading group going. Calls have gone unanswered and I'm still hoping to get ahold of someone in a local middle school who's interested in getting a boys' reading group going. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, I'm unable to attend the once-a-month Saturday Guys Read group at a local library. So, it's taking more time than I thought. One thing I'm concerned about now is the end of the school year approaching. We're 10 weekds out and I'm not sure what kind of response I'll get trying to start a group in the spring. Might be a better summer project to rev up for the fall. Many decisions, but important work, so I'll keep at it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Factory Update</div><br /><div>I met with my boys Jared and Gen last Friday. They are going to town on the secret project. They are surveying boys at their school and finding designs and development tools for the project. They're excited about the idea of helping other teen boys read more, which is the enthusiasm this project needs. We're learning a lot and doing a lot. Glad to have them on my team. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks to those of you who send links and info. I really appreciate it. I'm not a news-hound, so most of my news comes through other people. You are my window on the world. Keep it up. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It feels good to be back! Catch you next week. </div><br /><div>Chris</div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-81912484342522815842008-02-12T22:41:00.004-06:002008-02-12T22:51:28.475-06:00The Factory's A-rockin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cPosaaDzGdmsVHicXw66UU_3d0bXcbaEsDMpYdqXiMlw0TbGGGdqpecnNKb8-0GolrxGeXst2TYXxRuOgZDBuVaKcsgGk1BzrVBgPNRYUThQKN1gV0MP69t407exYFiEl-RBUMfZEVo/s1600-h/Factory1940.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166320430204158770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cPosaaDzGdmsVHicXw66UU_3d0bXcbaEsDMpYdqXiMlw0TbGGGdqpecnNKb8-0GolrxGeXst2TYXxRuOgZDBuVaKcsgGk1BzrVBgPNRYUThQKN1gV0MP69t407exYFiEl-RBUMfZEVo/s320/Factory1940.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Last week, I was prepping for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in New York. I left early Friday morning and returned late Sunday night. As always, I return humbled by the work others are doing in the arena of young people's literature and feel spurred to do more. Sorry I didn't have time to post, but I'm back. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>A few days before I left, I was called out by my friend Laura's 16-year-old son, Jared, for trying to overcomplicate a project to encourage boys to read. This is the secret project I mentioned in my first post. I'm very excited because Jared knows just what to do with the idea and how to get it done without spending the massive amounts of money and ridiculous amount of planning time that I was trying to shove into a small, compact shell of an idea. Jared also is a student at a magnet school in the Minneapolis area and needs a project to work on, so he's the factory supervisor. He and a friend of his are working on the project and I expect to see some interesting progress later this week. More to come. Sorry I can't tell you what it is yet, but I know it'll be huge when we roll it out. I just don't want to blow the horn before it's ready for testing and release. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>In other news, I got a comment from Amy at the Hennepin County Library (the county that Minneapolis is in). She says to contact her if I'm interested in being a Guys Read facilitator this summer at the library, which of course I am. I'll be emailing her tomorrow for further info and hope to have an update for you next week. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>In the meantime, keep reading, keep looking for books boys WANT to read (not what we think they SHOULD read). You're the gatekeepers -- make it a wide gate. </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-58672773423372267612008-01-30T11:44:00.000-06:002008-01-30T12:00:26.645-06:00Waiting by the Phone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gAjhJqFHT5LCpr8TBB8EmDsv1EVUUy8Xm2BCwopa4Kqqh77Cxiv7Zch-l24L5iJlnVsbEp9uZYHuH9nm5EbKtRX0l0hSQ7rfQRTpJ-mJIFg_ACjDIA3uFSHVcfo3M5rakD5NacMxM1Q/s1600-h/telephone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161328208835738018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gAjhJqFHT5LCpr8TBB8EmDsv1EVUUy8Xm2BCwopa4Kqqh77Cxiv7Zch-l24L5iJlnVsbEp9uZYHuH9nm5EbKtRX0l0hSQ7rfQRTpJ-mJIFg_ACjDIA3uFSHVcfo3M5rakD5NacMxM1Q/s320/telephone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow, Tuesday got away from me too! I forgot to post yesterday, but here we are again. </div><div> </div><div>On Monday, I put in a call to my local Junior High School, saying I wanted to talk to somone about starting a reading mentorship group for boys. The receptionist was very nice and said she would find someone to call me back. Crickets. It's only been two days and I assume someone will call with interest -- a teacher or a librarian. So we'll see where that goes. </div><div> </div><div>In the meantime, I found out that the Hennepin County Library holds a Guys Read (see John Sciezska's site Guys Read) group once a month on Saturday. But I'm busy every Saturday afternoon, so that's a no-go for me. I'll keep making calls and see what shakes loose. </div><div> </div><div>My goal for next Tuesday is to check with the library about starting another club. Then I'll take it from there. </div><div> </div><div>Blog at you next Tuesday!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-48385162199202464862008-01-28T13:38:00.000-06:002008-01-28T13:43:21.739-06:00Moving to TuesdaysHowdy and thanks for checking in. I originally said I would post every Monday, but day one is pretty busy. Plus I need the extra day to catch up on the goal I set the week before. So, effective this week, I'll post every TUESDAY afternoon.<br /><br />In the meantime, check out the super-boss link that Carl from Boys Rock Boys Read! sent me. Boys Blogging Books is 3 boys ages 11-14 giving their thoughts on books. They are more in the age range I'm trying to reach, so have a look. I'm very impressed their blog and their insights. Great job, guys.<br /><a href="http://www.boysbloggingbooks.blogspot.com/">http://www.boysbloggingbooks.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />See you all tomorrow with news of a reading mentorship program.<br />ChrisChris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-25049762561515584422008-01-21T15:49:00.000-06:002008-01-21T15:50:51.675-06:00Time Hauls A@#<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off">Wow, does a week go fast! I have to say that I'm glad to be SO busy. There was a time in my life when it was hard to get anything going, now the days are FULL. Last week, I set a goal to link at least 5 other sites/blog/resources related to boys' reading and here they are!<br /><br /><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<br /><br />These are not necessarily in order of importance. Each has their own plusses.<br /><br />#1. Guys Read: Jon Scieszka was named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress on January 3. When LOC decided to revive this honorary position, Jon was the logical first choice. He has done a lot for boys' literature and literacy. When I grow up, I want to be like him.<br /><br />#2. Boysread.org: This is a slick site that's full of info about boys' books. I think they're on the right track. The homepage looks like a video game menu and the books are there. Check it out if you're looking for the real thing. .<br /><br />#3. BookHive: This site trends a little younger than my target, but it's still a fun site with a nice catalog. Younger middle-grade boys will find lots here to read, plus additional info on books -- including audio.<br /><br />#4. Books for Boys is a blog by author Max Eliot Anderson, former reluctant reader turned storyteller/writer (like me). Max illustrates nicely the thoughts, feelings and reactions of the reluctant/struggling reader. It's a look inside the mind of that kid you're trying to get through to.<br /><br />#5. Boys Rule! Boys Read!: A fun site about books by a couple guys who obviously have no intention of growing up. They relate to a boy reader at the boy level. They talk about books, have contests and post readers comments. They're dedicated and fun.<br /><br />These are some early choices. While I didn't find the time for the one hour of research each day in the last week, I'm glad I set the goal and put out here for you to see. Feel free to hold me accountable. I'm dedicated to inspiring boys to read and I intend to keep it front and center -- just the fact that I'm back here on Monday blogging says a lot.<br /><br />I'll continue to comb throught the resources and post worthy ones here. In the meantime, I'm setting my next goal.<br /><br />By next week I plan to contact a local school about starting a reading mentorship program. My intention is to work with boys who are reluctant or struggling and introduce them to some fun resources with themes they'll like. Next Monday, I'll report on my results.<br /><br />See you then!<br /></td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022616029727911525.post-5138569548076639862008-01-14T13:05:00.000-06:002008-01-14T15:19:58.342-06:00Let's light this candleThere, I did it. A few weeks ago at a meeting with some friends I announced my initiative to personally inspire one million boys to read. As soon as I said it, I wanted to gather the words and stuff them back into my mouth. But I said it and I'm sticking by it. Why did I make this decision?<br /><br />We now call them "Reluctant Readers." When I was a kid, though, I wasn't "reluctant," I was called unruly, slow and lazy. I felt terrible about myself as a student. I got little or no support at home. I wanted to learn but reading was as difficult as digging myself out of a hole. When I needed to read, I was handed a Hardy Boys book -- give me a break! I made no progress. TV and movies were my main story influences. This went on until I was about 16 and started reading adult fiction and non-fiction. I'd made it to the other side and was happy to find books waiting for me. But the gap -- the Grand Canyon between grade school reading books and adult literature -- was huge.<br /><br />Luckily for me, I never completely grew up. When I started writing my first book in the Fall of 2000, I discovered that all the characteristics that caused me trouble in grade school and junior high -- short attention span, daydreaming, rambunctousness (is that a word?) -- were now assets. I could now quickly learn a lot about certain subjects, write about them and move on. I could take some of those stories I made up in my head, put them on paper and look like a genius (or at least someone who was doing something uncommon). And I could throw my lust for destruction, blood, bullets and intrigue into a story and people would actually say, "Wow, that's really good!"<br /><br />That first book was an adult thriller -- good, but still in the drawer. It never got the necessary traction with agents and publishers. In Spring of 2005, however, a writer friend told me about a kids' publisher who accepted unsolicited manuscripts for boys. I was so excited I ran home, cranked out a 5,000-word chapter book in two days and sent it in. I got a great response and eventually got paying work out of it -- starting a series of action/adventure graphic novels.<br /><br />That experience left me saying, "Why am I spending so much time trying to break into the adult thriller market when publishers are looking for kids' stories -- especially BOYS' stories?" So I cracked open the vault of story ideas (every writer should have one) and started asking, "How can I put a boy protagonist into this story and make it a YA?" I've since written two manuscripts with young male protagonists that are under consideration by publishers. <br /><br />All the while at book conferences and in the news I'm hearing doom & gloom about boys not reading enough, falling farther and father behind girls, failing starndardized tests. I'm a skeptic when it comes to prevailing wisdom -- I don't assume that it's a science/evolution/TV/video game/mercury-in-the-water problem. I go to the bookstore and look at the Teen/YA section. What do I see? PINK books -- wandering jeans, girls gossipping, teen angst, coming-of-age. The girls books crowd out the boys books by, I swear, 5-1.<br /><br />My point? There aren't enough boys' books out there. I've got nothing against girls' books, except that I don't want to read them -- and neither do boys. Boys want destruction, blood, bullets and intrigue (or at least more destruction). They want heroes saving girls and dogs from burning buildings. They want characters their own age getting shot at, blown up, captured and tortured. They want the raw action/adventure experience without TLPs hanging around, telling them what they're reading or watching is "garbage." The problem isn't that boys don't want to read -- it's that there's not enough out there for them to read.<br /><br />So, my mission is to connect boys with the books they WANT to read, rather than what teachers, librarians and parents (TLPs) are telling them they SHOULD read.<br /><br />Now for the HOW:<br />This blog is going to be about my week-to-week experiences developing and executing the Million Boys Read initiative.<br />I will connect with other dedicated people who are already discussing, addressing and effecting the boys reading issue. (There are a lot of you out there doing a great job.)<br />I will work with boys (12-16) one-on-one and in groups to introduce them to books they'll be interested in.<br />I will develop online resources that focus on boys reading (I have one in the secret underground factory that I can't talk about yet -- but it'll be a good one).<br />I plan to elevate myself to Expert status in the publishing, education, parenting and news media fields so I can get the message out that boys need stuff that they WANT to read.<br /><br />My first mission is to start a daily habit of spending one hour per day visiting blogs, reviewing existing resources and reading news articles about boys' literacy. By next week, I plan to have at least five like-minded blogs linked here. Shout out if you want a link.<br /><br />I'll be blogging every Monday about my progress. Tune in.<br /><br />Thanks. You're the best. I mean that.Chris Everhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270150583201330588noreply@blogger.com0