From: Marlene Gawron <mgawron>
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 16:44:35 -0500

We have an outreach program in our Orange County FL (Orlando area) alternative and secure schools in which we booktalk to middle school and sometimes older teens who are in detention centers and in alternative day schools. Those students in the Alternative Day schools are not incarcerated but most do not have cards, will not get them, and will not go to the library at this point in their life. Since the teens will not use the library for whatever reason we give copies to the school location of those books we booktalk and others that we mention in our presentation.
 There are ample copies for all students. We make 2-3 visits and give books at each visit. (This is funded by our FOL) We included our list of titles when we introduced our program in a letter to participants.

One of the first books we put on our list is Pedro and Me. It is accessible for all ages and sexes and reading levels and is a worthwhile and interesting story. Many of the teens do recognize the people from the MTV show and there is often discussion when we booktalk that title. We bought 100 copies for our first round and have included it in our second list for an additional 50 copies. We have not made our return visits yet but we are open to comments during the booktalking sessions and we will see what anyone might say about Pedro and Me.

This is the only feedback we will get from the teens since we want this reading to be completely for their recreation and their personal interest with absolutely no pressure but we will be able to tell something from the teachers and from the condition of the books.

It is great to have an award for non-fiction and the selections made are a varied and interesting beginning.
Received on Mon 05 Mar 2001 03:44:35 PM CST