From: Kathy Isaacs <kisaacs>
Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2001 20:52:01 -0500

A few weeks ago each 7th grader in our school (an independent school in Washington, DC) received a copy of Pedro and Me. They were assigned a beginning section to read for discussion in their values class, but most read on to the end as quickly as possible. All week long there were 7th graders sprawled on the stairs and in the hallways reading and reading and reading. The boys middle school basketball team went to their league finals for the first time in years. The coach (who is also the values teacher) told me that one of his players was reading it on the bleachers before the big game. Over and over I heard them tell each other they couldn't stop reading. They loved it. Discussions in class have been thoughtful and heartfelt.

We didn't spring it on the community cold. A letter went home describing the book and its connections to the values curriculum which includes a community service project in which every week a portion of the 7th grade goes out to help make meals and deliver them to people with long term illnesses including AIDS. The teacher and middle school principal urged parents to read the book with their children and talk about it at home. I know that that has happened in some families. I am pleased that a book for young people can reach such a wide audience.

-Kathy Isaacs kisaacs at mindspring.com
Received on Sat 03 Mar 2001 07:52:01 PM CST