Weekend Event With Kids: Books for NYC Schools Day

Are you looking for something to get you and the kids out of the house this weekend? As a public school teacher, how could I not endorse an event that benefits high needs classrooms?

GET READY FOR A DAY OF ACTIVITIES FOR BOOK LOVERS OF ALL AGES IN SUPPORT OF NYC SCHOOLS

Date: April 10th
Time: 11am – 5pm
Details: Free Admission with donation of two or more new or gently used books.
Please see booksfornyckids.org for details
Location: The Center for Fiction, 17 E 47th St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-755-6710, http://www.centerforfiction.org/).

The Center for Fiction partners with Read This to present Books for NYC Schools Day: a book drive and day of reading and writing activities for adults, teens, and children. Help us achieve our goal to collect 5,000 books. Adults can enjoy readings and discussions with Elizabeth Gilbert, Rick Moody, Jamaica Kincaid and others. Panel discussions on “How to Get Published and “The Futile Art of Interviewing Musicians” will intrigue aspiring authors. Well-known children’s authors Elise Broach, Miriam Cohen, Tad Hills and others will read to elementary school children; while distinguished artists Ruth Root and Chris Doyle lead “Make Your Own Book” children’s workshops. Middle and high school students can enjoy readings and Q&A sessions with their favorite authors including, Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl), Scott Westerfield (Uglies) and Justine Larbalestier (Liar).



Why is this book drive so important? Reading -- not only the ability to do it well, but also the enjoyment of reading -- is vital to a child’s education. Yet, many New York City schools do not have the budget to provide students with copies of required books. And many students, especially those in at-risk neighborhoods, have little or no access to books at home.