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Friends of Open Books,
We are stupendously excited to share the following news with you - local literacy nonprofit Book Worm Angels has merged into Open Books!
Founded in 1999, Book Worm Angels was established to provide in-classroom lending libraries to underserved elementary schools. Since its inception, it has distributed books to more than 100,000 students in Chicago Public Schools. Last month Book Worm Angels merged into Open Books and began work to enhance and expand the program within the Open Books network.
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We're Wild About Wonder
Educators, volunteers, and shoppers frequently ask us for book recommendations for pre-teens and young adults, so this month, we wanted to tell you about our latest ReadThenWrite must-read, Wonder. It's a beautifully written and thought-provoking book with timeless messages of tolerance, kindness, and empathy.
August Pullman is a 10-year-old boy who likes Star Wars and Xbox. He's pretty ordinary except for his jarring facial anomalies. Homeschooled all his life, August heads to public school for 5th grade and he is not the only one changed by the experience--something we learn about first-hand through the narratives of those who orbit his world.
We absolutely devoured Wonder, and are looking forward to teaching it with 6th and 7th grade ReadThenWrite students this fall and spring. We'll read the book in small groups, and then guide students as they write two accounts of a conflict they have gone through: one from their private (first person) perspective, and one from the public, 3rd person perspective of someone else. Everything the students write will be professionally published and lauded at an Author Launch party in our amazing bookstore. We think they'll love Wonder as much as we do!
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 How to Choose Great Books: So, how exactly does the Literacy Department select a great book for our students? Well, it's an art and a science. Take a look at the criteria we've developed for selecting a hit ReadThenWrite book and check out our top three teaching texts! |
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The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
 Join the Open Book Club as we discuss this year's One Book, One Chicago pick! In this beautifully written masterpiece, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life.
The Warmth of Other Suns is both a sprawling and an intimate book; though Wilkerson considers the whole scope of the movement, she also focuses in on three specific individuals whose stories are both unique and representative.
Tuesday, October 8
6 pm
Keep up to date with Open Book Club by joining us on our Goodreads or Meetup pages!
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 Book Banter: Taking into account the recent news that five of his books are finally set to be published, Lizzy brings us up to speed on (and hopes to illuminate) the shadows surrounding J.D. Salinger's retreat from the public eye.
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 I n the coming weeks we'll get to know dozens of new Little Buddies as we kick off another great year of Open Books Buddies. We are seeking dedicated volunteers to join us twice a week in West Town, Bronzeville, Near North, and Pilsen. Big Buddies read with the same two students - one at a time - at every meeting, forming meaningful relationships as they help students to improve their literacy skills and embrace reading in all its glory.
Can you commit to two weekly meetings for the semester (and hopefully the full school year)? Do you enjoy working with 2nd-4th graders? Does the idea of having scheduled reading fun each week sound like a dream come true?!
If you'd love to be a Big Buddy, fill out our quick application and we'll follow up with more details. If you have yet to attend an orientation, start by signing up to do so! Questions? Contact Ava - volunteer@open-books.org / 312.475.1355 x119
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Support Young Authors
We still have a handful of openings for those of you who want to get to know some of our terrific teens in ReadThenWrite, our immersive reading, writing, and publishing program. Can you join us in Gage Park or Near North this fall? Click here to read more about the program and view the schedule.
Interested in helping as a ReadThenWrite coach? If you have already attended an orientation, fill out our quick application and we'll follow up with more details! If you have yet to attend an orientation, start by signing up to do so!
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Volunteer Enrichment Series:
Join us for Understanding Adultism, a workshop on creating productive, empowering partnerships with youth, brought to you by Chicago Freedom School.
Understanding Adultism
Thursday, Sep 26 6-8pm
Open Books Literacy Center
213 W Institute Place, Suite 207
This workshop is open to current Open Books volunteers, and we especially encourage those of you participating in our literacy programs to join us. Space is limited, so secure your spot early! Click here for more information on the workshop and registration process. Remaining space will be made available to the general public on September 9 for a suggested $10 donation.
For info on other upcoming
Volunteer Enrichment events, click here!
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September 14
Jack Chaps Storytime
2 pm
September 19
6 pm
October 5
Wild Things Day
10 am - 1 pm
October 8
The Warmth of Other Suns
6 pm
Nov 8
Make the Case
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Save the Date for
Make the Case!
Make the Case, Chicago's only bookcase-decorating contest to benefit Chicago students, is back!
Friday, Nov 8
Stay tuned for details!
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Local Author Storytime
Join local author, Marya Lucas (& a special musical guest!) for an exclusive reading of Jack Chaps, Dog Detective, her new Chicago-based children's book!
Saturday, Sep 14
2 pm
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Let the wild rumpus start! We're having a Sendak celebration at the Open Books store. Join us for stories, crafts, games, face painting, cake, discounts on children's books, and more!
Saturday, Oct 5
10 am - 1 pm
with Special Guests:
The Big Draw
The Mad Hatters &
The Paintbrush.
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Please Help Spread the Word: Interns Wanted
We're looking for talented and passionate literacy aficionados to intern with our program, store, and volunteer departments.
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September Vol-Star
September's Vol-Star is the fantastic Debbie Poulin. Debbie is about to kick off her fourth (!) year of volunteering with Open Books.
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Open Books transforms lives through reading, writing,
and the NEWSWORTHY power of used books.
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