I echo Sarah. As a newly appointed state representative in Oregon (yes, my NJCTE friends, I have defected westward), I can only tout the fine work ALAN does to promote the importance of adolescent literacy in our classrooms and in the lives of youth. In my own experience at ALAN this year, there were the notable authors and inspiration, as Sarah mentions, as well as a challenge from Laurie Halse Anderson to increase ALAN membership to reflect the diversity of our classrooms. This welcoming of new voices, and all the learning we will share in a broader conversation, lay at the heart of NCTE/ALAN 2017.
This morning I booktalked half a dozen new and upcoming books to my students, most of which don’t come out until next year. Next week I will bring in a huge box of books that UPS is slowly shipping my way over the holiday weekend. Most of these are books I received at ALAN, sponsored by the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents. I stuffed 46 lbs of books into my suitcase (thank you, Southwest!) and shipped home another 30 lbs. There are advance reader’s copies, signed books, and brand new hardcover books in those boxes. My classroom library shelves have been cleared for the day they arrive and my students are waiting with bated breath.
All the books Sarah took home from ALAN this year!
Walking into ALAN is like celebrating every gift-giving holiday at one time- the publishers have generously donated hundreds of books to the attendees and…
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Jump off; Find Wings 