It is not every day you get an email from one of your favorite authors asking you if you want to give away a copy of her new book. In fact, I don’t think it has ever happened to me before. But Jenni Holm, author of the GRA selected book The Fourteenth Goldfish did just that since not only is she super excited about the release of the book (we have been counting down the days), but also being a Global Read Aloud author!
She writes,
She writes,
“I’m so touched that THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH” was chosen as a read-aloud. Part of the reason I am a writer today was because my second grade teacher read aloud to my class. To this day, when I think of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN, I think of my teacher. She sparked a lifetime love of reading in me–and a lot of other children. Reading aloud makes a difference.”
But here is the best part, she is not just giving away one copy, not even two. She is letting me give away 15 hardcover copies and 5 audio books! Wow! Do indicate whether you would prefer one or the other in your entry, but know that it is not guaranteed. The winners will be drawn randomly.
So what do you need to do to enter? Leave a comment, with your email or other way of getting a hold of you, telling us why you joined the Global Read Aloud. I am telling you, you will love this book for the discussions it will create and the connections you will make. The contest ends Friday night, the 29th at 9 PM CST.
So for now happy reading and happy book birthday to you!
This contest is now closed, winners will be notified soon.
The Global Read Aloud 
This is so great. Our two classes are going to read 'The fourteenth goldfish'. I have started reading the e-book but in class we are planning on using the audio book because we are norwegians and I think the students would prefer to hear an american over a norwegian reading 🙂
My contactinfo is @Pute68 on twitter. I am going for a trip to San Fransisco and Seattle in september 🙂
This is so awesome! I, too, am a second grade teacher who believes in the power of read alouds!
I joined the GRA so my students would be a part of something bigger – a Read Aloud like no other. In the mix of it all we are able to connect with other classrooms. Nothing like discussing books with others who are reading the same! @ncarroll24
This comment has been removed by the author.
This is my second year participating in the GRA with my sixth grade class. I loved the wonderful book we read last year (Out of My Mind), the connections we made with two other classes across the country, and the discussions sparked within our class and during the author interview we watched. At the end of the year, the GRA was one of the things most mentioned by my students as something they'll always remember from 6th grade. I can't wait to start this year!
dkrygeris@dg58.org (hardcover preferred)
I joined Global Read Aloud because I believe in the power of the read aloud story. My ELL students love to listen to stories; there's no anxiety when listening to the teacher read! We have enjoyed several novels in this way, and had discussions between classes. Now, with the fabulous idea of hundreds of classrooms across the world reading the same book, the possibilities of connections are endless! Talk about POWERFUL!!! jgarner@d124.org
I joined the GRA because I am trying to teach my students that the is a great big world out there and it is so worth being a part of it. I think hard copy please as I love reading to them. @loganberry06 is the best way to get a hold of me. Thanks to you and Jenni Holm.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I joined GRA because I am a media specialist trying to connect my students to the world outside of their small town. I also hope to inspire my students to become passionate lifelong readers by sharing great books with them. I would love a hard copy and look forward to reading it!. Dana_Schultz@hboe.org
I joined to GRA because I am passionate about helping students discover a love for reading. This is my first year participating in the GRA and I have already made some global connections. I would love to have an audio book of The Fourteenth Goldfish.
My email is avazquez@rbuesd.org
The is my second GRA! I wore my GRA shirt to our 1st media PLC meeting to share all the wonderful possibilities about participating in the GRA. I would love an audio copy of The Fourteenth Goldfish:) So excited for this year! elcrook@gaston.k12.nc.us Edie @ediecrook
My class loves participating in the GRA nad they are always surprised that other students have similar reactions to the read aloud. We love sharing with other classrooms around the world, and can't wait to get started with The 14th Goldfish! My contact is @kmclean240
susan.forbes-rodriguez@rusd.org Hardcover please. It is amazing that she is doing this!!
This is my first year joining in for GRA, and I am excited to help my students listen, learn, and discuss issues that affect them and their world. I hope to help them begin to understand how connected the world truly is and that they can be part of something bigger than they even imagined! I would love a hard copy to put into my library for them to read. @kariheitman
I have participated in the Global Read Aloud for the past three years. I've found that adding that global connection to our read aloud is invaluable. Kids appreciate seeing others respond in different ways to a shared book. I'll be reading from the ebook to the class but I'd love a hardcover copy for our library! Email is shamman -at- goaj.org.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am participating in the Global Read Aloud for the first time this year. I am so excited to connect with other classrooms and share insights about great literature. It is important to me that my students begin collaborating with other people in new places because we are a small, rural school with only 70 students and 5 full time teachers. The more connections we can make outside of our little mountain community the more prepared my students will be to enter a bigger world.
My email is nvradenburg@lamotteschool.com I would love to have a hard cover copy of the book for my school library! Thanks so much!
Woo Hoo! Read Aloud is my favorite part of the day. I love to share my passion for books with my students. Reading with expression and emotion draws them into the story and soon they are as hooked as I am. What an awesome tool….and what an awesome gift from the author! My 5th grade students would love to read Jennifer's book! You can reach me at mcarter@gips.org
What a generous offer and how exciting!
I joined GRA to empower students to be lifelong readers who want to connect with others and share their passion for reading.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Contact me at acullom@wcpss.net!
I can't wait to read this book! I hope to participate in GRA14 for the first time this year and this may be the book we choose!
I am a media specialist looking for something new to do with my elementary students. They love when I read to them, so I figured reading as part of a larger group would be interesting to the students and let them see how many other people are participating.
kelocke@clarkston.k12.mi.us
This comment has been removed by the author.
I was hooked after stumbling across the student interview with Ms. Draper, author of “Out of My Mind”. Read alouds are a vital part of education and through this sharing we can change the world.
tkuntz@wm.k12.mn.us
I have always believed that reading aloud is vital to all readers. Now, with GRA we can take it one step further and connect globally. How awesome is that! jgreene@psd202.org
I joined Global Read Aloud this year for the very first time! I have heard so much about it, especially over the past couple years and it has been 100% positive. I have always encouraged my students to be global citizens and this will be a truly amazing and inspiring way for my students to experience exactly that! I can be found on Twitter at @MrLTeachesU
I joined GRA as a way to connect with classes around the world. @WFDGriffin
I have participated in GRA for 3 years! It is an amazing way to build community at the start of the year and build global connections. The book choices have impacted our learning for the entire year!
thiessen_robyn@surreyschools.ca @robynthiessen
I joined GRA as another way to help teachers connect their classes with others around the globe! @LibraryFanatic
Last year I followed along with the GRA, but did not feel prepared to dive in! I read OOMM and shared the reading experience with my students. So many of my students wanted to read it that our Book Fair sold out! Following the Edmodo group made me realize just how much my students were missing and that by not making connections outside of our school, I was doing them an injustice. I have spent the last year learning and growing through the use of Twitter, which has provided me with global connections. This year, I am stepping out of my comfort zone to provide my students with an experience that they deserve! How amazing, especially with all that they see in the news these days, for them to see that reading can unite people around the world! I would love a hardcover copy of The Fourteenth Goldfish to add to the classroom library, as I know that it is a book that students will want to read again and again. My email is piconek@kpcsd.org.
I love read alouds as a way for students to access a variety of texts that may be otherwise challenging. I'm excited to get involved with GRA this fall as a way to show students the power books have to connect us, not just with the person sitting next to you, but with people who would otherwise be a stranger to you. I think it really replicates what reading is for me and that's something I want to pass on.
I read the except of this book and am so excited to read the rest! You can reach me at @msthinkaloud and my preference is a book.
Thanks!
This is my first year participating in the GRA, I am excited to connect with other classes on an international level to discuss literature.
I can't wait to start reading this book.
Sara Marye
sara.marye@gmail.com
This is my first year participating in the GRA, and I am so excited to connect with other classes across the world and connect my students with others through the love of reading! What a wonderful experience for students!
mskogstad@edenpr.org
I can't wait to be part of the Global Read Aloud. I get excited discussing books and I want to share that experience wirh my students. Not only will they get to discuss ot with classmates, but with fellow readers around the world. What a great opportunity 🙂 I would love an audio book version if chosen.
Ebod14@gmail.com
This will be the third year my 4th grade class will participate in GRA. Every year is better than the last! My students love the global connections and I enjoy collaborating with creative educators. Thank you Jennifer Holm for your generosity and Pernille for your time and dedication.
We would love a hard cover copy.
bautz@mcpasd,k12.wi.us
I participated in #GRA13OOMM with my 5th grade class, and it was a great experience in every way. This year I let my class choose the book, and they voted for The Fourteenth Goldfish. They (and I) think it sounds like a fun book, and we can't wait to connect with other readers around the world.
We would jump with joy if we were chosen to win a copy of the book! andrea.hernandez@mjgds.org
This is my first time participating, although as a school librarian, reading aloud is part of my everyday life. So excited for Jenni Holm's new book! kiverson@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
This is my first time with Global Read Aloud. I love to read, share, and discover all kinds of books with my students. I love to connect with others in the world and learn from them. Global Read Aloud is both! I consider it a joy and privilege to open up worlds new to students by connecting with others through books. A hardcover copy of The Fourteenth Goldfish would be a delight to share!
diane.peterson@popcs.org
Last year was our first year in GRA and two of my grade 5 teachers participated and started up a classroom blog which even led to sky ping with another school. We were excited. Baby steps for sure but enough of a dabbling that we know how we will improve how we participate this year. Can't wait to start!
PS. We do know that skyping is skyping but my auto-correct separated the words! lol
I am beyond excited to be a part of GRA this year, my first year back after 5 years off! Can't wait to read the book and connect globally. Would be thrilled to win a copy so I can start marking it up with post-its. jpriddy@stpaulsschool.org
I am so excited to share this with my school!
pamela_kobza@ccpsnet.net
This is my second time participating! I can't wait to start this text with my fourth graders! Aimee.randall@cesuvt.org
I'm so excited to participate in the GRA for the first time. I joined so I could give my class the opportunity to share in the love of reading and connect with other classes to celebrate the stories and learning that we can do together. I've read a digital copy of 14th Goldfish and look forward to reading aloud with my class! jennifer.houlette@southeastpolk.org
The Global Read Aloud is a fantastic opportunity for students to become engaged and excited about reading! They also feel a sense of community when they connect with other students reading the same book!This is my 2nd time participating and looking forward to enjoying The Fourteenth Goldfish with everyone! I just started reading it last night on my Kobo and am hooked! I would love to share a hard copy of the book to share with my students! Good Luck everyone!
I am excited to try the Global Read Aloud for the first time. I love reading to my third grade students. Now, having a new adventure sharing it with another class. This is going to be great.
cheri@MATHmaniaRobotics.com
Several of our 4th and 5th grade classrooms plan to read this Book!
I preordered 4 copies and I just got and email they are on there way but would love to win another.
I joined GRA having heard about it on Edmodo. Last year was incredible and I'm looking forward to this year. My fifth graders are going to love this book.
Tracey Ananmalay
tananmalay@sjusd.org
So cool! Would love to be entered to win a print copy. I joined the global read aloud, because our entire class year is focused around learning about the world and other cultures and what better way to learn than to make some real connections?
I am at 1logonaut at gmail.
This is an amazing project that demonstrates real-life global collaboration. Wisneskis@ripon.k12.wi.us
excited to come my first global read aloud with my 6th graders and The Fourteenth Goldfish- cwalton@nceschool.org
I had many teachers who read aloud to me as a student; my favorite has to be Mr. Wyatt reading “The Princess Bride” when I was in eighth grade. This is my first year participating in GRA, but I am looking forward to making connections with other teachers and students. We live in Hawaii, and many students have not traveled beyond our islands, so it is great for them to develop a sense of the larger world out there. Also, I am excited for them to have a more authentic audience for their work and discussions, beyond our own classroom.
After waiting patiently, I downloaded the Kindle book late Monday night and read the whole thing in two evenings. I am really looking forward to sharing it with my class.
Thank you to Jennifer Holm for generously offering copies of her book to us! (If chosen, I prefer the hardcover version.)
HOw exciting – I haven't read the book yet but am already a fan of Jennifer Holm's other books, I know I'll love this own.
I've joined GRA because I want my students to be global citizens and get to know the world around them. Plus the power of sharing ideas about what we read is immeasurable!
Thx for being such a generous author – I'd prefer the hardbook, if chosen.
carabarnes@claytonschools.net
This is my first year joining GRA. I had learned about this program through my amazing Teacher-Librarian, Helen W. I always wanted to connect with classes from outside of our school, so this is going to be a perfect project! I can't wait to read the book with the students and share our experience with classes from around the world!
esmay.morgan@gmail.com
I'm happy to be taking part in GRA this year. For the co-planning on Edmodo and Google that has already taken place and the chance to share such a wonderful book with my students, it will be a great experience.
Now an opportunity to win this fantastic prize will be the icing on the cake. andrew.longstaff@pvsd.ca
This is my first year doing the GRA and I want my students to be able to connect with other students around the world. This will also be our first year that our county has allowed us to Skype. It took over a year to convince them! I have started reading the ebook, I have ordered a hard copy for my classroom and I am trying to get some other teachers involved. I will accept either form of the book. I co-teach and have special ed students in the classroom. My email is murphyn@calvertnet.k12.md.us.
I am SO excited to have a fun, fresh read aloud to share with my 6th graders this fall–I just can't wait to get started!! This is my 25th year of teaching in an urban setting, but only my 2nd year with 6th graders (and my first foray into GRA!). We are a state monitored school because of low test scores and my focus is ELA (English Language Arts). Many of my students are English Language Learners and reading/writing can be challenging. I have so much fun sharing my love of reading AND writing with them and I hope that The Fourteenth Goldfish will “hook them” into loving ELA all year long!! My email is jriggins@acboe.org
Super excited to read this book and it's so great that there is a book giveaway!! Thank you so much 🙂
This is my third year with GRA and I am so excited! The One and Only Ivan and Wonder connected deeply with these books and it sparked intense and meaningful conversation. I can't wait to dig in to The Fourteenth Goldfish and see how it brings our classroom community together again. kphelan@rivervalleyschool.ca
Mrs. Tremaine's grade 5 class has once again joined the Global Read Aloud because it is a fantastic learning experience. We love connecting, discussing, and blogging with students from all over the world. We can't forget to mention that the book chosen is ALWAYS an excellent read with many life lessons to talk about. 🙂
You can contact me at liz.tremaine@publicboard.ca
Thank you.
Liz Garden, principal of an elementary school, we participated in Global Read Aloud last year and hope to do it again! lgarden@gdrsd.org
Participation in GRA for my diverse class of learners is important to support their understanding of how reading plays a part in their lives and how it transcends oceans and nations to link all students and people. Your book is glorious for interactive read aloud enabling me to think aloud and support students in engaging in the read by talking, stopping and jotting or drawing, acting out parts, or sketching what they visualize. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
My students and I participated in GRA last year and loved it. I am looking forward to another great experiance this year.
his is my first year participating in the Global Read Aloud Challenge. My class is excited by the opportunity to connect with students from another country and to see how their thoughts and perspectives may vary from their own. They love to talk through their ideas and participate in discussions and Global Read Aloud is perfect for this.
darmstrong@roseville.nsw.edu.au
No preference for book but being in Australia auido might be easier.
I participated in the GRA last year and read Out of My MInd with my kids. What an experience that was!!!! They begged me to read more each day. I am really looking forward to it again this year. I would love either the audio or the hardcover.
Alisha.sheesley@nhcs.net
The kindergarten teacher and I participated in the Eric Carle GRA last year with our students. We had a blast. We enjoyed seeing students' work from around the world and shared ours too. It was fun to receive feedback from Australia! This year we will be taking part in the Reynolds GRA. I also plan on getting _The Fourteenth Goldfish_ going with our grade 3 and old students. Would love the audio. turbobks@gmail.com
This is my first year in the GRA and I've joined because I want to get my students excited about reading. I'll have a remedial class this year and I think the read aloud along with the use of technology and reaching out to other readers beyond just little Barbados will be encouraging for the students and help encourage not only their enthusiasm for reading but aid in the development of their speaking and listening skills and writing as well.
Hard copy please.
cmapplewhaite@gmail.com
So excited to participate in the GRA for the first time and read The Fourteenth Goldfish! My 6th graders have marked their calendars and are counting down the days until we begin 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful collaboration and learning opportunity!
kbusch@iss.k12.nc.us
Kim Busch
Lakeshore Middle School
This book is on my wish list! It is very meaningful to the students when an author gets so involved in sharing his/her book. We are excited about the GRA!
ssurridge@salemorange.com
I'm a third grade teacher in Duxbury, Massachusetts (USA), and this will be my first year participating in the Global Read Aloud. I have always LOVED reading aloud to my students and hearing them say, “Nooo, don't stop reading!” when it's time to do other things. I've read a few pages of The Fourteenth Goldfish and loved it. With all the violence that is going on in the world right now, wouldn't it be great if we could change that by making connections through books? What a concept!
pnissi@duxbury.k12.ma.us
I WANT this book to read to my students. I can't wait to join in on the GRA!
loral928@gmail.com
I am new to the GRA this year…I am hoping to see if this will work either in the Media Center or with a teacher. I would love to win a hardback copy. If any media specialists that have participated before have any suggestions, please feel free to email me at spruitt at gcbe dot org. Thanks!
This is my second year to GRA. I am hoping to win this book to give away in my classroom economy at our monthly auction!! This would be a big sell in my classroom 🙂 I am excited to read this book aloud to my class, since I haven't read it yet – we get to discover the book together!!
hmarker@powayusd.com
First time participating in the GRA- excited! Kclark@sd25.org
Wow this is exciting! I am entering and hoping to win a hardcover copy of The Fourteenth Goldfish. If I'm lucky, I can be contacted at plnaugle@gmail.com.
This is the book I've selected to read aloud with my fourth graders as a first time participant in the GRA. My students and I can't wait to read this book.
Thank you Pernille and Jennifer.
I spent the hours after work reading this wonderful book and loved every minute. As a librarian for K-5 I am thrilled to find a book that I believe will resonate with girls and boys, allow for meaningful discussion as well as laughs, characters to love and truths to delve into. This story combines humor and poignant moments with the passion of scientific inquiry and girls! I cannot wait to share it with students and hopefully help them connect to others across the World also reading it. It is a beautiful way to show students how a good story can bridge differences, bring us together and allow for real thoughtful airing of ideas. Thanks you Ms.Holm! I hope a sequel is coming as I would love to get back into the lives of these quirky and yet very real enjoyable characters.
I joined GRA in hopes of connecting with another Grade 3 class outside of Ottawa and having a couple good book talk hangouts or skypes! Would be great to win a copy of such a great book!
julianne.shelton@ocsb.ca
As a Children's Librarian in a public Library I try to know what folks are doing in the schools. My grandson was in a third grade class the year The One and Only Ivan was part of the Global Read Aloud. I was hooked and have followed it ever since. Thanks for such a great program.