As we get ready to dive into the incredible book that is A Boy Called Bat written by Elana K. Arnold for the Global Read Aloud, I have more incredible news to share.  Not only is she going to be answering your questions on videos every week, she will also be giving 20 (!!!!) free 30 min skype visits to lucky classrooms!

All you have to do is enter on this form and then I will pull random winners on September 16th so that Elana has a chance to reach out to everyone.  This contest is open to the world, but just make sure that the timezone difference is not impossible for her to work with.

Please note that Elana also offers up longer Skype visits for a fee, as well as author visits.  She is an incredibly dynamic author who mesmerizes kids and adults alike with her storytelling.  She would be an incredible addition to your school year.

To see Elana’s website, go here

To contact her for more information, go here

To see all her amazing books, go here 

As the time quickly approaches for kick off to the 2018 Global Read Aloud, I thought it would be nice to share a few updates as they reach me.

Participation Info

I have been asked, how many kids are in the Global Read Aloud this year?  As we speak more than 1.2 million kids are participating around the world and more than 70 different countries represented.  But in all honesty, the number doesn’t matter.  The connections are what matters and you only need two to connect.

Author Updates

A few of the authors have made their participation plans public, this is never an expectation, but I am thrilled that they will be participating in the project.

Here is what Aisha Saeed, author of Amal Unbound, has planned

http://aishasaeed.com/2018/07/10/amal-unbound-updates-and-global-read-aloud-information/

Time is ticking and the kick off to the 2018 Global Read Aloud is nearing.  I hope this collection of information is helpful!

For a comprehensive FAQ post, go here

The dates are October 1st – November 9th, 2018 – you can fall behind, just don’t read ahead.

The books selected are:

PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR CHOICE

Julie Flett and Monique Gray Smith

For too long there has been too little focus on the voices and art forms of indigenous writers.  This is the year to change that.  The books that these two incredible writers create are sure to become heart books, books that stay with us long after the project is over.  All of the books here will lead us to be something more…

Week 1:  My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith and Julie Flett

Don’t let the format (board book) fool you, this book will elicit meaningful discussion for all ages.

Week 2:  Wild Berries by Julie Flett

Week 3:  You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Danielle Daniel

Week 4:  A Day with Yayah by Nicola I. Campbell and Julie Flett 

Week 5:  When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson and Julie Flett

Week 6:  Your choice!

EARLY READER CHOICE

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso

UPPER ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE CHOICE

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH CHOICE

YOUNG ADULT CHOICE

Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

The weekly schedule is:

A Boy Called Bat:
Week 1:  Chapters 1 – 4

Week 2:  Chapters 5 -8

Week 3:  Chapters 9 – 12

Week 4:  Chapters 13 – 16

Week 5:  Chapters 17 – 21

Week 6:  Chapters 22 – End

Amal Unbound:

Week 1: Chapters 1 – 8

Week 2: Chapters 9 – 16

Week 3: Chapters 17 – 24

Week 4: Chapters 25 – 32

Week 5: Chapters 33 – 40

Week 6: Chapters 41 – End

Refugee:

Week 1:  Pages 1 – 55

Week 2:  Pages 56 – 92

Week 3:  Pages 93 – 146

Week 4: Pages 147 – 196

Week 5:  Pages 197 – 252

Week 6:  253 – End

Love, Hate, and Other Filters

Week 1:  Chapters 1 – 4

Week 2:  Chapters 5 – 8

Week 3:  Chapters 9 – 12

Week 4: Chapters 13 – 16

Week 5: Chapters 17 – 20

Week 6: Chapters 21 – End

Facebook groups to connect with other educators:

Main GRA Facebook group

Picture Book Study Group

Early Reader Book Group

Upper Elementary/ Middle-Grade Book Group

Middle School Book Group

YA Book Group

Twitter hashtags for the year:

Picture book author study – #GRAJFMGS

A Boy Called Bat – #GRABat18

Amal Unbound – #GRAAmal

Refugee – #GRARefugee

Love, Hate, and Other Filters – #GRALove

Global Read Aloud Merchandise:

T-shirts and other merchandise supporting the project can be found here

Resource Sharing – add your ideas

To see the spreadsheet and add your own free resources, go here

Author Websites:

Julie Flett – https://www.julieflett.com/

Monique Gray Smith – http://moniquegraysmith.com/

Elana K. Arnold – http://elanakarnold.com/

Aisha Saeed – http://aishasaeed.com/

Alan Gratz – https://www.alangratz.com/

Samira Ahmed – https://samiraahmed.com/