Friday marked the official end date of the 2020 Global Read Aloud. The end of 11 years of reading aloud. The end of 11 years of connecting. Of discovering new books and old. Of finding more similarities than differences. Of making the world smaller. Of bringing us all together.
The day was quiet for me. The only moment of the project popping up was that night in conversation with my husband when I mentioned that today was the last day. He asked, how did I feel?
Thankful came to mind first. For all of you who committed even though it was yet one more thing to do in already very full year. Thankful for the love, the care, the ideas, the passion, the commitment, and the vision for my small project.
In awe also came to mind. That these books that I read at home made it around the world. That people flocked to the wonder of these creators. That people saw the worth and the value in reading books that may upset some and yet lead us to deeper connections and hopefully into action for a more just and humane society. We needed it. We still need it.
And yet there were other emotions as well. Relief that another year successfully happened without too many bruises, without too many disappointed emails or attacks on me for the political indoctrination I am supposedly orchestrating globally. A sense of satisfaction of being able to navigate all of the behind the scenes work again. Pride, of course, of this idea still being something others see value in. Proud of yet another year of connecting, of seeing the change these books have brought, but I was also sad. I wasn’t able to do the Global Read Aloud this year due to limited time while teaching virtually. I know many are in the same boat. Not being able to do it one more time makes it feel incomplete. Like there is still a chapter to be written. Like perhaps, when I have had a little space, we can try again.
So this isn’t to tease with anyone’s emotions or to get hopes up too high, but perhaps, we do it one more year? Perhaps, we read and search for books and if those books exist that would be worth reading aloud around the world, we go at it again. Perhaps this year doesn’t have to be a full goodbye but more like a goodbye tour, one last stop before the lights go down?
For now, the Facebook group will stay open. This website will too. The form to submit books will also be open, give me your ideas, please. I won’t do sign up, not yet, not until I know for certain that I want to do it again. And that means I need some time to think, to find my own feet again, to focus for a bit on my virtual classrooms, my kids, our dreams of finding teaching jobs in Denmark so we can go home.
So for now, this is just a see you later. A deep and heartfelt thank you to all of you who have participated, who have shared it, who have made it your own, who have brought others along, who have dreamed, and believed, and read, and reached out. Thank you for your love, your years, your voices, and your care.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home if you need to, and read some books.
All the love,
Pernille
The Global Read Aloud 
Thank you for your inspiration, organization and guidance!
Thank you, Pernille ❤ The Global Read Aloud is incredible and the books are amazing. The Global Read Aloud gives hope for a better world and more humane society, as you say in your post, and if there is another one, I’ll be so delighted. I appreciate the behind the scene effort to make it work. Meanwhile, best of luck finding jobs in Denmark and all the best to you and your family. Take care Fiona Lamont (from Auckland, New Zealand)
On Mon, 16 Nov 2020 at 06:47, The Global Read Aloud wrote:
> Pernille Ripp posted: ” Friday marked the official end date of the 2020 > Global Read Aloud. The end of 11 years of reading aloud. The end of 11 > years of connecting. Of discovering new books and old. Of finding more > similarities than differences. Of making the world smaller.” >
Thank you for your inspiration and all of your hard work. Teaching the books all these years was an amazing experience which opened so many eyes to new ideas. You touched so many lives with this project and you left so many people better. Congratulations!
I like the idea of a “goodbye tour”. It continues to be such a valuable part of the beginning of the year for my fifth graders. The quality of books are outstanding!
Thanks
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Thank you
Thanks for doing this for so many years. It has been a pleasure participating! I will be retiring after this year but would love to see it continue!
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I thank you with all my heart. It has been quite an excellent experience for my kiddos every year. I couldnât do it this year either- which was a total downer!! Take care of you and your family. All the best.
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Thank you!!! The GRA is such a wonderful experience and like you, it just feels a little incomplete this year. My class enjoyed the books each week and we had great discussions! I do hope you will consider organizing the GRA again next year if things are more normal so we can really make it amazing! I think so many of us found it difficult to make the connections as we have in the past due to limited time and/or being remote. Good luck the rest of the school year and enjoy your students!
Pernille, Thank you for all the time and energy you have put into the GRA all these years. I, too, could not participate this year and I was disappointed for my students. The GRA is the most exciting part of my reading class every year and I would love to participate one last time. I hope you make the decision to do another year. The connections over the years have been amazing and eye opening for my students. Good luck the rest of the school year and I hope that all your wished come true.
Thank you so much for your courage and inspiration. I like the idea of you thinking about it. My fingers are crossed and I hope it can continue, even if it is just for one more year. Focus on all the positive Pernille, that is what gets you through. There is always so much more positive!!!
Dear Pernille,
Thank you so much for leading the way on this. What wonderful picture books I enjoyed with my students, thanks to this GRA. Our school is considering doing our own in-house read aloud next year. May you enjoy a bit more time for yourself.
Katy Koppanyi
The Steward School
Richmond, VA
Thank you so much Pernille for your endless hours of reading and efforts towards students around the world. I was very luck y to meet you and will miss having the knowledge that other classrooms around the world are reading the same thing as me! It made me feel like I was part of something bigger then just my division! Good luck on your future endeavours.
OMG… I was in a DEEP depression at the end of this year. This has been our STAPLE. We have turned SO many kids on to reading through the Global Read Aloud. I hope you know that! The books chosen are SO deep and invigorating. It strikes up EXCELLENT conversation. To see 28 students completely engaged over Zoom, hanging over EVERY LAST WORD. Hands slapped on their cheeks in utter shock and disbelief when something shocking happens. That was this year. Multiply this by 11 years. And by the amount of classrooms you have reached. It’s amazing. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Kid’s reading TAKES FLIGHT in November. Every… Single.. year… It’s because of you! So THANK YOU for considering another year of this journey. For every negative ninny, there are 1000000 enthusiastic and grateful educators and students, cheering you on! All over the globe!
You are one of my heroes. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, and the heart of my students!
Lisa Roth
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Thank-you so much for your hard work on this project. It was my first year participating. I will keep my fingers crossed that you choose to do one more year of the project so that I can continue to build the participation & momentum in my school.
Thank you! I wasn’t able to connect with other teachers with this being my first year as a virtual teacher and first year in a “classroom” after three years. My kids loved the stories. I read aloud to them everyday. I made sure they knew that thousands of kids were reading the same book around the world. It was a hard “first” and “last” year of participation in The Global Read Aloud and it was worth every minute!
Thank you so much! Our school did not participate this year, but LOVED the past 6 years we were part of the GRA. This year, we are revisiting two old friends instead: Peter and PAX. In our own way we are connecting over the love of reading extraordinary books out loud to our students.
With gratitude,
Jennifer and the Intermediate teachers and students at Sidney Elementary in BC, Canada
My hopes are already up!!! Next year is my last year of teaching. I hope GRA is part of it. Cindi Proffitt
On Sun, Nov 15, 2020 at 11:47 AM The Global Read Aloud wrote:
> Pernille Ripp posted: ” Friday marked the official end date of the 2020 > Global Read Aloud. The end of 11 years of reading aloud. The end of 11 > years of connecting. Of discovering new books and old. Of finding more > similarities than differences. Of making the world smaller.” >
Thank you Pernile. For all of your inspiration and for touching the hearts and minds of so many. We would be honored to have one more year! Stay well and true, and Thank you!