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A Few Global Read Aloud Contenders So Far #GRA15

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It never gets any easier it seems; picking just the right book and author for the Global Read Aloud year after year.  The problem, and it is a great one indeed, is that there are so many worthwhile books out there, so many incredible stories being written by authors who would love for their books to be read aloud.  So while I continue to update my contenders page as soon as I read something worthy, there are a few new additions I want to highlight so far.

One of the books that has stuck with me the longest has been Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost.  As I read this book I couldn’t help but hear the conversations that would occur in classrooms around the world, and why this has to be read by as many people as possible, why?  From my review, “Because it takes what could be a fairly simple story and brings us right into it.  The main character Albie is not extraordinary and in it is here that story’s power lies.  We can relate.  We can feel the joy and the pain.  We are right there navigating with him.  We cheer for him and we hope for him.  This story will be recommended to all kids I meet and I teach.”

Another book, for middle school/high school read aloud being considered is All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. As I rote in my review of it, “I don’t know how the author took such a hard topic, and one that many of us have experienced firsthand, and spun a beautiful story around it, but she did, and my reading life is better because of it.”  This book is a game changer, no matter whether it becomes the GRA pick or not.  This book needs to be read, discussed, and shared.  My only problem at the moment is that my copy has disappeared.

Also for middle school/high school is the powerful punch of a story written by Meg Medina called Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass.  As I said in my review of it, “This book, with its story line that is all too familiar and yet brings such a new perspective to what it means to be bullied and the debate that surrounds us daily in our school.  This book, with its characters that are real and make no excuses.  With its events that could have been lifted from so many lives.  This book should be in every middle school classroom and up.”  Think of how students would connect and the difference they could make!

Returning to the younger grades, a book that has stayed with me is Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin.  As I said in my review, “Rain Reign seems simple enough, this isn’t a book with a lot of action but it is within this more delicate story that its power lies.  I couldn’t help but wonder what Rose would say next, how she would react, and what would become of her.  I read this book in one night and was truly sad when it ended.  Not because of the ending, but because the story was finished, I would no longer be a part of Rose’s life and that was sad.”  The conversations, connections, and empathy this book would create cannot be denied.

Also for 4th grade and up is the new book being released by Lynda Mullaly Hunt called Fish In A Tree.  While the GRA has never had an author be repeated, this is the book that may change that, as I said in my review, “You are sucked into Ally’s story and the emotional connection you make with her, Keisha, and Albert cannot be denied.  As I read it, I couldn’t help but think of the incredible connections and conversations this book would spark.  How so many of my students would find themselves within the pages, how so many of my students would find hope within the story.”  And that is exactly the type of book the GRA thrives on.

And finally, I have been asking for international book submissions and have slowly been ordering them as I can afford it.  One of the books that I loved reading was Fish by L.S. Matthews.  A small book that had a big story, or as I said in my review, “Throughout the book I could hear the conversations this book would prompt, how it would keep students at the edge of their seats wondering what would be around the next corner, on the next page.  I also knew that this is a gateway book; one that can lead to a wealth of discovery about the world and the history of Africa and other continents.”

As you can see, the field of books being considered is already filled with incredible books, but the decision is far from made.  The next 4 months will be spent reading as many books as I possibly can and thinking very hard about the conversations they could inspire.  It is not too early to sign up to become a part of the 2015 Global Read Aloud, nor is it too late to suggest a book.  If you are an author and you would like your book to be considered, please see here for more information.

A Call for Non-US Authors

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While the Global Read Aloud has had incredible success with the amazing US authors that have been picked the last few years, I have realized that to be a truly global project it would be magnificent to include a non-US author next year.  And while I do my very best to read whatever I can get my hands on, I sometimes don’t know what I should be getting my hands on to begin with.

So if you have a book that is written by a non-US author that you think would fit the GRA criteria: Easy to get, will spark conversations, can be read over 6 weeks, and will relate to many types of kids, please let me know!  Please fill out the “Suggest a Book” form and mention in the comments that it is by a non-US author.  I will try to hunt down the book if I can.  If you have a copy that you feel like sending me in the mail, please send it to

Pernille Ripp

Oregon Middle School

601 Pleasant Oak Drive

Oregon, WI 53590

Today, I ordered three books (shh, don’t tell my husband) that were suggested already; Fish by L.S. Matthews, How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied by Jess Keating, and finally Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls.  I cannot wait to get my hands on these titles.  Don’t forget, the new website allows you to easily see which books have been selected in the past, how authors can submit their books, and what the contenders are so far for 2015.

Thank you so much for your help with finding the perfectly right books for 2015!

Revealing the New Global Read Aloud Website

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Ta da….

Here it is; a new blog, with a little more information, a little better organization, and hopefully  a lot more user friendly.  Thank you WordPress!

So what is new?

Check out the list of possible contenders as I add them throughout the year.

If you are already eager for GRA 2015, make sure you sign up!

Also, check out which books have been done in the past.

If you would like to know how a book or author is selected to be the official book or author, check out this peak into the process.

If you are an author and would like to suggest your book, here is a way to do that.

If you would more information about what the Global Read Aloud is, ways to connect, and what to expect, please check out the information page.

And finally, if you want to know more about me, Pernille Ripp, and what I am all about, go to this page.

How A Book Is Selected for the Global Read Aloud

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I often get asked how a book becomes an official Global Read Aloud choice?  The books are the heart of the project and are so very important to its success.  Simply put; without the incredible books, there would be no Global Read Aloud.  So how does the process work, when does it start, when does it end?  And while the answers vary from year to year, there does seem to be a little bit of a pattern by now.  Here are the steps to becoming an official Global Read Aloud choice.

  • I receive the book.  This is huge.  No book has ever been selected without me having read it first.  So I spend a lot of money on books.  A lot.  In fact, so much so that I tend to not keep track of it because it would probably upset me.  There seems to be four ways I get books:
    • I buy it because it looks amazing or because someone has recommended it to me.  The recommendations come from people I trust, my students, Instagram, people who sign up to be a part of the project, and chance.
    • A few publishers still send me some books in Denmark. With books costing more than 40 dollars each in Denmark often, simply getting a few books in my hands is huge,  That greatly helps me read more incredible books, that sometimes turn into contenders.
    • Authors mail me books.  This has only happened a few times, but it is another way a book gets to be considered if it fits the project’s vision.
    • Netgalley and Libro.fm. I am so grateful to the access I get to free books as an educator, without this, I don’t think there would be a GRA anymore.
  • I read the book and it speaks to me.  I wish I could say I read every book I get but sometimes something sounds great and then it doesn’t fit the project afterall.  So I prioritize a lot, I skim, and I abandon books if I don’t connect with them pretty quickly.  After all, an official GRA choice has to spark connections.
  • I listen to my inner conversation.  While reading a book that I am thinking may be a possibility, I stop and think a lot.  What would kids say here?  How would they react to this?  What would this book make them think or make them do?  Would they love it as much as me?  Students are at the forefront of every GRA choice. But I also think of the creator themselves, whose story am I highlighting and giving power to? Is now the time for this story to be in the spotlight of the GRA?
  • I ask for other opinions.  If I love a book, I start passing it on to people, to get their take.  A great book may not necessarily be a great read aloud so I ask them about listening to it.  Would they want to hear it be read aloud for 6 weeks?  I also ask for thoughts from people I trust, what do they think, has the book been read aloud already a lot?  And sometimes I simply put it out on social media for opinions from anyone who wants to chime in. This helps me either cement my own thoughts or sometimes changes my mind.
  • I look into distribution. To be a GRA choice, a book has to be widely available globally, and it has to speak to a global audience. This is getting harder and harder as publishers cut costs and book distribution shrinks. I also try to think of paperback versus hardcover, of whether the story is too US-centric, and whether it will even spark conversations that may span very diverse experiences.
  • The final choice is mine.  I always make the final decision between the final contenders.  This is so that I can stand fully behind the books that are chosen.  And most of the times I don’t go with the most popular choice either, but rather my own heart and instinct.  Let me tell you; it is nerve wracking to hit “publish” on the post that shares the choices.  Every year I hold my breath hoping people are as excited as I am.

So there it is; how a book becomes a Global Read Aloud book.  In the end, the authors whose words that are selected are those that speak not just to me but to thousands of people across the world.  They are the words that i think will spark connections, spark change, and make people feel something.  Picking the books is not something I take lightly, nor for granted, it is a privilege and a very hard choice.  I am lucky I get to make it every year.

It’s a Wrap – Goodbye to Global Read Aloud for 2014 #GRA14

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It’s hard to believe that the 2014 Global Read Aloud is over but today I did the final official event with the incredible Q&A with Jenni Holm.  If you are not done, no worries, (I’m not!), but if you are – congratulations!

 It’s hard to express just what your participation means to me.  Every year I wonder if this is the year that people realize that I still don’t know completely what I am doing with this project, every year I think this is the year that people will be too busy or just not interested.  And yet, every year it has grown.  We started with 600 kids the first year, 2010, and this year I closed sign up at 308,000 kids.  The growth of this project is all because of you!  This next year will be one of more growth where I hopefully secure sponsors to help me trademark the name and do other essential things to make it even easier and better for everyone to connect and participate, wish me luck
I leave with you with the last few updates, I am off to read more incredible books, after all 2015 is just around the corner when we kick off October 5th!
To get GRA merchandise, please click here
To see the video of the event with Lynda Mullaly Hunt, click here
To see the video of the event with Jenni Holm, click here
To sign up for 2015, click here (yup you can sign up already!)
To mail me things because you feel like it, send it to this address
And finally, please reach out with what I can do to make this easier/better/or whatever else you feel like telling me.  This is not MY project, this is OUR project.  Our kids connecting is what makes it incredible, so thank you for allowing me to be connected to you and your kids.
Please keep emailing me and more importantly, please keep the connections going – this is what makes the project last.
All my very best and with a huge big thank you.
Pernille Ripp

Ask Lynda Mullaly Hunt #GRA14

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On Friday, November 14th, at 10:45 AM CST, the amazing Lynda Mullaly Hunt and I will do a livestream Q&A via YouTube.  For 30 minutes Lynda will answer as many questions for all of those who have loved reading aloud One For the Murphy’s for this year’s Global Read Aloud.  And fear not, if you cannot join the livestream, this Q&;A will be recorded for you to watch!

Here is the link to view the event:  Click here 

Submit your questions on this form or use the hashtag #GRAMurphys this Friday as we wrap p this amazing book.

Jenni Holm Reads Aloud the Final Chapter and Takes Your Questions #GRA14 #GRAGoldfish

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As promised, Jenni Holm, filmed herself reading the final chapter of The Fourteenth Goldfish.  To view, please head over to her blog.

Also, there will be a final Google Hangout on November 17th at 10:45 AM CST where Jenni will answer some of your questions.  Please submit them below!

Here is the link to view the event – click here  – it will also be recorded for later viewing!  Hand in your questions or tweet them to me during it using the hashtag #GRAGoldfish

Become a Sponsor for the Global Read Aloud #GRA14

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What is the Global Read Aloud?
The GRA is a global literacy initiative that started in 2010.  The premise is simple; facilitators read a pre-selected book aloud to their students during a set 6 week period in early October every year and then use whatever technology they have at hand to connect their students with other students.
Why are sponsors needed?
The project is growing so large that the website is no longer functional as a way to engage/inform all members.  A better website is therefore needed, as well as trademarking of the name and logo.  Also, the work put into the project is extensive so funding to cover an hourly rate to do that work is needed.  

Who is involved?
Students from Kindergarten through College from more than 60 different countries, on 6 different continents are currently participating between October 6th and November 14th. This is a yearly event.
How many are involved?
The first year, 2010, 600 students connected.  This year more than 308,000 students are connecting as we speak.
What does it cost?
Nothing, this project has always been free for any participant to be a part of and I do not make any money from doing it.
What tools are used?
Any technology that facilitators have access to can be used.  The more popular ways of connecting are Kidblog, Skype, Google Hangouts, Twitter, Tackk, Padlet, Wikispaces, as well as Edmodo.
What do sponsors get?
They will be linked with this international project through the website, as well as any presentations, both live and online when suited.  The participants involved are very passionate and share the GRA with others around the world, writing grants, presenting, as well as doing spin-off projects highlighting the tools they have used, thus further ties are established between the sponsors and the project.  Sponsors can also be promoted as tools to use during the project.  Publishers can benefit if their books are selected as the official selection of the year.  
What does the project need?
Funding to cover trademark, web-site creation, plus coverage of hourly rate for work to further expand and run the project.  Currently I spend about 20 hours a week running the project.
Where do I get further information?
To read more about the project, please visit our FAQ here.
To see what participants are doing around the world tune into Twitter using the hashtag #GRA14 or visit the Wikispaces here.
Please contact me, Pernille Ripp, if this opportunity is something you would like to further discuss.   I can be contacted via email p@globalreadaloud.com