BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Clarkston students? favorite books will have a new meaning this spring when they get to meet some of today’s most exciting authors and illustrators, all thanks in part to the Spring into Reading Committee.
Celebrating their first official year, the committee has been working since the beginning of the school year to add even more excitement to reading for students of all ages in the Clarkston district.
‘Usually we get to have an author come every other year,? Lori Kokones, North Sashabaw Elementary, said. ‘We want to bring authors and illustrators every year.?
Separate from the school setting, the committee is comprised of a wide variety of members. Teachers, parents and community members came together with the same goal in mind: to instill the importance of reading to Clarkston students.
‘As a parent, I love reading,? Kaye Hastings, committee member, said. ‘I wanted my daughter to be excited about reading growing up. I want to help promote reading in the community.?
Working from an idea originally created in Rochester, Authors in April, the committee looked for ways to bring authors and illustrators to the district while remaining within a set budget and hopefully deferring the funds required from outside sources, such as PTAs and PTOs.
Authors tend to cost anywhere from $500-1,000 for an appearance and have specific guidelines as to when and where they will present to students.
The challenge was on.
With the authors and illustrators successfully lined up for this spring, the committee began looking at ways to raise funds for next year so that as many authors and/or illustrators could come again. A fund-raising banquet was developed.
‘In the past we’ve had luncheons, Kokones said. ‘Instead, we decided to invite parents and do a banquet and fund-raiser.?
This year the committee will host their first-ever big event. On Tuesday, Apr. 6, a benefit dinner will be held at the Liberty Golf and Banquet Center in Clarkston.
This year’s authors and illustrator (Barbara Barbieri McGrath, Suzy Kline, Betsy and Guilio Maestro and Gordon Korman) will be featured at the dinner to sign and sell their books.
This year marks the most authors the district has ever had as well as the first time the middle schools will get an author to visit. In the past, only one or two authors have come to Clarkston and presented to elementary schools.
Even though this year’s authors were selected and funded, the committee has their work cut out for them. Work has already begun on selecting and funding next year’s choices.
‘We’re trying to get this rolling so we don’t have to rely on just one source,? Sandy Gallivan, Clarkston Elementary, said.
The committee has received a great deal of help from other organizations, such as school PTOs and PTAs, who provided most of the group’s budget funding this year. The committee is also affiliated with the Clarkston Foundation, another large supporter.
The committee developed a list of standards and qualifications for potential authors or illustrators to visit the Clarkston district. They look for interesting people who appeal to various age groups.
All of this only helps the committee members instill the joy of reading to students.
‘This gets them excited about reading,? Joanne Steckling, Sashabaw Middle School, said. ‘Once they meet an author, they want to read more of them.?
Students learn the process of creating a book after the authors and illustrators visit, an important concept.
‘This is a great way for students to realize that books just don’t appear on the media center shelves magically,? Lynn Gordon, Independence Elementary, said. ‘This could potentially help develop some skills in students for the future. It gives a bigger world view.?
Not only will this year’s authors be visiting the schools, they will visit the area’s public libraries as well. ‘Meet the Author Night? is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr. 7 at the Springfield Township library from 6-8 p.m. for book signings.
With continued support and hard work from the community and committee members, Clarkston students can count on more exciting reading adventures to come.
‘The kids are really anxious to meet the authors,? Steckling said. ‘Some of the middle schoolers have never met an author before. I couldn’t imagine making it all the way up to high school and never meeting an author.?
Reservations are still available for the Apr. 6 dinner. The deadline is March 20 to reserve a spot. Donations begin at $30 and is required to attend the banquet. For more information, contact Lori Kokones at (248) 623-4135 or kokonelh@clarkston.k12.mi.us To learn more about ‘Meet the Author Night?, contact the Springfield Township library at (248) 846-6550.