‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

This week we’re sharing another holiday-themed poem that many know and love.  “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” was originally written by Clement Clarke Moore, but the poem was originally published anonymously on December 23, 1823 in a newpaper in Troy, NY. It was not until 1837, 14 years later, that Moore received credit for writing …

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This past summer, we published a post about how songs can be considered a form of poetry. Songs as poems are especially apparent throughout the holiday season with Christmas music playing in stores, over the radio, at Christmas events, and so many other places.  Today marks twelve days until Christmas, so it is the perfect …

Busy Bee

It’s that time of year again. With the holiday season comes the busy season of getting Christmas gifts, going to holiday events, or taking exams if you are a student or teacher. The holidays can be a hectic time and also a sad time. I struggle sometimes to enjoy the holidays and feel like I …

Reflections on An American Sunrise

Our 2021 Big Read Lakeshore programming has come to an end. Even though our events are over, we hope that the discussions are only just beginning about An American Sunrise and the themes within this collection of poetry.  Joy Harjo’s poem “An American Sunrise” reminds us of the fact that even though something has ended, …

The Thanksgiving Story

As Thanksgiving approaches this week and as our Big Read program comes to an end, we want to share some suggestions and reflections on the first “Thanksgiving Story” that we often hear. In elementary school, I remember that me and all my classmates were assigned to play the role of either the pilgrims or the …

Fry Bread

This past week the author of the book Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, Kevin Noble Maillard, joined us to talk about the making of his book. Maillard talked with us about his writing process, read Fry Bread to us and shared some of his family stories around fry bread.  In addition to participating …

Students Engaging with An American Sunrise

We are thrilled that Joy Harjo joins us today to discuss her collection of poems, An American Sunrise. Several Hope College classes engaged with this book or met with Harjo to talk about the writing process.  Professor Moreau’s English 380 Class:  Professor Bill Moreau teaches the secondary English methods class at Hope College. His class …

Native American Heritage Month

Our program kicked off one week ago, but November kicks off Native American Heritage Month. Native American Heritage Month provides a time to acknowledge the truth in our history, recognize the land we are on, and celebrate Indigenous people.  Native American Heritage Month emerged in 1990 when President Geoge Bush signed a congressional resolution designation …

Why should you participate in the Big Read Lakeshore?

Tonight is our 2021 Big Read/Little Read kick-off event with featured author Joy Harjo! Join us virtually for a discussion about our featured book of poems, An American Sunrise. Joy Harjo will discuss her poems and her insights as an author and as the current US poet laureate. We hope to see you there! If …

Kick-Off Event with Joy Harjo

There is only one week until the kick-off of our 2021 Big Read programming! We are so excited to learn alongside you and engage creatively with this year’s selection An American Sunrise and Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story.  Joy Harjo is a poet, musician, author, and activist from the Muscogee Nation. She is …