This year’s NEA Big Read Lakeshore is already underway with multiple events around the region, but it is only a few days before its formal beginning! The kickoff event will be on October 30, where Dr. Ernest Cole, Chair of the Hope College English Department, and Dr. Fred Johnson from the History department, will speak …
Author Archives: The Big Read '
Why Read Graphic Novels?
By Hannah Lever The tenth annual NEA Big Read is about to begin! But something is different this year. For the first time ever, one of the chosen books is a graphic novel! The Middle Read book this year is New Kid by Jerry Craft. Published in 2019, it is the first graphic novel to …
Bursting Our Own Bubbles: The Importance of Reading Fiction Together
By Andrew Silagi When I first saw the Barbie movie this summer, I was expecting the film to have a lot of commentary on women in the United States. After watching the film, I remember wrestling with the film and what it says about the role of fiction. Fiction is not like editorials: it is …
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“It Started Ten Years Ago”
As we launch our newest books, Professor Deb Van Duinen reflects on the journey of starting the Big Read in our community.
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” ~Dr. Seuss: Films for Women’s History Month
By Teisha Struik-Kothe As a celebration of Women’s History Month, each week a Hope College professor or student will recommend their favorite books or films dealing with issues facing women today and throughout history. This week is dedicated to movies and films and is written by Dr. Teisha Struik-Kothe, an Assistant Professor of Instruction. As …
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Celebrating Women’s History Month: Children’s Literature
By Alyssa Whitford As a celebration of Women’s History Month, each week a Hope College professor or student will recommend their favorite books or films dealing with issues facing women today and throughout history. This week is dedicated to children’s literature and is written by Dr. Alyssa Whitford, an associate professor of Education. As a …
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Wonder While You Wander: Black Children in the Outdoors
By Jesus Montaño As a celebration of Black History Month, each week a Hope College professor or student will recommend their favorite books or films dealing with issues facing Black Americans today and throughout history. This week is dedicated to children’s literature and is written by Dr. Jesus Montaño, an associate professor of English. As …
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BIG Potential for Small Children with the Little Read Lakeshore Partnership
It is November, which means it is officially Little Read month! At Ready for School, we are so excited to partner and participate with Little Read Lakeshore during this month-long celebration of reading. This year’s programming is focused on Matt de la Peña’s book Last Stop on Market Street. Ready for School’s mission is “to …
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Themes in Last Stop on Market Street
As I said in the last blog post, multiple themes can help foster discussion of Matt De La Peña’s Last Stop on Market Street, no matter what age range you decide to use the book for. Some of the themes in the book are happiness or goodness, inequity, beauty, and community. Happiness/Goodness Happiness and goodness …
Lessons in Last Stop on Market Street
While we have been discussing our middle-read books a lot, it is time to switch gears and discuss our little read book for the year. This year the little read book is The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. Matt de la Peña is a New York Times bestselling author and …