Reading Its Magic

The conference starts tomorrow.  So many good sessions.  Last summer when I was looking through the list of things our council was responsible for, transportation was listed.  I remember saying ok got that one covered. (Picking up speakers from the airport).  I just recruited my husband to do the driving.

So tonight our council went to supper, we invited several guests to join us.  We all had the opportunity to have a wonderful visit. Imagine my delight when James Dashner said he had met Judy Blume!  And Terry commented that Judy Blume would be at an upcoming International Reading Conference.  I would like to go there.

One of the reasons I love conferences is getting to meet the authors who write the books my kids love.  What great magic that is.  As a reader the magic they put on the page makes me believe they must be a little magical themselves.

Sneed Collard writes great nonfiction.  He is so very gracious.  He truly listens when he asks you a question.  That is magic.  He has published over 60 books.  In a time when our kids hunger for good nonfiction his are truly books to be cherished.

Start checking the best seller list.  One of my dinner companions newest book is going to be on it.  Yes the only thing more magical than a good book, is talking to its author.

Montana State Reading Conference

I really wish you all could be here.  Thursday the Montana State Reading Conference starts.  I am excited and nervous.  The Montana State Reading Council has done an awesome job.  We have some wonderful presenters coming.  Just look at our line up below.  Midland Empire Reading Council - MERC, is the Billings local reading council - has been busy helping.

• James Dashner (Maze Runner, Scorched Trials) 
• Anne Isaacs - (Swamp Angel, Torn Thread)
• Dr Terrell Young (Happily Ever After: Sharing Folk Literature With Elementary and Middle School Students)
• Linda Rief - 100 Quick Writes & author/co-editor of 5 Heinemann titles 
• Sneed Collard III (Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, Shep, The Hangman's Gold)
• Eugene Gagliano (C is for Cowboy; My Teacher Dances on the Desk)
• Zac Pullen - Illustrator
• Steve Gardiner - Building Student Literacy through Sustained Silent Reading
• Curt Layman - First Time published author - Christmas Cheese

Did I mention that Zac Pullen is going to be here.  His illustrations capture such nuances of the characters.  I hope you check out his website and blog.  (If you click on his name above I have linked it to his page).

Members of the MERC board will also be presenting at the conference.  Check out their sessions.

Thursday

• Book It With a Buddy
• Thinking Like a Historian: Using Digital Newspapers in the Classroom

Friday

• NaNoWriMo--Challenging Young Writers
• Read Like a Writer:  Work with Mentor Texts

I have been looking at the schedule and picked out several I REALLY want to go to!  Rats several are at the same time I'm presenting. Come and enjoy the wonderful presentations. Hmm I wonder if anyone would notice if I skipped out and went to one of the others instead? 

Ruth Ferris

MERC - President