Read Beyond Reality @ your library®

Today’s teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have. That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read. Teen Read Week is Oct. 18-24, with a theme of Read Beyond Reality @ your library, encouraging teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it.

Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week at home. Mrs. Stack offers these ideas:

• Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
• Set aside time each night for the family to read.
• Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
• Share your favorite book with your teen.
• Surf the web with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA's Booklist's page.
• Join a book discussion group at your public library.

Author Returns to His Roots

Yesterday after school, Lee Krinsky, a '97 Mepham graduate and first-time author returned to his old stomping ground. The National English Honor
Society (NEHS) hosted an author visit in the school library with a book discussion, Q&A, book raffle, and book signing. This event was our best-attended author visit so far with over 130students in attendance. Five students were randomly-selected to receive a paperback copy of Krinsky's novel.

Tragically, like one of the main characters in Krinsky's novel, The Longest Fall, one of the runners from the Wellington C. Mepham High School cross country team died in Krinsky’s junior year. The NEHS presented Krinsky with a check for $100 towards the Troy Depass Scholarship Fund. Each year this fund awards $500 each to a male and female student from Wellington C. Mepham High School. In order to raise additional funds for this scholarship, Krinsky is selling t-shirts with the "Atlantic" logo (the team from the book). To purchase a t-shirt, please see Ms. Stack in school library.

The Longest Fall

In Lee Krinsky’s The Longest Fall, the sudden death of an inspiring teammate from a high school cross country team quickly shows the boys the harsher side of life. The book is based in part on the author’s very real high school experiences as a member of the W.C. Mepham cross country team with legendary coach Paul Limmer. Krinsky will be here at Mepham High School to speak about his book and writing on Tuesday, October 20th at 2:15 p.m. in the school library. All are welcome to attend!

Past author visits at Mepham High School have included Robin Palmer, author of Cindy Ella and Geek Charming, Jen Calonita who wrote the very popular series, Secrets of My Hollywood Life, and Patrick Jones who has written many teen novels including, Things Change, which is on our ninth grade summer reading list.

Glogster

Glogster is in beta (testing) form. It is a FREE online tool for users to create flash posters. You can mix graphics, photos, videos, music and text. Mr. Stein and I created a glog for our Website. You can see and hear how we used it to improve our site and add some sizzle.