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Stow, OH 44224
Phone: (330) 688-3295
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Reading and Writing Festival
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library



Reading And Writing Festival 2008
Sponsored by the Six District Educational Compact
The 22nd annual Reading and Writing Festival for 7th and 8th graders will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2007 at Kent State University. Students in area schools read the 7 Festival books during the school year and spend a day at KSU participating in workshops on journalism and poetry, drama and storytelling, book art and more. Participants also meet the guest author and get to have books autographed! Students wishing to attend will be assessed a fee of $11.00 (for Compact schools) or $14.00 (non-Compact schools).

This year's featured author is SHELLEY PEARSALL, the northeastern Ohio author of Trouble Don't Last. For more information about Shelley Pearsall, visit her website: ShelleyPearsall.com. (More author websites at right.)

Our other special guest is acclaimed short story editor DON GALLO. Mr. Gallo will conduct workshops on how to create a short story collection, and give a presentation on Books You Won't Want to Put Down. Some of Don Gallo's books include Destination Unexpected, On the Fringe, Ultimate Sports, and What Are You Afraid Of? Stories About Phobias, all of which contain stories by many famous authors for teens. Check out Don's website, authors4teens.com for his interviews with many noted authors who write young adult literature.

 2008 Reading and Writing Festival Books
  • All of the Above -- Shelley Pearsall
  • Crooked River -- Shelley Pearsall
  • Red Kayak -- Priscilla Cummings
  • Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment -- James Patterson
  • Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie -- David Lubar
  • Crossing the Wire -- Will Hobbs
  • Ask Me No Questions -- Marina Tamar Budhos


All of the Festival books are available at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library and other area public libraries, as well as at your school library. Some additional websites to learn more about the authors and their books:
If you'd like to start a discussion of some of the books with other students, check out our library's Teen Book BLOG and add your comments!

The Festival is also open to any adult (parent, librarian, educator or community member) who wishes to celebrate the importance of reading and writing to the quality of life. Donations are welcome and checks should be made payable to Hudson City Schools, 2386 Hudson-Aurora Rd, Hudson, OH 44236

Here's what students have said about previous Festivals:

  • "It was so much fun--I made new friends."
  • "It was very cool being able to meet the author."
  • "I liked the whole atmosphere of being at the college and mingling with other students."
  • "It was fun acting out the stories."
  • "The entire experience was perfect!"
  • "It's great fun and exciting!"
  • "It was fun working with people from other schools."
  • "I enjoyed the Festival greatly and plan to return next year!"

Email Stow-Munroe Falls Teen Services Librarian Christina Getrost at bulldogbooksATsbcglobalDOTnet with any questions you have concerning this webpage.