I've always felt I was pretty good at keeping secrets, but this one was a little challenging. There were the schools to contact, the buses to arrange, the books to be ordered (all love to POSSIBLE FUTURES in New Haven, Connecticut), and then the anticipation that everyone would make it to The Westport Library in time for the event. TRAFFIC WAS OUTRAGEOUS, but everyone made it in due time (a little late, but alas) and there is a round of applause to give to everyone, especially authors Kwame Alexander, Jerry Craft, the teachers and administrators at wonderful schools, the Center for Social Impact at Fairfield University, and the beautiful young readers of Connecticut.
I'm thankful to colleagues from the English department and students Nohea, Max, and Bianca for being A+ assistants to make sure the day ran smoothly. And Dereje, soon to be a freshman at Stanford University, you were the best co-emcee a National Writing Project Director could ask for.
We've loved having Kwame doing his thing with CWP since 2013 and were so lucky to have Dereje introduce us to Jerry Craft a few years later. We also loved continuing collaboration with Marvin Elementary, Wooster Middle School, Dunbar School, and Central High School -- investing in the teachers and administrators who know what kids love to have at their desks.
J vs. K is the first collaborative publication of Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander and it's about 5th grade boys rivaling to be best at their game: a writer and and artist. The book is fun, educational, purposeful, and intentional -- there's room to win when forces of greatness are joined.
I'm beyond thankful to Alex Gianinni at The Westport Library (a fellow resident of Stratford) for his fluid vision, courageous partnership, and stellar effort.
Ah, Thursday, I need to grade, clean, grade, wrap graduation presents, sleep, take allergy medicines, tend to my poison ivy wounds, and appreciation a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for teachers and students in southern Connecticut.
And with that, time to make the donuts.
