Close to two years ago, we
launched www.keenreaders.org with great fanfare, lofty ambitions and a flurry
of fine contributions from dedicated volunteers.
Today, we announce with
regret that this will be our final posting. And yet, any sadness we feel is
powerfully overridden by pride in all we’ve accomplished. This website’s
hundreds of features on young-adult authors and literacy efforts, book reviews,
youth-writing contest winners and links remain here for anyone to access and read.
And the hundreds of books we’ve donated to schools and libraries around North
America will, we’re certain, continue to be appreciated by young readers for
many years to come.
It has been an
exhilarating ride, a passion we’ve both enjoyed pursuing. And judging from
feedback we’ve had, the material has been appreciated by many parents,
teachers, librarians and mentors out there.
We’re sorry to disappoint,
but between health issues and other work commitments, it is time for us to step
back and focus on other projects, other aspects of our lives, and to allow this
site to serve as an archive of helpful hints for those dedicated to helping
reluctant readers discover the lifetime joy of reading.
There are many other
websites that continue to do what we’ve been doing, including many we’ve
featured – as links (http://www.keenreaders.org/parents/links)
and as interviews (http://www.keenreaders.org/parents/interviews),
not to mention Orca Books’ webinar: http://orcabook.com/blog/reeling-in-reluctant-readers-webinar/.
So, while we’ve headlined
this our “swan song,” in reality it’s merely a “freeze frame,” a library shelf
still very much open to the public.
We wish to thank our
talented team for their hard work and commitment to youth literacy, and we look
forward to seeing them continue to excel in their careers. Finally, we wish our
viewers and fans, our Facebook “likes” and Twitter followers, a warm and happy
reading life.
Pam Withers and Tony Dirksen
co-founders, www.keenreaders.org
P.S. In July 2013, Pam has a new book out: Jump Starting Boys: Help Your Reluctant Learner Find Success in School
and Life ($16.95, ISBN 978-1-936740-39-0). Co-authored with her sister
Cynthia Gill (a licensed marriage and family therapist who taught high school
for 30 years), it’s aimed at parents and mentors, and is available now for
pre-ordering. Hope you enjoy it!
Below are links to publisher Viva Editions’ catalog…
… and to Amazon.com’s page:
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