07 May Bridge of Books wants to know: Are you Hungry for books?
WE ASK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEWARK TO TELL US WHY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins and more!
Rumson, New Jersey May 2, 2012. Bridge of Books has enlisted the help of Teach for America to challenge high school students (grades 9-12) in Newark, New Jersey, to describe (1) why they want to read The Hunger Games; (2) what reading means to them; and (3) why books are important to them. Students must answer each question in five sentences or less. ALL entrants will win a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the top ten entries, as determined by a panel of judges recruited by Bridge of Books, will win all three books in the Hunger Game Series – The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mocking Jay, plus the book of their choice. Teach for America teachers in Newark are working with Bridge of Books to tell students about the contest and to collect written entries. Entries will be submitted to Bridge of Books by May 23, 2012, and winners will be notified on June 15, 2012.
Bridge of Books created the contest as a way to further its mission of supporting literacy skills and encouraging a love of reading by distributing new and gently used books to under-privileged and at-risk youth. According to Abby Daly, Executive Director of Bridge of Books, “We are excited to kick off our first writing contest and to work with Teach for America to help us reach out to students in Newark. This is a chance to hear directly from high school kids what reading means to them. We are also grateful to our terrific panel of judges for volunteering their time to help select the winners.”
Meet the Judges
Tricia McCarthy – As a passionate supporter of literacy, a current nonprofit consultant, former attorney and founder of the original Bridge of Books in San Francisco, California, Ms. McCarthy understands the importance of books in the home of underprivileged youth. She is also a huge fan of The Hunger Games series.
Kyra Citron – The youngest member of our team, 14-year old Kyra spearheads The Charles LaFitte Foundation’s Kid’s Korner where kids have a say in how to make the world a better place. She loves reading and is an avid supporter of Bridge of Books.
Karen Rumage, Sharon Everett, Kim Robinson and Laurie Potter of River Road Books – River Road Books is an independent bookstore in Fair Haven, NJ dedicated to spreading the love of reading to children and adults in their community and a longtime supporter of Bridge of Books.
Lee Ann Murray – Managing Directory & Chief Information Officer for MetLife, Ms. Murray leads Global Investments Information Technology. Ms. Murray believes that Bridge of Books plays a critical role in helping to strengthen our country’s most important asset — its children.
Mary Kotch – As Chief Architect for MetLife Investments IT, Ms. Kotch is responsible for establishing the technology vision and leading all aspects of infrastructure development. As an advocate for lifelong learning and an adjunct professor for over 15 years, she is honored to be involved in such a worthwhile cause.
Lisa Barile – Stakeholder Outreach Specialist, PSEG Power LLC. As a lifelong reader, Ms. Barile knows that books have made her a more critical and creative thinker. She is thrilled to be part of a contest that inspires those same skills in today’s students.
ABOUT BRIDGE OF BOOKS
Bridge of Books is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Our mission is to provide an ongoing source of gently used and new books to underprivileged and at-risk children throughout New Jersey in order to support literacy skills and to encourage a love of reading.
ABOUT TEACH FOR AMERICA
Teach For America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit growing the movement of leaders who work to ensure that kids growing up in poverty get an excellent education.
“MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR”
-Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games