Reader Identity, Favorite Books, and Writing

Identity as a Reader (3:36) Humans are very dynamic beings. From the beginning, we change, evolve, learn, and explore. We begin forming our identities from a very early age, and many things, including education, help to shape them. Dawan Coombs is an english professor at BYU and specializes in reading pedagogy. Her research examines the role of identity in the struggles of adolescent readers and seeks to identify best classroom practices. Storytime (16:18) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry. Today we encourage the boys of fall with a reading of the classic poem Casey at the Bat. Good luck to the Rockies and the Yankees in the World Series this week! Favorite Books (19:56) Some books are timeless and span the generations. Kathy Newton is a member of the Granite School District’s Education Foundation Board and an advocate for children’s literacy. She describes herself as a mother, grandmother, and lover of reading, and today she shares some book recommendations. Author Andrea Davis Pinkney (32:48) Every author has their own story of what got them into writing. Today Andrea Davis Pinkney shares hers. She also reflects on the discipline of writing and the new ideas that emerge from the struggle. Pinkney is author of many books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, and non-fiction. Her books have received multiple Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Jane Addams Honor citations, nominations for the NAACP Image Awards, the Boston Globe/Horn book Honor medal, and many other accolades.  Book Characters (46:11) Today we are around the Librarians' Table with Emily and Taylor of the BYU Harold B. Lee Library. They continue a discussion with Rachel about editing. Last time they ranted about common mistakes in writing plot and this time around the ladies rant a bit about how to write good (or maybe more how to avoid writing bad) characters in books.