Newbery Award Winning author, Matt de la Pena, will be at Charlotte Country Day School, 1440 Carmel Road, on October 11 and 12 speaking to 350 students from 5 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools along with Country Day students as part of the ongoing Diversity Guest Author Series.
WHO:
• Guest Author: Matt de la Pena, 2016 Newbery Award Winner
• Charlotte Country Day School students
• 350 Charlotte Mecklenburg students + faculty
The Diversity Author Book Club brings students from diverse backgrounds and school communities to share their perspectives with one another and to talk first hand with an author who wasn’t always a book lover. (http://www.npr.org/2017/06/16/533260528/matt-de-la-pe-a-from-reluctant-reader-to-best-selling-author)
WHEN:
(media only)
October 11 at 10:45 am: Large presentation for CMS and Country Day students
October 11 at 11:45 am: Time for media interviews with Country Day and CMS students, faculty, and Matt de la Pena
FULL SCHEDULE: October 11-12
• 10/11, 8 am: Country Day Middle School assembly followed by reception and book signing for Country Day students and faculty
• 10/11, 10:45 am: Large Presentation for CMS students followed by a book signing for CMS students and faculty followed by book signing
• 10/11, 11:45pm: Opportunity for media interviews with Country Day and CMS students, faculty, and Matt de la Pena
• 10/11, 5 pm: Book Club discussion (Country Day, CMS, and Sugar Creek student essay winners)
• 10/12, 8:30 am: Country Day Lower School assembly followed by book signing for Country Day students and faculty
WHY:
This annual event encourages students to appreciate literacy and the diverse literary voices that contribute to our sense of community and builds empathy through reading. Launched in 2006, this program has benefitted not only Country Day students, but also over 2,500 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools middle and high school students.
“We believe giving students access to this caliber of writers promotes a love of reading and increases literacy,” says Brian Wise, director of Diversity Planning. “Reading great literature that is relevant to the lives and daily experiences of these students also builds empathy and compassion. Ultimately, we know this Diversity Guest Author Series serves our Mission especially as it relates to community and service and bringing to life our Affirmation of Community.”
Country Day’s Middle School librarian, Megan Brevard’s national leadership within American Library Association creates opportunities to bring award-winning diverse authors to Charlotte.
CONTACT:
Shannon Drosky, Director of Marketing and Communications
Shannon.drosky@charlottecountryday.org
Cell #: 305-975-8194