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bookgazing) wrote2009-05-16 08:27 am
bookgazing) wrote2009-05-16 08:27 am
The Guys Lit Wire Book Fair for Boys
I just wanted to let you know about the project Guys Lit Wire are running over the next two weeks. The Book Fair for Boys is the blogger collective's attempt to start a library at for young boys incarcerated in the LA County Juvenile Justice System. Here's a bit about what they've been up to so far:
'In the very beginning GLW started with a mission to bring great books to the attention of teenage boys. We had read the data on boys reading less, heard stories from all over the internet of boys saying they just couldn't find good books to read and as reviewers many of us had ample evidence that more books are published aimed at teenage girls rather than boys. Our goal was to look both at new books and old and write about books we thought boys might like but could have missed. As our group of bloggers is so big (more than two dozen) and so eclectic, we aimed to write about all kinds of books for all kinds of boys and on that front, based on response to that blog, I think we are doing a pretty good job.
But in the grand scheme of things, we just don't think that's enough.'
Guys Lit Wire are now asking you to click into their Powell's wishlist and pick a couple of books to donate to a library collection, designed to help minors who offend in LA discover things they might be interested in, once they leave the detention system. They and their partner in this project, the InsideOutWriters Program , believe that discovering new interests can help to lower the risk of reoffending. Coleen at GuysLitWire says:
'In LA County there is no library for the teens held in the juvenile system. The boys can read as many books as they want - but someone has to give them those books. According to IOW they are desperate for books on all kinds of subjects and so, that is what we at GLW are going to try and give them.'
The initial post about the action Guys Lit Wire and the IOW are taking can be found here . If you decide to donate the wishlist is linked to and the instructions for having the books shipped are clearly explained. If you want to send books that are not on the wishlist I know they ahve to be paperback and you have to contact the member of the IOW who is located at the shipping address before sending anything extra. I've donated five books and if the book fair continues next month I'd love to give more when I get my next pay packet.
If this really takes off it might expand into other geographical areas and be taken up by detention centres for female minors. It might provide proof that engaged kids are less likely to commit crimes or that kids who are aware that the world holds any number of realistic possibilities make better citizens. I hope you'll consider supporting such a worthy project, created by fellow book bloggers.
'In the very beginning GLW started with a mission to bring great books to the attention of teenage boys. We had read the data on boys reading less, heard stories from all over the internet of boys saying they just couldn't find good books to read and as reviewers many of us had ample evidence that more books are published aimed at teenage girls rather than boys. Our goal was to look both at new books and old and write about books we thought boys might like but could have missed. As our group of bloggers is so big (more than two dozen) and so eclectic, we aimed to write about all kinds of books for all kinds of boys and on that front, based on response to that blog, I think we are doing a pretty good job.
But in the grand scheme of things, we just don't think that's enough.'
Guys Lit Wire are now asking you to click into their Powell's wishlist and pick a couple of books to donate to a library collection, designed to help minors who offend in LA discover things they might be interested in, once they leave the detention system. They and their partner in this project, the InsideOutWriters Program , believe that discovering new interests can help to lower the risk of reoffending. Coleen at GuysLitWire says:
'In LA County there is no library for the teens held in the juvenile system. The boys can read as many books as they want - but someone has to give them those books. According to IOW they are desperate for books on all kinds of subjects and so, that is what we at GLW are going to try and give them.'
The initial post about the action Guys Lit Wire and the IOW are taking can be found here . If you decide to donate the wishlist is linked to and the instructions for having the books shipped are clearly explained. If you want to send books that are not on the wishlist I know they ahve to be paperback and you have to contact the member of the IOW who is located at the shipping address before sending anything extra. I've donated five books and if the book fair continues next month I'd love to give more when I get my next pay packet.
If this really takes off it might expand into other geographical areas and be taken up by detention centres for female minors. It might provide proof that engaged kids are less likely to commit crimes or that kids who are aware that the world holds any number of realistic possibilities make better citizens. I hope you'll consider supporting such a worthy project, created by fellow book bloggers.