What to do when the lights go out

I’m sitting here with no electricity and no reliable information as to when it’ll be back on. The odd springtime thunderstorm that rolled through in the wee hours took out the entire neighborhood. If you happen to forget to charge your cell phone, a day without electricity can be an oddly quiet experience.

But it’s a great time to choose books for Drop Everything and Read Day, a time set aside to remind children and adults of the pleasure of some uninterrupted reading time – and no electricity needed, except for maybe a flashlight! Lots of schools make D.E.A.R. time a daily activity.

Whether at home or at school, you might want to share the book that I just finished (with said flashlight). It’s by Newbery Honor author Ruth White, (opens in a new window) called Way Down Deep (opens in a new window)(Farrar). This gentle story, set in Appalachia, is filled with wacky characters, sweet truths, and lyrical language. It’s ideal for reading aloud.

Hey! The lights just came on! I can look for more books for my family’s D.E.A.R. Day!