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, called Way Down Deep (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!

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
April 4, 2007
Top