Red, White, & Roux

Can we even call it "reading" if there is little comprehension?
I don't think so and, evidently the U.S. Congress agrees. Funding for the national reading component of the "No Child Left Behind" programs (NCLB) is in trouble for 2009. NCLB is a massive federal education act that provides for increased standards of accountability in public schools. The accountability part has led to an emphasis on standardized testing which varies state by state. These tests are written and scored by private, for-profit corporations.
Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate have voted against continuing the "Reading First" portion of NCLB. The reasons? Rep. David Obey D-Wis, chair of the House committee put it best. According to the publication Education Week, he said Reading First "has been plagued with mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and cronyism as documented by the inspector general's report." He was also troubled by the May 1, 2008 federal evaluation which showed that Reading First had no impact on children understanding what they read!
We are talking a billion dollars a year here, and there has been no impact on comprehension. Let us go now to the obvious question. How do we as parents, educators, and lawmakers increase reading comprehension among our children?
I say, take that billion dollars and use it to buy books for kids. Provide teachers the means to create classroom libraries. Provide librarians (excuse me, media specialists) training opportunities to keep abreast in the latest and best books around. Make school libraries a hub of book displays, colorful posters, and staff concerned about getting the right book to the right child.
It only takes one positive experience to make a lifetime reader. Infuse a little joy instead of concentrating on skills.
Once a person has been transported and found pleasure in print, the problem with comprehension is on its way to being solved. When adults and students are talking about books, recommending authors, and sharing their favorites, literacy takes a giant leap that trumps any reading test-prep program out there. Instead of channeling billions in taxpayer money to giant corporations like Scholastic, Inc, and McGraw-Hill, with their "scientifically-based" reading programs, how about we just buy thousands of books?
Since Apalachicola resident Carrie Kienzle donated hundreds of books to my high school classroom, I have immersed myself in the world of young adult literature. Carrie is on the committee that determines the American Library Association's "Best Books for Young Adults." Publishers bombard her with anything and everything they think might get nominated. A Best Notable Book will be bought by libraries and bookstores. That can translate into big sales. After reading she gives them away - to my classroom, to the Apalachicola Municipal Library, and to other needy libraries, particularly in New Orleans.
She often receives duplicates, and so I put one in my classroom and one in the city library. Sometimes I think a book might appeal more to adults than adolescents, so it also goes to the library. Next time, instead of just stopping at the new book table by the front door, mosey on over to the young adult section. There are shelves and shelves of outstanding authors you will discover for the first time.
For coming-of-age stories nothing beats "Spanking Shakespeare" written by Jake Wizner and illustrated by Richard Ewing. It's a wretched title, but the book is so funny, I laughed so hard I had to put down. The protagonist, Shakespeare Shapiro, has to write a senior year memoir. He is convinced that life is one catastrophe after another, beginning with his unlikely name. His parents are a constant embarrassment (of course), and he lurches from one teen disaster to another.
Agonies in high school often translate into humor as recollections. That theme is also apparent in "Spud" by South African writer John van de Ruit. This teen from a spectacularly dysfunctional family receives a scholarship to an elite boarding school. Seeking structure and finding none, he adapts to a world more chaotic than his kinfolk. This is definitely a guy book, full of male adolescent shenanigans, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie is one of the best reads of all time. It made the Top Ten List from the American Library Association's Young Adults Awards committee, and won the National Book Award in Young Adult Literature. I can see why. The typical agonies of adolescence are exacerbated by life on "the rez" (Indian reservation), marked by real hunger, violence, and drug abuse. This is the best kind of writing; real poignancy and real joy all within two covers. Please pick it up! I put it down on my first try and then gave it a second chance simply because of Carrie's urging. This semi-autobiographical tale is a true gem.
In addition to adding all of the young adult titles and children's books this summer, the library is being used, transformed, and rearranged like never before.
Over 130 children from the city's summer recreation program have become library visitors thanks to the urging of City Commissioner Valentina Webb. She is the city's liaison with the library board, and we are lucky to have her at our meetings. Her quiet, practical sense comments and suggestions reassure us about the library's importance. Even more, she is our advocate. This is a great relationship that ensures an open line of communication between the library and the city commission.
The rearranging and transforming taking place is the bailiwick of Susan (Buzzett) Clementson, as well as Charlie and Carrie Kienzle. Susan and Carrie have been weeding the non-fiction, and we now have over 300 titles on sale for a mere $2 each. Susan and Carrie are retired librarians; we welcome their expertise and Charlie's muscle.
Our library couldn't function without our volunteers, and even our paid employees work many extra hours for free. I urge you to consider donating even an hour or two a week. You'll find a place humming with activity, full of pleased and happy people.
Books are transforming and sharing books is just about the most rewarding function a city can provide. If only we could get the feds to agree, we might be on our way to defining the joy of reading as the straightest path to comprehension.