Wednesday, May 14, 2008

We have a winner!!!

S.F. Martin, come on down!!

You have won yourself a Advanced Release Copy of the much coveted Noah! It was a completely random selection, but I know you are going to LOVE it because you LOVE Noah so much. And thanks, all of you, for telling me why you love this series and the characters in it. I was so surprised by the magnitude of the response and the depth of thought you put into those responses. It was really very sweet...even if it was motivated by greed for Noah ;) Ha!

Now for something new.

Reading is Fundamental. Remember those words? All throughout growing up I heard it on PBS after Sesame Street, The Electric Company, The Magic Garden. We all did. Not too long ago a notice came out in my RWA Newsletter about RIF and how is was being proposed in Bush's new budget that all government funding be ripped away from this program that provides reading materials to young, disadvantaged children all over the United States...some of whom have never even touched a new book all their own before.

This is the RWA Article:

The 2009 proposed U.S. budget calls for the elimination of funding for Reading Is Fundamental' s (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution program. The program distributes free books to 4.6 million children and families and runs reading encouragement programs in 20,000 locations in the U.S. RIF President and CEO Carol H. Rasco says, "Unless Congress reinstates $26 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children ... Since its founding in 1966, RIF's programs have played an important role in improving literacy in this country." Visit RIF's Web site, http://www.rif. org/get-involved /advocate/ what/, to see how you can take action.



I was one of those children. When I was around 9 or ten years old a RIF van came to my school. It was like a truck full of magic. The class lined up and every student got to pick two new books. I remember asking a woman...how do I return these? She smiled and said, "You don't. These are all yours to keep forever."

I remember being awed by the concept. I remember clutching those two books to my chest and thinking "Mine! All mine!" Not a hand me down, not a library book. And I had chosen them myself so I wasn't being told what I had to read. Both covers had little girls on the front of them and I remember both stories to this day...because I still have those two RIF books. Truth and Consequences. And Secret Emily. Secret Emily became a favorite I read over and over, the story so fantastical and mysterious! I was on the edge of my seat with every page. The end was a surprise and a delight.

See. Told you I remember. Do you remember? Do you think for one minute it would be tragic if I had not gotten that book that made me love fantasy stories? Had it not started me down a road of magic and make-believe? My love for the paranormal was born in that book. That book, that one RIF book, could be what spawned the author you love to read.

So CUT AND PASTE THE ABOVE LINK IN THE RWA ARTICLE.


Write to your senators and representative using the pre-made letter. It will take five minutes of your time at most. Please. Because you never know if a little Sherrilyn or a wee Christine or even a needy Kresley might be out there waiting to be born for you. In a book.

One single book.

And if you want more reward than that, I am going to give it to you. EVERYONE who mails out those letters...CC it to me at jacquelynfrank@hotmail.com and I will send YOU a signed cover flat of Noah. Include your address. I will send cover flats of Noah until I run out of them, then will switch to Damien until I run out of THEM and then Elijah.

Deal??

If you think that makes me crazy...I say it makes me serious and passionate.

Get to it.

Hugs and Kitties
Jacki

13 comments:

Bobbie said...

Jackie,
The link isn't working for me. Do you have a URL?

Anna said...

Congrats S.F.!

I about fainted when I got the mail. Damien arrived today. I pre-ordered a few weeks ago, I didn't expect it so soon. :D

Dale said...

I couldn't make the link work either but I went RIF link that was in the RWA article and from there managed to get to the right place. Reading has brought me such joy that it is incomprehensible to me that in this day and age there are so many children who may never know what pleasure reading can bring. Thank you Jackie for bringing this to our attention

s.f.martin said...

OMG!!! I can't believe I won I never win anything!
Thank you thank you Jackie.
WOW i'm in shock, will e-mail you right now before you can change your mind :).
And thanks Anna for the congrats

Anonymous said...

Congrats SF! As always Jacki, gr8 contest. Ada:)

Lynn said...

Jacki,

Your blog brought back so many memories. My mom used to be RIF lady for my elementary school. I remember waiting in line for my books.The books would be lined up on the long tables in the library. I got my love of reading from her (bless her!).

I couldn't get into the link either.

Congrats SF!

Stephanie*magic* said...

Congrats S.F.!! Lucky, lucky!! :)

Another great cause Jacki!
You amaze me with your passion
for helping. Such a wonderful lady
you are!!
*hugs*

Unknown said...

I can't believe they're trying to cut RIF. Now I'm not sure if RIF and First Book are related but my work depends on First Book. I started a preschool book club where they get a book to take home and keep nearly every month -- and it is magic to them. Books are so important for kinds. Just yesterday I sorted though seven boxes of books collected for us at a local book store for our childcare libraries. When I came to the classes with the boxes it was like I was delivering boxes of magic. "New books?" One kid asked me, "Like ones with all the pages in them?" That made me want to cry.

Jacquelyn Frank said...

Oh suzi, you're gonna make me cry. It hurts my heart sometimes to think there are so many kids and animals in need and I don't have the power to help them all. But at least we are all going to make a dent!!!

Peachez said...

Dear Jacki, I am glad we have an advocate like you I know all about the program as well I wrote in and sent to some of my friends as well I just adore the art of reading so many possibilities and worlds to explore that I never tire of and It would be a terrible injustice if the program gets cut to deny the children the same profound joy we have had the priviledge to enjoy

Thank you

Peachez

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

oh Jacki, the kids made thank you notes for the bookstore today. They said things like "thank you for giving us books, they were really helpful because we didn't have any." I made a copy of that one and I put it above my desk next to the tots scribbles to remind me why I do what I do. it just breaks my heart. But my council office is having a pet fair this weekend with free spay and neuters and microchips and it made me think of you.

Unknown said...

Wow...I wasn't a RIF reader, but I remember saving my allowance to donate to the RIF. I remember as a child thinking how horrible it was for someone not to have books. My family has supported that cause for years now and it makes my heart warm to see someone like yourself stick up for it. Congrats to you!!! I knew I liked you and not just because your books are really rather fantastic.

 

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