release date: 11/02/2020
What do Oakland in 1968, a refugee camp in Kenya and the Furry Friends Animal Shelter have in common? They are all settings for books selected for The Seattle Public Library's 2021 Global Reading Challenge, which officially blasts off Monday, Nov. 2, when the seven selected books are revealed on spl.org/GlobalReadingChallenge.
Now in its 26th year, the Global Reading Challenge is a reading incentive collaboration between the Library and Seattle Public Schools that encourages fourth and fifth graders of all reading abilities to form teams, read the books together and take part in a citywide trivia competition in February. All programs will be virtual in 2021.
“Though the Global Reading Challenge looks different this year, the goal of encouraging children to read, connect and learn from diverse books is as important as ever,” said Jenny Craig, Global Reading Challenge Librarian at The Seattle Public Library.
This year, the program has selected seven books instead of the usual 10, to make the program accessible to more children. All titles are either by #ownvoices authors, meaning an author from an under-represented group writing about their own experiences from their perspective, or an intentional collaboration designed to elevate BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or person of color) voices.
“Most of the books have big messages, but they are also funny and absorbing reads,” said Craig.
2021 Global Reading Challenge books
HOW TO FIND A BOOK AND JOIN THE KICKOFF EVENT
Children can check out Global Reading Challenge books through their school library or with their Library card. They can also can use Library Link with their student ID number to check out e-books and e-audiobooks.
Join us for a Global Reading kickoff event with respected Nulhegan Abenaki elder Dr. Joseph Bruchac, coauthor of “Sasquatch and the Muckleshoot,” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Register ahead of time. Renowned for his storytelling and musical ability, Dr. Bruchac will share stories from the Nulhegan Abenaki tradition and talk about his Global Reading Challenge book.
Check back for more Global Reading Challenge programs and events at spl.org/calendar.
MORE INFORMATION
The Global Reading Challenge is made possible by funding from The Seattle Public Library Foundation, Northwest Literacy Foundation, and Toni Myers and Skip Kerr. The Library would also like to thank the generosity of the publishers who have made this year’s digital materials possible: Capstone | Picture Window Books, Dreamscape Media, Scholastic, and Recorded Books, LLC | Recorded Books, Inc.
Find out the latest updates on The Seattle Public Library’s services and plans for reopening at the Library’s Road to Reopening page.
The Seattle Public Library also has many free online services, resources and programs available while its physical buildings remain closed. You can find out more here or by contacting the Library by phone at 206-386-4636. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information during this challenging time.