What do Jack Gantos, Laurie Halse Anderson and Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens Authors have in Common?

Linda Hoiseth, Middle School Librarian and Kathy Patterson, Head Librarian at

The American School of Doha

 

The American School of Doha, of course! (http://www.asd.edu.qa/)

 

More than 2000 students from 79 countries attend ASD.  The ultramodern facility is wireless, with two computer labs, LCD projectors in every classroom, double gym, fitness center, indoor pool and theater.  Teachers are multinational, instruction is in English.

 

Outside it's Doha

 

Inside it's a haven

 

for kids from lots of places

 

Sure everyone in Doha knows about ASD.  But there's a secret.  Pssst:

 

Right here, in the heart of this desert community - where everything from apples to shoes are imported…and the country's "bookstore" is more Office Max than Barnes & Noble - are two sunny, modern libraries chock full of kidlit treasures:

 

ahhhhhhhhhh books

 

That's right:  Books.  Big books, small books, fat books, lean books.  The Reluctant Fundamentalist, by Mohsin Hamid, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky.  Great children's picture and chapter books. Fun, funny, serious and silly books.  New and old books.  Recent award winners. Books on tough subjects, tomes for research and study and books, well, just because.

 

Except for The Three Little Pigs, true or otherwise (apologies to Jon Scieszka).  Pork is just as haraam in the library as it is in the grocery. (Yes, really.)

 

Jack Gantos endured the 2 day journey over land and sea to entertain and enlighten ASD's kids.  Laurie Halse Anderson, Korky Paul and Charles Benoit make the trip in November 2012.

 

And now books by HWKT (http:/www.heartlandwriters.com) authors Ann Ingalls, Anola Pickett, Barbara Stuber, Bridget Heos, Elizabeth C. Bunce, Katie Speck, Laura Manivong are available for borrowing by ASD students too.

 

 

cozy reading spaces in middle school/high school library

 

beautifully appointed library is a great place to research, write, print assignments

 

 

so many books, so little time - ASD Elementary School Library

 

inviting High School reading space

 

But wait, there's more! On hand before I walked in the door:  Crossing the Tracks, by Barbara Stuber (checked out!), Maybelle Goes to Tea AND Maybelle in the Soup, by Katie Speck and A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce.  Browse nonfiction and you'll find multiple great titles by Bridget Heos, including the biography, Lady Gaga.  That's right, there were HWKT books already in stock at ASD.  That's just how smart these great people are!

 

Kathy Patterson, Linda Hoiseth, Lauren Elliott

Super Librarians Abroad: love kids, love books, love travel

 

Titles were distributed to the appropriate library. Kids grabbed 'em up!

 

May I read this one, please? 

 

Love to read!

 

Thank you Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens' authors for gifting books to Doha's kids:

 

Ann Ingalls (http://anningallswrites.com/):

• The Little Piano Girl, The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend, by Ann Ingalls & Maryann Macdonald, Illustrated by Giselle Potter
 

Anola Pickett (http://anolapickett.com/):

• (2 copies) Wasatch Summer, by Anola Pickett
• Old Enough for Magic, An I Can Read Book, story by Anola Pickett, pictures by Ned Delaney

Barbara Stuber (http://barbarastuber.com/):

• (2 copies) Crossing the Tracks, a novel by Barbara Stuber

Bridget Heos (http://www.authorbridgetheos.com/):

• What to Expect When You're Expecting Hatchlings, A Guide for Crocodilian Parents (and Curious Kids), by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
• What to Expect When You're Expecting Joeys, A Guide for Marsupial Parents (and Curious Kids), by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

Elizabeth C. Bunce (http://www.elizabethcbunce.com/):

• A Curse Dark as Gold, by Elizabeth C. Bunce 

Katie Speck (http://www.katiespeck.com/):

• Maybelle Goes to Tea, by Katie Speck, illustrations by Paul Rátz de Tagyos

Laura Manivong (http://lauramanivong.com/):

• Escaping the Tiger, by Laura Manivong

 

Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens is a group of the most wonderful, accomplished (see above) writerly peeps in the Kansas City, Missouri area - and my critique group!  To learn more about HWKT, click here: http://www.heartlandwriters.com.