CCLD Hosts First Kentucky Literacy Celebration

To view a transcript of the video above, please click on the transcript link just below the photo gallery.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 28, 2011) — The Collaborative Center for Literacy Development (CCLD), which is housed in the University of Kentucky College of Education, will host the first Kentucky Literacy Celebration week Feb. 28 through March 4. In coordination with the weeklong event, Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear issued a special reading list as part of her ongoing "First Lady's Reading Recommendations" initiative, which can be viewed below. 

"I am thrilled to kick off the first annual Kentucky Literacy Celebration and look forward to promoting reading across the Commonwealth during this week and throughout the year," said Beshear. "To encourage Kentuckians to use their local public libraries, I have compiled a special reading list to provide some ideas for both new and experienced armchair adventurers. In the continued spirit of reading for all, this list contains books suitable for a range of ages, from infant to adult. Everyone should set aside some time to read this week, whether it is on your own, or with family and friends."

George Hruby, director of the CCLD, said the celebration is a great opportunity to recognize the work and achievement of Kentucky's students and encourage them to push Kentucky's literacy rates to even greater heights.

"Literacy empowers our ability to think, to achieve, and to succeed in life," Hruby said. "It is not something you are born with, but it is something you can achieve and insure your children achieve. In the technologically driven, information-based economy we live in, good reading, writing, and language skills are crucial. So read and be wise!"

As part of the Literacy Celebration, First Lady Beshear will visit local libraries, schools and education centers around the state. This will include UK's Early Childhood Lab in the College of Education at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3.

For more information about the Kentucky Literacy Celebration, please visitwww.kentuckyliteracy.org/celebrate.

2011 Literacy Week Reading List
Most of these books can be found on the Lexile Framework for Reading (www.Lexile.com), which is a measure that provides information about reading materials' suitability for student reading levels. The tool can help students find books in public libraries that match their age and ability.

1.  Kinfolks: The Wilgus Stories, Gurney Norman (Ages: 12 and up)

This book of short stories recounts the adventures of Wilgus, a Kentucky boy growing up in Appalachia, and his family.

2.  The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams (Ages: 4 and up)

In this timeless story, a stuffed rabbit yearns to be made real by the love of a young child.

3. The Book Thief, Mark Zusak (Ages: 12 and up)

A winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, this novel set during World War II tells the story of a foster girl who loves books and discovers their power in a time of strife.

4.  Life of Pi, Yann Martel (Ages: 15 and up)

As a boy raised around zoo animals, Pi is better prepared than most when he becomes stranded on a lifeboat with four wild creatures. Pi’s ensuing ingenuity and epiphanies make for a compelling journey.

5.  The Very Busy Spider, Eric Carle (Ages: 1-3)

A colorful picture book depicting a variety of animals reveals the mystery of the very busy spider.

6.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Paul Galdone (Ages 5-8)

In this classic tale that I used to read to my boys, three billy goats try to cross a bridge, but must first get past a grouchy, scary troll.

7.  A Penny’s Worth of Character, Jesse Stuart (Ages: 8-11)

A boy in a rural Kentucky community learns about how to put integrity before guilty pleasures.   

8.  Our Brothers’ War, Maureen Morehead and Pat Carr (All ages)

Co-authored by Kentucky’s current poet laureate Maureen Morehead, this book of poems and short stories portrays the perspective of women in the Commonwealth during the Civil War. 

9.  A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest Gaines (Ages: 15 and up)

This award-winning book depicts a friendship in 1940’s Louisiana between two African-American men, one an innocent prisoner on death row and one a teacher. Both find a way to transcend the trials of racism and injustice.

10. The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart (Ages: 8-12)

The first book in a delightful series, this story follows four kids who answer an ad in the paper calling for gifted children and find themselves on a secret mission.

Beshear introduced the Reading Recommendations program in the summer of 2009 and has since issued reading lists throughout the year. 

"Literacy is critical to many aspects of daily living, including employment and educational opportunities," Beshear said. "Working as a community, we can foster greater levels of literacy across Kentucky."

The CCLD is a collaboration between Kentucky’s eight state universities and focuses on improving literacy instruction in early childhood through adulthood with numerous professional development and research initiatives. For more information, visit www.kentuckyliteracy.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-1754 ext. 254; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu