BlogAThon - Books

from Blogger News Network - Simon Barrett

I am involved with adult literacy and was delighted to read Desert Claw, there are so few books available that can be utilized in improving adult literacy. I know that often children’s books are used in literacy programs and this creates a stigma for the adult learner.

Damien Lewis does in 125 pages of oversize type what authors such as Tom Clancy would take 800 pages to achieve. Damien leaves out the long and usually pointless scene settings, and endless pages of boring minutia. He just gets right into the tale.

In this case the story involves 4 ex UK Special Forces members who are invited to take part in a ‘black operation’. Their mission is to go into war torn Iraq and liberate a Van Gough painting that was looted from one of Saddam’s palaces.

Right from the start our hero’s smell a rat, there are many aspects of this operation that are bothering them, but the money that they are offered becomes an overriding factor. It may not be quite enough to retire on, but certainly enough to have a great deal of fun with.

I wish more famous authors like Damien Lewis would take some time off from the regular writing regimen and produce a ‘Quick Read’.

Quick Reads is a major initiative from British publishers, booksellers and writers, launched in 2006. Twelve of the biggest names in fiction and non-fiction will publish short, fast-paced new books designed to encourage reluctant readers to get hooked on books.

Also available in Large Print and Audio.

Blogathon 2007

BlogAThon - San Bernardino Public Library

Since 1986, CARTOONISTS ACROSS AMERICA founder Phil Yeh has criss-crossed the globe using artwork and humor to promote literacy, the environment, creativity and other positive issues.

He and the internationally known group kicked off California's statewide literacy promotion in Sacramento: 'Literacy: It's A Whole New World." They led a group of adults and kids in painting a literacy mural on a Yolo County Library bookmobile.

Last year, he drew a crowd at San Bernardino's Norman F. Feldheym Central Library.

Yeh is creator of the befuddled Patrick Rabbit and a menagerie of witty dinosaurs and other wise and wonderful critters.

He is a passionate children's literacy advocate.

Blogathon 2007

BlogAThon - Newport Beach Public Library

The Need

"There is no literacy problem in Newport Beach!" This is a common response from the community. In fact, there is a great need for Newport Beach Public Library Literacy Services.

The 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy states that there are 93 million adults in the United States that demonstrate, at best, only basic literacy skills. This is almost 1/2 of the adult population of the U.S.

Approximately 10.5 million of these adults are in California; 350,000 of them reside in Orange County and over 7,000 are our friends and neighbors in Newport Beach. Many of these adults are immigrants that are hoping to become an active part of our community. Some are people who have slipped through the cracks of our system and are tired of just "getting by." Whatever the reasons, they are 7,000 people that need help.

The effects of adults who struggle with literacy impact each and every one of us. Did you know that adults with low literacy skills ....

Are less likely to vote and integrate into our system
Are suffering from more health problems and lose more time from work
Are not able to advocate for themselves or their children
Are more likely to spend time in jail or prison
Are more than twice as likely to receive public assistance
Are not able to help their children succeed in school, thus perpetuating the problem of illiteracy

contact literacy services: (949) 717-3874

Blogathon 2007