civic forum
EMMY success again!
Christmas at the His...
Holiday traditions a...
cover story
Allen teen with an e...
education
Rountree Elementary ...
Cougars, coyotes and...
feature
Allen Event Center
gardening
Picking plants for t...
health & fitness
The flus—seasonal an...
library
Calling Allen area a...
SMU Wind Chamber Qui...
travel
Jingle Bell Little R...
|
 |
by Dr. Sheri Vasinda
Music can change a mood, transport us to another time, call us to action, remind us of lost loves or happy times. Our 2009-2010 ALLen Reads book selections are The Cellist of Sarajevo (high school to adults), The Mozart Question (fourth to eighth grade) and Mole Music (picture book). They portray music as an homage and a statement, a distraction and a secret, and a form of self-fulfillment and the resilience of the human spirit. However you are moved by this year’s selections, please share your story—a memory, a connection or any variation on a theme through a submission to this year’s ALLen Anthology—Moved by the Music.
Our goal is to continue the reading experience of ALLen Reads by providing a showcase for stories from the people of our own community. The different selections afford the entire family the opportunity to read and discuss books with related musical themes. Whether you are moved by music or something else, please tell us your story, real or imagined with our third anthology. You can check out our past anthologies, Bad Dog Tales and Planting Seeds…In Your Garden and Your Community online at www.lulu.com.
For details and submission guidelines, log on to http://allenfriends.com/ALLenReads.htm.
The anthology will be available for purchase in paperback or for free reading online. Submit your stories electronically to allenreadseditors@gmail.com by March 1, 2010. This year’s anthology will be published in early May.
There will be a total of 22 musical programs as an integral part of ALLen Reads this year, including many of the Allen ISD secondary groups in the schools. In December, two special performances at the library are planned—SMU Wind Chamber Quintet at 7 p.m. on December 12, and the AHS Encore singers at 7 p.m. on December 19. Watch for information on future musical performances, January through March 2010, by reading this magazine and checking the Friends website for ALLen Reads www.allenfriends.com.
In January book discussions will begin. If you are in a book group or would like to take part in a discussion, call the library at 214.509.4913 to get information, or to sign up. Other 2010 programs include a Children’s Music-Filled Day from 2-4 p.m. on January 18, and a series of music-themed movies each Tuesday during that month. Steven Galloway, author of The Cellist of Sarajevo, will speak and sign books at the Allen Public Library on March 6. So, please, write a story, read the books, join a discussion group and come enjoy all the programs. ALLen Reads is a one-book project by and for your community—be part of it!
Dr. Sheri Vasinda is a third grade teacher at Boyd Elementary. |
