Reading and Wrestling: Think Outside the Box to Reach Today's Teens

ALA Annual ConferenceMonday, 10:30 to 12:00

June 27, 2011

Agenda

• Welcome – Carrie Kausch, WMRC Jury Chair• Remarks and Q&A from award winning author, Paul

Volponi• Overview of the Challenge and explanation of

changes for 2011 – 2012• Ideas for librarians on implementing the Challenge

successfully in their libraries• Remarks from WWE legend Jimmy Hart• Q&A

Paul Volponi

www.paulvolponibooks.com

WWE and YALSA “Tag Team” with:

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge - Why participate?

• Reach reluctant readers

• Free swag

• Prizes for libraries

When?

• Register by July 31st at http://ala.org/wrestlemania

• Challenge during Teen Read Week

Swag• Large poster• Mini posters• Bookmarks• Video clips• Certificates• Prizes: trading cards and a gift card• Toolkit

Toolkit

Log

• Grades 5 – 12

• Pledge – 5 books – by April 2012

Grades 5 – 6: Bookmark Contest

• Create and submit a project:

• Grades 5-6: Design a bookmark illustrating a slogan created by you that promotes reading.

• Grades 7-8 and Grades 9-12: Write a letter to your favorite WWE superstar that persuades the superstar to read the teen’s favorite book.

After projects are due:

• Judge project submissions

• Send winning entries to YALSA for regional judging

• YALSA announces regional winners

WrestleMania 28

Before WrestleMania, winners must read:

Grades 5 – 6: Underdogs by Mike Lupica

Grades 7 – 8: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

Grades 9 – 12: Rikers High by Paul Volponi

Trivia winners receive ring-side seats!

How to implement the Challenge? AKA: The Challenge of the Challenge

Get the word out:• Teen Advisory Group

• Teen creations: videos, podcasts

• Teachers: English, ESL, PE/coaches, Art

• Morning announcements

• Social networking

• Local community groups: Scouts, homeschooling

groups, martial arts, rec centers

• Local newspapers

• Book displays

How to implement the Challenge? AKA: The Challenge of the Challenge

Programming:• Make-a-bookmark party

• Teen game day with Raw Vs. Smackdown

• Trivia contest

• Costume contest

WMRC in Action

Palmetto Middle School LibraryWilliamston, SC

Librarian: Tamara Cox

Palmetto Middle School LibraryWilliamston, SC

All pictures provided by Tamara Cox

Westlake Porter Public Library, Westlake, OH

All photos taken and provided by Elaine Willis, Public Relations Associate, Westlake Porter Public Library

Librarians: Carol Mesnick and Megan Barrett

WrestleMania Reading Challenge Kick-Off Party - Craft

Pro Wrestling Ohio wrestlers Gregory Iron (left), Johnny Gargano (center) and Hobo Joe (right)

Westlake Porter Public Library, Westlake, OH

Westlake Porter Public Library, Westlake, OH

WWE Legend Jimmy Hart

Q&A