Next MWP Book Club book: The Burgess Boys

Our fall selection is a novel, The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout (author of Olive Kitteridge).

Set in both Maine and New York City, the book focuses on the relationship among three siblings, Jim and Bob Burgess and their sister Susan. Zach, Susan's son, gets into a world of trouble, and she calls on her brothers for help. The conflict involves the family but also the community as a whole that is grappling with the recent influx of Somali immigrants. In our times of dealing with many cultural differences, the book offers much to think about and to discuss!

Instead of a series of questions, we're posing only two: What was your reaction to the book: the characters, the conflict and the themes? How does the story relate to your teaching?

We'll start our on-line discussion on Monday, November 10, so start reading!

To become a member of the club, join Goodreads and then send an email to Debra Hartley (hartley@umn.edu) telling her that you want to join the MWP Book Club. In addition, if you have any questions about or suggestions for the book club, please let Debra know.

Our winter selection will be The Good Braider. More details will follow.

Give to the Max Day, 13 November 2014

The Minnesota Writing Project will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2015!
Please help us recognize our history and prepare for the next 25 years of teachers teaching teachers by giving to us on (or before) 13 November 2014, Give to the Max Day.

Your gift may provide funding for

....Fellowships for teachers in underserved areas to attend the MWP Summer Institute on the Twin Cities campus
....Opportunities for teachers to attend and share their best practices at regional and national professional development conferences
....A video showcasing the MWP's first 25 years of supporting the professional development of Minnesota educators

Double your donation: Friends of MWP will match your gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $350. Please help us meet this challenge and reach our goal of $1,000.

To contribute, go to the MWP giving page and click on the Make a gift to the Minnesota Writing Project online link.