Join our Literacy Coffee Chat
Set yourself apart from the competition and showcase your knowledge as a literacy professional. Join Cathy Gibbons to critique and reflect on literacy based articles. Meetings held over Zoom as your share your thoughts and ideas.
Nominate a Book for "The Jerry" Award
The M. Jerry Weiss Book Award was established in 1994 by the New Jersey Reading Association to honor Dr. M. Jerry Weiss, distinguished service professor at New Jersey City University and nationally known advocate of children’s literature. Continuing this legacy, the New Jersey Literacy Association and the West Jersey Reading Council now c
The M. Jerry Weiss Book Award was established in 1994 by the New Jersey Reading Association to honor Dr. M. Jerry Weiss, distinguished service professor at New Jersey City University and nationally known advocate of children’s literature. Continuing this legacy, the New Jersey Literacy Association and the West Jersey Reading Council now collaborate to present this award, affectionately known as “The Jerry.”
Recent Award Winners:
Picture Book: Ben and the Amazing Animal Adventure by Denise Ammeraal Furlong and Sarah Szamreta Tang
Chapter Book : Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
Graphic Novel: When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson
Using LGBTQ+ Books in the Classroom in the Age of Book Bans
Using LGBTQ+ Books in the Classroom in the Age of Book Bans
Forty-seven percent of the books being challenged in the U.S. are those that involve the experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals (ALA, 2024). Despite New Jersey ‘s curricular and legislative mandates requiring the inclusion of LGBTQ+ identities in P-12 schools, LGBTQ+ books are still being challenged. This presentation will introduce
Forty-seven percent of the books being challenged in the U.S. are those that involve the experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals (ALA, 2024). Despite New Jersey ‘s curricular and legislative mandates requiring the inclusion of LGBTQ+ identities in P-12 schools, LGBTQ+ books are still being challenged. This presentation will introduce elementary grade appropriate LGBTQ+ trade books, make connections to literacy and social studies standards, and help empower practicing teachers to use these books in their classrooms.