Greenwich Reads Together: I was there with Sangoel!

 Once at an author visit promoting one of my books, a grandmother said to me,  " My granddaughter is nothing like the girl in your book.  Why would I buy your book?"   I was speechless then but I have had time to think.   Look around your child's or grandchild's classroom.  It is probably the case that the child on at least one side of her is not of  the same race or socioeconomic class or same color as she is.  They may not speak the same first language.

Why read?  For entertainment, to learn about yourself, the world, to laugh, to cry, to share... 

And that is just what Greenwich, CT  is doing..the whole town!  My Name is Sangoel was chosen this year along with Americanah by Chimamande Ngozi Adiche for adults and Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate for mid-grades for the town read.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in 2014 more Latino, African American and Asian children were enrolled in US Public schools than non-Hispanic White children.

Indeed in one of the 5 schools I visited, there are children from 60 countries and they speak over 30 languages.

Here is what one mom had to say about my visit:  I just wanted to let you know that Lindsay could not wait to share the details from the author visit and about the book My Name is Sangoel.  It lead to a great discussion about refugee camps and especially what is happening in Syria right now.  How nice to have an author bring up such a relevant topic.   Thank you to everyone who found the author and brought her to Greenwich.

Shouldn't we be raising children ready for a future in a diverse world who can succeed in diverse communities and schools?  That is a question for the grandmother from that earlier author visit.  a question for all of us.

Greenwich, Connecticut gets it and the students there get it.
They read they discuss, the learn.  They have fun!

 Like Sangoel they are creative problem solvers.   I tried it too: