Jon Scieszka Joins Children’s Institute Lineup

Bestselling author Jon Scieszka, a nationally recognized reading advocate and the founder of Guys Read — a web-based literacy program aimed at helping boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers — has joined the 2015 ABC Children’s Institute panel “Reaching Reluctant Readers.”

The panel will also feature Alyson Beecher, the curriculum coordinator for the Pasadena Unified School District, and booksellers and former teachers Erin Barker of Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, Virginia, and Margaret Brennan Neville of The King’s English Bookshop of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Scieszka, the Library of Congress’ National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in 2008, will be appearing at Ci3 with his book Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger (Abrams/Amulet Books), the follow-up to his New York Times bestselling Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor.

 “Reaching Reluctant Readers” will examine how booksellers can reach kids who rarely, if ever read, for their own pleasure and what can be done to turn them into readers. The panelists will share their passion for making a difference and best strategies for inspiring children to read.

The ABC Children’s Institute will be held April 19 – 21 at California’s Hilton Pasadena and is open to all bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association. Booksellers who are interested in attending should register now as the event is almost completely booked to capacity. The nonrefundable conference fee is $79 per person, and there is a maximum of five registrants per member business.

The “Reaching Reluctant Readers” panel will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 20, in the Hilton Pasadena’s Pacific Room.

For up-to-date information on the complete Ci3 program and to register, visit BookWeb.org/Ci2015. Questions should be addressed to ABC Group Manager Matthew Zoni.