Autism in Life and Literature at the Monona Public Library

From the Monona Public Library, next Wednesday, May 25, 6 pm to 7 pm, a program, Autism in Life and Literature:

This program is on Wednesday, May 25 ( 6-7pm) at the Monona Public library and tailored to parents and educators. It's a presentation by award-winning local author Jacqueline Houtman on her novel "The Reinvention of Edison Thomas," which has won Tofte/Wright Children’s Literature Award and has been selected by Read On Wisconsin!, the Kansas State Reading Circle, and CCBC Choices 2011. It concerns a middle school boy, but the issues it raises I think could easily apply through grade 12.

A. Here is an excerpt from Kirkus review on the wonderful book:

A middle grader with a high-function spectrum disorder finds some real friends in this wry debut...The author has a particularly engaging way of tracking Eddie's thought processes as he struggles to wrest order from a seemingly chaotic world...By the end readers will understand why Justin and Terry find Eddie worth knowing, but the way the central characters talk and think about science creates another theme that's just as strong and satisfying. --Kirkus Reviews

Along with the author will be guest presenter Dr Michael Shoultz who is a public school autism consultant and frequent speaker at the Wisconsin Autism Society. He will hold an interactive "Best Practices" strategies brainstorming session with the audience, described as follows:

Ms Houtman will read a section of the book, then we will talk about the issues it raises, and how to help kids deal with those challenges. She will read additional short passages that will illustrate the concepts Dr Shoultz will talk about. There will be abundant fiction and nonfiction books to check out on these issues and a list of resources available. Refreshments will be served.

We are hoping to get 30 to 40 attendees and need everyone to sign up on our website to get an idea of the crowd and how many handouts/refreshments to have available.

--

Toni Streckert, Outreach Coordinator
tonis@mononalibrary.org

Monona Public Library
http://www.mononalibrary.org/

1000 Nichols Road, Monona, WI 53716

608.222.6127

2010 WLA and SCLS Library of the Year