A national nod for local readergirlz
Reps from a Seattle-based nonprofit attended the glam New York City prestigious National Book Awards Ceremony event to pick up one of the five "Innovations in Reading" prizes for their online book community - readergirlz.
Readergirlz is the brainchild of five writers in the young-adult genre - Dia Calhoun, Holly Cupala, Lorie Ann Grover, Justina Chen Headley and Melissa Waler. "To promote teen literacy and leadership in girls, readergirlz features a different YA novel and corresponding community service project every month". One is Operation Teen Book Drop, which in the first two years has delivered "nearly 20,000 publisher-donated books to hsopitalized teens across the county."
If you know any teen girls, or if you are one, check out these fun, accessible and inspiring Web sites: http://www.readergirlz.com and http://readergirlz.blogspot.com or contact divas@readergirlz.com for more information.