Books are one of the institutions that found knowledge and harbor creativity and curiosity. For all that books do for us, they should be celebrated. As a matter of fact, TGS has found its own way to celebrate books and the legacy they leave behind through the newly-minted TGS Festival of Books.
On Friday March 13th, TGS will be hosting its own festival of books. The event will be kick started with explorations centered around books. Since the Tucson Festival of Books is the following weekend, there are already many authors in town and a general motivation and enthusiasm towards literature.
Every middle schooler, during explorations E1 and E2 will experience something to do with the art of literature. For instance, some of the offerings will include panel discussions about fantasy literature, silent sustained reading time, book themed street art, movie-book collaboration, and even a connection with “Matilda,” the upcoming all-school musical that was originally written by Roald Dahl in the late 80s.
Although these explorations highlight the different features of books, the main attraction is the two visiting authors. Authors Matthew Burgess and Josh Cochran will be coming to talk about their book “Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring.” Keith Haring is a street artist from the 1980s who rose to prominence with his eccentric chalk depictions of people around New York City.
Burgess and Cochran’s book highlights Haring’s contributions to changing what people perceive as art. These authors will also be heading a project here at TGS where they are going to create an art installation. Along with middle school students, Burgess and Cochran will create a big mural in the style of street art, and then hang it on the back wall of the library.
The close proximity to the Tucson Festival of Books means that authors, such as Burgess and Cochran, are eager to visit schools and talk to students about books and, hopefully, inspire a love for literature.
Beth Cain, who organized the entire event, decided to make the TGS Festival of Books solely for middle school students. “Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring” is in fact geared towards middle school students. However, if the event is a success, Cain is open to making it an all-school collaboration in the future.
Cain tried to organize this same festival last year, but sadly it coincided with Gregory Day. However, she is very excited that it is finally happening this year and hopes that middle school students can get something out of the festival.
Cain was inspired to organize this event because of middle school students preferring to use their devices rather than read books. Middle schoolers often stay in the library after school without knowing what a great opportunity the library truly provides. Cain states, “We have a really big collection of books for such a small school. It’s a pretty cool resource that people probably don’t know about.”
The festival, with its wide array of book-related activities, will hopefully draw more attention to what the library has to offer and diversify students’ reading habits. It is truly a great, unique opportunity to not only meet authors, but also to come in contact with the world of literature and the arts.
The TGS faculty are excited to provide this event, especially Cain. She says, “I expect enthusiasm about books, excitement about things to read, and maybe some more circulation in the library.”
Written by Editor and Chief, Sheela G