Giving back: Festival supports literacy
The Tucson Festival of Books is more than just a celebration of reading. It also is a fund-raiser helping to support wide-ranging literacy efforts throughout Tucson.
Last year's festival raised $200,000 for local literacy efforts, and with your help we can raise even more March 13-14.
Giving back to promote literacy is the real success of the event, according to Festival organizers. Literacy is the foundation of building a strong, vibrant community.
Last year's Festival proceeds benefited three literacy groups that perform outstanding work in our community:
• The Literacy for Life Coalition is an alliance of literacy provider agencies and their allies from the business, education and government sectors. The coalition's vision is 100 percent literacy in our community through 100 percent engagement. Working collaboratively, members of the coalition are finding new and innovative ways to ensure that literacy is a top priority of policy and decision makers, donors and the general public.
• Reading Seed's mission is to help children in Pima County learn to read so they can read to learn. The agency recruits and trains volunteer reading coaches to assist children reading below grade level in grades one through three, offers a lending library of books that match students' interests with their abilities, and distributes free books to children to encourage independent reading. Our vision is that all children in Pima County read at or above grade level by the end of third grade.
• The University of Arizona's share of the proceeds funded lectures, seminars and educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the community.
Help advance these efforts by becoming a Friend of the Festival.
Local businesses support TFOB
The Festival of Books could not happen without the generous support of local businesses. This year we are thankful for our sponsor businesses and organizations that value reading and a love of books. Check out a full list on the Festival site.
Are you traveling to this year's event? Many local hotels are offering special deals. Get rates and reservations.
Tucson restaurants are bringing local flavor to the Festival. Learn more about the Festival's culinary experience and bring your appetite March 13-14.
Volunteering at the Tucson Festival of Books is great way to be a part of the community and experience the satisfaction of supporting literacy. Spots are limited, so sign up today! It takes less than five minutes to register as a volunteer and it can all be done online through the application form. More information about volunteering can be found on the Festival volunteer page.
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Meet Diana Ossana, Academy Award-winning screenplay writer
Diana Ossana is an Academy Award-winning writer who has collaborated on screenplays, teleplays and novels with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry.
Their screenplay for "Brokeback Mountain" won the Academy Award for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay. She also has published short stories and essays.
In a panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 14, Ossana will join McMurtry in a conversation on the ups and downs in their writing careers. The event will be held in the Student Union Ballroom South.
Meet author Adam Rex
Adam Rex's picture book "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich," a collection of stories about monsters and their problems, was a New York Times bestseller.
His latest novel, for teens and adults, is "Fat Vampire - A Never Coming of Age Story."
Join Rex and a panel of authors and illustrators at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13, to discuss the importance of humor in kids' literature, explore reasons why the chicken crossed the road, and debate just how many Festival-goers it takes to change a light bulb. The debate will take place in the UA's Education Building, Kiva Auditorium.
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