|  | Mayor, Superintendent announce Saint Paul Reads book selections for 2005-06
6/9/2005 10:50 AM | | "A Place Where the Sea Remembers" by Sandra Benitez |
In preparation for the 2005-2006 school year, Saint Paul Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Harvey and Saint Paul Mayor Randy Kelly announced a book for the Saint Paul Reads Citywide Book Club and one for the Saint Paul Reads Citywide Book Club for Kids. New this year is a recommended list of books for young children that connect to the 2005-2006 theme for Saint Paul Reads.
The Saint Paul Reads Citywide Book Club encourages adults and secondary school students to read “A Place Where the Sea Remembers,” by local author Sandra Benitez.
The book is set in Culiacan, Mexico, which happens to be one of Saint Paul’s sister cities. It begins with a painful event—the wait for a drowned body to float to shore—and retraces the steps that led to the character’s death. “A Place Where the Sea Remembers” explores how the smallest of actions can have a profound effect on many lives.
The Saint Paul Reads Citywide Book Club for Kids recommends for youth readers “Esperanza Rising,” by Pam Munoz Ryan. Esperanza is faced with two cultures, two languages and two traditions, much like many Saint Paul residents. When confronted by tragedy, she finds a strength within her that she did not know existed.
Saint Paul residents are encouraged to explore and celebrate the Latino culture through reading these books throughout the summer and the 05-06 school year, and then participate in Saint Paul Reads events once the new school year kicks off in September.
Last year, the Mexican government announced plans to open a Mexican consulate on Saint Paul’s East Side. Saint Paul’s Hispanic community is growing faster than any other, and many new residents are immigrating from Mexico, according to city demographics. In considering these facts, the Saint Paul Reads Book Selection Committee decided to focus on latino authors during the coming school year.
According to Harvey, “A Place Where the Sea Remembers” continues the book club’s tradition of selecting books that are catalysts for discussion throughout schools. “This book is about community and supporting one another. It is about a community succeeding because of this support,” said Harvey. “Students will glean many  | | "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Munoz Ryan |
lessons from this book—cultural awareness, compassion and critical thinking skills,” said Harvey. “Not only will they be riveted by the story, but they will come to understand how their actions, even those that seem insignificant, can hurt or help others.”
Mayor Kelly added that “Exparanza Rising” is a perfect choice to complement the city’s many educational and cultural initiatives.
“Esperanza faces two cultures, two languages and two tradition,” said Mayor Kelly. "It sounds much like the lives of many of our residents. Together with our school district, however, our city has made this journey one of meaning and success."
A central goal of Saint Paul Reads is to help students improve their reading skills. Research shows that reading improves a student’s comprehension, grammar and vocabulary skills. This in turn improves a student’s capacity to learn in all areas. Based on this research, and on the recommendation of the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, Superintendent Harvey annually challenges all Saint Paul students, staff and citizens to read at least 25 books.
This is the fifth year that Harvey and the mayor have teamed to lead a citywide book club. In 2001, Harvey and then-Mayor Norm Coleman partnered to start Saint Paul Reads, a citywide literacy initiative that included Saint Paul Reads One Book.
The first book club selection, “Profiles in Courage” by John F. Kennedy, was made in 2001. It was chosen because its lessons were particularly relevant following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Each year since, Harvey has been joined by Saint Paul’s mayor in selecting a book, or books for different ages, with themes that reflect the Saint Paul’s current condition.
Saint Paul Reads Citywide Book Club partners include Saint Paul Public Schools, the City of Saint Paul, Saint Public Library, The Friends of the Library, The Pioneer Press, Support Our Schools, The Red Balloon Bookshop and the City & County Credit Union.
For more information about Saint Paul Reads, visit www.SaintPaulReads.org, the Saint Paul Reads Web site.
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