You’ll have to forgive me because I grew up going to church summer camp…and this week has been a bit like that!  From the rush of intense emotions and new friendships to the thoughtful times of reflection and the goal setting we saw today…well…it’s been real, friends! 

What you do…carving out a little bit of cyberspace for books, reading books, talking about books, fighting for literacy, shattering stereotypes about reading and through reading..it matters.  We all read and blog for different reasons but we share something important in common…we love books.  Viva books!

We’ve had a blast this week but in the year ahead we have to keep our book candles burning.  Some places will try to close their libraries, they will cut their library budgets, our reading education will continue to suffer and some children will never know the feel of a new book in their hands or the thrill of discovery at a bookstore.  I don’t know about you, but that breaks my heart.

So what we do this year ahead…until the next BBAW…is we keep reading.  We keep talking about books.  We find ways to give reading to our communities, to read with the children of our times, even if they are not our children.  We support the kidlitosphere in their many goals of spreading the word about books that have value for children.  We volunteer to teach ESL at our libraries and we give books as gifts when we can.  Because if we, the most passionate fans of books and reading don’t do it, no one will.

I love you all.  You are such an amazing, diverse and exceptional group of people.  It has been an honor to celebrate with you and celebrate you this week.  Namaste.

(Contests are open until Sunday!!  Stay tuned to the blog for a chance to sign up to volunteer to help out with BBAW next year and also Buy Books for the Holidays!  The blog will not go silent!  )

Three cheers for Amy…

Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hoorayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For she’s a jolly good fellow (i can’t think of the female equivalent for this)

For she’s a jolly good fellow
For she’s a jolly good felloooooooooooow
Which nobody can’t deny.

Yay for Amy!!!!

You guys did such a great job. Thanks for the wonderful week of blogging funness.

Grace

I almost want to start singing kumbaya!!

Amazing week Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll join in with the cheers!  You did an AMAZING job!

I agree! Cheers all around! I had a blast participating this weeks festivities.

Way to go Amy. You’ve out done yourself. Next year, I can’t even imagine what you’ll come up with! I look forward to it. Wonderful job!

Thanks so much to you, Amy, and to the rest of the people who helped make this week possible.

You are so right.  I work so hard to make sure my boys understand the importance of books.  Part of that is for them to see me being passionate about books and blogging about books is just another link in the chain.  Books must NEVER disappear!

Thank you for such a wonderful BBAW! I’m new to the community and it was great fun and a learning experience to boot!

Michelle

Thanks to all who made BBAW happen & fun!

Interesting that you mention the closing of summer camp.  There were a couple of times this week I was reminded of the closing days of camp and running around with autograph hounds, books and writing on pillowcases “memories that I will sleep on forever!”  It has been a special experience getting to know other bloggers and seeing the widespread passion evident…and as you note, we are going to need that passion for literacy over the coming months!  Thank you, Amy, for your leadership.  Take a well deserved rest, my special literacy “camp” friend!

I’m not sure what I was expecting as this was my first BBAW, but I can tell you I have been most pleasantly surprised by the amazing amount of new-to-me blogs, the creative giveaways and scavenger hunts, the guest posts, and the outpouring of positivity from the participants.  This week has been fantastic.  Thank you!

Great job everyone! Especially Amy! You made my first BBAW a blast! Thanks so much:)

So well said, Amy. You’ve done a fantastic job, and I know we all thank you for being willing to take the reigns on this huge project.  You make it seem so effortless!   Wonderful, wonderful job!!

Here’s to sharing a love of books and of reading!

Thank you Amy!  It’s been another fun year.

Thank you, Amy, for putting BBAW together. It’s an amazing concept and you’ve done an amazing job.

Thanks Amy and to all who put this whole party together!!! I hope this blog stays open for a while..alot of articles i still want to read!!!

Keep books alive in those all around you everyone!!

Thanks for summing up so perfectly how I feel. This has truly been a fantastic week. Thank you, Amy!

Thanks to everyone who gave so much to make the BBAW possible.  I had so much fun, learned a lot and meet so many new friends.  Amy, thank you.  I hope the BBAW will continue to grow, I can’t wait to see wait will happen next year!  God Bless : D

I won a prize.. many thanks

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