What started as an intrepid idea from two bloggers has become an effective fundraiser generating new books for kids in need. First Book is pleased to announce that the “Leave A Mark” auctions featuring books “marked up” with notes from the author, have generated 369 new books for kids across the country!
This year’s auctions featured best-selling books by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Aprilynne Pike, Melissa Walker, Becca Fitzpatrick and Erica Perl. A huge thanks goes out to everyone who participated, from the featured authors and individual bidders to Lauren and Chelsea, the auction organizers.
Be on the lookout for the next round of charity auctions coming to the Leave A Mark site in Fall 2010!
Inculcating a Love for Reading
The Wall Street Journal suggests children’s books that might help repel the armies of electronic distraction.
“Leave a Mark” online auction – If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The latest offering in the “Leave a Mark” auctions benefiting First Book is a marked-up copy of Gayle Forman’s If I Stay. Bids are accepted online through 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, November 15 – cast your bid today!
Unlikely Word Origins Defined In Anonyponymous
How many words do you know that are named after real people? These words, called eponyms, fill a new book called Anonyponymous: The Forgotten People Behind Everyday Words. Read and listen to the review at NPR.org.
Q&A: ‘Literarian’ Dave Eggers talks about the writing life
Read the interview with Dave Eggers, best-known for his memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, who will be honored November 18 at the National Book Awards.
Gift Books 2009, Part 1
Looking for great gift books for the holidays? Shelf Awareness shares book suggestions on topics including: secrets of mysterious lives, travel books for the adventurous and Obamamania.
Bookish Halloween costume ideas
Still haven’t decided on your Halloween costume? This article provides a few bookish possibilities to get your costume ideas flowing.
Last Day to Vote For The Book You Want Cheerios to Put in Boxes in 2010
Vote TODAY for your chance to help select the book that Cheerios will put in boxes in 2010. Don’t miss your chance to vote.
“Leave a Mark” online auction – Wings by Aprilynne Pike
The latest offering in the “Leave a Mark” auctions benefiting First Book is a marked-up copy of Aprilynne Pike’s Wings. Bids are accepted online through 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, November 1 – cast your bid today!
What Do Teens Want? An Industry Study.
Take a look at this interesting survey by Teenreads.com that investigates the ins and outs of teen readers, their attitudes towards books and book-buying habits.
Society of Illustrators Gives Lifetime Achievement Award to Van Allsburg
The Society of Illustrators honored two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Van Allsburg with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the association’s annual Original Art exhibit last week.
Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 Best Books of 2009: The Reviews
Read reviews of PW’s list of top 10 books of the year. A few of these titles are on my fall reading list. How many have you read?
Have you ever wished you could know what an author was thinking as they developed their characters, settings or plot twists? Thanks to Lauren and Chelsea, the Leave A Mark auction mavens, now you can! The Leave A Mark auctions are back this fall with more great books “marked up” by your favorite authors and are up for auction to generate new books for kids in need.
Leave a Mark is all about marked up books. That means you aren’t just bidding for a book you could buy in stores or a signed book you could get from a regular signing. These books have notes/behind-the-scenes looks into their story written by the author in the margins or on post-it notes, etc. It’s up to them to decide how they “mark it up.” Even better, 100% of funds from the auctions will benefit First Book, with every $2 donation providing one new book for a child in need.
The first book up for auction is Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Bids will be accepted now through Sunday, October 25th at 11:59 P.M. EST.
Be sure to check Leave a Mark blog frequently to see what other great books are being offered in this year’s auction. More details on how the auctions work after the jump.
More details on how the auctions work:
* The Leave A Mark auctions runs now through December 2009. Books will be posted every week or two at the Leave A Mark blog.
* To bid, simply leave a comment on the auction post with your bid amount. Bids start at $10 and must go up in $1 dollar increments.
* The winners of the auctions will donate directly to the Leave A Mark page on the First Book Web site and send an email confirming their donation to the auction hostesses before receiving their book.
* For more details, visit the Leave A Mark blog.
I’d like to give a special shout out to Chelsea at The Page Flipper and Lauren at Shooting Stars Mag, two enterprising bloggers who have dreamed up a creative online auction to support First Book. The “Leave A Mark” auction features books that have been “marked up” with notes and comments by the author. Even better, 100% of funds from the “Leave A Mark” auction will benefit First Book and help provide new books to children in need nationwide.
Here’s how it works:
- The “Leave A Mark” auction runs now through December 2008. Books will be posted every few weeks on Shooting Stars Mag or The Page Flipper blogs (the first book, Quiet Please, by Scott Douglas is up NOW, and bidding closes this Friday, October 10!).
- To bid, simply leave a comment on the auction post with your bid amount.
- The winners of the auctions will donate directly to the “Leave A Mark” page on the First Book Web site and send an email confirming their donation to Chelsea or Lauren before receiving their book.
Chelsea and Lauren have some great books from well-known authors and celebrities to auction off on their blogs during the coming months, and you won’t to miss them!
Remember, the auction for Quiet Please, by Scott Douglas closes this Friday, so check it out and place your bid today!
