“When Anita Rizley of Austin Public Library System gave us the choice to present our Author & Illustrator Visit at one of the libraries, Larry and I jumped at the chance when we learned of Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. We have a nephew who has gone through every institution and every lock-up situation imaginable which gives us some insight to the life of the teens at the center and we knew we wanted to be there. Devo Carpenter of the 2nd Chance Books program led us in and we presented our program to a group of teenage girls at the center. It was truly an honor. As Maid Martha, Medieval Comedienne and Stand-Up Historian, I came in costume with my Irish drum and discussed my background, author�s point of view and performed our book, ‘The Ghost of Hampton Court’. My illustrator husband & creative partner, Larry Dowell discussed life as a professional artist, the many facets of art and his illustration of our book itself. The girls were all extremely polite and it was a joy to see their bright faces and see them relax and warm up to the presentation and begin to respond. We enjoyed the girls’ many questions and I got a big kick out of the fact that at the end they requested jokes! And that�s how the session ended � with me telling several Medieval jokes, getting to hear their laughter and Larry and I seeing their great smiles as they left. Thank you, John Pipkin and Cyndi Hughes and Writers� League of Texas for funding this as part of your Project WISE Summer Camp program. You are doing the right thing!”
“When I was in Texas in early June, I had the chance to speak to thirteen teen girls at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center in Austin. I was met at the center by Alison O’Reilly, Teen Services Librarian; Michelle Beebower, Teen Librarian; and Orquidia Contreras, a graduate student in library science. I couldn't have asked for better guides: Alison, Michelle and Orquidia helped bring the room alive with their enthusiasm about books, reading and teens.
The girls were so bright and interesting. They talked about books they were reading and asked great questions about writing (there were a couple of poets in the group and one girl who is working on a memoir). This was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an author. The teens incarcerated at Gardner Betts are in a tough situation and they're working hard to turn their lives around. This program helps many of them discover a love of reading for the first time, which I know will add so much to the new lives they’re creating. It was a privilege to be a small part of it.”
“I want to let you know what a positive experience it was for me to talk to the young people at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. The students from the Leadership Academy were so engaged, attentive and curious that it made the minutes absolutely fly by in my “Raising La Belle” presentation. It was great hearing so many thoughtful questions and comments from the students.
Devona, thank you for being the perfect host. You made what could have been a chaotic situation (moving furniture, people coming in and out of the room, etc.) run smoothly and comfortably-- for the visiting author as well as, I believe, the students. You also did such a great job of preparing me the week or so before my visit.
I appreciate the Writers League of Texas for coming up with and administering the Project WISE (Writers In the Schools Enrichment) program, which funded my author-illustrator visit. I wish everyone in leadership positions at the Writers' League, the Austin Public Library and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Cultural Contracts Program could have seen the alert, listening faces that I saw that morning. They would have felt as rewarded as I did.
After this experience, I hope that I’ll have another opportunity to talk at Gardner-Betts Juvenile Justice Center.”
“I loved working with the girls at Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center. 2nd Chance Books has clearly opened them to the power of words and storytelling, and that is just a short step away from writing some stories of their own. I found them eager to write, and eager to read their work aloud, and what what they wrote with the slightest direction from me was nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for this opportunity to work with them.”
“The kids at Gardner Betts come from difficult circumstances and are going through a very hard time right now, but their questions revealed that despite their past and present, they are thinking about their future. One of the best things about writing for children is visiting schools and giving the kids new ideas to think about, but these teens gave me a lot to think about in return. I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate in the 2nd Chance Books program.”
“I wrote Kid B hoping that it would connect with “reluctant young readers” in a way that would make them more likely to read other novels in the future. The young people at Gardner Betts engaged with Kid B in a way that left me feeling inspired, and with the impression that the book had impacted their lives in a positive way. It’s a good feeling to have as a writer.”
Funded in whole or in part by a Loan Star Libraries Grant authorized by the Texas Legislature and awarded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to the Austin Public Library.
