Ready, Set, Read!

First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern on Scholastic's Read for 2007

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Michigan's First Gentleman, Daniel Mulhern, is a reading ambassador for Scholastic's Read for 2007. (Photo: John Grap/The Enquirer/AP Images)

Reading will be making a comeback in the year 2007! Not that it ever went out of style, but with computer games, video games and DVDs, reading has had some competition for students’ attention.

On Friday, December 8, millions of kids will put aside whatever they’re doing to sit down with a good book for the kickoff of Scholastic’s Read for 2007. I recently had a chance to speak to Michigan’s First Gentleman, Daniel Mulhern, about this special event and what it means to be one of the reading ambassadors. Mulhern is married to Jennifer Granholm, Michigan’s first female Governor.

"If you can read, and read well, it changes your whole life,” said Mulhern. “If you can’t read, it is so difficult to imagine getting along in our economy and getting a good job. Whether you are working at a restaurant or a store, if you can’t read, it is going to be tough.”

Mulhern encouraged kids from every school in the state to participate in Read for 2007.

“Reading also just opens up the world to you,” said Mulhern. “You are able to read a poem, or to read about history, or to read about your family. “

Read for 2007: Read for Life

Through Scholastic’s Read for 2007, people all over the nation will stop for 2,007 seconds (or 33 ½ minutes) to read on December 8. First Gentleman Mulhern is one of many governors’ spouses serving as a reading ambassador. As an ambassador, he not only supports Scholastic’s efforts, but also puts in his own time and effort to publicize the program to parents, children, and teachers.

On the Read for 2007 Web site, kids can find fun online activities, like author chats and podcasts of celebrities talking about reading. You can also vote for your favorite books in the “Kids’ Pick” poll. Take your pick from books like The Tale of Despereaux, How to Eat Fried Worms, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Charlie Bones and the Hidden King.

First Gentleman Mulhern might be reading one of these books for his Read for 2007 book on December 8, but his most likely choice is Petoskey Stone Soup, by Michigan author Martha Mothershead.

The Gift of Reading

“If you are lucky enough to have a parent or big brother or big sister read to you when you are really, really young,” said Mulhern, “then it becomes a habit to love reading. . . it makes a huge impact….”

Mulhern and Granholm, have three children: two daughters and a son. The family has read the Michigan series books and the Madeline series books, and well-illustrated books like Escape of Marvin the Ape. Currently Mulhern and his son are reading from author Herbie Brennan’s Faerie Wars.

“One of the greatest things about being a parent is [when you] stop and listen to a child read,” he said.

Encouraging his own children and those he mentors to read has taught him a lesson he hopes Scholastic Read for 2007 participants will remember.

“Don’t ever give up,” he said. “Don’t think that if you don’t get it right away . . . it is a bad thing. It will click in, and then all come together.”

What are you waiting for? Mark December 8 on your calendar today!

Then, grab a book and join Scholastic, First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, Governor Granholm, their kids, and kids across the country for Read For 2007. . . Ready, Set, Read!

Maeve Hammond is a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

Scholastic Support for No Child Left Behind and Reading First
How Scholastic can help you align your curriculum to meet the requirements of Reading First.

Take the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Get kids excited about reading with the Scholastic Summer Challenge, a free summer-long literacy program designed to motivate all children to read four or more books. The Challenge begins with a live webcast on April 30.

7 At-Home Reading Strategies That Build a Better Reader in Grades K-2: Quick Click
Easy at-home reading strategies for children in kindergarten through second grade. Encourages praise. Explains how to support reading skills in your child's home life.

LESSON PLAN

The Princess and the Pizza Lesson Plan I use The Princess and the Pizza as part of a unit on "fractured fairy tales." Students enjoy hearing about the other related tales as they crop...