“Any book worth banning is a book worth reading.”
― Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the “Big Three” science fiction writers. While I have never read any of his books that I am aware of, I love and totally agree with this quote.

Banned Books Week is dedicated to promoting awareness of the right to freely explore ideas, and highlights the value of open access to information. This year the theme is “Censorship Is So 1984 — Read for Your Rights.” The theme is inspired by George Orwell’s “1984,” a dystopian novel (https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/10/05/top-10-banned-books-week/86498998007).

The Southern Bookseller Review (September 30, 2025) states: “Book challenges have been especially aggressive in South, where book banning initiatives are being “normalized” by legislation. According to the American Library Association, what used to be a complaint made by a parent, now looks more like an organized and coordinated effort. Some states, including South Carolina and Tennessee, have tried to create “no-read lists” banning specific books from public schools statewide. Recent censorship data are evidence of a well-organized movement, the goals of which include removing books about race, history, gender identity, sexuality, and reproductive health from America’s public and school libraries.” https://thesouthernbooksellerreview.org

Personally, I do not know your take on Banned Books. But as a retired teacher-librarian, I’ve never censored books checked out by students. I considered it a matter of individual discretion, except in cases where parental guidelines have been clearly communicated.

For Readers and Writers: This week, you will possibly notice book displays about Banned Books in school libraries, public libraries, and independent book stores. Take a hard look at this display and check out or purchase one or more of these books. Make your own decision. Keep control of your choices—don’t hand them over; and refuse to be a passenger in your own life!

To gain more knowledge about Banned Books, check out the following websites:

https://bannedbooksweek.org

https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. And yes I have been missing for a year and a half, but I’ll update you the next time.

I wanted to give my full attention to Banned Books today!

Please share my blog with others and if this post was shared with you, feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

Award- Winning Author
Retired Teacher-Librarian
B.A., Music
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

I’d like to introduce you to my new business endeavor, which officially launches in April 2024!

Power of Words: Connecting Readers and Writers, LLC, https://powerofwords.net

My business provides a variety of literacy services that will enrich, educate, and empower my clients (private/public schools, churches/public libraries, and aspiring authors/creators).

Presently, I’m reaching out to aspiring authors/creators, and newbie authors, in which I provide consulting services. Many aspiring creators and newbie authors seek my advice on their story ideas and how to get started in the business. My services include beneficial information to ignite inspiration contributing to a life-enhancing experience for writers in launching and accelerating their creative dream.

To find out more, please join me on Saturday, March 16th at 11:00 a.m. or Sunday, March 17th at 5:00 p.m., for a free presentation. Please share with others that you know might be interested.

Click the Google form link below, or copy and paste the link, and I will send you the Zoom link on Friday, March 15th. https://forms.gle/4DnbUNpKhPgmq2H9A

I look forward to you joining in!

According to Merriam-Webster (online) the word imagine means “to form a mental picture.”

So, what am I imagining this year and beyond? Well, I’m dreaming big and my imagination is limitless. In reality, I understand that there may be barriers along the way. But, I’m dodging them left and right. I will not allow obstacles to stop me. I’m on the move and I’m seizing each God given day!

When I suffered an allergic reaction during a medical procedure in November 2023, my life could have ended. Therefore, I find that my existence and perspective necessitates elevation. The calling on my life urges me to continue to uplift the Kingdom of God and to live out my purpose, and my passions.

Reflect on the below scripture:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us.” ~ Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

So, we all possess purpose and passion. I encourage you to live for your Creator and to live your life to the fullest. In all things, remember God’s promises and praise Him!

Imagine embracing your life dreams and putting them into action today!

For Readers and Writers: I challenge you to read or write a book about the word, “Imagine” or about “Dreaming Big,” etc. Be adventurous and allow your imagination to soar!

NOTE: Interested in discovering your unique word for 2024: https://www.dayspring.com/yourwordquiz#/home

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. Please share my blog with others and if this post was shared with you, feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

Be on the lookout for the launch of my new business in March 2024, Power of Words: Connecting Readers and Writers, LLC.

Award- Winning Author
Retired Teacher-Librarian
B.A., Music
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S, Media
Reading Endorsement

Readers and Writers:

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)

You may also recognize this celebration as:: Latino Heritage Month, Latinx Heritage Month, or Latine Heritage Month. The theme for 2023: Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.

The United States honors the culture, history, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry are traced to 20 countries and one territory —including Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. 

Activities to celebrate: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month

Banned Books Week (October 1–7)

It’s time to take action against banned books, not only this week, but every day. Our voices are needed. Speak up, Speak out, Stand up! Libraries (public and school), educators, writers, and booksellers need your help in defending book censorship! So, speak up on Saturday, October 7, with the Let Freedom Read Day campaign. https://bannedbooksweek.org/let-freedom-read-day

To see a list (shared with me) of banned books by African Americans, click here. Quite possibly, you will recognize books you may have read. A few of these books were in my elementary school library collection before I retired a year and a half ago. Some I read to my students. One such book, titled, The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, can be found on YouTube. Read it to make your decision. And, did you know that in 2015, The Holy Bible was banned. The reason, religious viewpoint! The bottom line: even though these books are banned, we can still read them on our own, if we so choose.

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10/archive

National Friends of Library Week (October 15-21)

Friends of Libraries are charitable groups of volunteers, formed to support local libraries in various ways, including financially. This observance offers opportunities for groups to increase awareness about membership, their goals, projects and more. Question: Have you joined a Friends Group at your local library?

NOTE: I will present a Book Talk (children and adults) on the theme, “Friends” at the Nancy Guinn Library in Conyers, GA., from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Also, I will autograph copies if my books. If you live in or near the area, please come out and support. I am donating 10% of my sales to the Friends of Library.

National Book Month (October 1-31)

Created in 2003, this annual event celebrates the power of reading and writing. It’s a great opportunity for authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers to expand their love of reading. In 1950, the National Book Foundation highlighted the best fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and YA literature, and continues to do so today.  

Check out 11 Ways to Celebrate: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/national-book-month

There’s much to celebrate this month. Go forth, with the power invested in you, and read and write!

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. Please share my blog with others and if this post was shared with you, feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

Be on the lookout for the launch of my new business, Power of Words: Connecting Readers and Writers, LLC.

Award- Winning Author
Retired Teacher-Librarian
B.A., Music
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

Why celebrate libraries? Not because I retired as a teacher-librarian at the end of last school year. Not because I love libraries. But maybe loving libraries is a great reason to celebrate. Overall, we can observe and recognize our libraries because they hold many stories of all kinds of genres and formats. But, adding to the story, libraries offer so many more services and programs to the community. Go to public library’s website in your county, and browse, and click on the events page to see all of the different programming taking place from entertainment, to education, to technology access to literacy skills, to research resources, and much more; all to serve individuals and the community.

And while we’re at it, let’s celebrate our school libraries, as well. You knew it was coming. As a school librarian, I organized lots of programs similar to that of public libraries, just on a smaller scale. Of course, my favorite events included plans that promoted reading and literacy skills. I also collaborated with the children’s librarian at the community public library. A win, win for everyone. And the kids enjoyed them all.

Readers and Writers: How will you celebrate this year?

Readers: Go to the library and read a book about libraries or any other subject that interest you.

Writers: Write a blog, essay, article, or book about libraries.

Overall, how can we, with intent, promote National Library Week this year?  You could take a few minutes to share your story about your favorite library on social media. To get details about sharing, additional ideas, celebration days, and tools, please check out the ALA website on the link below.

https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek#Tools

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. Please share my blog with others and feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

Retired Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

Happy National Library Week!

Readers and Writers: How will you celebrate today? A few recommendations below . . .

Support authors:

• Of course you can take a book from your personal home library that you’ve been meaning to read. Or, maybe visit your nearest public library or book store and browse the many interesting titles. Checking out books at the library informs the manager that there is great interest in specific book(s). As a result, these titles may stay in the library’s collection much longer instead of being donated to the Friends of the Library. Either way, the books will gain the needed exposure. Purchasing books also help authors, publishers, and independent bookstores. In addition, pre-orders of books allow the retailer to get a feel for the interest level before the book is launched. Books make awesome gifts for any occasion.
  • Consider giving the gift of God to a child today by purchasing any of my books.

• Support authors with a review. Leaving a comment (e.g. Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, wherever books are sold online, & social media) encourages other readers to choose a specific book. The term, “review” throws some people off. Some may think it means a summary of the book. Not at all! Just share your thoughts about the book (we hope it will be good; but if not, share that too). Overall, your reviews are invaluable.
  • If you’ve purchased any of my books, I’d truly appreciate it if you will leave a review.
    • Mama, I Want to See God
    • Daddy, I Want to Know Go
    • Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God

• Subscribe to author blogs and/or newsletters. Blogs and newsletters can give a personal glimpse about the author, along with future author events, new releases, giveaways, and more. My personal newsletter post every three months, so as not to over fill your email inbox. And, well you know, I’ve been very inconsistent with my blog, but I hope to get on a more regular schedule now that I’m retired.
  • To subscribe to my newsletter or blog, go to my website’s home page (powerofwords.net/).
    
• Follow authors on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, etc.) and don’t forget to share/retweet posts.
  • You can find my social media links on my website’s home page. I hope to join TikTok in the near future.

• Invite authors to schools, interviews, book club meetings, church events, and/or writing workshops/conferences (in-person or virtual).
  • I’d love an invite! Email me at vfortenberry11[@]gmail.com
    
• Attend in-person or virtual author book events. We are still in a pandemic and continue to have safety concerns. So, you choose, without guilt, any author’s events you participate in.
  • A list of my future events:
    • The Jubilee of Reading at the DeKalb County Stonecrest Public Library on Saturday, August 13, 2022.
    • Author Expo at the Villa Rica Public Library on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. 
    • Virtual Book Party: Celebrating Grandparents Day on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Time and the link to join is forthcoming!

Whatever you do, have an awesome Book Lovers Day or week. And who says this celebration has to end today?

If you have additional ideas as to how we can support authors, please email me and I will add it to this post.

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. Please share my blog with others. If you are not signed-up, feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

As always, I appreciate your support.

Vanessa Fortenberry,
Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

This year, our literacy coach informed our library media/technology committee about an African American Read-In model sponsored by the National Hook-up of Black Women Inc., the Atlanta Metro Chapter (NHBW-ATL). Selected Atlanta Public School teachers participated in this model which allowed them to choose the day and time that they would commit to reading aloud a book authored by an African American each week. I think we all can agree, that reading aloud to children improves their language and listening skills, and also promotes a lifetime love of reading.

At our school, I asked teachers to include the African American Read-In in their weekly lesson plans, to document the dates of the readings, the title(s), and author(s) of the book(s) they read to their students. As an extension, I recommended that teachers ask students to write a paragraph or record a class discussion (e.g., video camera, Flipgrid, Nearpod) about how the students were impacted from the reading of the book(s). I also provided a bibliography of books authored by African American authors available in our library media center.

Thus far, I’ve gone to a few classes and took pics as teachers were reading aloud to their students. I’m hopeful that I’ll receive an outpouring of pics, videos, and student work in my email inbox on March 1st or soon after!

Readers and Writers:  So, I know I came to the party a little late in the month with this blog post, but if you haven’t already done anything specific for Black History month, I challenge you to read aloud a book authored by an African American and/or if you’re an African American author, write a book about an African American historical figure.

And, as an African American author myself, I’d love a little recognition, too. So, all I want for the duration of Black History Month is an Amazon review (scroll down on the left) for my book, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God! It’s not a book summary or a book report, just express your thoughts about my book.

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics. Please share my blog with others and feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue.

Vanessa Fortenberry,
Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

Interested in purchasing my newest book, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God:

•       Amazon (Hardcover): http://ow.ly/QzzO50GwEr5

•       Eagle Eye Book Shop Paperback):  http://ow.ly/epAc50GwEs9

As always, I appreciate your support!

This year, I’m focusing on a specific and unique ‘word’ instead of my usual resolutions. Actually, I gave up on resolutions a few years ago. I never kept them! While one’s word for the year can be a verb or a noun, I chose the action word, “empowered.” Little did I know, my word for the year was on my radar when in November 2021, I titled my 2022 marketing calendar, “Empowered by Praise.” Two months later, I took the Day Spring quiz, and based on my responses my 2022 suggested word of the year was “empowered.” This was confirmation enough for me.

According to Merriam-Webster, empowered means possessing knowledge, confidence, or the ability to take control over one’s life. Therefore, I’m choosing to utilize my God-given abilities to accomplish my endeavors and project interests. One such motivation for this month is creativity.

Did you know that January is International Creativity Month? OK, so the month is halfway over, but who says you can’t extend your creativity past this month and beyond. The purpose of International Creativity Month is to inspire people to focus on the power of creativity. The New Year brings about changes and the opportunity to start anew. So what better way to do so, than to get your creative juices flowing?

To learn more about International Creativity Month and its founder Randall Munson, a speaker, entertainer, and a bestselling author, check out his website. You’ll also find some stimulating articles to charge up your innovative ideas and ways to seize your visions.

Additional websites you may want to visit to gain inspiration for your 2022 word: National Today and One Word Three Sixty Five.

Readers and Writers: I challenge you to brainstorm your unique word and to empower your creativity today!

Vanessa Fortenberry

Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

Interested in purchasing my newest book, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God:

•       Amazon (Hardcover): http://ow.ly/QzzO50GwEr5

•       Eagle Eye Book Shop Paperback):  http://ow.ly/epAc50GwEs9

As always, I appreciate your support!

Serenity reading Grandma, Granddad
We Want to Praise God

In addition, consider reading to your baby and even your unborn child. It is never too early to introduce young children to books and reading. Parents who do, understood the importance of presenting literacy to their children sooner rather than later. (https://nationaldaycalendar.com)

As a Reader: Read different genres to grow a well-rounded student reader. Read about Native Americans in that we celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November, as well.  

As a Writer: Read the genre that most represent your projects in progress. If you write fiction, read nonfiction to explore informative writing and if you write nonfiction, read fiction and publish the next best seller!

Okay, we are a week into November, but it’s not too late to observe National Family Literacy Day. Use the hashtag: #FamilyLiteracyMonth when posting on social media.

Get set, get to reading, and post!

Vanessa Fortenberry,

Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement

Interested in purchasing my newest book, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God:

•       Amazon (Hardcover): http://ow.ly/QzzO50GwEr5

•       Eagle Eye Book Shop Paperback):  http://ow.ly/epAc50GwEs9

As always, I appreciate your support!

National Book Lover’s Day: August 9, 2021

I love books! And if you’re reading this blog post, I imagine you do too. I can’t think of any other way to escape into someone else’s world, other than by reading. This observance encourages book lovers to celebrate reading and literature.

Books have come a long way baby!

From the earliest examples of scribed clay tablets, to writing material on papyrus plants, to the printing press, to eBooks. Literature plays an essential role in the preservation of our cultures, information, and narratives in our lives. As in everything in life, books have evolved.

Calling all Readers and Writers, on August 9th, let’s put our smartphones away and pull out some great books from your personal, library, or bookstore shelves. I’m giving you a heads up to start brainstorming and planning how you will celebrate National Book Lovers Day this year. To assist you, check out the websites below. We have one more week to prepare.

Get ready, set, go!

National Day Calendar

Time and Date

We Are Bookish

In addition, join the Christian Authors on Tour (CAOT) on 8/9/21 for the National Book Lovers Day Author Marathon, in which I am a member, as we celebrate all things Christian books!  From 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST).

You can register for the CAOT event via the Eventbrite link.

You can also catch my Author Talk at 9:30 a.m. (same link above).

Happy National Book Lovers Day!

Thanks for reading this blog post. I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics for readers and writers. Please share my blog with others and feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue. 

Great News!
Grandma, Granddad We Want to Praise God, the third book in the series: Families Growing in Faith is now available for Pre-orders! Available at Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Nook, & other online book retailers.

Vanessa Fortenberry,

Author
Teacher-Librarian
M.Ed., Media
Ed.S., Media
Reading Endorsement