This Kid Reviews Books – By Word of Beth

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIK!

Tomorrow, December 24th, is a very special day in the kidlit world, but we’re celebrating today, because early celebrations extend the joy. In our writing and reading community, there is a person who reads voraciously, writes book reviews by the score (both for his blog and for his local newspaper), has recently published his first book, is an eager participant in blog activities such as Susanna Leonard Hill’s short story contests, and is an encouragement, inspiration, and cheering section for us all. His name is Erik and he’s the Kid behind the blog This Kid Reviews Books. I first got to know Erik through Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) in 2011, as well as Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, in which Erik is a regular participant, and through the first year of Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 — as well as through his terrific blog. I am grateful to be able to call this young man my friend. Tomorrow is his 12th birthday. How about that? Turning 12 in the 12th month, on a day which is a multiple of 12! That’s something to celebrate. ERIK is someone to celebrate. And we’re doing that today. Welcome to the kidlit community’s BIRTHDAY PARTY for ERIK! SURPRISE, ERIK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Super Reader Erik is READING FOR RENN

3 Comments / Just Want to Say / By Beth

Just a quick post on a non-posting day. You are likely familiar with Erik, the Kid Who Reviews Books — I participated in the blog tour launching his first book not long ago. And if you’ve read this blog before, you’re likely also familiar with Renn, the son of my friend and writing colleague, Bethany Telles. Renn’s facing brain surgery for his epilepsy in just a few weeks. Erik wondered what he could do to help, because an 11-year-old kid doesn’t have a lot of resources to share. One thing Erik DOES have, in abundance, is the ability to read quickly. He has set up his own personal read-a-thon, READING FOR RENN, and is asking people to sponsor him based on each Accelerated Reader point he earns during the month of October. His goal is 150 points. I have no doubt he’ll reach that goal. I am so impressed with this idea of Erik’s and I’m so proud of him for doing this for Renn. I will have a link to Erik’s campaign on the sidebar of my blog for the month of October, and I’ll be cheering him on until my cyber-voice is hoarse! To read Erik’s blog post about this, please click here: READING FOR RENN.