Story Project with MADL – Big Read

Teachers, your classroom is invited to participate in writing project inspired by this year’s Big Read Lakeshore!

The Little and Middle Read selected for Fall 2026 are What Can A Citizen Do? (Little Read) and The Eyes & the Impossible (Middle Read) both by  Dave Eggers, who will be coming to Muskegon's Frauenthal on November 17th. Use one of his books in your classroom to inspire your students to do their own reflective writing or artistic response.  MADL will publish 3 copies of the hard cover book filled with your students’ writing and illustrations: 1 copy for checkout on the shelves of your MADL library branch; 1 copy for your school library, and 1 copy for your classroom library. 

What Can A Citizen Do? : An engaging picture book introduction to civic life that shows kids how small actions can make a big difference in a democracy. 

The Eyes & the Impossible : A Newbery Award–winning adventure told by Johannes, a fearless dog who patrols a city park. A story about freedom, responsibility, and belonging. 

How Can My Class participate?  There are two options: 

1. Submit a Story 

• • Classroom writes/illustrates a collaborative story inspired by one of the selected Big Read books (listed above).

• • 32 pg. required, Portrait Orientation, 16 pages front/back, 8.5 x 11 paper 

• • Cover designed/created by class 

 2. Submit a Collection of Stories or art 

• • Students contribute a piece of art, poetry, comic strip, etc. To be published as a class or school anthology inspired by one of the selected Big Read Books.

• • 32 pages required, Portrait Orientation, 16 pages front/back, 8.5 x 11 paper 

• • Cover designed/created by class 

Sign up NOW to be considered as a participating school or request more details by contacting Diana Wenger, Youth Services Coordinator (dwenger@madl.org) or Katie Hoffman, Early Literacy Coordinator (khoffman@madl.org).

Library Support Available: Participate in any/all. Available class visit time is limited. 

• Advisory Meeting (Spring 2026): This is a required meeting with MADL and the teacher to customize the experience for your students and to determine timeline. 

• Introductory Visit to Classroom (September 2026): A MADL librarian will visit your classroom/group at the beginning of the project to build excitement about Big Read Lakeshore, and the selected book (above) that your classroom will use to inspire their writing project.  For elementary classrooms, librarians will read How This Book Was Made.  For both elementary and middle school students librarians will explain the publishing process including the publishing of their classroom book.  

• Midway Workshop (Optional): After you’ve started work on your project, a librarian can visit your classroom to help fine-tune ideas, provide editing/revision guidance, etc. 

• Student Author Celebration (October -- November 2026): MADL will throw a red carpet celebration for your class (and their family members!) at the library and present a copy for the school and classroom library.