(Chicago, IL – July 13, 2009) In less than four weeks, the online book launch event “Take the Dare: Show You Care” has raised over $15,000 to support a Title I school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Over a hundred children’s book industry professionals including literary agents from the nation’s top agencies as well as prominent editors from major publishing houses like HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Penguin, and authors from bestselling to those just arriving on the scene have donated manuscript critiques and autographed prizes for the cause. Now Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms will have new enrichment resources such as books, book boxes, even LeapFrog systems, to supplement their reading and writing programs . Author Cynthea Liu, whose debut middle grade novel PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, is ecstatic about the outpouring of support from her colleagues, but she is not surprised. “The children’s and teen book industry is made of people who have the utmost love for children, books, and the power a good story can give to those who need it most.”
The teachers at Tulakes are excited to have their wishlists fulfilled, and students will arrive next fall to classrooms that are more than equipped to foster a love of reading and writing. Cynthea looks forward to visiting the school in September and seeing the difference “Take the Dare: Show You Care” has made.
In addition to Tulakes Elementary, Ms. Liu has also chosen other Title I schools in her home state of Oklahoma to receive support through DonorsChoose.org. To learn more about “Take the Dare: Show You Care,” please visit www.cynthealiu.com/showyoucare or contact cynthea@cynthealiu.com.
PARIS PAN, nominated for Texas Lone Star Reading List 2010
Paris Pan Takes the Dare draws you in and won't let you go until the end."