Entitled, "Best Foot Forward: Inspiring Writers of Today and Tomorrow," the Institute will be at the SUNY Oswego Campus Center from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day and feature keynote presentations by authors Matt de la Peña and Laura Vaccaro Seeger. To register, contact Christine Walsh at [email protected] or Carri Waloven at [email protected]

De la Peña has written many young adult novels, including Ball Don't Lie, and he has received numerous awards from the American Literary Association's Young Adult Library Services Association.

Seeger is a two-time Caldecott Honor Award Winner and the author and illustrator of the children's book First the Egg. Both authors will be available for teacher professional development and book signings.

In addition to the author keynotes, participants will choose from a variety of professional development options focused on the writing process and Common Core aligned writing instruction.

The LCOC is a growing coalition of more than 36 local organizations. These organizations work together to address the literacy needs of people of all ages. In Oswego County, close to 17,000 adults cannot read above a fifth grade reading level. With the help of volunteers, donors and advocates, the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County helps adults develop their basic literacy skills.

An estimated 40 to 44 million adults in the United States demonstrate skills in the lowest level of prose, document, and quantitative proficiencies. Many are unable to total an entry on a deposit slip, locate the time and place on a meeting form, or identify a piece of specific information in a brief news article (ProLiteracy Worldwide).

For more information about The Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, visit www.oswegocounty.com and click on the literacy coalition link, or visit them on Facebook.