Not Nothing: Rising to the Occasion of Our Lives, a Conversation with Bestselling Author Gayle Forman

Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

It's Not Nothing to have written a book that grabs you on the very first page and makes you not want to put it down. It's Not Nothing to have written a book where you've got this gorgeous intergenerational relationship that makes you laugh and makes you cry. It's Not Nothing to have written a book that is unafraid to tackle some of the most critical issues of today. It's Not Nothing to have written that book for middle graders. And it's Not Nothing to have the most inspiring and thoughtful conversation with best-selling author Gayle Forman, on this week's episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast.
Episode Summary:
Join us for an inspiring conversation with best-selling author Gayle Forman about her latest book, Not Nothing. Discover the transformative story of 12-year-old Alex and 107-year-old Holocaust survivor Josey, whose bond changes both their lives. Gayle shares her personal and historical inspirations, the delicate balance of humor and serious themes for young readers, and the significance of intergenerational storytelling.
Key Points:

• (0:00 - 04:34): Introduction to Not Nothing. Meet Alex, Josey, Olka, and Maya-Jade, and explore their poignant connections.
• (04:34 - 16:18) Intergenerational Storytelling and Bridge Building. How do you connect the Holocaust to issues faced by children today? We explore the power of humor blended with historical narratives to create genuine connections. Plus, Gayle shares practical tools like Generational Vocabulary Guides and Interview Questions for meaningful conversations. There are also many insightful educator resources for Not Nothing on her website.
• (16:18 - 20:32): Finding Hope in Rising to the Occasion of Our Lives. We talk about resilience and growth, as well as the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and facing life's challenges with grace and generosity.
• (20:32 - 22:32): Empowering the Next Generation: We reflect on the resilience and inspiration of today's young people and the importance of modeling strength and supporting their growth.

Resources and Links:

• Pre-order Not Nothing by Gayle Forman
• Gayle Forman’s Website
• Not Nothing Educator Resources
• Generational Vocabulary Guides and Interview Questions
• Are You Ready to Rise to the Occasion? Operation Rise resources
• Adventures in Learning Podcast Website

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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.