Reaching Readers Through The Margin Project

Confession: I'm old-fashioned when it comes to books. I feel that they deserve a certain reverence.

For example, I'd never lay a book face down for fear of a breaking the spine. I've been known to tsk and shake my head in disgust at marks on library book pages. And I'd never EVER dog ear a page.

But I also know that many great ideas seem a little crazy at first. So when an ARC of Jen Malone's middle grade debut At Your Service arrived in my mailbox, I gave it to my 13 year-old daughter. She promptly picked up her favorite hot pink pen and started marking up the pages.

Madness, you say? Well sure. But it is also allowed because this particular book is part of The Margin Project.

The idea is simple. Reading--and sharing what you love--can be social too. So when a book is designated as a Margin Project book, doodle away! Then, pass it to your BFF so they can do the same.

My daughter is having a blast reading At Your Service this way. And as an ever-snooping mom and middle grade writer, I enjoy going through the book and seeing the moments that grab her attention. Here's one of my favorite pages:

As soon as my daughter finishes doodling her way through this book, she has plans to create a summer Margin Project to share with her girlfriends. You can do it too. Everything you need to get started, including bookplates and bookmarks, is here. (However, you'll have to find your own hot pink pen.)

Starting your own Margin Project? Please share it with us. We'd love to hear about it.

Just don't dog ear the pages, please.

-- Jean