Atia Abawi, author of the 2019 Teen All Iowa Reads selection A Land of Permanent Goodbyes, recently visited Iowa libraries and schools to talk with teens and community members who participated in community reads and discussions on her book.
The first event was held at the Marion Public Library on Nov. 18, where Abawi answered questions and signed books for several teens and teachers from local schools who had read and discussed her book as part of their school book clubs. Rachel Pollari, Teen Services Assistant, and Olivia Stoner, Children's and Family Services Manager, were active in facilitating the teen programming and outreach involved with the successful community read of A Land of Permanent Goodbyes, and also helped her visit run smoothly.
Above: Atia Abawi with Rachel Pollari, Marion Public Library Teen Services Assistant.
Abawi then visited the Columbus Community School District for a day-long event Nov. 19. High school students read the book prior to her arrival, and Abawi presented to more than 200 students and staff over the course of the day. Students created poster projects about the book, exploring connections between the story and their own lives and current events. 
The projects incorporated art, poetry, quotes from the book, and more. Abawi presented about her career and writing process, and gave a closer look at the backstory behind the book. Students had a chance to ask questions about the book and her work. Tyson Foods provided funding to purchase a copy of A Land of Permanent Goodbyes for each student at the high school, and the United Fund provided funding to purchase a book club set for the Columbus Junction Public Library, as well as meals and incidentals for the day.
Right: Atia Abawi presents to Columbus Junction high school students.
Above L: Atia Abawi examines posters created by Columbus Junction high school students, Above Upper R: Detail of a poster about Abawi's book "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes," Above Lower R: Student-created posters hang on the wall of the high school.
Columbus Junction Public Library Director Mandy Grimm and AmeriCorps RefugeeRISE members Tial Sung and Maria Gomez hosted Abawi during the day and were integral to the planning, promotion, and overwhelming success of her visit, as well as connecting her with the Columbus Junction community.
"As a smaller Iowa community with a large refugee population, we knew this would be a good fit for us. The previous year one of our English teachers and members of the community read the same book, discussed, and went to see the author speak in Des Moines, so this was a fantastic opportunity to grow that into a school-wide effort, which the English teachers were supportive of,” said Grimm. “It was phenomenal to see the students stay after class to ask questions, get pictures taken, have their books signed, and some even came back multiple times to talk with Atia, including about her career as a journalist and writer. Our English department also said how much the students enjoyed this opportunity and wondered what we might do next! Both of those points are incredibly gratifying for me."
In the evening, Atia spoke at Columbus Junction City Hall to a mostly adult crowd and drew many questions of her own experiences and, in this cycle of 24-hour news, how to combat fake news and better understand other cultures and people.
Youth Services Consultant Angie Manfredi selected the locations for the visits and accompanied Abawi to the events. "This was truly an amazing experience," Manfredi said. "Seeing Atia connect with so many Iowans, especially teens, was incredible. Watching them light up as they connected with her book was a powerful reminder of how literature brings us together and how, by giving teen readers choices in what they read and encouraging them to read contemporary young adult titles, we create lifelong readers. This was a resounding success for the Teen All Iowa Reads program and I hope it encourages other communities to get involved with All Iowa Reads in their schools, book groups, and with their young readers."
The State Library and the Iowa Center for the book would like to extend a special thank you to Rachel Pollari and Olivia Stoner from the Marion Public Library; Mandy Grimm, Columbus Junction Public Library Director; AmeriCorps RefugeeRISE members Tial Sung and Maria Gomez; and the entire Columbus Community School District, especially high school English teachers Steve Riley and Jeff Miller.
Above from L to R: Tial Sung, Atia Abawi, Maria Gomez, Mandy Grimm, and Angie Manfredi.
Find out more about Teen and Kids All Iowa Reads
Find out more about Atia Abawi