Inspired by Books

How Books and Visual Art Make a Difference in the Lives of Troubled Youth

Thursday, April 17, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wilmington University
Auditorium, Doberstein Admissions Center
New Castle Campus

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

This year's series, "Inspired by Books: How Books and Visual Art Make a Difference in the Lives of Troubled Youth", features guest speaker Billie Travalini who is a locally renowned author and Wilmington University adjunct professor. Travalini will speak on her book "Teaching Troubled Youth: A Pedagogical Approach", which will be followed by a panel discussion and an art exhibit featuring visual art created by troubled teens.

What is National Library Week?

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use.

Meet Billie Travalini

Billie Travalini is an author and poet, and the director of the Delaware Literary Connection. She is currently an Adjunct professor of English at Wilmington University where she teaches courses in English Composition, Advanced Composition and Fiction Writing. Graduating from the University of Delaware, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude and receiving her Master of Arts degree in Literature-Creative Writing from Temple University. Her memoir Bloodsisters received the 2005 Lewis and Clark Discovery Prize and the Delaware Press Association Award for Nonfiction. Currently, Travalini works as a teacher-consultant for youth detention homes in the Boys and Girls Club Pegasus Art Works program.

About the Book

Teaching Troubled Youth: A Pedagogical Approach is based on Billie Travalini's experiences working with youth involved in the youth rehabilitative and child mental health divisions of the Delaware Children’s Department. In the book Travalini encouraged troubled teens to read literary works and use visual art to express how the books made them feel.

Past Events

National Library Week 2007