Napa County Reads

A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner

Napa County Reads 2025 – “A Work in Progress” by Jarrett Lerner

Teachers interested in learning more about the Napa County Reads program please contact the Napa County Reads Coordinator.

Thanks to our Generous Napa County Reads Partners

About Napa County Reads

Napa County Reads, coordinated by the Napa County Office of Education, is a coalition of educators and community members dedicated to improving the reading experiences of students throughout Napa County with an emphasis on middle schools. Each year the Committee selects a book which is read in the fall, followed by special events that include a visit from the author. The community is invited to join students in reading the selected book and attending the author events.

Teachers – Do you want your class to participate? Contact Napa County Reads Coordinator.

The Outsider Book and People Smiling

A Work in Progress Teacher Resources

Teacher Resources

Author Visit March 6, 2025
Most links open to an external site in a new window.

A Work in Progress Teacher Resources
Web page with the 2025 resources

A Work in Progress Discussion Guide
Includes questions and vocabulary

A Work in Progress Scavenger Hunt (new window) – PDF
Classroom activity

A Work in Progress Study Unit (new window) – PDF
Created by Silverado Middle School

Jarrett Lerner – Author Website

Educator Guide
Questions and vocabulary written by the author

Author Read Aloud
Jarrett Lerner reads aloud the first poems

Student Workbook
Digital guide for students

Teacher’s Guide
Teacher guide for the digital student

Kid Lit TV
Dialogue between Lerner as a 7th grader and now

Deck Toys – Escape Room
Digital breakout

A Work in Progress and Napa County Reads

Padlet (page 1-48)
From the Global Read Aloud

Padlet – Body Image
From the Global Read Aloud

Windows, Mirrors, Doors with Work in Progress
Teaching technique

Teaching Books
Compilation of teaching resources

Teacher Resources for Past Selections

“The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora” by Pablo Cartaya

Author’s website (external website, new window)
Discussion guide (external website, new window)
Teaching Books (external website, new window)
Livestream of March 9, 2023 presentation in Napa (external website, new window)
Teaching Books Spanish (external website, new window)
Teaching ideas from a teacher (external website, new window)
Setting video by author (external website, new window)
RIF Discussion guide (external website, new window)
Book Boys Present (external website, new window)
Miami “Epic Fail” Inspiration Tour with Pablo Cartaya (external website, new window)

“Front Desk” by Kelly Yang

Front Desk Teacher Resources (external website, new window)

“Jack and the Geniuses” by Bill Nye and Gregory Mone

Jack and the Geniuses Teacher Resources (external website, new window)

“Refugee”, by Alan Gratz

Teacher Tools for Refugee (external website, new window)
Supplemental Media for Refugee (external website, new window)
Virtual Reality Links for Refugee (external website, new window)
Student Art Project Information PDF (new window)

History

2003: Francisco Jimenez, The Circuit

2004: Joyce Maynard, The Cloud Chamber

2005: Walter Dean Myers, Fallen Angels

2006: Francisco Jimenez, Breaking Through

2007: Gennifer Choldenko, Al Capone Does My Shirts

2008: Audrey Shafer, The Mailbox

2009: Francisco Jimenez, Reaching Out

2010: Lynn Hazen, Shifty

2011: Suzanne Morgan, Williams Bull Rider

2012: Andrea Montalbano, Breakaway

2013: Michael Pollan, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual

2014: N.H. Senzai, Shooting Kabul

2014: Peter Menzel/Faith D’Aluisio, Hungry Planet

2015: Francisco Jimenez, Selected Biographies

2016: S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders

2017: Chris Grabenstein, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

2019: Alan Gratz, Refugee

2020: Jerry Craft, New Kid

2021: Bill Nye & Gregory Mone, Jack and the Geniuses

2022: Kelly Yang, Front Desk

2023: Pablo Cartaya, The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora