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1. What ages are Shalom Readers?
We now have two Shalom Readers Programs. The first is geared to children ages 4-14, the second is for adults.
2. How do I know which books are Shalom Readers books?
We've made Shalom Readers book lists! Find them here. The children's list expands with three new books in each of the three age groups once each year. The adult list expands with three new books each month. The three new adult books each month will be released via The Sower email newsletter each month. You can subscribe here.
3. How can I find age-appropriate books?
The children's book list has been divided into three age categories. Preschool through grade two books are mostly picture books. Grade 3-5 books are for advanced beginners and deal with more complex subjects. Grade 6-8 books are longer books with even more advanced subject matter.
4. Where do we find Shalom Readers books?
You have options!
5. How do we borrow the books from the conference office?
Contact Monica Clem by calling (605) 929-3325 or emailing [email protected]. Let her know the ages of the children in your program and whether you are requesting specific titles. She will mail you the books, and you will return them by mailing them to Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029. Please note that a $15 replacement fee will be assessed for each book not returned to the SRC Library. Every year, new titles are added to each age group (these are in bold print in the list). We encourage church librarians to purchase these and others on the list for their church library.
6. What do you mean by "creative response" for children or "engagement" for adults?
Creativity and active engagement with the Shalom Readers books. See our Creative Response or engagement pages for ideas!
7. Who receives the "creative response"?
In a congregational setting, the Shalom Readers Leader receives the response and gives the child feedback and encouragement. If the church does not have a Shalom Readers program and parents are doing Shalom Readers with their children, parents receive the response and give feedback.
8. How do I get my free book?
Fill out the online reading record. When you click Submit, the information is emailed to your regional coordinator, Ellen Miller or Joan Friesen. The book will be mailed directly to the child or can be sent to the Shalom Readers leader if a special presentation is being made. Titles prefaced by an asterisk are out of print and therefore not available as gift books.
9. When does Shalom Readers start and end?
We add books and make updates every September 1, and that is a good time to start. It is also good to request your free books by August 1. However, you can do Shalom Readers any time of year.
10. How do I contact my regional coordinator?
Ellen Miller is the coordinator for congregations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact her at [email protected].
Joan Friesen is the coordinator for congregations in Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Montana. Contact her at [email protected].
11. What is the criteria for choosing Shalom Readers books?
We look for books that reflect core Christian values of peace and justice from an Anabaptist perspective. These include stories that demonstrate peaceful conflict resolution and stories that demonstrate love, care and kindness to others. We also look for books that help us to understand those who are different from us (culturally, socially, physically, mentally), expose us to another culture, help us understand others’ history, or emphasize care for God’s creation.
We now have two Shalom Readers Programs. The first is geared to children ages 4-14, the second is for adults.
2. How do I know which books are Shalom Readers books?
We've made Shalom Readers book lists! Find them here. The children's list expands with three new books in each of the three age groups once each year. The adult list expands with three new books each month. The three new adult books each month will be released via The Sower email newsletter each month. You can subscribe here.
3. How can I find age-appropriate books?
The children's book list has been divided into three age categories. Preschool through grade two books are mostly picture books. Grade 3-5 books are for advanced beginners and deal with more complex subjects. Grade 6-8 books are longer books with even more advanced subject matter.
4. Where do we find Shalom Readers books?
You have options!
- Many titles can be borrowed from public or school libraries.
- Your church library may have them--especially if you give your church librarian the Shalom Readers book list!
- Buy them from bookstores or online retailers.
- All children's books are available for check-out through the Central Plains Mennonite Conference office in Freeman, South Dakota.
5. How do we borrow the books from the conference office?
Contact Monica Clem by calling (605) 929-3325 or emailing [email protected]. Let her know the ages of the children in your program and whether you are requesting specific titles. She will mail you the books, and you will return them by mailing them to Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029. Please note that a $15 replacement fee will be assessed for each book not returned to the SRC Library. Every year, new titles are added to each age group (these are in bold print in the list). We encourage church librarians to purchase these and others on the list for their church library.
6. What do you mean by "creative response" for children or "engagement" for adults?
Creativity and active engagement with the Shalom Readers books. See our Creative Response or engagement pages for ideas!
7. Who receives the "creative response"?
In a congregational setting, the Shalom Readers Leader receives the response and gives the child feedback and encouragement. If the church does not have a Shalom Readers program and parents are doing Shalom Readers with their children, parents receive the response and give feedback.
8. How do I get my free book?
Fill out the online reading record. When you click Submit, the information is emailed to your regional coordinator, Ellen Miller or Joan Friesen. The book will be mailed directly to the child or can be sent to the Shalom Readers leader if a special presentation is being made. Titles prefaced by an asterisk are out of print and therefore not available as gift books.
9. When does Shalom Readers start and end?
We add books and make updates every September 1, and that is a good time to start. It is also good to request your free books by August 1. However, you can do Shalom Readers any time of year.
10. How do I contact my regional coordinator?
Ellen Miller is the coordinator for congregations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact her at [email protected].
Joan Friesen is the coordinator for congregations in Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Montana. Contact her at [email protected].
11. What is the criteria for choosing Shalom Readers books?
We look for books that reflect core Christian values of peace and justice from an Anabaptist perspective. These include stories that demonstrate peaceful conflict resolution and stories that demonstrate love, care and kindness to others. We also look for books that help us to understand those who are different from us (culturally, socially, physically, mentally), expose us to another culture, help us understand others’ history, or emphasize care for God’s creation.
We are grateful to “The Christian Peace Elf ” project and the book, The Most Wanted Peace Books,
by David Hiebert, 1988. Shalom Readers Club is patterned after the model designed by David Hiebert for Allegheny Mennonite Conference.