MRA Café-Coffee and Conversations
Welcome to the December updates of the Massachusetts Reading Association. MRA Café is a monthly publication that connects our members, inspires joyful collegiality, shares insights into literacy education, and celebrates success stories.
December Reading Challenge
Brighter Day Press (click here for more information) has provided the following December reading challenge book list! How many can you read this month?
MRA Scholarship Spotlight
Sylvia D. Brown Scholarship
The MRA invites you to submit a proposal for the Sylvia D. Brown Scholarship. Proposals are due by January 31, 2026, and must be submitted electronically as a Word document to the Sylvia D. Brown committee chair. A three-to-five-page detailed description of the Action research project must be submitted. At least one of the participants in the project must be a member of MRA. Each participant must submit a Participant’s Information Form and a professional resume.
A sample proposal, information brochure and forms are available on the MRA website: Sylvia D. Brown Scholarship
MRA Conference Corner
The MRA Conference Committee has been hard at work preparing for Massachusetts Reading Association’s 55th Annual Conference, Literacy and Learning: Connecting Classrooms and Communities which will take place on Thursday and Friday, April 9 and 10, 2026, with a Pre-Conference Institute April 8th. In addition to returning to the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel for the second year, many exciting activities and engaging speakers will be featured!
MRA’s 2026 Annual Conference, Literacy and Learning: Connecting Classrooms and Communities, will resonate with everyone. Whether you are a classroom teacher, specialist, administrator, or community partner, you’ll leave with new tools, fresh energy, and a stronger network to support your work.
The launch date for registration is December 15, 2025. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate literacy and strengthen connections between classrooms and communities!
Online registration for the conference will be available December 15, 2025. MRA Conference Registration and Information
MRA Awards Spotlight
Celebrate Literacy Award
Nominate candidates who have shown exemplary accomplishments in any of the following areas maybe suggested for consideration:
Direct literacy teaching
Organizing local literacy programs
Promoting public support for enhancing literacy
Producing teaching materials or special media for literacy programs
Conducting literacy research
Providing young people the opportunity to help in literacy activities
Conducting informal literacy activities of a social, cultural, economic, or political nature, in which literacy activities are included
Reminder: Members of the MRA Board and Advisory Group are not eligible for nomination. Applications must be completed in entirety to be considered.
Nominations deadline: January 31, 2026
MRA Minigrants Are Back!
Massachusetts Reading Association is happy to share with you the exciting opportunity for local councils to make an impact on their community by promoting literacy and professional development. MRA Minigrant applications for the 2025-2026 year will be available beginning this month. The MRA Minigrant is designed to support Local Councils in developing innovative programs that encourage reading and literacy engagement within their communities. These grants are intended to provide funding for programs that foster a love for reading, improve literacy skills, and create accessible educational resources for all age groups.
The deadline for applying for the 2025-2026 MRA Minigrant is March 1, 2026. The Google Form is available on the Massachusetts Reading Association website at MRA Minigrants
We hope to see your council take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and look forward to assisting you in promoting literacy within your community.
Donald L. Landry Student Awards
The Donald L. Landry Student Awards were established to encourage students to become active members of professional organizations, and in particular MRA. The award was named after Donald Landry to honor his many years of service to MRA as President and Executive Treasurer. Student Applicants must be enrolled in an Educational Program in MA at the undergraduate or graduate levels and write an essay, responding to a prompt, that is scored by a committee. Applications are due by February 7, 2026.
Recipients receive
Full Conference Registration, meals and lodging
An Annual MRA Student Membership
Submission information may be found here: Donald L. Landry Awards or you can email: Dr. Marlene Correia (mcorreiamra@gmail.com).
Exemplary Reading Award
The Exemplary Reading Award committee is now accepting nominations for the Exemplary Reading Award.
This prestigious award is sponsored by the Massachusetts Reading Association to recognize outstanding reading and language arts initiatives at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Its purpose is to call the public’s attention to outstanding school-wide literacy initiatives throughout Massachusetts.
Each council is encouraged to nominate one or more schools for the Exemplary Reading Award. The MRA Exemplary Reading Award Committee will contact each nominated school to inform them of the steps required in applying for the award. All applications are due by December 22nd, 2025. The MRA Exemplary Reading Award Committee will review applications and apply the criteria and guidelines listed below using a standardized scoring procedure. Selected schools will be visited by representatives of the Exemplary Reading Award Committee. The name of the winning school and a description of the school-wide literacy initiatives will be sent to the MRA Board by March 11th.
Please see the attached guidelines and application for your reference. Completed applications should be emailed by December 22nd, 2025.
We look forward to receiving your nominations at prattrobin33@gmail.com.
Recommend the Next Honor Reading Society
Email mraabrieskeulenski@gmail.com or susanflis47@gmail.com to recommend a college or university that would be a great place to start the next reading honor society chapter in Massachusetts!
Upcoming Events and Programming
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DESE and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), in collaboration with HILL for Literacy, will again offer free Literacy Launch Institutes to strengthen educators’ understanding of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices.
New this year: Friday/Saturday school-year options in Worcester and Northampton as well as expanded summer offerings in multiple regions to increase access for educators statewide.
To learn more about institute dates, locations, registration details, and the purpose of the Friday/Saturday sessions—including how leaders can support staff participation—see the linked overview on DESE’s Literacy Launch website. -
The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) is the New England area’s premiere event dedicated to the exciting and accessible art form of independent comics and graphic novels. Located at Boston University's School of Visual Arts, admission is free and open to the public.
Each year, MICE plays host to hundreds of independent comics artists and small press publishers alongside thousands of attendees eager to check out new comics, join in on hands-on workshops, and attend inclusive panel discussions. MICE is a free-to-attend event for comics readers of all ages excited to dive into the latest comics has to offer.
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HB Real Estate proudly presents ✨The Author Stroll ✨ — a holiday marketplace celebrating local writers and their works! 📚📚📚
We are delighted to bring together 20+ local writers from the greater #WesternMassachusetts area at the brand-new 📍Hub at Market Square, the beautifully revitalized former Chicopee Public Library. Meet the authors, hear readings from their works, and finish your holiday shopping with a signed book for everyone on your list — and yes, gift wrappers will be on site! 🎁
Enjoy holiday music from Jon Taylor Music 🎶 and light refreshments🍷. Donations for gift wrapping will benefit the Edward Bellamy Memorial Association. ♥️
🗓️ Thursday, December 11 • 5:30-7:30 pm
📍 31 Springfield St. Chicopee, MA 01013
🅿️ Parking available at Chicopee City Hall or on street
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You’re invited to a sparkling community interfaith holiday celebration for families with beloved local authors Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple!
On December 14, 4:30-5:30pm, readers are invited to BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity to listen to Little Roots perform and hear Jane and Heidi read their picture book WE CELEBRATE THE LIGHT.
High Five Books will have all of Jane and Heidi’s books for sale, and families are welcome to bring their own copies for signing.
Tickets are pay-what-you-will, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Learn more at Bombyx.live
Thank you for your dedication to literacy. Together, we can ensure every student becomes a confident and capable reader, writer, and learner.
MRA information
The Massachusetts Reading Association is a professional non-profit organization of individuals whose primary purpose is to improve the quality and level of literacy in the state of Massachusetts. The MRA is affiliated with the International Literacy Association (ILA), a worldwide literacy organization. Our Mission The mission of the Massachusetts Reading Association is to promote literacy for all learners through professional development, research, publications, and advocacy.
