MRA Café-Coffee and Conversations
Welcome to the January 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.
January Reading Challenge
Brighter Day Press (click here for more information) has provided the following January reading challenge book list! How many can you read this month?
MRA Scholarship Spotlight - Last Call!
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 Registration is LIVE!
Click here to view the Full Schedule of Events, Fees, and Registration Information:
MRA 55th Annual Conference
MRA Awards Spotlight
Celebrate Literacy Award- Last Call!
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
Donald L. Landry Student Awards- Due Soon!
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. Application deadline extended to February 20, 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).
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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4:00-5:00 PM
Featuring the following MRA Beacon Authors discussing their recently published research.Amy Davis (Eastern Illinois University)- Building Background Knowledge Using Culturally Diverse Children’s Literature
Lucia Rachel Shpuntoff & Ziva Hassenfeld (Brandeis University)- Making the Case for Reading and Writing: Toni Morrison’s Invisible Ink
To receive the article and Zoom link, email Marlene Correia at: mcorreiamra@gmail.com by Jan. 12th!
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Titcomb's Bookshop and the Sandwich Public Library are thrilled to present National Geographic writer Neil Shea to speak about his new nonfiction book Frostlines: A Journey Through Entangled Lives and Landscapes in a Warming Arctic on Thursday, January 15th at 6:00 PM at the Sandwich Public Library.
Free RSVP is requested and can be completed on this page or by calling Titcomb's Bookshop at 508-888-2331. Those who cannot attend may order a signed copy of Frostlines here.
ate
January 15, 2026
Time
6:00pm - 7:00pm (EST)
Location
Sandwich Public Library
142 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563
Sandwich, MA US
Get Directions
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~Hosted by Cape Cod and South Shore Reading Councils
~Featuring Rae Titcomb, from Titcomb’s Bookshop, who will provide an enticing Book Talk about new great reads for everyone! Educators, parents, librarians, and readers of all ages are welcome.
~Free book raffle & 20% discount on purchases.
~Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, 149 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563
~Breakfast Buffet and Speaker:
CCRC or South Shore Members ~ $25
Nonmembers ~ $40 (Includes CCRC or SSRC Annual Membership)
Register here: Books and Brunch 2026 -
Author-illustrator Maddie Frost will read her newest book, Cats on Cats on Cats! Join us for a storytime, a peek at the making of the art, and an audience draw-along, followed by Q&A.
Cats on Cats on Cats features Beatrix, who goes to visit her grandmother every weekend. Beatrix is always sad to leave because she worries that Granny will be lonely without her. So she comes up with a plan to keep Granny company during the week: a cat! Granny assumes that Beatrix must want a cat around when she visits. And in doting grandmother fashion, “what’s better than one cat?” she reasons—more cats!
A book signing will follow the program. Can’t make it? You may reserve signed books online.
Date: January 24, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EST)
Location: Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA 01002, Amherst, MA US
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.
