Speed reading!
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia School District by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Kristen Graham.
Speed reading!
Kristen Graham
The Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs and Ham is surprisingly long - 62 pages in all - and when you attempt to read it in under two minutes, pausing for as few breaths as possible, it seems even longer.
I'm intimately familiar with that fact only because yesterday, I speed read the book for a fundraiser for First Book Philadelphia, a local literacy nonprofit that puts new books in the hands of kids who need them. First Book Philadelphia asked a handful of local folks - news types, actor David Morse, Temple mens' basketball coach Fran Dunphy, author Alice Ozma and others - to practice, then team up and read parts of the book aloud.
I practiced a few times in the days leading up to the competition, which was held at the Union League in Center City, and was astonished at how all that "I am Sam" stuff trips your tongue. But I love a good challenge, as I told the audience - I'm from Philly, and I like to win!
We readers were put in teams of two, and I was partnered with Morse, who put his impressive acting chops to good use. When all was said and done, after three rounds, we were judged the fastest team. Our prize? Books will be donated in our honor to deserving local kids. Good stuff.
In case you'd like to see me embarass myself, here's a video shot by Philly.com's Ellen Dunkel of my last practice before the big competition. Hooray for reading!
Nice job.— Peter123- This comment has been deleted.— Dew Schbag
- You are a D bag. You are the King of D bags. When other D bag's have to D, they come to you to D. You rule D bags.
And by the way, David Morse is the king of Sad Sacks. Just like you are the top of your field as a D bag, Morse is the Sad Sack of Sad sacks. He should change his name to David Morose. That's what he is. He's always sullen, gloomy, glum and somber. So you are wrong. - shes so smart and beautiful— noelcoward
- So how do you really feel Penny P. ?— joeace
- Waiting to see how fast she'll write an article calling for the District to fire the student-abusing, racist bully being protected by the Teachers Union. Of course I think odds are pretty good that her salary is paid for by them.— tr88
- Kristen Graham and David Morse helped raise enough money to buy 5,000 new books for kids in need.
Try focusing on the good they've done before you tear them down with petty remarks.— JaneBecker
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
