The beginning of the school year always has the same focus for me. I want my students to see themselves as readers. The library is one place where all readers are honored. We talk about the books that we loved from the summer. We suggest books to friends and classmates. We explore new books in the library. We share upcoming releases that we are looking forward to. The beginning of this school year is different though. I also want my students to see themselves as writers. Maybe it is the number of amazing authors I've been lucky enough to hear from and speak to. Possibly it is the writing that I've done over the last few years. Whatever the reason, I'm looking at my students as readers and writers this school year.