MAEA is excited to announce this summer’s book for the Wicked BooksmART Book Group.
This summer THE Wicked BooksmART book group will be reading: For Real: Helping Children Remain Their
Authentic Selves in a Limiting World
DATES: July 8 – August 12, 2026
FACILITATORS: Alexander Kopelman
SYLLABUS: View or download
MEETING DAYS AND TIMES :
Zoom Meetings: Wednesdays 7:00 – 7:30 pm 7/8 and 7:00 – 8:00 pm all other sessions.
- Week 1 (7/8): Warm Welcome and Introduction
- Week 2 (7/15): Chapters 1 and 2
- Week 3 (7/22): Chapters 3 and 4
- Week 4 (7/29): Chapter 5, Interlude, and Chapter 6
- Week 5 (8/5): Chapters 7 and 8
- Week 6 (8/12): Chapters 9 and 10 and Good Goodbye
DESCRIPTION:
This six-week book study will explore For Real: Helping Children Remain Their Authentic Selves in a Limiting World by Alexander Kopelman, founding President & CEO of the Children’s Arts Guild.
In our post-pandemic world, being able to read and follow your inner compass has never been more vital—nor has supporting kids in discovering who they are and growing into the people they want to be. For Real offers a hopeful, inspiring roadmap for guiding the next generation toward self-awareness, genuine belonging, and authenticity. It reminds us that we, as caregivers and educators, are essential guides on that journey.
Drawing on original research, conversations with leading psychologists and experts on childhood, and interviews with parents, educators, and children, For Real presents a framework for unpacking the societal messages that lead children to suppress parts of themselves—and offers practical, creative tools for supporting authentic self-discovery and expression.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS:
Participants will earn 20 PDPs after successful completion of all of the book group sessions.