Category: Reading Promotion

World Read Aloud Day

2/10/2024

Fifth- and sixth-grade students gathered in the Sterling Grade School Library on Feb. 7 to celebrate World Read Aloud Day with an online author visit from Marsha Skrypuch (pronounced skrip-ick). Skrypuch is a Ukrainian-Canadian writer of historical fiction novels such as Making Bombs for Hitler and Stolen GIrl.

She read aloud from her latest novel Winterkill, a story about the 1930s Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through questions asked by students, they learned that Skrypuch felt that the Ukrainians' story during World War II had not been told. Her mother-in-law, Lida, was living in Ukraine when Nazi soldiers took over her home to use as a headquarters. Lida was not allowed to leave the house and instead had to serve the soldiers. This family history inspired Skrypuch to write historical fiction for middle grade readers. She doesn't like overly simple stories and insteads writes books that respect the intelligence of young readers.

Students learned that Skrypuch conducts research through interviews and visiting libraries and archives where she can view historical documents. She is currently working on a new trilogy called Kidnapped from Ukraine, which "follows two sisters as they struggle to survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022" (description from Amazon.com). The first book will be published in Nov. 2024.

Through World Read Aloud Day activities, students learned more about Skrypuch's books as well as other popular historical fiction novels. By the end of the session, the room was buzzing with excitement and kids were discussing which books they wanted to read first.

"An author visit can really excite kids about reading," explained district librarian Amy Brownlee. "Getting to hear the inspiration behind the stories and learn about the research process creates a powerful motivation to read."

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Library hosts book giveaway

2/10/2024

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Sterling Jr.-Sr. High School Library's "Read-a-Latte" event invited students to visit the library January 25-26 where each student was able to choose a free book and was treated to a free cookie and hot drink. The fifth annual “warm up with a good book” event gave students time to select a book and spend some time leisure reading.

“For over a year, we’ve been collecting new and gently used middle school and young adult books with the goal of having enough to gift a book to every student in grades 7-12,” explained district librarian Amy Brownlee. The books had broad appeal ranging from sports, history, and science titles to fantasy, romance, graphic novels, and manga. “Studies show that the more students read, the better their achievement in all subject areas,” Brownlee said. “Students are more apt to read books they have easy access to and select themselves. An event like this is a fun way to encourage literacy and learning.”

Some books were donated, and others were purchased from discount sources like thrift stores and yard sales throughout the year. According to Brownlee, “it was a team effort.” Library assistant Michelle Miller organized the giveaway books by genre for easy browsing. Food services coordinator Sandy Skucius and her staff baked homemade cookies for the event, and FACS teacher Carol Prather organized and staffed the hot drink bar with the assistance of her classes where they served hot chocolate with a variety of add-ins like nutella, marshmallows, and whipped cream.

In addition, English teachers were generous in giving their class time to bring students to the library for the event. Over 300 books and magazines were chosen by readers. Extra books were offered for free to students and staff.

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World Read Aloud Day

Library hosts book giveaway

Amy Brownlee

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