The joy of reading united students from five different school districts in a collaborative reading project this winter called Mock Newbery Club. Eighteen Brockport Hill School students were among nearly 90 fifth-graders who participated in the club, which was modeled after the American Library Association’s Newbery Medal program. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Librarians from Fred W. Hill Elementary School (Brockport CSD), Terry Taylor Elementary School (Spencerport CSD), T.J. Connor Elementary School (Wheatland-Chili CSD), Village Elementary School (Hilton CSD) and Josiah Bartlett Elementary/Jackson Grammar (School Administrative Unit #9 – New Hampshire) collectively selected five contending books. This year’s titles were Front Desk by Kelly Yang, Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, Bob by Wendy Mass, Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor.
Students were selected to participate based on their willingness and ability to read various genres and partake in group discussions. They began reading the five books in October and periodically shared their thoughts and reflections with each other through Schoology, a learning management system. Upon finishing all five books, each student voted for their favorite.
Club members gathered for the grand unveiling celebration on January 29 at Brockport Hill School. The cafeteria erupted with cheers and applause when the club’s winning book was announced, Front Desk by Kelly Yang. Students celebrated with cake and snacks. The American Library Association’s Newbery Medal winner was also shared with students during the celebration, Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina.
New this year was a video conferencing aspect. The club was originally founded five years ago by Cathy Mangan, Hill School librarian and Karen Arendt, T.J. Connor librarian. Arendt has since moved to a district in New Hampshire, where she continued the tradition. Her classroom was video conferenced for the unveiling celebration.
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