Much of the town just finished WestportREADS. This year’s novel — “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid — focused on 2 refugees who, against all odds, find life and love on the run.
A great book — but a bit much for elementary school readers.
No problem. Kings Highway just finished something very similar.
Everyone in school — all grade levels — read “Masterpiece,” Elise Broach’s mystery novel about friendship and stolen art.
Entire families were encouraged to read together at night. There were school-wide assemblies and online activities. Teachers recorded chapters on computers, so youngsters could listen at home or in the car.
There was a surprise ending: Broach herself showed up, to read the final chapter to students.
Author Elise Broach reads to Kings Highway Elementary School students.
It was a fun project for everyone. But then they took things a step further.
The school’s motto is “Kindness Happens at our School.” (The acronym is KHS — get it?!)
So when they were done, the kids donated their “gently loved” copies to the James J. Curiale School in Bridgeport. Now everyone there is doing the same school-wide reading too.
One book. Two schools. Too cool!
A bulletin board shows some of the many ways Kings Highway students read “Masterpiece.”
(Hat tip: Lauren Turner)