Library Plans ‘Another Super’ Summer Reading Program

By Larissa Lytwyn

Each year, the C.H. Booth Library staff encourages potential book-loving children to choose selections that appeal to their interests — whether they are from an of-the-moment adventure series or a Dickens classic.

“Children’s reading levels are all over the place,” noted Children’s Librarian Alana Meloni. Rather than emphasizing a certain “type” of book they should read, the library simply encourages children to read at the level they feel most comfortable.

The library’s 2004 theme for children ages 4 through grade five, “Another Super Summer,” and young adult oriented “Tweens and Teens Summer Reading,” encourage the community’s children to simply read as much as possible.

Children can register to keep records of the number of books they read.

Children who read between five and ten books are eligible to receive a coupon to a pizza parlor and “Another Super Summer” poster; ten to 15 books, a coupon for a free donut; and 15–20 books, a coupon for Lake Compounce in Bristol and a Happy Meal coupon. Children who read 20 books or more or eligible for a free book and a Polaroid picture for the “Wall of Fame.”

For children who are reading longer chapter books, every 50 pages read can count as a book.

The aim of Newtown’s public schools, Ms Meloni continued, is similar to the library’s “embrace reading” philosophy, advocating “children reading outside of school” year-round. For summer 2004, the library received a comprehensive general reading list from Middle Gate and Newtown High School.

In addition, Newtown Middle School students have been encouraged to read books written by nominees for the 2005 Nutmeg Children’s Book Awards.

Selections include Jerry Spinelli’s Loser and Bruce Coville’s The Monsters of Morley Manor.

The books included on the Middle Gate list are not age-specific; selections were grouped by genres and general topics, from mythology, adventure, biography, and humor/poetry to ‘animal’ books for younger students.

An ongoing faculty committee headed by language arts specialist Gail Huitt compiled the list.

“I purposely left off grade levels because most of these books are my personal favorites,” Ms Huitt explained, “and I believe they can be read and enjoyed by all grade levels, either as independent reading or ‘Read-to-Me’ books.”

Adventure books include Gary Paulsen’s “World of Adventure” series and Jean Craighead George’s classic My Side of the Mountain.

Animal-themed books include Marcus Pfister’s Milo and the Magical Stones and Kenneth Grahame’s timeless Wind in the Willows.

Newtown High School’s list of nearly 70 books is also unspecified by grade. Selections are notably wide ranging, from the Bible to adult novels including Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible to Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook.

“There really is something for everyone on this [high school] list,” said Ms Meloni.

Also included are classic staples including Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and plays such as Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Summer Programs

In addition to picking out books from their summer reading lists, visitors from tot to teen will have the opportunity to register for a number of activities, most of which are free and still open.

Returning programs include “PJ Story Time” for children ages 3 to 7 on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:15 pm through August 6.

Registration is not required.

“Story Time features stories, songs, and a puppet show for children and their parents,” said Ms Meloni. Librarians and middle and high school-aged student volunteers manage the program.

“Real Men Read” invites children age 8 and up to listen to prominent men in the community share some of today’s most popular young adult novels.

The first session commences July 12–15 from noon to 1 pm. The first reader scheduled is retired librarian John Renjilian, who will read Bruce Coville’s Jennifer Murdley’s Toad.

“With dads sometimes getting home from work late, their children don’t always have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with them,” said Ms Meloni, “or enjoy the experience of being read to. We wanted to address that.”

A future session will feature retired Superintendent of Schools John Reed.

Local artist Leslie Troy is planning “Super Science Workshops” for students in grades one through four.

The first session for first and second graders is comprised of “To Infinity and Beyond” on July 15, “Dinosaurs Roar” on July 22 and “A World of Science” on July 29.

Students will enjoy hands-on activities and perform actual experiments as they learn about astronomy, dinosaurs, and other science-themed topics.

Programs will take place on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 pm.

A second session for third and fourth graders consists of “Connecting Science and Art” on July 22, “Connecting Science and Literature” on July 24 and “Connecting Science and Math” on July 31.

These programs will take place on Saturdays from 10 am to noon.

A $6 material fee is required for each session, due on registration.

“Real Rescue Heroes” will feature local emergency personnel including the Newtown Hook & Ladder Company and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association introducing young students to learning underwater, medical, and fire safety.

The program will begin on July 20 at 10:30 am with a program on underwater search and rescue. The next program on July 27 at 10:30 am will feature members of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association teaching students information on emergency safety and treatment procedures. Both programs require registration; limit is 30 students. Students must be at least 6 or older to participate.

The final program, Fire Safety, is on August 3. There will be a 10:30 to 11:15 am session for children ages 3 to 5 and an 11:30 am to 12:15 pm session for students ages 6 and up. There is a limit of 20 students per session. Registration is required.

“The [fire safety] program will be fairly basic,” said Chief David Ober of the Newtown Hook & Ladder Company. “Children will learn introductory information on who we are and how they can keep safe!”

The programs will be conducted by Steven Murphy of Hook & Ladder, an engineer who, according to Chief Ober, has conducted past fire safety programs at Newtown schools.

In the “Tweens to Teens” program, activities include a fast paced presentation of humorous and insightful stories by professional mime Robert Rivest on July 22 at 7 pm.

The program is free and open to the public, courtesy of a grant by the Praxair Corporation.

Other programs include a craft-making demonstration for children ages 10 and up. There is a limit of 12 students; a $5 materials fee is required upon registration.

Area artist Katie Stevenson will conduct the program.

Young Adult Librarian Margaret Brown will conduct a book discussion on the 2005 Nutmeg Children’s Book Award nominee Joshua’s Song on Wednesday, July 21, from 4 to 5 pm.

Further details for the young adult program is available at www.biblio.org/yawebspot

“The main idea for these programs is simply for students to have fun,” said Ms Meloni. “Have fun and learn to love to read!”