This year, as a way to promote independent leisure reading, Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School English teacher Michael Ferretti collaborated with librarian Beth Kattleman to create Project Read.
The program encourages students to visit the library during their lunch periods, study halls, and after school to enjoy the various fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and digital books at their disposal. After the students read a book of their choice, they’re asked to write a “Rant and Rave,” a review that will be added to a book on the circulation desk and shared with other students. The review will include a rating out of five stars, a brief written review, and the student’s current grade level. Once a student completes six reviews, they qualify for a raffle and have their photo taken, which will then be made into a Read poster. “We’ve had a great response so far,” said Mr. Ferretti. “Kids are participating for the love of reading.” Added Mrs. Kattleman, “I hope that the students, who don’t already have a love of reading will find it. That they’ll realize reading isn’t a chore. That they’ll find a book, read it, and tell us about it.”
To promote Project Read, Mrs. Kattleman has been visiting study halls and freshmen English classes with various books that are available in the library.
Also new to the high school this year is an afterschool book club. Approximately 15 students meet once a week to discuss their love of books, as well as to participate in a group discussion on the book club selection. The first book the students are reading is Ann Brashares’ novel My Name is Memory.
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