Nat Reading on Reading Importance
March is National Reading Month, and Community High is proud to be involved in it. Reading Month is set aside by the Department of Education, intending to encourage and publicize the importance of reading for all ages as a lifetime hobby. Nat Powell, the librarian at CHS, has organized activities to get Community High students involved in reading, an important component in a student’s educational and personal life.
“We find that people who begin reading, particularly at an early age, become life long readers. It permeates across all academic levels.” Powell believes that reading broadens students horizons, takes them to places they’ve never been before, and helps students live their lives.
Powell has organized book talks to gain students’ interest. Students choose to read and share with other students. One of the first book talks was based on “Forged by Fire” by Sharon Draper. The second of a trilogy, the book takes place in an inner-city setting in which the main character is faced with tough circumstances, such as abusive parents and drug addictions. The first discussion seemed well-received: many students who attended the talk were interested in reading the book.
Another book being discussed is “A Long Way Gone”. It is the autobiography of twelve-year-old Ishmael Beah, now thirty, who shares his anecdotes of fighting in Sierra Leone’s civil war. Powell and Tenzin Tsundu, a CHS Junior, are presenting the book talk on March 24.
Faculty members are involved in Reading Month too. Former dean and faculty member Liz Gray is presented a book talk on “Push”. Now adapted into Precious, the Academy Award winning film, showcases the life of an abused sixteen-year-old girl who transfers to a GED program where she can begin to reconstruct her life. The book talk was be presented on March 17.
The last book talk, “Tuesdays with Morrie” presented by Brian Miller, will take place on March 31.
A book fair occurred at Barnes and Nobles on Thursday, March 18 at 7pm. Many students are participated in the book fair: the Jazz Band is performed, students from Judith Dewoskin’s creative writing class are read slam poetry, and Community Ensemble Theater (CET) is performed a preview of Pride and Prejudice.
Barnes and Nobles will sold books at a discounted price and donate part of the proceeds to CHS, helping to build Community’s catalog of books in the library.
