Wilmot book swap designed to keep students reading

Wilmot book swap designed to keep students reading
Posted on 12/07/2016
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By Deb Hurley Brobst, Staff Writer for Canyon Courier

Wilmot Elementary School students participated in a book swap on Friday — the school’s attempt to keep kids reading during winter break.

The idea was simple: All last week, students brought gently used books they no longer wanted and received tickets for each book. Then, on Friday, they could look through about 2,000 books to find something new to read. A ticket equaled a new book, and those who wanted more books could buy them for 50 cents each.

4th grader reacts while browsing

The librarians categorized the books into chapter, picture, fiction, non-fiction, Dr. Seuss and others. The school cafeteria was turned into a bookstore of sorts.

“We hope they will find books that are interesting to them that will motivate them to read at home,” said Sonya Thurling, a firstgrade teacher who organized the book swap.

Wilmot is emphasizing reading this year, and Thurling hoped the book swap would help motivate kids to read at home.

“Books are expensive, and kids go through them quickly,” Thurling said. “This way they get new books, and their books can go to other kids who want to read them.”

The day before the swap, students said they were excited to get new books.

“I wonder what new books I will get,” second-grader Elsie Goldstein said. “I’m really excited because I love reading.” \

4th grader carries a stack of books

Fourth-grader Asher Thurling hoped he would find nonfiction books about animals, while classmate Maggie Richie hoped to find chapter books about singers, since she’d like to become a professional singer when she grows up.

Maggie liked the book-swap idea because it furthered students’ education by providing more books to read.

Second-grader Chase Barrila hoped to find mysteries at the book swap, and he plans to read 300 minutes during winter break.

Two 3rd graders check out a book

First-grader Aleks Schwink brought several picture books to the swap, and he hoped to find books about police officers because that is his career goal.

“This is a way to find nonfiction police books,” Aleks said. “I will be able to read these new ones and then trade them in at the next book swap.”

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