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.
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.” \
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.
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.”