Earlier this school year, the Lower and Upper School Libraries decided to invite Grade 4, 5, and 6 students to join in to read some of the previous years’ Newbery Medal winning books. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” and the organization celebrated their 100th anniversary on 24 January. Just under 90 students from Grades 4 and 5 joined this reading incentive program and, in the lead-up to Monday’s Awards announcement, they read more than 400 Newbery books between them. 

There was enormous excitement right from the start and the students expressed great joy at the opportunity to read these wonderful titles with friends and fellow students. On Tuesday, students who had read 6 or more Newbery titles were invited to the library during lunch recess to watch the recording of the awards ceremony. The winning title, as well as one of the honor books, were already in the Lower School Library collection and they went straight into the hands of some eager readers. All participants were in the Lucky Draw to win one of the books and two students were delighted at winning the draw and are happily awaiting delivery of their copies. The ISA Library team said, “it has been such a pleasure to share these books with the students and experience their excitement for quality reading”. Thank you to our fantastic Library team for organizing this exciting celebration.