Kids get a summer reading boost

A buzz of anticipation filled the library at Longfellow Elementary School in northeast Spokane last week.

Dozens of fourth-graders sat on the floor, eagerly awaiting the arrival of three members of the Hillyard Rotary Club.

“They’ve been asking all morning if today would be the day,” said their teacher, Roben Cooper-Dixon.

The event that had almost 70 students squirming with excitement was the Rotary Literacy Project. It’s a program designed to make sure area fourth-graders start their summer with a new book in their hands.

“It’s pretty astonishing that many of these kids don’t have access to books, home libraries or printed material,” said program founder Christine Lynch.

Lynch, principal of Shaw Middle School, said the Hillyard club raises a portion of the money to buy the books, and a grant from the district Rotary office provides the rest of the funding.

Since the program was started, other Rotary clubs have picked up the idea. “Last year, we served 623 students,” Lynch said.

Cooper-Dixon said at Longfellow, kids are allowed to go through a tub of books from Scholastic Book Club and choose the one they want.

“If it’s a book they’re looking forward to reading, they’re more likely to pick it up,” Cooper-Dixon said.

Rotarians Marilyn Highberg, Phyllis Todd and Tracy Walters have handed out books at the schools for the past four years.

“We’ve heard that sometimes this is the only book they own,” Todd said.

Before distributing the books, the three Rotary representatives explained to the children that a service club is all about helping others. They detailed club projects in countries, such as Guatemala, as well as projects closer to home, such as the new fountain in Spokane’s Riverfront Park.

And then they called each child by name to receive a book.

Ten-year-old Anthony Haig chose “Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost” because “I read the back and the first page, and it looks funny,” he said with a grin.

Taris Barrington said her book about girl surfboarders “looks exciting.”

Animated whispers grew as the kids sat down with their books. Some began thumbing through the pages. Others peered over neighbors’ shoulders to compare choices.

“We heard some of the kids trade books during the summer,” Cooper-Dixon said.

Colton Wirth proudly displayed his selection, “Three Terrifying Tales from the Midnight Library.” “I chose it,” he said, ” ‘cause on the back it says, ‘Welcome to the realm of heart-stopping fear.’ “

Soon, every student had a new book. The kids filed out of the library and headed back to class, but many stopped to express appreciation to the Rotary members.

Cooper-Dixon said that meeting the club members and knowing who provided the books helps the students see that they, too, can “pay it forward.”

“It’s one of my favorite things to do,” she said. “It’s a wonderful investment in kids.”