Celebrating Books and Reading

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The CDS Library Celebrates Books and Reading

Since arriving at Charleston Day School in August of 2018, our school media specialist Sarah Young has added almost 3,000 new books to the school library, with everything from fresh biographies and coding books, to new fiction and easy reader series. Students and teachers are encouraged to recommend new books to add to our shelves, helping to make sure students feel a sense of ownership in their school library. Mrs. Young is particularly excited to bring more diverse stories to our school. “Publishers have finally realized that in order for young readers to experience both ‘windows and mirrors,’ they need great books to reflect their own lives and issues, as well as to view the world from different perspectives.”

Last year, Mrs. Young and a group of dedicated parent volunteers took on the formidable challenge of re-cataloging the more than 16,000 books in our library so that they could all be accessed online via Destiny Discover. This proved to be a fortuitous undertaking because with COVID-19 protocols in place this year, CDS students, no longer able to browse the library shelves, were able to find and place holds on books. Mrs.

Young checked the holds list and delivered books to the students in their classrooms, usually on the same day. Families with students at home learning with the ALP (Alternative Learning Plan) picked up books from the front desk. In April, the library opened its doors once again to book-browsing classes, sanitizing in between. A great way to encourage readers and inspire budding writers has been to invite published authors to visit the school.

This year was no different, albeit the visits were virtual over Zoom. In February, the sixth grade literature classes finished a study of The Wednesday Wars and then enjoyed a visit with the author himself, Newbery Honor recipient Gary D. Schmidt. He regaled the students with real-life stories that inspired his writing. In March, Charleston Day School celebrated Read Across America Day with virtual visits with Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author and recipient of three Newbery Honors. The author of Turtle in Paradise, the Babymouse series, Squish, Full of Beans and other books tailored two programs to grades K-4 and grades 5-8, plus gave a separate faculty presentation on how to use graphic novels in the classroom.

The finale to the week was the annual Read Across America parade, when students in grades K-2 dressed as their favorite characters and paraded with music and fanfare in front of the school!

Author Gary M. Schmidt visits with the sixth grade.

Author Jennifer L. Holm visits with the fourth-eighth grades.