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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSummer Reading Challenge Turns a Page with St. John Appearance

Summer Reading Challenge Turns a Page with St. John Appearance

Lia Shillingford (from left), Toni Shillingford and Mom Lydia.St. Thomas residents Lydia Shillingford and her daughters, Toni. 7, and Lia, 14, did some one-stop shopping Sunday when they picked up books for the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge at the St. John Festival Food Fair.

“I like ‘Color Me Dark.’” That’s one of my favorite books,” Lia said.

Alas, she already owned that book but she had her pick of others to fulfill her five-book quota for the Summer Reading Challenge.

Her mother saw the value of reading throughout the summer.

“It’s a good bridge to keep them active and engaged,” she said.

St. John resident Alice Krall and her team were set up in Cruz Bay Park, also called Frank Powell Park, to hand out the books. Students in grades kindergarten through eight were welcome to help themselves to five books to read throughout the summer.

“Please come to our table,” Krall announced during the Food Fair opening ceremony.

Krall said that too many students don’t keep up over the summer, which means they’re behind when school starts again. With the Summer Reading Challenge, they’re able to keep their skills fresh.

“They don’t have to jump start their minds,” she said, referring to returning to school.

The Summer Reading Challenge is in its fourth year, and is reaching students across the territory.

The students got to pick from a table filled with books. When they’re done with each book, they need to fill out a form, have their parents sign it, and turn it in to their local library or the Governor’s Office. While they only have to read five, they’re encouraged to read as many as they like.

When the program is over, the students who read their five books will be invited to a party to be held on each island. The school with the most participants will receive a prize.

Sunday’s book distribution was the last of three held on all three main islands.

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