At the West Virginia Reading Association’s 66th Annual Conference, participants from around the state shared some of their classroom favorites:
Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathan London
Third in the Froggy series, with lots of jumping, flipping, and onomatopoeia.
Grades PK-K
Gwen Lyons, Title 1 Reading Teacher, Wyoming County
Dr. Seuss ABC and Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Classics, but still good for beginning and early readers.
PK-2nd
Amber Janicker, Ashton Elementary School, Mason County
Pigs by Robert Munsch
Feed the pigs, but don’t open the gate. Pigs are smarter than you think.
K-2nd
Diane Binder, Title 1 Reading Teacher, New River Primary School
After the Fall by Dan Santat
Humpty Dumpty is famous for falling off a wall. This is the story of when he decided to get back up.
K-3rd
Leslie Boyd, Shepherdstown Elementary School, Jefferson County
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Making your most magnificent idea is anything but easy. In fact, it is frustrating. A good book for social-emotional development.
K-5th
Kandi Kaiser, Blue Ridge Elementary School, Jefferson County
The Good Egg, The Bad Seed, and others by Jory John and Pete Oswald
Being good is hard. As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from the pressure.
PK-5th
Allyson Varlas, Central Elementary School, Marshall County
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
“I’m here because of this book,” said closing keynote speaker Colby Sharp, an author and teacher. “It changed my life forever. I would get lost in that story.”
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris
Friends Barnett and Harris created an animated strip during the Covid shutdown, and the book version just published this spring can take over a classroom.
3rd-6th
Colby Sharp
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
First published in 1961, the story of Billy and his two hunting dogs still moves readers and listeners.
4th-6th
Linda Childers, retired 5th grade teacher, Cabell County
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A foster child living outside Munich, Germany in 1939 steals to survive, and encounters something she cannot resist – books. She learns to read and shares her stolen treasures.
6th+
Cara Dorsey, 9th and 10th grade English Teacher, Nicholas County High School
On July 28th, I lost a friend and mentor who changed my life when Jim Trelease, the author of The Read AloudHandbook and inspiration for Read Aloud West Virginia, passed away. He changed the lives of countless others in West Virginia and throughout this country – and even the world. As I read the email from his wife Susan, I felt the way many of us do when we lose someone. It was as if a giant tree had fallen. Why hadn’t there been physical changes in the world? It would only have been fitting because Jim was a force of nature.
Jim was one of those high energy people whose enthusiasm was infectious. He had a ready smile for everyone, a prodigious memory, and an insatiable curiosity. He also did not mince words if he felt some policy or action was wrong. Jim was a journalist and cartoonist who went into a classroom on a career day to discuss his profession. He emerged appalled by the fact that children in this pricey private school could not name a book they had recently read for pleasure. They were so stymied they began pointing to mandatory reading in textbooks. Jim left the classroom determined to do something about it and used the family vacation money to self-publish the first Read Aloud Handbook.
Short story: the book took off, and a new career was born.
Jim became an investigative reporter on education with an emphasis on childhood literacy. His journalistic background made complex research accessible to busy parents and teachers. Throughout his career he had one basic tenet: If you want to raise a reader, you need to motivate them to WANT to read. He acknowledged learning to read comes easier for some children than others but argued that those who struggle need that motivation even more. He offered practical advice for making the reading/pleasure connection for ALL children.
I first “met” Jim Trelease when I called to rent his (reel to reel!) film to show throughout Kanawha County. Shortly afterward he agreed, in a typically generous gesture, to waive his fee and address our fledgling organization while he was in town speaking to teachers. A friendship was born that continued past both our retirements. In recent years, even though he was ill, his interest in education remained constant. He lamented the learning loss he knew was going to result from online classrooms and was hopeful we would emerge from the pandemic with a greater respect and appreciation for educators.
Every visit and conversation with him was a joy – both entertaining and enlightening. He led me to read Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, and I think of that now. Surely, Jim Trelease lived an incredibly meaningful life. His passions were straightforward – his family and raising generations of avid readers. He sought to be a good steward and to leave the world a little better than he found it. Certainly, he did both.
Thank you, dear friend, for enriching so many lives. You are sorely missed, but your legacy lives on in all those you inspired to follow your footsteps. —
Mary Kay Bond is a founding member of Read Aloud West Virginia and longtime Executive Director who retired in December 2019.
This past summer, we broke 100,000 books given to West Virginia students and families since the establishment of our database in 2016. Currently, we are up to 107,395 books distributed. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of local volunteer chapters across the state and partnerships with 147 schools, helping to put our books in the hands of their students.
One of many such partnerships is with Madison Elementary School in Wood County. There, Assistant Principal Cindy Oxender is in annual contact with our state office, requesting books and coordinating their transportation from Kanawha to Wood County.
This fall, we gave them 305 assorted books for a Halloween distribution event.
Madison Elementary students enjoy their new books.
Oxender took the traceable letter books we provided to Kindergarten with a mini-lesson on how to use them and where to write their name on the bookplate on each book.
One little girl exclaimed, “It is good you told us about this because my mom told me never to write in books!”
It came out later that most of this child’s books at home come from the library, and she does not have many books that are hers personally. She was so excited to have a new book of her very own, and writing her name inside reinforced that pride of ownership and positive connection to reading. This is why we include bookplates in every book we distribute.
Many children experience barriers to owning their own books, like this child, despite the fact that research clearly shows a link between book ownership and reading achievement. That’s why free, choice-based book distribution programs like ours are essential to serving the literacy needs of West Virginia students. Children need access to books they’re interested in if they are to build their reading skills independently and become lifelong learners.
Students at four schools received some new, special books to enjoy over the summer while they are away from the classroom.
This year, Read Aloud West Virginia offered its Summer Book Binge to schools in Greenbrier, Jackson, and Kanawha counties. The program is based on a Tennessee study showing that giving children about half a dozen freely chosen, high-interest books prevents summer learning loss better than summer school.
A Crichton Elementary student receives his “Binge on Books” tote bag filled with books to read over the summer.
In Greenbrier County, Crichton Elementary students from preschool through fifth grade browsed a sample set of books this spring. Teachers were encouraged to help students find books they would enjoy. Students were able to hold and examine the books before filling out their order forms.
Students received their books at a Memorial Day assembly after a ceremony to honor students’ accomplishments and local veterans.
“It was a moving and reverent ceremony recognizing veterans in the Quinwood community,” said Read Aloud Executive Director Dawn Miller. “The parents’ and grandparents’ presence really shows students that the time they spend reading is important and valued. And it is always good for adults to be reminded what an important influence they are.”
Students walked up one at a time and received a blue Read Aloud tote bag containing their specially chosen books, each plated with the child’s name, an important feature of the project stressing book ownership.
The process was repeated in other schools. In Jackson County that same week, the Jackson County Community Foundation, which funded the project, dressed the Gilmore Elementary School assembly room with festive beach accessories, highlighting the fun, buoyant atmosphere of summer reading.
Jackson County Community Foundation Executive Director Misty Hamon put together a colorful balloon arch for students to walk through as their names were called to receive their personalized Read Aloud book bags.
About 150 third- through fifth-graders at Gilmore and Cottageville Elementary, like their peers in the other counties, browsed sample books ahead of time and chose six books they wanted for the summer, then walked up one at a time to receive their special order.
“We’ve had so much support from the Community Foundation,” said Read Aloud of Jackson County Chapter President Janet McCauley.
“The Foundation really made this book distribution into a special event for these kids,” Miller added, “exactly the message kids need to get from the adults around them.”
A festive balloon arch and beach-themed decorations courtesy of the Jackson Community Foundation for the Book Binge assembly at Gilmore Elementary.
“‘I got all the books I wanted!’” McCauley recalled hearing more than one student say. “The kids were so excited and pleased to get their books. It was so, so personalized for them. If they choose their own books, they’re more likely to read them.”
The summer reading fun didn’t stop there, however.
“The state office [Read Aloud West Virginia] are very frugal and are able to order some of their books from their distributors for cheaper than they expected, and get extra copies,” McCauley shared. In this instance, that frugality led to “leftovers,” or extra copies that McCauley was able to present at other schools throughout Jackson County.
“All of the leftover books have been distributed in the county,” McCauley said. “I guess you could call it a book tasting or a mini book binge.”
McCauley distributed the leftover copies at elementary schools in Fairplain, Evans, Kenna, and Ripley. Students were able to pick three books of their own.
“Read Aloud is so good at stretching their money, and other students were able to benefit from the leftovers,” McCauley said.
At Chesapeake Elementary School in Kanawha County, preschoolers through fifth grade followed a similar process, thanks to a grant from the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. At an assembly at the end of the school year, students applauded each child as their name was called to receive their books. That distribution is part of a larger project with Chesapeake that will include another book give away in the fall.
By preventing summer learning loss, Read Aloud helps students to succeed in school and throughout life. Researchers have documented that children who are not exposed to enjoyable books and other summer learning opportunities will lose reading skill during the summer. They gain again when they go back to school, but over time these losses accumulate, so that by 12th grade, children can be a year or more behind their peers and their potential in reading skill, which affects everything else – including school and job prospects.
Giving children books that they are motivated to read during the summer prevents this summer learning loss. As children spend time with books, they practice skills they learned in school. They also build vocabulary and background knowledge, an important ingredient in reading comprehension at any age. They also discover that they enjoy it.
Read Aloud’s first Summer Book Binge was held at Crichton Elementary School in 2016, and within two years, reading scores there rose noticeably, exactly as the Tennessee research predicted.
Read Aloud West Virginia will be looking for opportunities to introduce the Summer Book Binge into other schools across the state in the coming year.
Kristen LeFevers is a graduate of Marshall University and lives in Huntington.
We are big proponents of letting children read whatever interests them, including comic books and graphic novels. But some may be surprised to learn that comics, despite having fewer words, can have just as great an impact on vocabulary growth! Research from the University of Oregon found that comic books averaged 53.5 rare or complex words per 1,000. This exceeds the rare word average for children’s books at 30.9 and even for adult books at 52.7.
The following titles would be great options to offer a child or teen in your life:
Thea Stilton Graphic Novels #1: The Secret of Whale Island
written by Elisabetta Dami, illustrated by Rafaella Seccia and Christina Giorgilli ages 7 and up
It’s the start of the new school year, and the five Thea sisters have arrived at Ratford College. Every year at this time, the whales move off the coast of Whale Island, but this time, a savage killer whale threatens the peace.
Series recommended by Marion Tanner, Fayette County
Coraline: The Graphic Novel
written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by P. Craig Russell ages 8 and up
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.
Recommended by Becca Revercomb, Kanawha County
The Last Kids on Earth
written by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate ages 8 and up
Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he’s armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack’s loyal pet monster, Rover; and the fiercest girl Jack knows, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer!
Recommended by Blake Kemlock, Age 8, Fayette County
Sanity & Tallulah
written and illustrated by Molly Brooks ages 8 and up
It can get pretty dull living on a small, out-of-the-way station like Wilnick SS. Best Friends Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega do their best to relieve the monotony of every day space life by finding adventures, solving mysteries, and taking turns getting each other into and out of trouble. But when Sanity’s latest science project-an extremely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten-escapes from the lab and starts causing havoc, the girls will have to turn the station upside down to find her-before the damage becomes irreversible!
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel
written by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Studio ages 8 and up
George Calder must be the luckiest kid alive – he and his little sister, Phoebe, are sailing with their aunt on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built! George can’t resist exploring every inch of the incredible boat, even if it gets him into trouble. But one night while George is off exploring, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Soon the impossible is happening: The Titanic is sinking.
Bad Kitty Gets a Phone (Graphic Novel)
written and illustrated by Nick Bruel ages 7 and up
Kitty has everything any cat could want–a warm bed, plenty of fresh litter, a machine that dispenses food whenever she wants! But Kitty isn’t satisfied. She has her eye on something that will make her the happiest, most grateful cat in town. Something all the other cats have but that her owners refuse to get her! Something she desperately needs!
Kitty wants…a cell phone. And she can have one if she does all her chores with zero complaints. But can she handle the responsibility?
Series recommended by Peyton Ice, Age 12, Marion County
Girl on Fire
written by Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner, illustrated by Brittney Williams ages 14 and up
Lolo Wright always thought she was just a regular fourteen-year-old dealing with regular family drama: her brother, James, is struggling with his studies; her dad’s business constantly teeters on the edge of trouble; and her mother . . . she left long ago. But then Lolo’s world explodes when a cop pulls a gun on James in a dangerous case of mistaken identities. Staring down the barrel, with no one else to help, Lolo discovers powers she never knew she had. Using only her mind, she literally throws the cop out of the way. Problem is that secrets like Lolo’s don’t stay a secret for long.
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American
written and illustrated by Laura Gao ages 14 and up
After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars—at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name.
In Messy Roots, Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi ages 13 and up
Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s best-selling graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.
Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal
written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona ages 13 and up
Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York!
Sixth graders filed into their first-period English class in East Bank Middle School’s library one morning near the end of the school year.
“I’m your barista today!” called Renita Cook, a reading specialist with Kanawha County Schools. “Coffee or hot chocolate?”
At first hesitantly, and then eagerly, students balanced cups of decaf or cocoa and maneuvered to one of the many high-top tables stacked with Descendants novels, Julius Lester, Rick Riordan, and other volumes.
Cook and fellow Kanawha County English Language Arts Specialist Amy Thompson had put together a special cafe-themed book tasting for students, an opportunity to browse books, sample excerpts, and swap recommendations in a relaxed atmosphere.
They called it Starbooks.
The Starbooks Café at East Bank Middle School’s book tasting.
Thompson reached out to Read Aloud West Virginia a couple months earlier about hosting a book tasting at East Bank Middle after hearing about a colleague who had held a virtual book tasting with Read Aloud Executive Director Dawn Miller.
Like many schools, East Bank is dealing with a shortage of teachers and substitutes. Vacancies are difficult to fill. Teachers are teaching outside their areas of expertise. Recent years have been especially stressful, for both faculty and students.
Thompson and Cook chose to play on coffee chain Starbucks to create an environment of literacy and good reading habits. When forming their own habits, developing readers need good models to look up to.
“We were looking to lifelong readers for examples – how do they behave and interact with other readers? We wanted to make reading fun,” said Miller. “We knew we wanted a recreational atmosphere for them.”
“Amy took this idea and called it ‘Starbooks,’ and made hot chocolate and decaf coffee for the students.”
She and Cook covered the tables and added centerpieces and placemats. Black bulletin board paper became a chalkboard menu sign, tempting students with different “flavors” – mystery, biography, non-fiction, and realistic fiction.
A local Starbucks donated cups and supplies. A “Starbooks Cafe” banner hung from the ceiling.
Read Aloud supplied the books, a wide selection casually spread around the tables for students to browse.
“The kids loved it,” said Thompson. “The event helped us to model lifelong behaviors [of good readers]. It was something practical we could do.”
Miller and Thompson each did a couple book talks for the four English classes that rotated in throughout the morning. The rest of the class period, adults and students mingled and chatted about what they had read, and what they were interested in reading.
“We know that students who read for pleasure over the summer prevent summer learning loss,” Miller said. “They can even gain skill. We also know that lifelong readers make plans about what they are reading next. They also share what they are reading with friends. We saw students do that at the book tasting.”
At first, the event was more structured to prevent behavior problems. But as the morning went by and it became clear that students would engage with the books, Thompson said, they let students move about as they wished, as readers do in an actual bookstore or coffee shop.
“They became more relaxed, and conversations became more natural,” Thompson said. “It worked out so nicely.”
“Students were so appreciative,” Miller added. “It was lovely. I had conversations with students about books, careers, and college plans. A couple students even commented on their own behavior. They seemed surprised that their classmates were so well behaved.”
By the end of class, each student was able to choose two books to take home.
“I look forward to doing it again,” said Thompson. “I’m really grateful for our partnership with Read Aloud and what they do for our schools and teachers and students.”
Kristen LeFevers is a graduate of Marshall University and lives in Huntington, West Virginia.
by Dr. Mary Boyd, Randolph County Chapter President
Since 2018, Read Aloud Randolph County has been putting brand new books in backpacks for children who qualify for the food program that works out of First United Methodist Church in Elkins. Kids get the backpacks once a week, and the books are put in the backpacks once a month.
Mary Boyd sorting books in May 2022 at First United Methodist Church.
We started this program back in 2018 when I went to a Read Aloud West Virginia conference where many ideas are shared by other counties. Jackson County has a very active Read Aloud program, and they had been putting books in backpacks. I brought the idea back to our board, and it just seemed to resonate with the other folks on the board, so we started looking for ways to pay for it.
With lots of help from Read Aloud West Virginia, we got grants from both the Tucker Community Foundation and the Snowshoe Foundation to get us started. The state people thought getting grants locally was a good idea, and it worked. The money helped us get brand new books with nameplates, so the kids can take ownership of the books. Also, the kids get to choose the books, so they can get what they are interested in.
The program was put on hold in 2020, but in late 2021, the church started the food program back again, so the kids got books in February, March, April, and May of 2022. Since the county chapter did not apply for grants while the program was on hold, Read Aloud West Virginia provided the books from their stock made possible by community contributions and support. Participating schools have been Jennings Randolph, Midland, North, Third Ward, Elkins Middle and High School, Coalton, George Ward, Tygarts Valley, and Harman.
Randolph volunteer Judie Smith’s vehicle filled with books that she transported from Charleston.
Read Aloud West Virginia started in Kanawha County in 1986 with the mission of motivating children to read for fun, helping them become better readers. For many years, the organization was led by Mary Kay Bond as Executive Director. Currently, it operates in 46 counties, with 29 local volunteer chapters. The state Read Aloud office is based in Charleston, where current Executive Director Dawn Miller and other Read Aloud staff make possible projects like this one across the state.
Read Aloud WV did not shut down during the pandemic – it evolved to continue serving students! Over 26,800 books were given out in 2021, a new organizational record for annual book distribution. Read Aloud is on track to break 100,000 books given by the end of 2022, and the Randolph County backpack program will be part of that achievement.
“We hope we can continue with this wonderful program. We love putting books into the hands of kids and ideas into their heads,” says Dr. Boyd.
Selections by Shanté Ellis, Racial Equity & Inclusion Director of YWCA Charleston
Read Aloud and the YWCA of Charleston partnered to bring you another 10 to Try full of books to help you celebrate and educate this February, Black History Month! Titles in orange are the YWCA’s top picks.
I Am Enough
by Grace Byers | Ages 4-8
The perfect picture book for our times: a lyrical ode to self-confidence and kindness, for girls from every background and every color.
Flying Lessons & Other Stories
edited by Ellen Oh | Ages 8 and up
Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold short story collection celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.
The Colors of Us
by Karen Katz | Ages 4-8
Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.
All the Colors of the Earth
by Sheila Hamanaka | Ages 4-8
All the Colors of the Earth describes children’s skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors: A celebration of diversity.
Martin’s Big Words
written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier | Ages 6 and up
This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words.
I Can Do It Too!
written by Karen Baicker, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max | Ages 2-4
This heartwarming story reminds us how satisfying it is to grow up surrounded by love. I Can Do It Too! Affirms a little girl’s growing independence as she, too, can begin to do all the things she sees her parents, relatives and neighbors do.
Please, Baby, Please
written by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson | Ages 2-5
This book presents a behind-the-scenes look at toddlerhood from the sandbox to a high chair to a crib, and families everywhere will delight in sharing these exuberant moments again and again.
The Undefeated
written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson | Ages 6-9
The Undefeated highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes.
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem
written by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long | Ages 4 and up
A young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey. They learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves.
The ABC’s of Black History
written by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer | Ages 5 and up
A beautiful alphabet picture book that presents key names, moments, and places in Black history with text lyrically written with passion, beauty, flow, and style. A celebration of Black history and culture in lively verse, matched with illustrations that are each like a folk painting.
We converted our usual in-person spring fundraising event Read-A-Palooza to a COVID-safe poster to both raise money and serve the mission. The Read Around West Virginia poster features books set in or written by authors from the Mountain State alongside our 31 sponsors, listed below. A celebration of West Virginia literacy, culture, and art, the poster was hand-drawn by Charleston-based artist Brenda Pinnell of HepCatz Design.
Posters will be shared with enrolled schools and community partners this winter onward. They will be sold in Charleston’s Taylor Books and Lewisburg’s A New Chapter, as well as other potential vendors.
Email stateoffice@readaloudwv.org if you’re interested in offering Read Around WV posters in your business.
This Ten to Try includes a sample of children’s books featured in the poster, and why we think they’re great.
The Star Fisher
by Laurence Yep | Ages 8 and up
Set in Clarksburg in 1927, fifteen-year-old Chinese-American protagonist Joan Lee, shares an emotionally complex story of prejudice and the immigrant experience in Appalachia, weaving a traditional Chinese myth about the half-bird, half-human starfisher throughout.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Put Astronauts on the Moon
Written by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk | Ages 5 and up
The true story of Katherine Johnson, a Black mathematician and White Sulphur Springs native, and how she went from a curious, gifted student to a prominent contributor to the NASA space race, saving lives and making history with her calculations.
Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story
Written by Anna Egan Smucker, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly | Ages 4 and up
The true story of how a Clay County farmer – Anderson Mullins – discovers a tree of Golden Delicious apples on his farm and collaborates with the Missouri-based Stark brothers to make them a staple of the apple world.
Mothman Learns the ABCs
Written by Michael Schang, illustrated by Danner Seyffer-Sprague | Ages 0 and up
An ABC book starring West Virginia’s most famous cryptid, Mothman, who travels the Mountain State on a quest for knowledge.
More Than Anything Else
Written by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet | Ages 8 and up
A fictional account of nine-year-old Booker T. Washington living in a West Virginia settlement after emancipation, working in the salt works, and longing to learn to read.
The Boys Start the War
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor | Ages 8 and up
A prank war between the four Hatford boys and the three Malloy girls is started when the Hatfords attempt to antagonize their unwanted new neighbors into leaving West Virginia and returning to Ohio.
Passing the Music Down
Written by Sarah Sullivan, illustrated by Barry Root | Ages 5 and up
A tale told in lyrical free verse and inspired by the lives of renowned fiddlers Melvin Wine and Jake Krack, this book follows a young boy who learns from an old-time fiddle player, joining a tradition of passing the music down.
Up Molasses Mountain
By Julie Baker | Ages 10 and up
Set in Clay, WV in 1953, two young narrators tell the story of a divided mining town. Elizabeth, whose father and brother are opposed on unionization, and her classmate Clarence, who is shunned for his cleft-palate, face turmoil and heartache together, weaving a narrative of empowering friendship amongst adversity.
The Relatives Came
Written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell | Ages 2 and up
In a time when big family get-togethers are much rarer than they used to be, who wouldn’t enjoy this sunny story about a long and boisterous visit from the relatives?
Venola the Vegetarian
By Cheryl Ware | Ages 8 and up
Seventh grader Venola Cutright isn’t afraid of a challenge. In a world where hotdog eating contests are the norm, she decides to become a vegetarian, attempting to convert her family, friends, and the unsmiling cafeteria lady along the way.
Reading has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was a child. When I found out that I was pregnant with my first baby, I went to the book store and purchased The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, along with several other stacks of children’s books. I dreamed of reading to my kids and watching their imaginations run wild. I dreamed that my children would love reading just as much as I do. Imagine my surprise when that wasn’t the case with my second son.
My first son took to books like a fish to water. My second son taught himself to read at age four and was addicted to being read stories. By the time he was five and a half, he refused to read. I bought different styles of books to try to tempt him. Countless bribes and different approaches later – nothing. I couldn’t figure him out! We were both frustrated, and I was running out of ideas to engage him.
I stumbled across Read Aloud West Virginia’s Read Aloud Families and I was cautiously optimistic. I knew my oldest and youngest children would adore it. What would my middle son think? I knew he was a going to be a good reader, but the problem was how to motivate him to care.
Solo: A Star Wars Story – Train Heist, the book that unlocked independent reading enthusiasm for Jackie Britton’s middle child, who participated in Read Aloud Families, a special distribution effort launched during the COVID shutdown.
The first order form came, and all three of my children were excited. They picked their books, and my middle child shocked me. He picked a Star Wars book. He has never seen the movies or shown any interest in Star Wars at all. I was so skeptical. I asked if he was certain he wanted that one and read a few other book descriptions to him.
No. He was positive he wanted that one.
The day the first shipment arrived, the three kids crowded around me and squealed over their new books. My oldest ran off to begin his, and I read my youngest child’s book to her and my middle son. Afterward, I watched what he would do with his new book. He curled up in a chair and began flipping through the pages.
After a little while, he started from the beginning and began to read quietly. I joined him and we took turns reading pages and continued to do the same with those first few book deliveries. Soon he was able to read them all on his own.
Every time there was a Star Wars book on the form, he would choose it. He began to choose other genres I would have never expected. The variety of the books on the order form was wonderful. He always found something to look forward to and having good experiences with these books has changed his attitude about new story lines.
Read Aloud West Virginia helped me find the key to turn my son from the most reluctant reader into an enthusiast. Now he is engaged during Book Tastings and can’t wait for library day at school. I am so grateful!
