MONTAGUE — Hillcrest Elementary School’s Diverse Book Lending Library routinely provides families with diverse books to enjoy at home, educating students about other perspectives.
But on Friday, the books were shared by guest readers, who were invited to the school for the fifth annual Read Across Hillcrest event, held in conjunction with Read Across America week. Families listened to the special guests read stories aloud, worked on craft projects and took additional books home for future reading.
According to Krista Matrishon, a first-grade teacher who helped organize Read Across Hillcrest, the books read by guest readers — most of whom were also parents of students — were part of the elementary school’s Diverse Book Collection. Principal Sarah Burnstein said the interest in getting “diverse” books began a couple of years ago, when she and other faculty members began to notice that some of the books they were reading “weren’t reflective of the entire community.”
“We really focused on diverse books for representation,” said Julie Nolet, a parent and member of Friends of Hillcrest. “Kids who see themselves in books become more enthusiastic readers.”
The Diverse Book Collections includes books that act as “mirrors,” reflecting the values of Hillcrest’s students. The books also act as “windows,” teaching students to develop empathy for others.
“Sometimes students see themselves in a book, sometimes they see a friend,” Burnstein explained.
Many of the books also meet “Social Justice Standards” that guide students and faculty in affirming identities, celebrating diversity, teaching justice and inspiring action among students.
For example, “The Youngest Marcher” tells the story of 9-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963. The book shows students they are never too little to make a difference.
On Friday, students and families enjoyed pizza, courtesy of Letourneau Plumbing. They then broke into four separate groups with the guest readers.
Greenfield firefighter Brian Godin read “The Big Umbrella” by Amy June Bates. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Shannon Guilbault read “A Hat for Mrs. Goldman” by Michelle Edwards. Montague Police Sgt. James Deery read “Pink is for Boys,” by Robb Pearlman. Leverett Police Chief Scott Minkler read “We Don’t Eat Our Classmates,” by Ryan T. Higgins.
Most of the community readers are also parents of students at the school. Guilbault said her daughter, Brenna, is in first grade. Deery said he had been a guest reader once before, when his oldest child was in first grade. Now, his son, Rowan, is in first grade, so he volunteered again.
“I look forward to these things,” Deery said.
After the books were read, students worked on activities related to each story. In Godin’s room, students cut out and decorated their own 2-D paper umbrellas. Students in Deery’s room colored and designed their own T-shirts on a sheet of paper. Participants in Guilbault’s room decorated paper hats with colored pencils and pom poms.
Once students were done with their crafts, they gathered in the lobby for the “book shopping” exhibit. Tables were covered with countless books and students searched through the piles, choosing new books from their favorite series, or books that had their favorite animals on the cover. The free books were all collected as part of a book drive leading up to Friday’s Read Across Hillcrest event. Some used books were donated by Amherst Books.
Second-grader Lylah Brocklesby said she was looking for a “funny” book and chose “Ribbit!” The book is about animals and the noises they make. She also selected a book in “The Magic School Bus” series.
Parent Kimberly Pouliot was there with her two children, kindergartner Xavier and fourth-grader Scarlett. Xavier, who read for 475 minutes during the two-week read-a-thon earlier this year, picked a book from the Maisy Mouse book series.
Shannon Martineau was attending with her son, kindergartner Owen, who held a copy of “Animal Action ABC” by Karen Pandel. He said he was drawn to the book because he likes animals. Additionally, the cheetah, which is featured on the cover, is his favorite animal.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Montague Police Sgt. James Deery’s son, 6-year-old Rowan Deery.