While there, a student of mine greeted me. Before I had finished saying how are you, they quickly proclaimed, “Oh my gosh, Ms. Patenaude, ‘Divine Rivals’ is so good!” I immediately agreed, and our conversation progressed around the book. For those who need a fantasy book recommendation, we were talking about “Divine Rivals” by Rebecca Ross. It is a duology, and it is one of my favorite books of 2024.

This interaction happens often for a school librarian. Most students who talk to me will tell me about their latest read or recommend a book to me or just ask what book I’m reading. It is always a joyful conversation, not just to know that my students are reading, but the connections that are being made for those students who do read.

Connecting with stories, with each other and with the world is what drives the Summer Reading Celebration at Lake Placid Middle/High School, where I work. I’ve been helping with the program for six years now, and the evolution of it has been shaped by the main goal: connecting students and teachers through reading.

All students in grades 5 through 11 (around 300 students) receive a book of their choice to take home for the summer. This might have changed a bit in previous years, but this year, we had a “book fair” in the library for students to browse. I had students talking to each other about what books they would choose, excitedly pointing out books they have read, and (perhaps the most heartbreaking for a librarian to see) lamenting the fact that they could only choose one book. Connections were made those two days, allowing students to share their interests and excitement with peers and teachers.

This fall, after a few weeks back, we will celebrate our reading journeys from the summer. Book clubs have been formed, however, not based on having read the same book, but by genre and formats. Every teacher has chosen their preferred group to lead. One of the goals, again, is to connect people through reading, so teachers are given prompts and activities for their groups. I know one teacher who will use drivable robots to connect with their story. Another has students draw a memorable scene. I like to have students “Tweet” at the author their thoughts on the story in less than 180 characters, emojis encouraged.

Through these connections, we are hoping to provide a positive, fun culture that encourages reading. The data does state that reading during the summer has students come to school more prepared academically and enhances vocabulary significantly in children versus those who do not read in the summer. But also, I just want to show my students that reading is a part of building our happiness and wellness, not just our brains. It builds our sense of self, how we fit in the world and connects us to each other.

Part of what I love about being a librarian is how often everyone around me is sharing what they’ve read and the impact it had on them. The Summer Reading Celebration gives everyone at school a chance to know that feeling.

It takes a community to build connections, and this program would not be possible without the help of the Educational Opportunity Fund of the Lake Placid Central School District. They’ve provided the funds not just for the middle/high school summer reading purchases but also the elementary school’s summer reading program that is affectionately known as “Book Shopping Day.” They’ve watched the growth of this program, provide feedback and are aware of the importance of reading. This school community is lucky to have such a group to provide opportunities, not just for educational growth but for lifelong connections formed with each other.

(Kaitlin Patenaude is the librarian at the Lake Placid Middle/High School.)