What is Best Books Jr?
Best Books Jr. is an optional reading incentive program run through the Upland Terrace Library. It is adapted from the Granite District Best Books program for grades 3-6. Rather than having a specific reading list, students in the Junior program get to read books of their own choosing in 10 different categories. Students can then earn a lanyard and buttons as they complete the categories. With all the complications of Covid, we got a slow start. But we’re excited to offer this program the last half of the ’20-’21 school year!
How does it work?
Best Books Jr. encourages students to read at their own pace at home and record their progress on a reading log. Students can count a book read independently, one read with parents, an audiobook, or one read by the teacher or volunteer at school. For this program, there will not be a specific number of pages or time required, but if your child is reading chapter books, you could encourage them to read one per category. Any book completed, if it fits the category, is acceptable. We will not police books, but rather leave that up to the parents’ judgement. Just make sure you only count each book once – don’t use the same book for different categories. When a student has read 3 books from any category, a parent/guardian signs the reading log and students bring it to school the last week of the month (Feb, March, April, mid-May). (We will send out reminders!) Students will then be rewarded for their progress during class library time.
10 Categories
Are there any Prizes?
Students will earn a sticker that looks just like the button for any of the categories they complete. They can wear the sticker and know they have earned the button. When they are half-way through the program and have completed 5 categories (15 books), they will get a scented bookmark and a pencil. If they complete all 10 categories (30 books), they will receive their lanyard with all their buttons and get to choose a new scholastic book to keep. At the end of the year, students will receive their lanyard and buttons, no matter how many buttons they have earned.
