You may wonder why, on some Tuesdays, around 100 students turn out to be waiting at the front doors of Fruita Middle School before 7 a.m. The cause of this phenomena is called reading. Yes, these students are turning up early so they can get a ticket to enter the library.

The library, by 7:15 a.m. is pretty much filled with these guys and gals, seated and ready for the book reviews prepared by two teachers. This event is called Book-a-palooza. This was the brain child of Lindsay Redd, FMS seventh grade social studies and reading teacher After Redd attended the CCIRA (Colorado Council of International Reading Association last February
in Denver.

Redd started the reading idea in March of 2008, following in the months of April and May.

The first Book-a-Palooza was mainly attended by the student council. In April word got out thanks to teachers. It really helped when students found out donuts and juice were provided free as a compliment to the book reviews.The second event was attended by 60 students in April and over 100 students in May.

According to Barb Kidder, Librarian, this has encouraged students to come in and get on waiting lists to read the books review. Got kids to read what they check out…the books reviewed or books similar to. Has drummed up interest. Barb Kidder picks out books

60 students in April and over 100 students in May.

According to Barb Kidder, Librarian, this has encouraged students to come in and get on waiting lists to read the books review. Got kids to read what they check out…the books reviewed or books similar to. Has drummed up interest. Barb Kidder picks out books the books reviewed. The program gets students to read what they check out, including the books reviewed or books similar to them. It has drummed up interest in reading.

Book-a-palooza happens every first Friday of the month. four student’s names are drawn to receive a brand new copy of the books reviewed.

Times photos by Vera Mulder.

A sweet break for Allie, pink, Kelsy, Mariah, Anaka and Amanda	New copies of the books reviewed are the prizes, a good incentive for reading.	Palooza winners: Austin Buller, Dylan Bond, Sarah Gray and Jo Annaway.
The group listens.	Nancy Meier gives a review on the book Dairy Queen.	Lindsay Redd opens the Book-a-Palooza book review for October.