by Janell W. Agyeman, Board member and Chair of the Purel Miller African American Book Collection and Reading Challenge

The 5th annual Reading Challenge event, co-sponsored by ODWC’s Purel Miller African American Book Collection (PMAABC) and the Nantahala Regional Library ended on February 28, the last day of African American History Month. l read all 88 reviews from the 29 children who participated. My eyes were tired, but my heart was full! What a delight it was to read the responses from our children! By turns disapproving or enthusiastic, each one revealed young minds honestly evaluating the stories and information they had encountered. 

Sure, some of the children did not like some of the titles they chose to read, and they made this clear through their favorite one-word response,“Boring!” But most enjoyed their selections. When they wrote a rave review, they said things like, “I would definitely recommend the book to my friends.” Spelling was often creative and penmanship frequently challenging to decipher, but the children provided unfiltered answers to our review questions. 

Our young readers enthusiastically praised adventures and mystery books like “The Shadows of Caesar’s Creek” and “The Secret Library.”  Biographies of freedom fighters such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth were popular. Famous athletes like basketball great Stephen Curry and gymnast Simone Biles also won top marks. The reviews included poetry books, books about musicians, cowboys, scientists, actors, and a librarian. They even read about kids who led civil rights marches or discovered new ways to recycle plastic. What’s most important is that our Reading Challenge entrants allowed themselves to explore and learn something new while practicing their reading and writing. I’m proud of these kids! 

On Thursday, March 13, at 4:30 pm in the Andrews Public Library, we presented each child with their certificates, monetary awards, some pomp, circumstance, and light refreshments. Our young readers earned a $5 incentive for each book read and reviewed. One Dozen Who Care, Inc., will award a total of $440 this year, our largest amount yet. Warm thanks go to Bridget Wilson, Youth Services Director for the Nantahala Regional Library (NRL) and the staff at all NRL branches for their steadfast support!