STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106
M. Jodi Rell Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2010
Contact: 860-524-7313
Governor Rell: 375th Anniversary Focus
Of 2010 Summer Reading Challenge
21 Schools Honored at Kickoff Today
Governor M. Jodi Rell kicked off the 2010 Governors Summer Reading Challenge at the State Library during a ceremony that honored the 21 schools that excelled in last year’s reading challenge.
In honor of the state’s 375th Anniversary this year, the Governor said the 2010 challenge encourages students to read at least one book by a Connecticut author or a book set in Connecticut.
“That means you can spend the summer with Mark Twain or Harriet Beecher Stowe,” the Governor said. “Young readers can also explore the great outdoors in great detail with one of several books by award-winning naturalist Edwin Way Teale or enjoy a number of children’s books set in our state. There are so many choices and fortunately, you have the entire summer to enjoy them.”
The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge began in 1996 and since then it is estimated that Connecticut students have read more than 7 ˝ million books.
The Governor was by joined State Education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan and State Librarian Kendall F. Wiggin to recognize and honored the 21 top performing schools in the 2009 Summer Reading Challenge. (List of schools is attached).
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All students who participate in the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge have an opportunity to win $1,000 toward a college savings account through a special promotion, “Dive into Savings for College” sponsored by the State Library, the State Treasurer, Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) and TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI). Details are available at local libraries.
State Library’s list of some Connecticut-based children’s books include:
Connecticut Low by Bruce Boehm, A 14 year-old boy proves himself by his heroic action during a great flood in the Connecticut River
Books by James Lincoln Collier (in collaboration with Christopher Collier, former state historian), including My Brother Sam is Deadis set in a Connecticut farm in the 1770’s and recounts the tragedy that strikes the Meeker family during the Revolutionary War and War Comes to Willy Freeman, the story of a free 13-year-old black girl in Connecticut who gets caught up in the Revolutionary War.
26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie De Paola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la), CT born children’s author-illustrator describes growing up in Meriden.
Matty’s War by Caroll Thomas tells the story of two cousins from Simsbury who share their experiences during the Civil War through letters as one disguises herself as a boy and goes to fight in Virginia.
The Fresh Air Kid, by Bridette Roux-Lough, tells the story of a street-smart teenager from the Bronx who spends the summer in suburban CT.
Junebug, by Alice Mead tells the story of a 10 year old boy growing up in a rough housing project in New Haven.
Free Souls, by Mary Dahl, is a fictional account of the Amistad.
