Library Celebrates a Love of Reading with Readapalooza
Visit the library and check out the Readapalooza display. This year’s event features 11 books from a wide variety of genres.
March 21, 2022
On April 21st, GCHS will experience another first when the library hosts its reading event called Readapalooza. This is an event that hasn’t been held at Great Crossing since it opened two years ago due to the start of the pandemic, and it will continue to be an annual tradition.
GCHS librarian Lauren Feeback described Readapalooza. “It is an after-school book club event. We will have eleven different small group clubs, maybe even more. There’s a group leader, who will be a teacher, and you just read the book for fun and come to talk about it. There will be lots of food, and it’s just a fun time to come out and hang out to talk about books.” I want to see people come who like reading for fun and having conversations for fun. There is not a school aspect tied to it, they’re not doing this to get a certain grade. You’re just doing it because reading is fun. — Lauren Feeback
This year’s book list choices include: American Royals, Boy 21, The Cousins, Dear Justyce, Five Feet Apart, Ground Hero, Just Mercy, Ready Player One, Shadow and Bone, The Testing, and Where the Crawdad Sings. These books are displayed in the library for students to review, book trailers for each choice are also played there every day.
If students are worried about not being able to find a book from the list that they might like, they shouldn’t. The book choices offered cover multiple genres. “There are two mysteries, one fantasy, a historical fiction, two science fiction, two realistic fiction, a romance, a sport, and then nonfiction as well,” stated Feeback. “We have so many different genres and varieties. We got something that you might like.”
Feeback hopes the event highlights that reading is enjoyable. “I want to see people come who like reading for fun and having conversations for fun. There is not a school aspect tied to it, they’re not doing this to get a certain grade. You’re just doing it because reading is fun,” she explained.
Student Caroline Richardson, sophomore, plans to attend Readapalooza. “I’m reading the Shadow and Bone book. It’s a fantasy universe, and the people wield certain abilities. It has an interesting cast system that I thought would be pretty cool. I just wanted to read the book, so I decided that I wanted to go, because I like book clubs.”
Carlos Nazario-Goodwin, a junior, stated, “I like books. I read stories that specifically have a mysterious plot twist. I’m going to read The Cousins, which is about a family who all kinda know each other but really don’t know each other, because they keep secrets from each other.”
Readapalooza allows students with similar interests to have time together to discuss a book, and many students enjoy this experience. Richardson explained, “I’m pretty excited about meeting with people who have read the book, because I don’t really know many people who like to read at school or read the same books I have. I’m just really excited to talk to a person who has an opinion on it.”
Goodwin stated, “I am definitely hoping to hear a lot of conversations about the books. I’ve read like half of them, and I want to see what people think about them, because books are fun and people give them less credit than they deserve.”
There is still time to participate in Readapalooza. Students can select a book from the library and sign-up to participate. Readapalooza begins at 4:00 pm on April 21st. If there are any questions you can ask Mrs. Feeback in the library. The event will be open for anybody who wishes to join, there will be snacks there for everyone to enjoy.
Joy Lusby • Mar 22, 2022 at 1:50 pm
I love that we have such a passionate library staff at GCHS! Readapalooza is one of the many reasons our library is such a wonderful place to be! Ana, great work on this article!
Ambria Roberts • Mar 22, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Great job with this article! Well-written and informative. I am more excited than ever about this event. In fact, I’m heading to the library now to check out one of the books. I hope to see many colleagues and students at Readapolooza!
Jennifer Beckett • Mar 22, 2022 at 9:29 am
Great article, Ana! Thank you for your hard work.
Lauren Feeback • Mar 22, 2022 at 9:24 am
Great job, Ana! Thank you so much for spotlighting Readapalooza. I really hope you can join us on April 21!
Kristy Johnson • Mar 22, 2022 at 8:57 am
I love that Readapalooza is all about reading for fun with other people who are like minded. Great article!!
Ashlie Schmidt • Mar 22, 2022 at 8:11 am
Great job, Ana! This was a very well-written article about a fantastic event! Thank you for sharing!
Annette Manlief • Mar 22, 2022 at 7:59 am
I love Readapalooza and can’t wait to have our first one at GCHS. Thanks so much for highlighting this awesome event!