BLOGS > AUGUST 27, 2020
BY CARRIE FRIDAY
In my school district we are offering in-person (brick and mortar) learning and eLearning at the same time, with in-person students and eLearners in the same class at the same time. It’s really making us rethink how we approach everything. One thing we know for sure that is going to work is our schoolwide 20 Book Challenge.
For the past four years we have run a schoolwide reading challenge, and it’s had a tremendous impact on our entire school. We challenge all our students, staff members, families and community members to read 20 different books from 20 different categories (example: a state award book, a graphic novel, a book recommended by a friend, etc.). While this idea was inspired by Donalyn Miller’s 40 Book Challenge, it is not the same as her initial intention. Once they’ve read the book, they jump over into Google Classroom and use a Google Form to log their book by responding to a prompt that makes them think about the story and then write a response. As the librarian for our school, I manage the program and read their responses and then give them credit for the book; or I send feedback on how to revise their response to demonstrate that they actually read the book.
The great thing about our program is that it’s already pretty digital anyway (other than students checking out print books), which makes it ideal for eLearning. As participants log their books in Google Classroom, I’m able to easily maintain everyone’s progress. Since we’ve been using this program for a few years to great success, it’s familiar to our patrons, easily adapts to our hybrid learning model for fall 2020 and continues to illustrate some great literacy growth.
Recently I had the opportunity to share our program through a webinar, “A Culture of Literacy: How the 20 Book Challenge Revolutionized Our School.” You can listen to the presentation on-demand if the book challenge sounds like something that might help your school promote literacy and the love of reading. I encourage you to check it out. If you have follow-up questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help in any way possible.
Carrie Friday
Media Specialist
Southwest Middle School
Palm Bay, Florida
Carrie Friday is the Media Specialist at Southwest Middle School in Palm Bay, Florida, and a 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year Finalist for Brevard Public Schools. She isn't afraid to take risks and will do just about anything to encourage the love of literacy in students and teachers. She is one of the co-founders of the #swms20bookchallenge and a total YA author fangirl. She is a chapter leader of her school’s Project Lit Community chapter, a committee member for the Florida SSYRA 6-8 selection committee and on the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) nominations committee. She believes in innovation, collaboration and the power of really good books. You can connect with her through email at friday.carrie@brevardschools.org or on Twitter @CarrieFriday. You can also follow along with her adventures in the Media Center at alwaysfridaylibrary.blogspot.com.
Follett Content is Back as an Approved Vendor for NYC School Libraries
March 23, 2026
New York City (NYC) school libraries operate at scale and benefit from partners who do the same. Follett Content is once again an approved vendor (#ECO004000), offering support that simplifies ordering while maintaining consistency, including:Local, on-site support with experience assisting school...
Read more
Why Home Libraries Matter: How Books at Home Improve Student Reading Achievement
March 4, 2026
Reading growth doesn’t only happen during the school day. One of the most effective, research-backed ways to support literacy is ensuring students have consistent access to books at home. When students can read outside the classroom – during evenings, weekends, and...
Read more
How to Supercharge Your Summer Reading Program
February 23, 2026
For years, Follett Content has been a leading supplier of books for school libraries and classrooms. With our rich tradition of outstanding service, we’ve fully embraced the opportunity to serve public libraries and are forging ahead by providing essential resources...
Read more
2026 ALA Youth Media Award Winners: Find the Best Children's & YA Books of the Year
January 26, 2026
On their 150th anniversary, the American Library Association (ALA) revealed the ALA YMA 2026 winners and honorees on January 26, 2026, honoring the year’s most exceptional books and media for children and teens. Recognized globally for their impact and excellence, the...
Read more
An Author Interview with Jennie Wood
January 9, 2026
From non-binary author Jennie Wood, creator of the acclaimed graphic novel series Flutter, comes I Didn't Ask For This, which follows a group of kids who share one thing in common: their parents are social media influencers who’ve shared their...
Read more
An Author Interview with Don Everts
December 17, 2025
What peculiar thread connects secret superpowers, chicken farming, Victorian architecture, and the impossible awkwardness of being 14? Debut middle grade author Don Everts weaves it together for us in this conversation about his new book, Oscar and the Mystery of...
Read more