Area school librarians issue reading challenge

High school librarians are urging students and community members to get their noses into books from now until this coming spring to complete a reading challenge.

A Yuma Union High School District news release shows that from August 2018 to April 2019, libraries on all five comprehensive campuses will be “Reading Without Walls.”

YUHSD officials say the challenge is as follows: 1) Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like you or live like you. 2) Read a non-fiction book about a topic you don’t know much about. 3) Read a book in a format you don’t normally read for fun.

“All the district librarians are excited about the ‘Reading Without Walls’ program this year because not only does it promote leisure reading to students, which grows their literacy skills, but it also encourages students to get out of their comfort zones and develop empathy,” Yuma High School Librarian Cait Zaksheske said in a statement.

According to the release, the idea comes from a 2017 initiative by Gene Luen Yang, last year’s National Ambassador to Young People’s Literature. The program’s name, the release states, refers to “the walls humans tend to build around themselves that can be limiting and decrease empathy for others.”

YUHSD officials also say it’s the first time librarians have a unified challenge across the district.

“Students and staff are encouraged to participate in the competition,” Cibola High School Librarian Amanda Coltman said in a statement. “This theme and competition will not only increase literacy, but will also promote compassion for others in our global society.”

The release states that librarians include: Zaksheske, Coltman, Peggy Evans at Gila Ridge High School, RJ Kiekevold at Kofa High School and Lourdes Aranda at San Luis High School.