Led by Cassie Bosley, Library Media Specialist, students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Hambright and Central Manor are participating in the One Book, Two Schools initiative.
Students in first through sixth grade are reading Katherine Applegate’s chapter book Odder in their homerooms and at home. Kindergarten students will join near the end of March by reading the picture book version, Odder: An Otter’s Story.
The book is inspired by the real-life Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Surrogacy Program, which rescues and raises orphaned otter pups for release back into the wild.
“It’s been incredible to see our students and parents so engaged with Odder’s journey and the real-world science behind it,” noted Mrs. Bosley. “When I first read the book I found myself finishing it in one sitting! While the story doesn’t shy away from the realities of nature, including moments of loss and heartbreak, it is ultimately a story of hope and healing.”
Mrs. Bosley submitted a grant request to the Penn Manor Education Foundation during the fall grant cycle. PMEF accepted the grant and provided every student at Central Manor and Hambright a copy of the book.
Despite not being able to bring an otter into the buildings, both schools have been busy incorporating ways to bring the story to life by decorating the hallways and libraries with otter-themed artwork.
On Fridays at Hambright, life-sized otter mascots cheer on students as they head home for a weekend of reading. Students also enjoyed a guest speaker from Coastal Wilds zoo where they had the opportunity to see a tenrec, giant millipede, spectacled owl, bearded dragon, and a kangaroo.
Hambright students also have the opportunity to practice their reading comprehension skills during trivia on the morning announcements.
Mrs. Bosley said, “It has been a joy to see our two schools united by a single story. We are so proud of our readers and thankful for the families supporting this ‘otterly’ amazing journey at home.”