1. The Heroic Books Task A Little Free Library Service Learning Project

2. What is a Little Free Library?  It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories.  In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. from www.littlefreelibrary.org

3. Little Free Libraries

4. Why do Little Free Libraries matter?  Students from disadvantaged backgrounds have a vocabulary of less than half as many words as students from privileged backgrounds.  25-40% of American children have learning difficulties due to problems with reading.  Approximately $2 billion per year is spent to help children who repeat grades due to reading problems.  44 million American adults are unable to read a children’s book to a child.  More than 20% of adults read at a fifth grade or lower level.  Children who do not have basic literacy skills by first grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of school.  Study after study links early literacy skills (grades pre-K to 3) to higher academic achievement and future earning power.

5. The Kemps Landing Little Free Libraries

6. The Heroic Books Task  For several years now, the eighth grade curriculum has included a project called the Heroic Books task.  For this task, you will consider which children’s and young adult books best convey heroic values and the characteristics of good leaders and citizens.  Each of you will select one book that you feel is a must-read title due to its literary and social merit.  You will then research and learn to write persuasively in order to convince your peers and community that your titles should be included in a Little Free Library, which we will build and fill with books for the Princess Anne Elementary community.  So far, Kemps Landing students have built and stocked two Little Free Libraries for the community. We have received $1400 in grant funds to assist with the building and stocking of a third.

7. So start thinking … What books most influenced your development as a reader? What books best teach about heroic values and leadership?