Assembly Member O'Donnell was very excited to celebrate another great Community Reading Challenge this year. Young readers were given the theme of Superheroes and a list of books about all different kind of heroes (both fact and fiction), as well as the challenge to go out and be a hero themselves by volunteering.

After a month of reading, students from all over the district were invited to three reading celebrations at local branches of the New York Public Library in early- to mid-May. At each of the celebrations, students had the chance to meet and talk with authors and illustrators. They met author and illustrator Paulette Bogan, who engaged participants with wacky and creative animal creations; author Alex Simmons, who taught students all about comic books; and author Matthew Cody, who read from his book Powerless. Matthew Cody's publisher kindly donated to participants at all three parties free copies of the book!

For one 5th grade class at PS 145, the Reading Challenge led to a super achievement. With the theme of superheroes in mind, and armed with help from dedicated teachers Mr. Matthew Schatz and Ms. Evelyn Gomez as well as the assistance of librarian Beverly McClay, students excelled and improved greatly in reading these super books. Mr. Schatz is proud to say that all of his students not only took part in the Reading Challenge but they went above and beyond the requirements. Between September and April, the class average increased from 103 correct words per minutes to 141 correct words per minute. According to Mr. Schatz, counting words read aloud is a good measurement of overall reading ability and comprehension. This is something that the students and teachers should celebrate.

Readers finished countless pages of literature including: Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Franklin W. Dixon's The Hardy Boys: The Children of the Lost, Scott Peterson's Meet the Marvel Super Heroes, Richard and Florence Atwater's Mr. Poppers Penguins, Rene Skelton's Harriet Tubman, Armstrong Sperry's Call it Courage and many other books listed on students' reading lists.

Assembly Member O'Donnell and the New York Public Library would like to congratulate the young reading superheroes from this 5th grade class on their hard work. Way to go Nawaf, Breanna, Zaidy, Alfredo, Kathleen, Dejon, Gualberto, Jasmine, Amadeus, Marley, Yanko, Ronald, Jarule, Kevin, Isaac, Christian, Emely, Anthony, Adela, and Danedysan! For more information on their work, including photos of the impressive lists of books they read, click here.

All students who participated have received certificates of completion from the NYS Assembly, and a free copy of Matthey Cody's Powerless. Be sure to join in on Assembly Member O'Donnell Community Reading Challenge, starting up again in the spring, and keep on reading!

Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell's reading challenge, co-sponsored with the New York Public Library, has begun! Last year, hundreds of pre-K through 8th grade students participated in this popular community event and we hope you do the same!

This year's challenge is Reading Saves the Day! From now until May 14th, join hundreds of other participants in reading books about heroes. While most people know about Superman and Spiderman, there are countless other heroes (mythical or real, historical or contemporary) with interesting personalities waiting to be explored. Read these books and learn about the hero inside you! And, as always, the reading lists include bilingual and Spanish titles for Spanish-speaking readers.

Pick up printed materials at the Bloomingdale, George Bruce and Morningside Heights Library branches, as well as in Assembly Member O'Donnell's Community Office. Or, view and print the materials online.

You can also submit written work and drawings about the books you are reading, and they will be posted on this website! Send us your stories about and pictures of your favorite hero from the books, someone you know who is a hero to you or your superhero alter ego! Click on "Save the day" and find ways that you can be a hero through volunteering. Send in a drawing, photograph or story about your experience and that will be posted here too!

All readers will receive a certificate of acknowledgement for their participation in the Challenge, and a personalized invitation to their local Book Festival at one of the participating branch libraries. The festivals include food and live entertainment, and a chance to win book-related prizes in raffles!

"This is one of my favorite community events," said Assembly Member O'Donnell. "I hope you'll participate in my challenge and come tell me about what a hero means to you!"

For more information about the program, please contact Assembly Member O'Donnell's Community Office at 212-866-3970.

Book Festivals: