Words on a Page Become Works of Art: Middle Schoolers Celebrate Teen Read Week

All around West Essex Middle School, youngsters are getting into the spirit of Teen Read Week. Whether getting “caught” snuggling with a book, or creating art out of their favorite tall tales, students are finding new and innovative ways to express their passion for the written word.

One of the most exciting spirit week activities had West Essex Middle School students creating “book art” from old books.

Middle School Librarian Catherine Spinella and Middle School Art Teacher Erica Lescota showed students how to transform their favorite old storybooks into snazzy and wacky works of art.

“This is really cool,” seventh grader Hannah Rhodes said. “I had this idea and I did not know if it would work, but now I am really proud of it.”

Teen Read Week™ is a national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). The movement began in 1998 and is held annually during the third week of October. The purpose of Teen Read Week is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.

Teen Read Week at West Essex Middle School coincided with the North Caldwell school’s spirit week, which featured thematic events such as “Pajama Day,” where middle schoolers were found cuddling up with a good book all around the school.

Pictured in this photo: Emily Suhey, a seventh grader from Fairfield, creates book art in the Middle School Library last week.