Northridge expands its reading horizons through Mathical Book Prize
ALEXANDRIA ― Not surprisingly, it was a book that opened up new possibilities for Northridge Local Schools' 6-12 library collection.
The sixth and seventh grade book club read Shelley Pearsall's "All of the Above," a true story about four inner city kids and their quest to build the world's largest tetrahedron (triangular pyramid).
"The tetrahedron provided a math connection, and we made tetrahedrons with the kids' questions," said Kim Garee, English college composition, library and research teacher for Northridge. "And the author did a zoom with us. Then, she e-mailed me an application for the Mathical Book Prize."
More: Northridge School District begins planning for Intel 'opportunity'
As a result, the district was selected to receive the fourth annual Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Award, to expand the library's collection of fiction and non-fiction books encouraging kids to discover a love of mathematics. Northridge was one of 32 libraries in schools nationwide to be presented with a $700 grant to purchase award-winning titles from the Mathical Book Prize list.
The books help students explore the joy, beauty, and power of mathematics through books spanning topics from magic, sports, art, music, and poetry, to biographies, adventure, graphic novels, and picture books. Mathical titles are chosen every year by a committee of math teachers, reading teachers, mathematicians, librarians, early childhood experts, and others to support students’ pleasure reading.
Garee was excited when the books they ordered arrived, and they included titles like "You Might As Well Ask," "Hidden Figures" and "Nearly Gone."
"In the application, I mentioned about how Intel was coming, and how it was important for kids to think globally," Garee said. "We coordinated with the middle school for using the books as an option in the classroom and the 6-12 library. There are also math-based books behind basketball, soccer and football. It's fun to have the books all there in the library and available."
Northridge junior Ava McBride is on the library advisory council. She hopes the additions will open up a new world for students.
"Reading is a very valuable tool, and a lot of kids are too focused on other things," she said.
Eighth grader Allison Roberts said she already enjoyed writing. "Reading allows me to expand my knowledge," she said.
As Simon Tornichio moves on to high school, the possibilities are bright for those who come behind him. "It's more opportunity for the younger kids to learn," he said.
Freshman-to-be Brant Stockburger likes the variety of books to read and the different topics discussed. In the future, his focus will be on politics and geography.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Northridge expands its reading horizons through Mathical Book Prize
