Let's read science fiction

As a new school year kicks off, it’s the perfect time to dive into a great book club! Whether you're reading alongside staff members or joining a club in your class, you can't go wrong with science fiction or supernatural sci-fi.

Librarian Monica Black and Principal's Secretary Faiza Bano invite you to read the work of Ben Oliver—an author brought to their attention by student Asrom Tewelde.

Tewelde also suggested adding books based on the hit show Supernatural to the library collection. "It's interesting, has a lot of plot twists, and the characters are compelling," Tewelde shared. "That really gets you into it, and I know if I like the show, I’ll love the books."

Ms. Black loves taking student recommendations to expand the library’s shelves. Students, now is the time to make your voice heard—what should we read next?

Drop everything and read

At MPA, a campus‑wide tradition keeps our community connected and reading strong: Drop Everything and Read.

Twice a day — ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the afternoon — our entire campus pauses, settles in, and reads silently. Everyone on campus joins in. When the announcement comes on, we truly drop everything and open a book that interests us. We look forward to this time to read for pleasure, knowing that when students read, they gain the confidence and skills needed for academic success.

This simple routine creates a calm moment in the day, helps students grow their vocabulary, and shows that reading is something we value together. For our newcomers, it’s also a safe, low‑pressure way to build language skills while seeing adults model the joy of reading.

Whether it’s a graphic novel, a chapter book, a news article, or a bilingual text, every choice counts. What matters most is that for those twenty minutes, the whole MPA family is reading.

At MPA, we don’t just talk about the importance of literacy — we practice it, every day, side by side.

 

📚 Tips to motivate students to read

• 🌟 Offer choice – Let students pick books that match their interests.

• 🎮 Gamify reading – Incorporate family challenges or friendly competitions.

• 🗣️ Model reading – Let children and teens see you reading.

• 🌍 Connect to Real Life – Allow students to choose texts that reflect their culture or hobbies.

• 🤝 Family recommendations – Encourage students to share book reviews or “book talks.”

• 🎨 Make It Creative – Pair reading with art, movies or family outings.

• 🕒 Set Aside Time – Provide daily independent reading moments at home.

• 🎉 Celebrate Progress – Recognize milestones with praise or other incentives.

• 📱 Use Technology – Try e-books, audiobooks, or reading apps for variety.