The joy of reading recently united students from various school districts in a collaborative virtual reading project called the Mock Newbery Club.

Seventeen Brockport Hill School students were among 25 fifth graders selected to participate in the club, which is modeled after the American Library Association’s Newbery Medal program. The Newbery Award is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to children’s American literature. This is the eighth year Hill School members joined with students from Jackson Grammar and Josiah Bartlett Elementary in New Hampshire to read the potential Newbery Winners.

Students were selected to participate based on their willingness and ability to read various genres and partake in group discussions. They began reading five selected books and sharing their thoughts and reflections with each other periodically through both in-person and virtual discussions held via Microsoft Teams. Upon finishing, each student voted for their favorite book.

This year, club members at Hill School attended a reveal celebration on January 25, joining members from the New Hampshire schools through Zoom. Each student was given a goodie bag and certificate, and each member received a package from the NH members with a book recommendation post card, pencil and bookmark. The 2022 Mock Newbery winner, “Starfish” by Lisa Fipps was announced during the celebration.

This year's additional book selections included “A Place to Hang the Moon” by Kate Albus, “Being Clem” by Lesa Cline-Ransome, “The Beatryce Prophecy” by Kate DiCamillo and “Willodeen” by Katherine Applegate. The winner of the John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished children’s book this year went to “The Last Cuentista” by Donna Barba Higuera