Chelsea Students Participate In Bluestem Award Book Challenge

FRANKFORT, IL — Each year, Chelsea Intermediate School Tigers are invited to take part in an opportunity to read a collection of books selected for grades three, four, and five by the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), the district said.

Chelsea Librarian Emily Meszaros spearheaded the Bluestem Book Award Challenge this year. Interested students signed up in the library and picked their first book to read, and the library is stocked with copies of every Bluestem book, thanks to the District 157-C Education Foundation, according to a release from the district.

After reading, students could leave a review and rating on a scale of 1 to 5. Once the students finished four, eight, or twelve books, a level award was displayed in the library. When a participating student finished all 20 books, they received a certificate, prize, and a poster with their picture displayed in the lunchroom, the district said.

Over 55 students participated in the challenge: third-graders Lily Frankovich, Rachel Harap, Gavin Murphy, Issac Thomas, Emma Pohlmeyer, Ethan Marshall, Mae Ladendorf, Maria Feminis, Claire Burns, and Myles Arcos, fourth-graders Maddie Mullooly, Kevin Hanrahan, Aune Amari, Braiden Henning, Julianna Scariano, Milan Sundaram, Cameron Spurlin, Dru Jonusas, Ron Danno, Bree Klipstein, Marcelina Hana, Abby Hilt, Jack Lee, Vivian Dauber, Katie Hegeman, Mikey Duncan, Vincent Woods, Deklan Feil, Claire Connolly, Abigail Kunz, Delaney Reimen, Parker Frankovich, Jack Winkler, Megan McClain, Leila Othman, Madeline O'Connor, Ari Bradley, Noah Pasbrig, Timmy Lorimer, Bode Reimen, Mateo Monasterio, and fifth-graders Brendan Hanrahan, Jade Atieh, Tyler Clair, Amelia Larkin, Lucy Howroyd, Sophia Mason, Blake Wortel, Gianna Chickerotis, Olivia Lindaur, Sydney Knieriem, Elise Drier, Dean Burns, Brendan Cooley, Elise Meader, Ben Cluckey, Kailey Khan, and Jared Terlep.

Students also voted for their favorite Bluestem book, with "Wedgie & Gizmo" ranked first, "Max &
the Midknights" ranked second, and "Strongheart" ranked third, the district said.

Votes were sent to the Illinois School Library Media Association and will be combined with votes from other participating schools across the state. The top Bluestem title will be announced in late spring, the district said.

“The Bluestem Award Book Challenge was fun and the students really enjoyed it! I can't wait to do it again next year," Chelsea School Librarian Emily Meszaros said.