During the 2019-20 school year, Kreitner Elementary students will participate in a school-wide, “Battle of the Books” thanks to a grant from the Illinois Reading Council.
Jennifer Stroot, a first grade teacher at Kreitner Elementary School and McKendree University School of Education alumna, and Dr. Darryn Diuguid, associate professor McKendree University School of Education, received a $1,700 Illinois Reading Council grant to promote Hispanic heritage at the school.
The grant focuses on the American Library Association’s Pura Belpre Book Award, which “portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience.”
The Battle of the Books will include books that have won the Pura Belpre Award. The award is given to books written by Latino/Latina writers who embrace and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
Kreitner students, in Kindergarten through fourth grade, will read two books each month and vote on their favorite. The winner will move on to the next round.
“We are very excited to read and experience these books every month this school year,” says Ms. Stroot, “Each month we will vote between two books for a winner. Throughout the year, we will use a bracket to record our monthly winners. At the end of the year, we will have a main winner!”
The overall winner will be announced in April at the school’s Sunrise Celebration. The school will celebrate the winner and each student will receive a free book which reflects the Latino heritage.