Shawnee Mission Students Provide Reading Recommendations

Anyone seeking book recommendations will not need to look very far.

Students from across the Shawnee Mission School District have provided their reviews of nominees for the William Allen White Children’s Book Award.

These students read their selections and wrote book recommendations based on the 2018-19 award master list and filmed their original reviews this spring.

“Students write their own scripts, conquer any fears of public speaking, and feel a sense of accomplishment after filming,” Sue Wiley-Carter, librarian at Santa Fe Trail Elementary said.

By clicking here you can see recommendations provided by students from Rushton, Westwood View, Oak Park-Carpenter, Santa Fe Trail, Rhein Benninghoven, Tomahawk, Broken Arrow, Crestview, Brookwood, and John Diemer elementary schools.

By clicking here you can see recommendations provided by students from East Antioch, ApacheIS, Shawanoe, Brookridge, Rosehill, Briarwood, Christa McAuliffe, and Trailwood elementary schools.   

Mary Ann Schliesman, Crestview Elementary librarian, said she always enjoys seeing the original work and ideas students bring to this project.

“I love to let the students use their imagination in what to say, including funny tidbits,” she said. 

The project provides students a way to demonstrate their in-depth understanding of what they’ve read, Abby Smith, librarian at Oak Park-Carpenter Elementary said.

“This project helps students get excited about the literature and inspires them to dig a little deeper in perspective and point of view,” she said.