In November we started a Brimmer Library Reading challenge inspired by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. November's challenge was to read a book by an author that you would like to meet. One lucky reader from each division was rewarded with an autographed copy of a book by the author they wanted to meet. In November I was lucky enough to go to the annual conference for the National Council for Teachers of English where I met many authors and got many books autographed for our winners.

December's theme is fantasy (my favorite)! The library has great fantasy books on display right now. Come check them out! Fill out the form once you have read one. Thanks to our author visit this month many of our 7th graders had their fantasy read ready to go.

At the beginning of December, author Lisa Stringfellow spoke to the 7th grade about her contemporary novels Comb of Wishes and Kingdom of Dust, which are inspired by Caribbean and African folktales. Every student there received an autographed copy of Kingdom of Dust.

Students were very engaged and asked questions about the writing process from the perspective of recent authors of folklore themselves.

Larry Spotted Crow Mann is an award-winning writer, poet, performer, Nipmuc cultural educator, storyteller, and proud citizen of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts. Larry shares the rich history, music, and traditions of the Nipmuc people across the United States, Canada, and Europe, captivating audiences at schools, colleges, Pow Wows, and beyond. He spoke on Native American sovereignty and identity and his work with the Ohketeau Center.

Larry is the author of several incredible works, including Drumming & Dreaming: Algonquian Tales of the Eastern Woodland Native Americans, Whispering Basket, a beautiful collection of short stories and poetry, and named for his son, The Adventures of Kehteau!, uses Indigenous storytelling to promote social development skills in early education. His award-winning novel, The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving, was named 2015 WordCraft Circle of Honors Winner: Best Young Adult Novel of the Year!

The 11th and 12th graders are gearing up for their big author study papers in English. I have enjoyed speaking to students about their interests in reading and what authors may be a good fit for them along with what books by those authors they might most enjoy.

I began my visits to English classes to talk about what literary criticism is and is not, and how to find it. This is a great time for students to make sure that they have a Boston Public Library Card which provides the best access to JSTOR.

No matter where you live all Massachusetts residents and students can get a BPL ecard.

In October, cross-divisional groups gathered to discuss their chosen books, with student facilitators leading the conversations. Building on the summer reading theme and focusing on the concept of Compassionate Community, these same groups reconvened in December for a hands-on community service project.

As part of this initiative, each group received materials and instructions to build a child-sized bicycle. While getting to know one another, students collaborated to assemble the bikes, fostering teamwork and a shared sense of purpose.

In total, Brimmer students built 24 bicycles, which were donated to the South Boston Neighborhood House, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local families. The donated bikes will benefit children in the area, who can enjoy riding them at nearby Moakley Park, home to Boston’s first Bike Town.

This project not only brought students together but also allowed them to make a meaningful impact on their community, embodying the power of compassion, collaboration, and service.