Bethel Park Library’s Children’s Choice Awards celebrate reading
Bethel Park Public Library rolled out the red carpet on May 8 for its fourth annual Children’s Choice Awards Red Carpet Premier, which celebrated the reading achievements of fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
Nearly 20 young readers walked the red carpet at the event. To attend, they had to read at least four out of eight books selected by the library and co-sponsors, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the county library association. They also had to participate in several discussions led by librarians from the Bethel Park Library.
The books included: “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library,” “Doll Bones,” “Pi in the Sky,” “Fortunately the Milk,” “Flora and Ulysses,” “Rump,” “A Tangle of Knots” and “The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp.”
Those in attendance received “swag bags” like the ones given out at Hollywood awards ceremonies. The bags included book marks, flavored lip balm, gum and coupons for treats from Sincerely Yogurt.
“I love to read,” said 10-year-old Sadie Fedor of Bethel Park. She said her favorite book of the ones she read was “The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp,” by Kathi Appelt.
Aliza Walter, 9, of Bethel Park confessed she had a “diva moment” while on the red carpet. “I almost fainted,” she laughed. Walter’s friends Sarah Goldenberg, 10, and Kaitlyn Hughes, 9, both of Bethel Park also agreed they were nervous walking the red carpet.
“It’s one of my favorite hobbies,” Walter said about reading.
Those attending also had the chance to meet and hear author Jonathan Auxier speak about the novels he has written. Auxier is originally from Canada and attended Carnegie Mellon University. He now lives in Pittsburgh. He is the author of “Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes” and “The Night Gardener.”
“The best part about being an author is getting out in the real world and talking with readers,” Auxier said.
A battle of the books was also held that evening with “Escapes from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” winning for favorite book.