Mission, Texas- The Texas Book Festival’s Reading Rock Stars program dropped in on Waitz Elementary School today. The program is a hands-on literacy initiative that sends nationally recognized authors into Title 1 schools in Texas. The most exciting part of it for students was the Reading Rock Stars program provided each student at the school with a book of their own to take home, and a chance to visit with real authors of children’s books.
The three visiting authors were: James Luna, Steven Weinberg, Diana Lopez. Students in grades Pre-k, kindergarten, and first received a book by Luna. Students in grades 2 and 3 received a book written by Weinberg. Fourth and fifth grade students received a book by Lopez.
The Texas Book Festival funds and coordinates the author visits and donates the books given to students, as well as a set for the school library. Waitz Elementary School was selected from among other schools who applied. The campus will receive similar Reading Rock Star visits the next two school years.
The Reading Rock Star program is available to Title 1 elementary schools in Austin, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley.
Pictured are some Waitz Elementary School students as they visited with author, Diana Lopez during the Reading Rock Stars visit.
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