MacArthur High Students Read It Forward

For six weeks, participating MacArthur High School students throughout the building have been reading “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey. The young adult novel is a science fiction story about Earth being invaded by unfriendly extraterrestials that look like humans. Connie Barber, information literacy specialist at the campus, purchased 50 books to ensure as many students as possible had access to the book. The reading promotion is part of the school’s annual Read It Forward project (formerly known as The Big Read).

“The goal of Read It Forward is to get people reading and sharing their thoughts about the selected work,” stated Barber.

Barber added that she visited English classrooms to promote Read It Forward and motivate students and staff to read “The 5th Wave,” the book selected for this year’s project. Each year, copies of the selected work are made available at the library. Students can check out a copy, give it a read and return to the library to “forward it” or let the next person check out the book to enjoy. Everyone is encouraged to share his or her reflections on the book.

The culminating event celebrated Nov. 18 in the library featured a lively discussion of the book and a scavenger hunt with a survivalist theme inspired by the book. Barber and Owida Stuart, English teacher, coordinated the celebration.

MacArthur High School student members of the National Art Honor Society created a six-foot tall poster of the book’s cover. All the students that participated in the Read It Forward project autographed the poster.

“I am so grateful to the National Art Honor Society,” expressed Barber. “Each year, members of the campus’ National Art Honor Society have created outstanding posters to promote Read It Forward. They are currently reproducing posters from past years on canvas as a permanent library exhibit.”

Barber is already planning for next year’s Read It Forward event.

Students who participated in the Read It Forward project at MacArthur High School celebrated at the campus. The selected book was “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey. Connie Barber (standing), information literacy specialist at the campus, congratulates the students on their participation.

Students participated in a scavenger hunt with a survivalist theme during the Read It Forward celebration.

MacArthur High School student members of the National Art Honor Society created a poster of the cover from “The 5th Wave.”