Book Buddies

By Erica Federman,

Linda Chamiec-Case, and Amanda Norling

Doing book buddies has been a wonderful experience for Middle Gate Elementary School students. Book buddies is when a group of fourth or fifth grade students reads to younger children in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade. Book buddies is held from half an hour to forty five minutes once a week provided in class time.

We interviewed four students in Mrs McCready’s first grade class to see what they thought about book buddies. Kate Siroky says, “I love book buddies because it is fun and I learn new words,” Kaitlin Pendagast said. “My book buddy loves to read with me.” Justin told us that his book buddy made reading fun and now he loves to read every day. His book buddy picks out good books for him, which he really enjoys reading.

If you can’t find a good book and you’re in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade, then Kate, Justin, Chris, and Abi have a few great suggestions for you. Aunt Jessie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Bernstein Bears, and Eloise In Paris are their favorite books read to them by their book buddies this year. Sometimes the younger book buddies read to the older ones and improve their reading skills.

Abi Malin said, “I love book buddies because it teaches me new words and introduces me to new books. It’s really fun!”

Chris Hunter says book buddies help me read because “When my book buddy reads, if there is a word I don’t know I can follow along and learn a new word!”

We asked a fifth grade book buddy what she thought of book buddies. Valerie Nezvesky finds book buddies a wonderful experience and enjoys helping younger children get a better reading education.

Book buddies has not only helped the younger children become better readers but has taught fourth or fifth graders to have more patience and understanding! From a one to ten scale, book buddies is an eleven!