From titles about pioneers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, to fast facts about game changers, including Dr. Mae Jamison, the books were part of a special surprise on a busy day.
Not only was it Halloween, the surprise landed on the final day of Claughton's Red Ribbon Week. It was also Disney Day, where an abundance of Minnie Ears were present, and so was Snow White (complete with a glass apple and her seven pumpkin dwarves).
"On behalf of Disney, we want to give you all free books!" said ABC13 anchor Samica Knight, who revealed why the students filed into the cafeteria early.
Samica, ABC13's Courtney Carpenter and Nancy Vazquez were magic makers for the day, handing out books.
All of the students in the sixth grade at Claughton received a book to take home, courtesy of Disney's Magic of Storytelling Campaign and the nonprofit First Book, which works to provide books and resources to educators serving kids in need.
See how students were treated to boxes of books in the library at Claughton Middle School
Disney and First Book partner again to spread joy of reading
"It is an amazing opportunity for students to be able to have their very own books," said Yolanda Merritt, president of the Spring American Federation of Teachers and library media specialist at Claughton. "It's amazing that we offer this through First Book and ABC, this opportunity for Claughton Middle School students to build their own libraries. Have their own personal books, be able to select books that they're interested in and enjoy."
Merritt, who was instrumental in the event, shared that the community and parents look forward to the new books.
"These aren't outdated books. These are updated books. You guys have also given us robotics. So those AI technology resources that are available to the community and parents and kids for them to have for free, not just to have at school, but for them to take home and enrich what they're learning already," Merritt explained.
The magic flowed from the cafeteria and into the library where students in Claughton's life skills classes also had the opportunity to choose a book to take home.
"Literacy is so important, and the fun doesn't stop at elementary. People think that when you get to middle school, no more fun. That is not the case at all," Merritt said. "We love promoting literacy and we love having partnerships with First Book and Disney to be able to bring free resources to our scholars who otherwise would not be able to have these outlets."
Through the partnership, Claughton Middle School received more than 500 books.
"Personally, it makes my heart feel good to see the smiles on their faces when they get to pick their own books and there's no limit to what they can choose," Merritt continued.
Watch the magic unfold in the videos above.
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