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2026-2027 Memberships are Available now!
Helping students discover books they're genuinely excited to read.
Welcome
Welcome
The CKMS PTSA Books & Literacy Program creates inviting, low-pressure ways for students to discover great books, share recommendations, and develop a lifelong love of reading.
About the Books & Literacy Program
About the Books & Literacy Program
Our goal is to help every CKMS student see reading as something they can choose, enjoy, and share. To further this goal, the Books & Literacy Program aims to:
• Increase student access to engaging, age-appropriate books (in short: "Get more great books in more students' hands and homes").
• Create opportunities for students to see reading as social and fun.
• Celebrate student voices and peer recommendations.
• Support teachers and the library with programs that spark students' interest in reading.
• Partner with families, staff, and our community to grow a culture of reading.
What's Coming Up
What's Coming Up
Free Book Program
Free Book Program
We're planning a school-wide book drive and free book giveaway so students can choose books to take home and keep. Details about collection dates, accepted books, and giveaway times will be shared as plans are finalized.
Mystery Book Giveaways
Mystery Book Giveaways
Continuing on the success of last year, Mystery Books will continue to "drop" throughout the year. Students read a teaser, trust their instincts, and hopefully discover a new favorite book they can keep, free of charge.
Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair brings a wide range of books directly to CKMS and helps earn Scholastic Dollars that will be reinvested in books for students, classrooms, and the library.
Book Tastings & Classroom Programs
Book Tastings & Classroom Programs
Interactive activities give students time to sample books, talk with classmates, and leave with ideas of new titles or genres they're interested in.
Donate a Book
Donate a Book
Help Put Great Books in Students' Hands
Interested in donating a new book? Our Amazon wishlist highlights titles selected for middle school readers and upcoming literacy programs.
CKMS Students - This Part's For You!
CKMS Students - This Part's For You!
Mystery Book Drops
Mystery Book Drops
Each month, we'll "drop" five new mystery books. At the end of each month, we'll select one student to win each book.
To enter, fill out the Mystery Book Entry Form below or drop a physical form in the collection box for your chosen mystery book. One entry per month.
Loved this? Try this next!
Loved this? Try this next!
Looking for your next great read? Find a book you already love and discovery another one you might love just as much. Whether you're into fantasy, graphic novels, mysteries, funny books, or realistic stories, there's always another great book waiting.
If you loved Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger . . . try:
If you loved Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger . . . try:
The Accidental Apprentice (Wilderlore #1) by Amanda Foody
A runaway boy discovers a hidden world of magical creatures and a mysterious power that could change his life.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
A girl searching for her missing brother enters a secret supernatural world filled with magic, mysteries, and dangerous tests.
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Two siblings discover that their grandparents are protecting a hidden preserve full of magical creatures, ancient rules, and unexpected danger.
Why these? Magic + secrets + friendship + BIG adventures.
If you loved Refugee by Alan Gratz . . . try:
If you loved Refugee by Alan Gratz . . . try:
When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman
Meet Anne Frank before the diary, as an ordinary girl growing up in Amsterdam while the world around her becomes increasingly dangerous.
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
Two sisters living on the streets of Chennai, India find friendship, courage, and an unexpected family as they fight to build a better life.
The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
Three young people, two time periods, and one long-hidden family story come together in this powerful novel about survival, truth, and the Holodomor in Ukraine.
Other Alan Gratz books. He has a new book, Flight, launching September 1, 2026 and has published more than 20 novels!
Why these? History + survival + courageous kids + stories that stay with you.
If you loved Smile by Raina Telgemeier . . . try:
If you loved Smile by Raina Telgemeier . . . try:
A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat
An awkward middle school trip to Europe turns into an unforgettable adventure full of firsts, friendship, and growing confidence.
Speechless by Aron Nels Steinke
A middle schooler navigating anxiety, friendship, and school discovers that finding your voice can happen in more than one way.
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Four kids with different creative strengths team up to make comics, build friendships, and learn how stories come together.
Camp by Kayla Miller
Two best friends head to summer camp and discover that new friendships can test even the strongest bond.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
A seventh grader starts at a new private school and tries to balance fitting in, staying true to himself, and finding where he belongs.
Why these? Middle school + friendship + awkward moments + finding your confidence.
If you loved Restart by Gordon Korman . . . try . . .
If you loved Restart by Gordon Korman . . . try . . .
Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
A girl starting over in a new country finds friendship, confidence, and the courage to let others see who she really is.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
A talented runner with a difficult past joins a track team and discovers that moving forward means facing both his mistakes and his potential.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
A determined girl juggling school, family responsibilities, and some very unfair adults discovers that speaking up can make a bigger difference than she imagined.
Why these? Friendship + second chances + finding where you belong + discovering who you want to be.
Need help finding your next great read?
Need help finding your next great read?
If none of the books above interest you, fill out this form and we'll post updated recommendations here!
Highlights So Far
Highlights So Far
Mystery Book Drops
Mystery Book Drops
After the Book Fair, we started giving away four books each week to students free of charge via our Mystery Book Drop.
Each week, four new wrapped Mystery Books were dropped in the library and students were invited to submit a Shelf Talk book review of any book to enter to win the Mystery Book of their choice.
The following week, the student winners were announced during Morning Announcements and invited to pick up their new book in the office.
Hawk Book Madness
Hawk Book Madness
A school-wide bracket-style celebration encouraged students to compare favorites, make predictions, and cheer for books.
Book Tasting
Book Tasting
Approximately 150 students sampled books in a relaxed, social format designed to help them discover their next favorite genre.
Celebrating CKMS Readers
Celebrating CKMS Readers
Twelve CKMS readers were recognized for their participation in the Book Tasting.
New Library Books
New Library Books
Part of the funds raised through the Winter 2026 Book Fair went to purchasing new books for the CKMS Library - these were ready for student check out after the Book Fair.
Alan Gratz Collection
Alan Gratz Collection
The Book Fair funds also allowed us to purchase these twelve new Alan Gratz books for the library.
Scholastic Book Fair
Scholastic Book Fair
At the Winter 2026 Book Fair, we sold 592 new books, generated ~$4,000 in sales, and earned more than $2,000 in Scholastic Dollars to revinvest in books for students, staff, and the school library.
Student Book Recommendations
Student Book Recommendations
Students submitted Shelf Talk book recommendation forms to enter to win Mystery Books. Many of these reviews were then posted in the library.
Get Involved
Get Involved
Help Us Grow a Community of Readers!
Help Us Grow a Community of Readers!
The single best way you can support literacy is simple: talk to a young person in your life about a book. Seriously. You don't have to have a deep insight to share or be talking about a "classic" piece of literature. Just ask a student if they've read anything good lately. Or mention something you've read recently - or long, long ago - that you enjoyed. Or, if you're around young people, let them see you enjoying reading. Neither of these cost a penny, but they both go a long way in making reading a part of a child's every day life.
Regardless of whether you directly interact with young people, you can also support the CKMS PTSA Books & Literacy Program in any of the following ways:
Donate gently used middle-grade books to collection boxes in the front office or CKMS library; or contact stephjensen4@gmail.com to arrange for a book pickup.
Willing to do a 1 hour Book Fair shift? Wrap and decorate mystery books? Help at a book tasting, literacy night, or other event? Contact stephjensen4@gmail.com.
Willing to do a 1 hour Book Fair shift? Wrap and decorate mystery books? Help at a book tasting, literacy night, or other event? Contact stephjensen4@gmail.com.
Do you have contacts with booksellers, publishers, or others? Are you a business owner willing to host a donation box? We'd love to collaborate with you!
Do you have contacts with booksellers, publishers, or others? Are you a business owner willing to host a donation box? We'd love to collaborate with you!
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