Reading Their Way Through High School

Two educators at Cranberry Jr-Sr High School are inspiring students to read by creating a book club. 

Mr. Kosmiski, an English and Creative Writing teacher, and Mrs. Corbett, the junior high guidance counselor, both reading lovers, realized that they could make a difference in young kids. This generated the idea of a book club.

In a survey of 208 students, spanning 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, they found that only 38.5% (80 students) said that they enjoy reading books in their free time. The two educators believed that, with their love for reading, they could encourage more kids to love it too. 

The inspiration behind this was a passion of reading from the both educators, who each became avid readers at a young age.

Mr. Kosmiski shared an Amazon wishlist on his Facebook account, knowing that he had many friends who would be willing to support this club and help with the students' education. As soon as he made this post, the books started piling in from nearby colleges. Beyond this, a complete stranger generously bought and donated 27 books. 

Mr. Kosmiski explained, “I have been an avid reader since I was five [years old]; this started when my mom signed me up for a library card. She would take me to the public library after T-ball practice. The first book I took out and read was ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.” 

Mr. Kosmiski explained how supportive his family was; knowing his love for books, his family made a point to buy them for him on shopping trips. 

Mrs Corbett also shared her thoughts about reading and how she started, explaining: “I have always loved to read!  I remember my aunt taking me to a bookstore to buy the book, Charlotte’s Web, for my eighth birthday. I even won third place in the Clarion Free Library’s summer reading program during the summer after my fifth grade year.” 

She explained that she used to borrow books from the library and never ran out of options of what genre she wanted to read. Her love of reading did not end with her childhood, however.

 “I actually read and review novels now, before they are published,” Corbett added, showing how her love of reading has taken shape.

The educators currently meet with their 24 club members, (12 students in Junior High and 12 in Senior High) on the first and third Friday of every month. At the moment, the school is considering the expansion of club times to every Friday, which would grow the opportunities for book clubs. Currently, Junior High students are reading the book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition by William Kamkwamba. Senior High students are currently reading We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Although they have two different styles of reading and an excitement for different genres, Mr. Kosmiski and Mrs. Corbett still share the same love and passion of opening up a book, diving right into it. This is something that they are enthusiastic to share with the students around them.