Blaine Library happily supports the fourth grade’s Global Reading Challenge (GRC), which promotes the joy of reading and the understanding of various cultures within this country and around the world. 

Every year, children’s librarians from the founding GRC program choose ten great books for the challenges.  Teams of our fourth grade students share in the reading of the ten titles, with each student becoming an “expert” on at least two or three of the books.  The teams compete in a series of spirited quiz bowls, answering questions about characters, plots and settings. 

During the competitions, the teams first compete in their homerooms.  The winning team from each classroom competition will advance to the final round.  Though there is an ultimate winning team in the competition, all children win through reading, supporting their classmates, and ultimately joining in a celebration following the final competition. 

The GRC originated in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  More information on original challenge and its current configuration as a shared program between Kalamazoo and Seattle libraries can be found on the following website: www.kpl.gov/kids/global-reading-challenge.aspx

GRC challenge dates at LAB

Classroom Challenge – March 5

Final Challenge and Celebration – March 10

In addition to the challenge, itself, the fourth grade incorporates a service project.  Children solicit sponsors to support their reading and raise money for a selected charity.  This year’s charity is Room to Read.  “Room to Read partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure.”  (From the Room to Read mission statement.)  For more information on this organization, please visit http://www.roomtoread.org/

Participation in the service project is optional.