One of 467 schools selected from nearly 28,000 applicants, Mt. Vernon Middle School’s library has received a $4,000 grant from national bestselling author James Patterson.
The funds will be used to refurbish the library’s nonfiction section, specifically biographies, sports, recreation and military topics. The funding plans also include collaborating with language arts teachers on lessons that expose students to current and popular nonfiction books.
Scholastic Reading Club will also match each dollar of Patterson’s donation with “bonus points” teachers can use to acquire books and other classroom reading materials.
“We are honored to be selected as a grant recipient and are thankful for the support of our reading initiatives,” MVMS principal Scott Shipley stated. “The grant funds used to purchase additional books will include new releases that will help inspire a love of reading. I appreciate the efforts of our media specialist, Dana Hochstedler, in seeking out this generous opportunity and preparing a comprehensive reading initiative.”
Patterson has authored nearly 150 novels, including the popular Alex Cross series, and has personally donated $1.75 million to school libraries this year alone.
“These grants are my humble acknowledgement of some of the terrific work taking place in libraries,” he stated. “Here’s to communities supporting school libraries. Here’s to a country that makes reading a priority and flourishing libraries.”
