About 130 Hawaii Preparatory Academy students in grades 6 through 8 and their teachers spent part of a recent afternoon reading a book at Hapuna Beach State Park. David Giff, the school’s kindergarten through eight-grade librarian, organized the fifth annual event.
“My intention is to foster the habit of reading in students,” said Giff. “Study after study correlates independent reading with great success in school and a richer life in general.”
The students enjoyed reading at the beach.
“It’s a great, fun thing to do because we get to go swimming and read and I like reading,” said seventh grader Cameron Supplee, who was reading “The Dragon’s Tooth.”
Supplee’s classmate, Tiare Apina, agreed.
“I like this activity because we can do something educational at a fun place,” said Apina, who was reading Homeroom Diaries.
Giff expects the library to get even busier.
“I have more middle school students dropping by to check out books after we read at the beach!”