Read Across America, the National Education Association’s initiative designed to get kids excited about reading, is thirteen-years-old this year. Culminating annually on Dr. Theodore "Ted" Seuss' birthday the first week of March, politicians, celebrities, sports athletes, recording artists, actors and actresses, firefighters, police officers, teachers, school professionals and librarians join to help celebrate America’s dedication to reading and learning.

Grade 5 students at the Hanover Middle School are visited each year for Read Across America by “local celebrity” readers who share favorite books by reading to the Grade 5 classes. This year’s
celebrity readers included Capt. Barbara Stone from the Hanover Fire Dept., D.A.R.E. Officer Mike McKeever from the Hanover Police Dept., Patricia Pervane representing the John Curtis Library, General Manager Brian Voelkel of the Brockton Rox, and Steve Nagle, owner of the Boston Bowl in Hanover.

The Hanover educational community was represented by celebrity readers Brian Shaw of the Hanover School Committee; retired Grade 5 teacher Cathy Coccimiglio; Alice Downs, HMS School Nurse; Martha Zuther, HMS Assistant Principal; and HMS Principal Charlie Egan. Books shared by these eager readers ran the gamut from Hatchet to Odd and the Frost Giant sand from The Five Chinese Brothers to excerpts from The Hero’s Trail. By their enthusiastic reception and their attentive listening, the Grade 5 students showed their appreciation of the efforts of these
generous community volunteers. These individuals and others like them nationwide encourage all Americans, young and old to open a book and
celebrate reading!

Article: Ava Sigsby
Photos: Stephen T. Ryerson