October is National Book Lovers Month, and Highland Middle School students are definitely celebrating!

English teacher Sean Donoghue recently brought his classes to the library to select books for their independent reading assignments—a perfect opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and to build important literacy skills. With guidance from Library Media Specialist Emily Messina, students learned how to browse the library’s digital catalog, locate books on the shelves, and explore new genres and authors.

The activity was designed to help students not only find stories that spark their interest, but also learn how to navigate library resources with confidence. Messina and Donoghue emphasized that giving students choice in what they read encourages a love of books and helps them see reading as both enjoyable and empowering.

As students made their selections, the library buzzed with energy and curiosity. From fantasy adventures and historical fiction to mysteries and graphic novels, each student found something that spoke to their interests. Many left eager to start reading right away, building the kind of positive reading habits that can last a lifetime.

Here’s to a month—and a lifetime—of discovering stories that inspire, challenge, and delight.