Third grade is considered a pivotal point in a child’s education because it marks a transition from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn.’ Since 2013, Sno-Isle Libraries has partnered with schools to support this important milestone.
Sno-Isle Libraries’ Third Graders Read Together program makes reading fun, prepares students to thrive in school, and sparks a lifelong love of learning. The program is based on books that are nominees for the Washington Library Association’s OTTER Award, known for their motto, “books kids like, not books adults think kids should like.”
A third-grade student from Fairmount Elementary School said, “Each time you read a new book, your imagination keeps growing.”
Voting for their favorite book was one of many exciting activities for participating third graders. The winning OTTER book for 2025 is “The Skull” by Jon Klassen.
This year, Sno-Isle Libraries also hosted two online author and illustrator events for an estimated 2,411 students. Kelly Starling Lyons, author of the “Miles Lewis” series, was one of the featured speakers. The other was Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of “The Skull."
A school librarian from Cathcart Elementary said, “The students always walk away from these visits with a better understanding of how much work writing is and being inspired to make their own fan fiction. Many kids report that they like getting to know more about authors’ lives.”
Since its creation, the Third Graders Read Together program has grown from 29 to 80 schools, with an estimated 6,600 students participating this year. Thank you to the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation for supporting the program by providing 3,550 OTTER books to schools and classrooms throughout Snohomish and Island counties.
Another benefit of the OTTER Award books is their representation of diverse cultures, individuals with disabilities, and those who are neurodivergent — offering readers a broader understanding of different life experiences, as well as the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the stories.
“My students have repeated Kelly Starling Lyons' quote about if you don't see the story you need, write it,” said a school librarian from Twin City Elementary.
Sno-Isle Libraries looks forward to a new class of third graders ready to read together next school year. Until then, children can participate in the Summer Reading program, which encourages them to keep reading to maintain their reading skills.