Book lovers across Olympia prepare yourself because you are in for a treat. The Olympia School District is proud to announce the inaugural year of Olympia Reads!! The mission of this event, made possible through funding set aside in this year’s school board budget, is to excite readers of all ages by connecting them with published authors and illustrators. Olympia Reads!! is proud to partner with Timberland Regional Library and the Olympia Education Foundation in bringing this enriching literary event to our community.
Mark your calendars for May 7, 2024, as we gather at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center to celebrate Olympia Reads!! with author Christine Day.
This year's featured author is Christine Day, a distinguished Washington State author and a member of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
Day's debut novel I Can Make This Promise was recognized as a National Public Radio (NPR) Best Book of the Year and received accolades such as the Charlotte Huck Award Honor and the American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor. Her subsequent novel, The Sea in Winter, earned widespread acclaim, including a place on the Top 10 Indie Kids’ Next List and recognition as a finalist for the Pacific Northwest Book Award. Most recently, Day's work has been celebrated with the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Middle-Level Book.
Event Details
Throughout the school day on May 7, a group of students from each elementary and secondary school across the district will gather with the author at Capital High School.
At 6 p.m., the festivities will open up to the entire Olympia community. Swing by for a reception featuring desserts from the Olympia High School Culinary Arts class. At 6:30 p.m., Day will take the stage to share her experience, insights and stories. Following Day’s presentation, there will be a book signing at 7:30 p.m., where attendees will have an opportunity to meet the author in person and have their copies signed.
Browsers Bookshop will be onsite with copies of Day's books, which will be available for purchase. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own copies of Day’s books for signing.
Student Involvement
The Olympia Reads!! logo printed on event flyers is designed by Olympia High School student Christine Zhang, who also serves as a student representative on the Olympia School Board.
Olympia Reads!! is also hosting a districtwide bookmark contest this year, encouraging students from all schools to showcase their creativity and passion for reading. Selected bookmarks will be displayed at the Knox 111 Administrative Center throughout May, with winning artwork featured in district communications.
The deadline to submit a bookmark entry is Friday, March 29, 2024. Students who participate in the bookmark contest will be celebrated and winners will be announced at the Olympia Reads!! event on May 7. Know any students who might be interested in participating in this contest? Encourage them to reach out to their school librarian for additional contest information.
For questions about Olympia Reads!!, or this upcoming event, simply email [email protected].
Thank you to our event partners Olympia Education Foundation, Browsers Book Shop and Timberland Regional Library.