East Newton Elementary is turning birthdays into book‑days thanks to an NEF Teacher Innovation Grant. Through the Birthday Books project, every PreK–5th grade student — nearly 600 children — will receive a special token on their birthday to redeem for a brand‑new book from the school’s book vending machine.
Students get to choose a high‑interest title curated by the library’s media specialist, with selections ranging from popular series books such as Dog Man and Magic Tree House to a variety of nonfiction picks. The project brings together teachers, counselors, front office staff, and parent volunteers to keep the machine stocked and the excitement going all year long. For many students, this may be the only new book they receive all year, making the program a meaningful boost for literacy and equity.
To show their appreciation, East Newton students created the adorable thank‑you video linked below — a perfect reminder of how one book can make a child feel celebrated and inspired to read.
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