The Bold Bookmark

Learn more

Bookstagram Awards

Each student who turned in a Bookstagram review throughout the year instantly earned a bookmark of their choosing.

For added incentive, the student from each grade who submitted the most Bookstagram reviews throughout the year would receive a “reading-related prize.”

As the end of the year approached — and I realized I knew four of the six recipients — I decided to create personalized reading goodie bags!

I’ll admit: I spent far more out of my own pocket than I originally planned. But I hope these students felt celebrated receiving their gifts in front of the entire school at the End of Year assembly and — most importantly — that they truly loved the books!

Gift Contents

Kindergarten Winner

Hannah!

I have the pleasure of knowing Miss Hannah, the sweet and spunky little sister of one of my Girl Scout members. I knew she loves unicorns, so I chose Unicorn Diaries, books 1 & 2, by Rebecca Elliott.

First Grade Winner

Charlie!

I don’t personally know Charlie, but based on his Bookstagram review selections and a great recommendation from Ms. Shepherd, I went with the new Magic Treehouse Graphic Novels, books 1 and 2.

For his series tracker bookmarks, I included Magic Treehouse, Fly Guy, The Last Firehawk, and Dragon Masters.

Second Grade Winner

Abby!

I know Abby LOVES cats and graphic novels, so I chose Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian, by Tim Probert; and Catty Corner, by Julie Murphy. She’s also read several Amulet and Wings of Fire books, so included those series trackers for her as well.

Third Grade Winner

Hadley!

Hadley is one of my incredible Girl Scouts and is a thoughtful, focused leader with a strong sense of doing the right thing.

I chose President of the Whole Fifth Grade, by Sherri Winston and Ban This Book, by Alan Gratz, both of which felt like a great fit for her.

Fourth Grade Winner

Rachel!

I don’t personally know Rachel, but based on Ms. Shepherd’s recommendations, and Rachel’s Wings of Fire review, I couldn’t resist gifting her one of my all-time favorite books to share:

A Wish in the Dark and The Last Mapmaker, both by the incredible Christina Soontornvat.

Fifth Grade Winner

Jacob!

As my son, I had a particularly hard time narrowing down selections for him. I included:

  • The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Ms. Shepherd’s recommendation)
  • The Wish Switch, by Lynn Painter (a fun, lighter romance)

And since he’d just finished Twilight and eagerly waiting for the next book, I also included New Moon by Stephenie Meyer.

A Little Sister Note

My then-third grade daughter waited until the last week of school to write a whole stack of reviews, then couldn’t believe I wouldn’t let her stuff the ballot box at the last minute. 😉

While I wasn’t about to take the win away from Hadley, who had consistently submitted reviews every month (14 in total – the most in the school!), I did make Natalie her own bag and gifted it to her at home to kick off summer break.

For her, I included:

  • The Dragon’s Apprentice by James Riley
  • The Puffin Portal by Vashti Hardy
  • The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor

Thoughtful, personalized rewards like these can go a long way in reinforcing not just reading – but a love of books!

Leave a comment