The Beaufort County School District is proud to partner with The United Way of the Lowcountry, The Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, and The Pat Conroy Literary Center to provide nearly 7,000 free books to children this summer as part of a program called Book Drop Blitz. This program was designed to get books into the hands of Lowcountry children to encourage them to read during the summer.
“Becoming a stronger reader is achieved through practice, just like becoming better at sports or an instrument,” says Director of Literacy for Beaufort County School District, Melissa Murray. “Students need to read during the summer, so we are providing high interest books that are connected to our local history and culture.”
Friends, siblings, and neighbors are encouraged to stop by any of the 19 locations to obtain a book that they can read, discuss, and enjoy together. Murray says, “To me, that is the readerly life we want for all our students.”
The “blitz” started June 27, and through August 14, free books including picture books and chapter books will be available for students at Beaufort County lending libraries, and public libraries, throughout Beaufort County for seven weeks. Each Monday morning, books will be dropped off at each of the sites listed and will be available until they run out. There will also be enrichment activities, book readings, and more to accompany each book.
“Fight the summer slump by picking up a book to read,” says Dr. Renarta Tompkins, USCB Associate Professor of Literacy and United Way of the Lowcountry’s education impact chairperson. “You may not be able to leave the house, but your mind can travel anywhere with a book.”
Book List & Dates
June 27 – July 3 “Net Numbers” by Carol Crane and illustrated by Gary Palmer
July 4-10 “The Freedom Ship of Robert Smalls” by Louise Meriwether, illustrated by Jonathan Green
July 11-17 “The Great Santini” by Pat Conroy
July 18 -24 “The Circle Unbroken” by Margot Theis Raven, pictures by E. B.
July 25- 31 “Trouble the Water” by Rebecca Bruff
August 1-7 “The Sea Island’s Secret” by Susan Diamond Riley
August 8-14 “P is for Palmetto” by Carol Crane, illustrated by Mary Whyte
Lending Libraries
- Coosa Elementary
- Bluffton Middle School
- Battery Creek High School
- St. Helena Elementary School
- Whale Branch Middle School
- Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center
- Hilton Head Island Elementary/ Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts
- Okatie Elementary
- Red Cedar Elementary
- Port Royal Elementary
- Pat Conroy Literacy Center
- USCB Center for the Arts (Beaufort)
- United Way of the Lowcountry (Beaufort)
Public Libraries
- Beaufort Library
- Bluffton Library
- Hilton Head Library
- Lobeco Library
- St. Helena Library
Book Drop Blitz is made possible by a Community Partnership Grant along with the Pat Conroy Literary Center, United Way of the Lowcountry, Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, and Beaufort County School District.
