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Lacey Loves to Read

Lacey Loves to Read is a community reading initiative designed to encourage our area students to become lifelong readers and learners. Activities include a district-wide bookmark creation contest, short story writing events, and more. A notable children's author visits each year to share insights on writing and reading and foster a culture of reading in our school community. Follow us on Facebook!

2024-25 Featured Author

Lacey loves to read Varian Johnson!

Varian Johnson

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards; The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children’s book and Kirkus Reviews Best Book; and the graphic novel Twins, illustrated by Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. He later received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is honored to now be a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, TX with his family. https://varianjohnson.com/

 

Edited by Ibi Zoboi, and featuring a piece by Varian Johnson, this is a collection of stories about what it's like to be young and Black in America.

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Cover for the book To Catch a Cheat, by Varian Johnson.

Scott Free wants nothing more than to leave Apokolips for planet Earth, but his plan never involved falling in love with the person tasked with ensuring he never escapes.

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Cover for the book The Parker Inheritance, by Varian Johnson.

When Candice finds an old letter addressed to her grandmother, who left the town in shame, a mystery unfolds, and a fortune awaits the person who solves the puzzle.

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Cover for the book The Great Green Heist, by Varian Johnson.

Jackson Greene has reformed. No, really, he has. After the disaster of the Mid-Day PDA, he swore off scheming and conning for good.

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Cover for the book Playing the Cards You're Dealt, by Varian Johnson.

Anthony Joplin is finally old enough to play in the Spades tournament, which every Joplin man before him has won, and he feels the weight of his father's expectations of him at the card table.

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Cover for the book Twins, by Varian Johnson.

Maureen and Francine Carter are twins—and best friends. But just before sixth grade, they are growing up and apart. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good?

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Community Event

Contests

Teen Writing & Art Contest

The deadline for writing and art entries is January 11, 2025!

Stay tuned for the bookmark contest results!

Past Featured Authors

  • 2024: Donna Barba Higuera
  • 2023: Dan Gemeinhart
  • 2022: Brandon Mull
  • 2021: Oge Mora
  • 2021: Jason Reynolds
  • 2020: Sharon M. Draper
  • 2019: Kazu Kibuishi
  • 2018: Kate DiCamillo
  • 2017: Matt de la Peña
  • 2016: Kwame Alexander
  • 2015: Kashmira Sheth
  • 2014: Patrick Carman
  • 2013: Jennifer L. Holm
  • 2012: Richard Jesse Watson
  • 2011: Kirby Larson
  • 2010: Joseph Bruchac
  • 2009: Sy Montgomery
  • 2008: Pat Mora
  • 2007: Naomi Shihab Nye
  • 2006: Walter Dean Myers
  • 2005: Jane Yolen
  • 2004: Gary Soto

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North Thurston Public Schools

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