Library News

Book Review Workshop with Heather Zubek

On Monday 25 May, we were excited to welcome Heather Zubek, School & Community Liaison Officer from Collins Booksellers Croydon. Heather worked with seven of our enthusiastic readers, guiding them through a fun and engaging session on how to write a 100-word book review using the ‘Hamburger Method’.

In a creative twist, students even helped construct their own (very unusual!) “hamburger,” filled with ingredients such as sardines, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, spices, and olive oil. Each ingredient represented a key component of an effective book review—although it’s safe to say no one was eager to eat it!

Heather then read the picture storybook In the Lion by James Foley and challenged students to write their own reviews using the method. 

Below is a fantastic example written by Aubrey from Grade 6MR:

“This book has a heart of gold”

In the Lion is about a boy named Richard, who builds up the courage to face a lion who is eating everyone! James Foley wrote this book based on Richard the Lion Heart, who saved a zoo from a lion! His illustrations hold so much detail that they are bursting at the seams. The message in this story will warm hearts, and anticipation builds quickly. Anyone who reads this book will be left starstruck! As an author from Western Australia, it’s easy to see why this book is so fabulous.

At the end of the session, each student received a book to take home, read, and review independently. We are delighted to hear they are thoroughly enjoying their books, and some reviews have already been submitted to Heather. These will be published in an upcoming Collins Booksellers newsletter, as well as featured in a future school newsletter.

The session flew by, and we quickly discovered just how challenging it can be to limit a review to only 100 words while still capturing everything we want to say!

Heather also runs monthly reading and creative writing groups through Collins Booksellers and the local library, which some of our students already attend. If any families have book-loving children who may be interested, please let us know, and we would be happy to connect you.

Scholastic Book Club

Just a reminder that closing date for Issue 4 orders was yesterday, Thursday 11th June. Those who placed an order in Issue 3 will have received a $5 promo code to spend this issue.

Orders are expected to be received and distributed before the end of term.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

Don’t forget the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is currently underway, finishing on the first Friday in September (4 September 2025 – Term 3, Week 8).

As students read and complete books, please ensure they are either entering their progress online at: https://vprcidentity.eduweb.vic.gov.au/account/login or recording their reading on their challenge sheets for entry at a later time.

To help students and families identify eligible books, our library books are labelled with a Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge level sticker on the base of the spine. We also aim to stock our reading pit with Challenge books, which students can borrow during their library sessions.

The Challenge encourages students to read a set number of books and record them online:

• Prep to Year 2: Read or ‘experience’ 30 books (20 must be from the Challenge booklist), supported by parents and teachers.
• Year 3 to Year 10: Read 15 books (10 must be from the booklist).

All students who successfully complete the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the current and former Victorian Premiers.

All students at our school are already registered and have previously received their login details. If you’re unsure, please check inside the front cover of their reading diary.

If you would like further information, please contact our school’s Challenge Coordinator, Tracey Johansen.

Happy reading 

Till next time, happy reading everyone!!

Karin Sansom

Library