Ballard student honored for library’s summer reading challenge

A Ballard 6th grader is one of the winners from the summer reading challenge put on by Seattle Public Libraries. Grant Hanson was celebrated at the Breakfast of Champions yesterday at the Space Needle, where he was recognized for being the top reader at the Ballard Library.

Grant Hanson, Mayor Mike McGinn and Evan Otte, 2nd grader Magnolia. Photo by Kym Otte

The summer reading challenge happens every year, and is for children up to age 12. The purpose of the challenge is to prevent summer setback, and each neighborhood branch celebrates one top winner. This year, the winners were  recognized by  Mayor Mike McGinn, city librarian Marcellus Turner and MC Dennis Bounds, from KING-5 News.

Kym Otte’s son, Evan, was the winner from Magnolia. She says McGinn asked Evan what his favorite book was and he responded that he liked “The Wheedle on the Needle.” Hanson told McGinn that he read several large books this summer and that reading helps him relax, according to Otte.

Otte says after the breakfast, Turner gave a short speech, and informed the audience that the Seattle libraries have done a summer reading competition since 1919. Turner said this year the city read more than 191,000 books, which could equal to 13 times the Space Needle, according to Otte.

Each winner, in addition to being honored at the Breakfast of Champions, received a Seattle Public Library t-shirt and a large cookie with their name written in frosting.

For more about the summer reading program, click here.

Thanks, Kym, for the tip and photo!