Librarians on campuses across Yuma Union High School District started the 2022-23 district reading challenge this week. It is the fifth consecutive year librarians have offered a creative twist to support student literacy.

This year's district-wide reading challenge is called, "Read Across the Universe.” 

Students can participate by “traveling” to planets in a solar system of literary genres and reading the requisite books required to trek the “distance” to the next planet. Each time they read a book associated with a planet, students are asked to submit a review on the library’s Canvas page or using a “quick review” sheet. The student will then receive a stamp towards that planet and move one step closer to moving on. 

“Students can explore their horizons by exploring different planets, which are tied to different genres,” San Luis High School librarian Lourdes Aranda said. “Every time a student reads a book associated with a planet and turns in a book review; they will earn a small prize.”

Winners will be determined by the most planets visited and/or the total number of points earned for submitting book reviews. The top three students with the most books read, when the contest concludes on April 28, 2023, will earn prizes. 

Prizes are as follows: small prize - won after each submitted review read and evaluated; First place - $40 Barnes & Noble Gift Card; Second place - $30 Barnes & Noble Gift Card; and Third place - $20 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. Please note: all prizes are provided through donations or are personally donated by librarians.

YUHSD Librarians include: Cait Zaksheske at Yuma High School, Jessica Peralta at Cibola High School, Lisa Dinwiddie at Gila Ridge High School, RJ Kirkevold at Kofa High School, and Lourdes Aranda at San Luis High School.