Celebrating our 2017 Super Summer Readers
For the past 29 years, the Super Summer Club has had a simple goal: To keep book-lovers of all ages engaged in reading.
Today we celebrate the completion of another successful year — which included two reading celebrations — by sharing the names and, in some cases, photos, of our club members. Today's presentation is the final installment in the 2017 program, sponsored by MyCentralJersey.com, Courier News and Home News Tribune.
You'll find every club member listed, along with the number of books they pledged to read, and when available, the title of their favorite book. Club members also had the option of sharing their photo.
It was a pleasure meeting many of our club members during our two reading-related events in August.
First up was our annual Author Celebration festival, conducted on Aug. 15 at the Somerset Patriots' TD Bank Ballpark. The event featured a baker's dozen of New Jersey-based authors.
This was a tremendously successful event, with reading fans of all ages turning out to talk with New Jersey-based authors about what they do. Participants included Danny and Kim Alderman, Linda J. Barth, Lisa Begin-Kruysman, Artie Bennett, Marie C. Collins, Geoffrey Cook, Betty Larrea, Jaclene Santone, Paul Semendinger, Doug Snelson, Crystal Velasquez and Ronda Wojcicki.
READ: Super Summer Reader authors want to inform, have fun
READ: Author Alan Bradley talks about books, writing
MONDAYS WITH AUTHORS:Get ideas for your next book
Throughout the summer, we also ran an eight-week-long Literary Scavenger Hunt based on the Flavia de Luce novels of by Alan Bradley. The daily puzzles and word games ran from Sunday, June 25, and ended Aug. 19. The puzzles for each week appeared Sunday to Saturday, with the answers appearing the next day. Each week's appeared in a related story on MyCentralJersey.com, which was updated daily. Readers were able to download and print them out to keep up with the fun. (If you missed any of the puzzles, click here for Week 8 of the Super Summer Reader Literary Scavenger Hunt.)
The Literary Scavenger Hunt was created by correspondent Tricia Vanderhoof, who writes our Mondays with Authors series. Her goal was to stoke interest in Bradley's charming series, and his appearance, via Skype, on Aug. 25 at the Somerset County Library System's Hillsborough Library.
During a nearly hour-long session, Bradley talked about the writing process and the creation of the Flavia series, published in 32 countries. He answered questions from a moderator as well as from his interested Central Jersey-based fans.
Bradley has published eight books in the award-winning series, which began with "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie." The ninth in the series, "The Grave's a Fine and Private Place," will be published in the next few months, and during the well-attended Skype session, he said that he's working on the 10th and final book in the series.
Speaking about his love of libraries and books, he told the audience, "This is about as good as it gets for me."
We couldn't have asked for a better summer of reading.
Throughout the summer, club members shared reviews of their favorite books. The following faithful reviewers have been randomly chosen to receive $50 gift cards from Barnes & Noble.
Elaine Bellock, Colonia
Jake and Ron Hodes, Metuchen
Andrea Tyson, Piscataway
Puja Vengadasalam, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
Another 10 readers were randomly chosen to receive $5 certificates. The certificates have been mailed and should be received this week..
In addition, we received some final reviews — we are sharing them today for your reading pleasure.
Jacqueline Lee, Watchung Hills Regional High School
"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, is a novel set in the 1930’s during the dust bowl. It follows the Joad family, primarily Tom Joad who was recently paroled, as they trek from Oklahoma to California in search of work. They leave behind the remains of their farm hoping to find fertile fields with high paying jobs in California. However, the journey is long and arduous, and when they arrive in California they are met with hostility and not nearly as much work as they had hoped for.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The author depicts the characters’ slang accurately, which might make the novel difficult to understand at times. Although many parts of the novel were predictable, the characters were very well developed and I grew very attached to the characters and appreciated all of the events in the story. The novel made the difficulties and horrors of that time very relatable to the reader.
Alice Martin, adult, Edison
Sean King, a secret service agent, looks away for a split second. That's all it takes and the presidential candidate Sean has been sworn to protect is killed by an assassin, right in front of him.
Eight years later, Michelle Maxwell, also a secret service agent, uses poor judgment and lets the presidential candidate she is protecting enter a room at a funeral parlor by himself. He had persuaded Michelle the widow wanted to speak with him privately about his old friend, the deceased. In no time at all the candidate is kidnapped. No trace.
In both cases, the agents were disgraced. Sean, after leaving the service, returned to school and became a successful lawyer. After the case with Michelle Maxwell, although she was not immediately dismissed, she knows what was very likely coming. She starts to dig into the eight-year old case involving the assassination of the candidate in King's case.
She approachs Sean and presents her findings to him. They work together to find some answers. And they find answers, as well as too many similarities to be coincidental. And what is the tie-in?
The reader of "Split Second" by David Baldacci is kept on the edge of his or her seat as the two heroes, one still an agent and the other now a lawyer, probe deeper and deeper into the mess. A surprise ending leaves readerss somewhat breathless.
"Split Second" is the first in his King and Maxwell series. Baldacci has written many other books also. Of the ones of his I've read, I highly recommend them all.
Julie Toigo, Adult, Piscataway
"The Melody Lingers On" by Mary Higgins Clark. At age 4 Louise Kenyon is snatched from her driveway. After two years of abuse, she is returned. In later years she develops multiple personalities
While at college, she develops a friendship with a kind professor. When he is murdered, she is accused of the crime. Although she does not remember any of it, her sister, a lawyer, seeks to prove her innocence.
It’s a fast read and somewhat predictable.
List of summer books: "The Ice Princess" by Camilla Lackberg; "Return of the Dance Master" by Henning Mankel; "Winter Storms" by Elin Hilderbrand; "Lifeguard" by James Patterson &Andrew Gross; "The Wrong Side of Googbye" by Michael Connelly; "Silken Prey" by John Sandforrd.
Puja Vengadasalam, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
I read Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations" as the fifth and final book that I had pledged to read for the Super Summer Reader Club.The novel struck me as very special for the way it portrays class differences in England.
Pip, the protagonist in "Great Expectations" spends his early years unaware of his economic status, believing he is no different from anyone else. Then, he meets Estella and Miss Havisham and everything changes. After Estella’s insults and criticism, Pip begins to regret his upbringing, his lack of education, his coarse hands and common boots. When he returns home to the forge after his first visit to Satis House, he sees himself in a way he never had before. He feels desperately forlorn, thinking to himself “that I was much more ignorant than I had considered myself last night; and generally that I was in a low-lived bad way.” The cruel treatment Pip receives from Miss Havisham and especially from Estella affects him deeply. Pip’s exposure to the upper class and their disdain for the working class changes the way he sees himself, his family, and his future.
Pip continues to be victimized by the duo through his adult life, even when he becomes a gentleman after inheriting wealth from an unexpected source. It is another matter that it is to Pip that both Estella and Miss Havisham have to turn at the end. Read the novel to find out the way fate turns the table time and again on the characters of this memorable Victorian novel.
MEET OUR 2017 SUPER SUMMER READER CLUB MEMBERS
To be a member of the 2017 Super Summer Reader Club, sponsored by the Courier News, Home New Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com, readers of all ages simply had to pledge to read at least five books this summer — and have fun reading. Following are the names (and who sent in, photos) of club members. We thank them all, and look forward to reading along with them — and you — next summer. Happy Reading!
Children not in school / preschool / Home schooled
BRANCHBURG
Joel Urban
Books: 5
Ryan Urban
Books: 5
EDISON
Amari Korff
Books: 5
FRANKLIN (Somerset)
Owen Errickson
Books: 100
HOME-SCHOOLED
Emily Balsamello
Grade: 6
Books: 25
GIVING NEST, Bridgewater
Joseph Rechtenbaugh
Books: 10
Brooke Thomasey
Books: 5
NORTH BRANCH REFORMED CHURCH, Bridgewater
Natalie Errickson
Books: 125
Jacob Sabella
Books: 30
Julie Sabella
Books: 30
KANGAROO KIDS SCHOOL, Branchburg
Holly Sian
Books: 5
MARY KAY MCMILLIN SCHOOL, Berkeley Heights
Grade: 1
Nolan Cimini
Books: 8
PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
ST. HELENA SCHOOL, Edison
Grade: 3
Jeshav Edwardraj
Books: 10
ST. JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL, Colonia
Grade: 3
Logan Costello
Books: 5
Grade: 5
Cole Costello
Books: 6
ST. JOSEPH’S HIGH SCHOOL, Edison
Grade: 9
Jenocent Edwardraj
Books: 10
ST. MATTHIAS, Franklin
Grade: 7
Michael Trovato
Books: 10
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Piscataway
Grade: 4
Colin Seeley
Books: 15
Grade: 6
Liam Seeley
Books: 15
Adult readers
Barbara Andronico, Sayreville
Books:10
Elaine Bellock, Colonia
Books:5
Richard Bergeron, Basking Ridge
Books:5
Sue Boros, Fords
Books:5
Michele Bukoskey, aide, Parkview School, Milltown
Books: 8-10
Peter Clark, principal of
North Brunswick High School
Books: 5
Sandra Donofrio, North Brunswick
Books: 5
Adele Ellis, Colonia
Books: 7
Jo Fitzsimmons, Colonia, teacher at
Woodbridge Township School District
Books: 5
Barbara Holbrook, Piscataway
Books: 5
Marjorie Hurte, Somerville
Books: 6
Lori Kaye, North Brunswick
Books: 5
Lisa Manganello, librarian, South Brunswick High School
Books: 5
Alice Martin, Edison
Books: 15
Favorite book: “Split Second” by David Baldacci
Yvonne Njoku, North Plainfield, The College of New Jersey student
Books: 5
Melody Njoku, North Plainfield, New York University student
Books: 5
Eileen Parks, Colonia
Books: 5
Allison Pelszynski, North Brunswick
Books: 5
Laura Pelszynski, North Brunswick
Books: 5
Megan Pelszynski, North Brunswick,
The College of New Jersey
Books: 5
Kate Sabella, Bridgewater
Books: 6
Barbara Santullo, Berkeley Heights
Books: 10
Kristen Santullo, Berkeley Heights,
Seton Hall University
Books: 10
Carole J. Simonse, Warren
Books: 5
Elise Sorge, Branchburg
Books: 20
Jennifer Stout, Bound Brook
Books: 5
Christine Suhay, Woodbridge
Books: 10
Julie Toigo, Piscataway
Books: 13
Andrea Tyson, Piscataway
Books: 5
Beth Yuro, Monroe
Books:15+
Hunterdon County
FLEMINGTON-RARITAN
FLEMING INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Grade: 5
Callie Aversano
Books pledged: 10
Books read: 23
Favorite book: "The Year of Miss Agnes" by Kirkpartick Hill
Peter McKenna
Books pledged: 5
Books read: 5
Favorite book: "Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey
JP CASE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 8
Amelia Aversano
Books pledged: 5
Books read: 7
Favorite book: "It" by Stephen King
Mary McKenna
Books pledged: 5
Books read: 5
Favorite book: "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie
Mercer County
WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH
Grade: 10
Puja Vengadasalam
Books: 5
Middlesex County
EDISON
MARTIN LUTHER KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: Kindergarten
Anaya Bhardway
Books: 5
JOHN ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 6
Jennifer Grace Duarte
Books: 8
WOODROW WILSON SCHOOL
Grade: 6
Medhavi Vyoy
Books: 5
METUCHEN
CAMPBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 3
Jake Hodes
Books: 5+
Ron Hodes
Books: 5+
MONROE
MILL LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 2
Lauren Elisabeth Yuro
Books: 15+
Favorite book: "Purplicious" by Victoria Kahn
MONROE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Grade: 9
Matthew Robert Yuro
Books: 15+
Favorite book: "Kingdom Keepers" Series by Ridley Pearson
MONROE TOWNSHIP MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 7
Steven Austin Yuro
Books: 15+
Favorite book: "Bigger Than a Bread Box" by Laurel Snyder
NORTH BRUNSWICK
ARTHUR JUDD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 2
Anish Pradhan
Books: 25
SAYREVILLE
SAYREVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 8
Maja Margol
Books: 6
SOUTH PLAINFIELD
FRANKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Keira Bayak
Books: 10
JOHN E. RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: Kindergarten
Jordyn Hunter
Books: 20
SOUTH PLAINFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 7
Jayden Hunter
Books: 9
WOODBRIDGE
FORD AVE. SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Cadence Jung
Books: 15
Grade: 5
Shawn Jung
Books: 15
INDIANA SCHOOL #18
Grade: 2
Shan Syed
Books: 10
MENLO PARK TERRACE SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Dylan Bauer
Books: 10
PORT READING SCHOOL #9
Grade: 2
Jackson Horhay
Books: 5
Mercer County
ROSS STREET SCHOOL #11
Grade: Kindergarten
Matenneh Sheriff
Books: 5
Grade: 2
Edward Grabon
Books; 5
Grade: 3
Fode Sheriff
Books: 5
Grade: 4
Alexander Grabon
Books: 5
Somerset County
BRANCHBURG
WHITON ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Raegan Haluszka
Books: 10
BRIDGEWATER
ADAMSVILLE SCHOOL
Grade: 4
Miley Stout
Books: 15
BRADLEY GARDENS SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Camila Yat
Books: 10
EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Grade: 5
JT Martinez
Books: 35
HILLSIDE SCHOOL
Grade: 5
Emma Stout
Books: 8
VAN HOLTEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: 2
Nicky Martinez
Books: 35
Jonathan Rechtenbaugh
Books: 40
Grade: 4
May Martinez
Books: 35
HILLSBOROUGH
AUTEN ROAD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Grade: 5
Jimmy Higgins
Books: 5
SUNNYMEAD SCHOOL
Grade: 2
Alexis Carlisle
Books: 21
Favorite book: "Hill of Fire"
MONTGOMERY
MONTGOMERY LOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 6
Ishan Mungkar
Books: 10
ORCHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade: Kindergarten
Anish Mungkar
Books: 25
NORTH PLAINFIELD
EAST END SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Austin Posch
Books: 10
NORTH PLAINFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 8
Joshua Njoku
Books: 20
SOMERSET SCHOOL
Grade: 5
Ben Njoku
Books: 100
STONY BROOK SCHOOL
Grade: 3
Chisom Dike
Books: 100
Grade: 1
Chigoziem Dike
Books: 50
Grade: Kindergarten
Yaya Dike
Books: 20
SOMERVILLE
VAN DERVEER SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Ashley M. Campbell
Books: 50
Grade: 3
Alyssa C. Campbell
Books: 50
WARREN
CENTRAL SCHOOL
Grade: 1
Julia Thomasey
Books: 5
WATCHUNG HILLS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Grade: 11
Jacqueline Lee
Books: 5
Union County
PLAINFIELD
MAXSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade: 7
Azariah Naiken
Books: 10
WOODLAND SCHOOL
Grade: 4
Daniel Naiken
Books: 10