WINDHAM — Librarian Joel Burdette asks the 10 children in the lunchtime reading group how many read beyond the assigned 60 pages in the adventure story "Swindle."
Eight hands shot up. A few of them have finished the compelling tale.
Soon the reading group swirls with its own action. The children chatter about their favorite parts of the book and ask questions.
It's lunchtime at Windham Center School, and these third- and fourth-graders huddle around a library table, nibbling pizza and subs, but mostly chewing on the action in the Book Club's latest selection.
The school has three reading groups serving third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. The 40 children meet every other week in a breakfast group or two lunch groups.
These children are hungry for reading.
"They really do enjoy reading," Burdette said. "They find humor and entertainment in the books, and identify with the characters."
Reading enjoys such stature at the Lowell Street school that its hallways include little fashion readers, third-graders walking around the school toting a storybook, said Marilyn Jaspers, a library aide.
"They want to be seen carrying a book," she said.
The lunch group readers, however, have their books open and on the table next to their trays.
Burdette leads the discussion in an unobtrusive manner. He guides, but gives the stage to the children. The librarian knows the children's imaginations are transported by a book if they talk about how they would react to a situation in the story.
"Swindle" is the story of sixth-grader Griffin Bing. He gets cheated out of a valuable Babe Ruth baseball card by an unethical dealer and tries to get it back.
Bing found the card at a haunted house. The Center School readers talk about whether they would venture to a rundown house featured in the book.
"I wouldn't go because I'd be freaked out. What if they destroyed the house on the wrong date?" Joycelyn Lagasse said.
"I would go for only a little bit, but then I would go home at night," Emma Figaro said.
Reading has inspired Emma to write her own story. It's about an apple that is about to be eaten so it runs away, taking a cab to New York City.
Danny Rochford said Book Club membership brings benefits beyond the fun of reading.
Members get to go to the front of the lunch line to get their food before heading to the library. They also get first dibs on new books at the school library.
Ultimately, reading and talking about books is a fine reward, Burdette said.
"I think it's neat that kids are interested in books, not just the latest movie," he said.
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