Important dates

January 25                                                                                                             
Birbery Program is announced
Book checkout begins

--BOOK CLUBS DATES COMING SOON--
(Book clubs will begin after Mid-Winter break.)                                                                               

May 6
Deadline for all reviews to be submitted: 8am.
Winners announced at the end of the day!

• What is the Birbery?            

  The Birbery is a reading program designed by Birmingham Media Specialists for all Birmingham Public School 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  It is a “Mock Newbery” program. The real Newbery is an award given each year in January for “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in the preceding year.” The BPS Media Specialists and Baldwin librarians chose 24 exceptional books that they believe are front-runners for the real Newbery Award. 

   

   

• How do I participate?                       

  We have 24 titles to choose from.  Read as many of the titles as you like!

  Submit reviews on the titles you read on

  Destiny Discover  (see how-to video under Destiny menu option on the Berkshire Media Center webpage)

  You can also get to Destiny Discover through Classlink (Follet Destiny Icon   )

  Each review should include:

  1. your full name and grade
  2. a brief summary of the book (but don’t spoil the ending)
  3. why you did or did not like the book
  4. who you would recommend the book to (people who like...)

  For each review you submit, your name will be entered into the drawing.  Since there are 24 books, you have the potential to be entered into the drawing up to 24 times.

  We will have three winners who will receive gift certificates to Book Beat, a local bookstore.  Third place will get a $20 gift certificate, second place will get a $30 gift certificate, and first place will get a $50 gift certificate.  (We will only give one prize per student.)