Madison Whiz Kid: Samuel Thorpe

 Name:  Samuel Thorpe

Age:  11

Grade:  6

School:  Brown Middle School

Accomplishments:  Samuel is one of four Connecticut students serving as a reader for the 2012 Nutmeg Nominees Junior Book Committee.   Samuel’s committee works with a group of state librarians to choose the 10 books that will be named 2012 Nutmeg nominees for grades 4 - 6.  Connecticut children will then vote in January for their favorite, which will be named Nutmeg Book Award Winner.  This award encourages students in grades 4-8 to read quality literature.

Samuel and the three other students on his committee read the same 15 books a month, discuss then as a group and in the end will choose 10 of the 150 books as Nutmeg nominees. Samuel submitted three separate essays to be considered for this position including one about his all-time favorite book, one on his favorite genre of book and one about, if accepted, how he would keep up with reading 15 books a month for 10 months.

Key to Samuel's Awesomeness:  Samuel loves to read and so has no problem finishing the books.  “I’m finding it not hard at all.  Actually I’m doing some reading on the side, too.”  He usually likes to read science fiction, fantasy and mystery books and since joining this committee he says, “I’ve actually found 3 or 4 books that I would have wanted to read anyway even if I hadn’t been on the committee.”  

For other avid readers Samuel has this advice, “I would encourage anyone who loves to read to join the committee because it’s a very rewarding experience.”

Is he proud of himself for keeping up with the work required to participate on this committee? “I’m sure I’ll feel very proud of myself when I actually see the Nutmegs on the shelf and I’m thinking ‘Wow, I chose these!’”   

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