Local Home School parents and children who participated in the November Reading Challenge are shown holding a favorite book at the Saranac Lake Free Library. Back row Samantha Marocco, Galen Halasz (seventh grade), Sunita Halasz, Allison Rozon, and Library Director Peter Benson. Front row Olivia Marocco (sixth grade), Oliver Halasz (third grade) and Rachael Rozon (third grade). Jenna Stainken (fifth grade) also participated in the Challenge. (Photo provided — Pat Wiley)

SARANAC LAKE – Local home school parents and children recently participated in the November Reading Challenge at the Saranac Lake Free Library.

Parents pledged a certain amount per book read in November, and the money was donated to a library.

This year the Saranac Lake library and the Willsboro Library were recipients. A total of $309 was donated.

The young people reported that they read 159 books, including science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, and historical and animal books. The parents said the Reading Challenge got their children very excited about reading.

The funds given to the Saranac Lake library will be used to purchase books for the Children’s Room. A book plate will be placed in each book indicating that it was donated through “The Home School Reading Challenge November 2017.” Olivia Marocco started the Reading Challenge five years ago after learning about a Reading Challenge in a children’s story.

“It’s wonderful to see the children’s enthusiasm for reading,” Library Director Peter Benson said. “They read a variety of books, learned a lot, and had fun doing it. We’re very pleased to receive this special donation.”