HCS Book Bus at Summer Reach Sites
June 27, 2025 – The wheels have stopped turning, but the stories are just getting started.
Over the past few weeks, the Hamilton County Schools Book Bus visited Summer Reach sites across the county, bringing books, excitement, and a love for reading straight to students. Each stop was a collaborative effort, with Hamilton County Schools staff and representatives from the Soddy Daisy Community Library Read 20 program (SDCL Read 20) teaming up to make the visits both meaningful and fun.
At the heart of these efforts were Shemica Damron from HCS and Stewart Payne and Cristina Bennett from Read 20. Their teamwork helped turn each visit into something truly special.
As a small nonprofit with a big passion for connecting kids to books they truly enjoy, the SDCL Read 20 team played a vital role in bringing the experience to life. The team began each visit by reading aloud in classrooms, sparking laughter, questions, and engagement, helping students connect with stories before they even stepped onto the bus.
It wasn’t just about handing out books; it was about making reading come alive. At Middle Valley Elementary, students sang along with Pete the Cat and even got up to “run from the bear” during We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Each visit felt more like a story adventure than a typical read-aloud, and the joy was contagious.
After storytime, students headed outside to the colorful Book Bus, where shelves were filled with free books of all kinds. Thanks to the support from the SDCL Read 20 program, the selection was better than ever, especially for older students. The goal was simple: make sure every child could find something they were excited to read and take home.
“It was so rewarding to see kids light up when they found a book that felt just right,” said HCS team member Shemica Damron. “Some didn’t want to leave the bus without reading the first few pages right there.”
Damron made sure each child found a book they truly wanted, never rushing them, even in the middle of the summer heat.
The final stop took place on Wednesday, just ahead of Summer Reach wrapping up on Friday. As always, the Book Bus helped support Hamilton County Schools’ ongoing focus on literacy by putting books directly into students’ hands and making reading something to look forward to all year long.
The road trip may be over, but the stories chosen this summer are just beginning. Damron, Payne, and Bennett, along with the HCS and SDCL Read 20 teams, will continue working to nurture a lifelong love of reading in every student. Keep an eye out for the Book Bus at future events throughout the year!
