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St. Mary’s International School MS/HS Library Sakura Medal 2006 And the Winner Is... ARK ANGEL, by Anthony Horowitz Scenes from the Vote and Pizza Party held on Wednesday, April 19. Each student had to read at least five of the books on the list to be eligible to vote - well done everybody! (For more information on how the Sakura Medal book award program works, just keep scrolling down.)
Breakdown of votes at St. Mary's:
Introducing…The Sakura Medal The St. Mary’s MS/HS Library is pleased to announce the launching of a new book award program: The Sakura Medal.
What is the Sakura Medal? The Sakura Medal is a new library reading program designed to encourage reading and the enjoyment of good quality books. It is being initiated in the 2005-2006 school year for students in participating International Schools across Japan. At St. Mary’s, upper Elementary students in Grades 5 and 6 and Middle School students in Grades 7 and 8 are eligible to participate in this exciting new reading program. A brief history of the Sakura Medal The Sakura Medal was started by a group of librarians from International Schools in Japan in the Spring of 2005. A list of fiction books was chosen from books published in the last three years. The selected titles were chosen according to the following criteria: written by acclaimed international authors, of outstanding literary quality and originality, of interest and appeal appropriate for age and reading level of participating students. The name of the award comes from the Japanese word for cherry blossom, sakura, which traditionally has a special meaning in Japanese life and culture. As far back as the 10th century the sakura blossom has been considered the national flower of Japan and celebrated in art and poetry throughout the ages. Since that time hanami or flower viewing parties have been held in March or April to celebrate the fleeting beauty of the delicate pink flower. The culmination of the program will be next Spring when students will vote for their favorite book as the winner of the Sakura Medal. How does the program work? How can I participate?
How long will the program run? Here at St. Mary’s, the program is beginning this month with the participation of Elementary students in Grades 5 and 6 and Middle School students in Grades 7 and 8. The students will be presented with a list of 25 books of outstanding literary merit especially selected by librarians from International Schools in Japan. They are encouraged to read as many books on the list as they would like and then vote for their favorite in April 2006. The winning book will be announced in May 2006 and the author will be notified and presented with the new Sakura Medal award. When will the program begin and end? Start: November 18, 2005. End: April 21, 2006. When will the voting take place? Voting will take place in the library on Friday, April 21, 2006. How will we keep track of the books each student has read? A reading record will be kept in the library. Students will complete a Sakura Feedback Form for each title they have read. It is a concise response that provides a brief assessment of the book. The form will be used by the library as proof of having read the book and will serve students as a reminder of what they “liked most” about each book they have read when it comes time to vote. Which schools in Japan are participating in the Sakura Medal? The American School in Japan (ASIJ, Tokyo), British School in Tokyo (BST, Tokyo), Canadian Academy (CA, Kobe), Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ, Tokyo), International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH, Tokyo), Nagoya International School (NIS, Nagoya), Nishimachi International School (NIS, Tokyo), St. Mary’s International School (SMIS, Tokyo), Seisen International School (SIS, Tokyo), Yokohama International School (YIS, Tokyo). How can I find out more about the Sakura Medal? Please see Ms. Fernicola in the MS/HS Library if you have any further questions about the Sakura Medal and how to become involved in the program.
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