Throughout February, Viewpoint’s librarians, faculty, and administrators partnered in a joyful celebration of reading and writing across our campus.

On February 4, Middle and Upper School students in Viewpoint’s Literary Honors and Literary Scholars programs participated in an inspiring writing workshop with author Henry Lien. Lien, who teaches writing at the University of California, Los Angeles, is the author of the Peasprout Chen series and the nonfiction work Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. 

Founded by English teachers Cherie Boss and Tom Moore, the Literary Honors Society fosters a vibrant culture of reading and writing in Viewpoint’s Middle School. Students demonstrate their commitment by engaging deeply in independent reading, participating in community literary events, and submitting original work to writing contests throughout the year. Members are recognized at the end-of-year assembly for their dedication to literary excellence.

Literary Scholars, founded by Viewpoint Upper School English teacher Megan Hill, is a collaborative writing program designed to help students develop their voices and grow as confident writers. Through workshops, authentic writing opportunities, and guided revision, students refine their craft while building a supportive community grounded in creativity, communication, and a lifelong love of reading and writing.  Students receive community credit for volunteering at events, including the VSSA Book Fair, and for attending the Viewpoint library’s Page Turners book club.  

Following the successful visit with Henry Lien, on February 10, Viewpoint's Primary School students enjoyed an engaging and interactive assembly with Disney animator and picture book author Benson Shum. Mr. Shum shared his passion for storytelling through illustration, offering students a glimpse into the creative process behind his colorful books for young children.  

That same day, Viewpoint’s Middle School assembly featured bestselling author Morgan Matson. Ms. Matson spoke about her writing and publishing journey and led a lunchtime workshop with our Literary Honors and Literary Scholars students, engaging them in meaningful conversation about crafting stories from personal experience. 

Through thoughtfully curated author visits and programming, Viewpoint’s librarians and faculty offer students the unique opportunity to connect with the creators of the stories they love. These collaborative partnerships enrich our students’ academic experience and support Viewpoint’s World Ready Promise by encouraging our children and teens to develop a lifelong commitment to learning through literature.

On September 30, Viewpoint School welcomed acclaimed author Kelly Yang for a special visit hosted by the campus libraries. Throughout the day, Ms. Yang spoke at two assemblies for Lower and Middle School and joined members of the Middle School Literary Honors Society for a lunchtime discussion. Her visit offered students the opportunity to meet a widely celebrated author whose books are prominently featured in Viewpoint’s libraries.

Kelly Yang is the author of many books for children and young adults, including the No. 1 The New York Times bestselling author of the “Front Desk” series. Based on Ms. Yang’s childhood experience living and working in a motel as a first-generation immigrant from China, “Front Desk” was named "one of the best books of the 21st century" by Kirkus Reviews.

Ms. Yang’s books have earned multiple awards, including the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. Her books have been featured on multiple “best of the year” lists, including Amazon’s Best Book of the Year, the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, NPR Best Book of the Year, and Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year. She was recently awarded the Strega Prize for Children and Young Readers, Italy’s most prestigious literary award for young people.

In addition to emphasizing the importance of reading, Ms. Yang shared poignant tales of her experience as a new language learner, and spoke about her initial efforts to publish her work.  Viewpoint’s students engaged deeply with Ms. Yang, asking insightful questions and flocking to Viewpoint’s campus libraries to check out her books.

Ms. Yang’s story of perseverance had an impact on Viewpoint’s readers and writers, and they left inspired to pursue their dreams with determination and confidence.

As part of the libraries’ visiting author program, Viewpoint School was delighted to welcome award-winning author Elana K. Arnold to campus in January 2025. Ms. Arnold spoke to students across three assemblies, engaging audiences in the Primary, Lower, and Middle Schools. She also joined the Middle School Literary Honors Society for a special lunchtime conversation.

A Southern California native, Ms. Arnold is the author of twenty-one critically acclaimed works, including picture and middle grade chapter books, and young adult novels. Her accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, and she has been a two-time finalist for the prestigious National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

Several of Ms. Arnold’s titles have become favorites among Viewpoint students. Her books have been featured in Primary School book clubs and recommended on library summer reading lists. When students returned to school in August 2024, many shared that Just Harriet and A Boy Called Bat were their favorite summer reads. This enthusiasm inspired the Viewpoint School librarians to invite Ms. Arnold for a visit.

During the assemblies, Ms. Arnold shared how everyday moments from her life often serve as inspiration for her writing. She spoke candidly about how receiving an autism diagnosis later in life motivated her to write A Boy Called Bat, aiming to help classrooms and school communities cultivate greater understanding and empathy for neurodiverse experiences. She also recounted how Pip and Zip - a story about a family who discovers two mysterious eggs during a COVID-era walk - was inspired by her own family's discovery of duck eggs during a socially distanced stroll in a local park.

Students from Viewpoint’s Primary, Lower, and Middle Schools were captivated by Elana’s heartfelt and deeply personal presentation, which offered a meaningful look into her writing process and her experiences as both a parent and an author.

Every December, the joyful sounds of storytelling and laughter fill the Benjamin Franklin Library (BFL) at Viewpoint School, marking a treasured annual tradition: the Head of School Holiday Readings. These events, led by Head of School Mr. Mark McKee and his wife, Ms. Cathy Shelburne, bring the spirit of the season to life for students and teachers alike.

Primary and Lower School students gather for a series of seven reading sessions, each featuring a mix of cherished classics and new literary selections. Curated by librarians Sue Jean Woodmansee and Beverly Schwarz, these stories reflect values that resonate deeply with the Viewpoint community, including kindness, gratitude, cultural understanding, and the joy of giving.

Celebrating their 10th year leading this tradition, Mark and Cathy select age-appropriate stories that encompass winter holidays while exploring themes of friendship, family connection, responsibility, and humor.

Dressed in festive holiday-themed accessories, they take turns reading page by page, projecting illustrations onto the screen and bringing each story to life with animated voices and expressive gestures. This year, students enjoyed stories like The Christmas Mitzvah and Jackie’s Gift, which highlighted lessons on bridging cultures, embracing generosity, and sharing blessings with others.

“The children look forward to this yearly holiday event in our beautiful library. In this smaller, more intimate setting, they appreciate the special time with our Head of School. Mr. and Mrs. McKee radiate love and joy for our youngest students,” said Vanessa Harrington, Assistant Head of Primary School.

Interactive and engaging, the Head of School Holiday Readings are a highlight of the winter season, setting the tone for a meaningful and joyous winter break.