At Harvest Elementary School, staff are teaching students not only about the importance of reading, but the value of choosing your own books. One way they’re doing this is through their book vending machine.

Rather than just checking books out at the library, these fifth graders part of Harvest Elementary have the opportunity to ‘buy’ their books.

The idea is simple, students earn coins for perfect attendance and can use them to purchase a book of their choice to take home.

“I feel good because if I pick the book it’s going to be most likely that I read it,” said student Kathrine Montalvo.

It’s an initiative that started back in March of 2024, principal Karen Weirather says since its launch, they’ve been able to give out around 500 books to students.

“We know that when students read s

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