Throughout the month of February, students and staff at Islip High School united around a love of literacy as they participated in a Big Read. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the Big Read is a “program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. It provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.”

Co-sponsored by Library Media Specialist Gina Seymour and English Chairperson Barbara Wagner, the Big Read kicked off on Feb. 1 with raffles and prizes, as well as an opportunity for students to purchase discounted copies of the Big Read book, Veronica Roth’s “Divergent.” The young adult novel, the first in a trilogy, is set in dystopian Chicago and tells the story of 16-year-old Beatrice Prior.

During the monthlong event, all participants are invited to take part in trivia challenges, book discussions, writing contests and other “Divergent”-centered activities.