According to an article sponsored by the Pew Research Center, the average American reads five books per year, and each book averages 60,000 to 100,000 words. The best-selling novel The Hunger Games is 99,750 words. Another best-selling novel, Twilight, is 119,000 words. The King James Bible is 788,280 words. That’s a lot of words, right?

It’s not, compared to the reading rates in the 9th grade Read 180 classes.  Mrs. Brittney Garst tracks her students’ reading. Her classes have already read 2,433,499 words throughout their time in Read 180.

Read 180 is similar to any other English 9 class, except it focuses more on advancing the students’ reading skills.

“Reading is an essential skill for any job you have. It is also helpful in other classes. If you cannot successfully read and understand the information, you can’t learn,” says Garst.

The classes have read a wide range of books including The Hunger Games (99,750 words), Soldier’s Heart (15,013 words), Holes (46,938 words) and more.

Mrs. Garst keeps a chart of the reading totals. As of early May,  freshman Raymond Meldrom had read 206,737 words. Close behind is student freshman Travis Thompson,  with 205,245 words.

“My favorite book that I have read so far is Holes because it tells a story about kids who make a positive change in their life,” says Thompson.

“Hopefully by the end of the year we will get to 3 million words,” says Garst. Only half a million away, the classes have the goal in sight.

In reward for completing their goal, Principal Dave Kehne will sponsor a pizza party at the end of the school year.

The classes also have many opportunities to earn prizes. One way is for them to read a total of 15 books. Another way is when a student reads a total of 250,000 words and passes the corresponding quiz. The prizes include candy, free cheeseburger coupons, and more!

Because the classes have been reading and comprehending words at such a rapid pace, they reached their previous goal of 2 million words and had an ice cream sandwich party.

Reading specialist Ms. Tracey Cassidy has actively participated in the program, dressing up and cheering the students on. According to Ms. Cassidy, the Read 180 program for Linganore High School has the highest on time rate compared to other schools.

“My brother influences me the most through the Read 180 program because he is always there for me when I need him,” says Meldrom.

“My teacher, Mrs. Garst, influences me the most because she always tells us that we can do it,” says freshman Madison Smith.

Thompson agrees, saying, “She helps us by telling us what we can improve on and she talks us through it.”