Kiana participated in BookUp, our after-school reading program, for all three years of middle school at Brooklyn’s I.S. 318. After graduating this June, Kiana will attend high school in the fall and plans to return to her BookUp classroom as an intern.
BookUp: You’ve been in BookUp for three years – why did you return year after year?
Kiana Ramirez: BookUp was a place that I couldn’t turn away from, it is an awesome program. I get free books I get to keep, and go on really cool trips. The program overall encourages me to read even more than I used to. I always loved reading and I am always reading whenever I get the chance but while in BookUp, I realized I’ve been walking around constantly to class with a new book in my hand and it is a good feeling.
BU: What did you learn as a reader that you didn’t know before you attended BookUp?
KR: What I’ve learned in BookUp about myself as a reader is that I have learned to appreciate other genres besides what I used to read which was mystery all the time.
BU: How do you think BookUp has prepared you to become a lifelong reader & learner?
KR: I already knew I would be a lifelong reader and learner before attending BookUp because I was so fond of it, but if BookUp were a reason of how to prepare me, it would be encouraging my reading and writing skills.
BU: Do you have any books you’d like to recommend to other readers your age?
KR: Yes I certainly do, I would like to recommend It’s kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini because, the character of the book faces issues that makes him contemplate suicide but sought help and it saved his life. I think the book holds a strong message for people my age and it is a good book overall and I feel anyone can enjoy it.