Students read along as Dr. Kurtis Kotes reads the first chapter of “Growing Home” by Beth Ferry.

The 11th Annual Bell Top Book Club kicked off Tuesday morning with a a few fun surprises for the students! Teachers Sarah Lussier and Tracy Cornell announced that the school would be reading “Growing Home” by Beth Ferry. Every student in grades K-5 received their own hardcover copy of the book courtesy of the Bell Top PTO.

To go along with the book’s theme each classroom received a plant. Students in each class will care for their plant and give a personality to the plant during the month long reading program. Each night students are asked to listen as a “Mystery Reader” reads selected chapters. After each reading, students will guess the identity of the Mystery Reader.

Following the big announcements, surprise guest Superintendent Dr. Kurtis Kotes read the first chapter as students followed along. At the end of the assembly, Ms. Ferriero unveiled a goldfish that will become the school pet, with each classroom getting a chance to help care for it.

About the Book (from the author’s website)

Come root for Ivy the houseplant as she and her friends attempt to save Toasty the goldfish from a thieving antique dealer who wants to steal Toasty’s fish tank.

Bell Top Book Club Selections

2026 — “Growing Home” by Beth Ferry
2025 – “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo
2024 – “Breadcrumbs” by Anne Ursu
2023 – “Odder” by Katherine Applegate
2022 – “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin
2021 – “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown
(BTBC Bedtime Stories During COVID Shutdown)
2019 – “Wish Tree” by Katherine Applegate
2018 – “Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillo
2017 – “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate
2016 – “The Trumpet of the Swan” by E.B. White
2015 – “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo