Mountain Readers Become Leaders

Welcome to our second year of the Mountain Readers Become Leaders program!

Our book this year is Chicks and the City by West Virginia author, Matt Browning and illustrated by Ashley Belote. Our focus topic for this book will be urban farming.

Mountain Readers week is October 7-11, 2024.

Volunteers can choose to read at libraries, classrooms, daycares, community centers and more! The suggested audience is for grades PreK-5, but we encourage all others to volunteer to read.

Celebrate and encourage a love of reading in WV youth and prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow!

If you have any questions, please email us at education@wvpublic.org


Thank you to our sponsors ZMM Architects & Engineers and WV Public Education Collaborative.

2025 Mountain Readers Become Leaders Resources

West Virginia author Matt Browning reads West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Readers book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, published by Headline Kids.
West Virginia author Matt Browning talks about his book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, published by Headline Kids, and its themes. The book is West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Readers 2024 selection.
Video 1: Introduction to the Urban Farm
This video covers the basics, such as the farm, urban agriculture, and the crops and animals they grow. Suggested for younger learners through 5th grade.
 
Questions discussed include:
What is Patriot Guardens?
What is Urban Agriculture?
What do you grow at your farm?
Why plant flowers with crops?
Do you have an orchard like the one Stu visits?
Do you have chickens like Stu?
What do they eat?
Video 2: Plant Science and Community Involvement 
This video dives into topics like hydroponics, plant nutrients, and how the farm supports the community. Suggested for grades 3-5.
 
Questions discussed include:
How do hydroponics work?
Why do plants need nutrients?
How does your farm support the community?
Benefits of growing your own food?
How can people get involved?
The West Virginia Public Broadcasting staff reads this year’s Mountain Readers book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, by West Virginia author Matt Browning and published by Headline Kids.
At Home Experiment – Bean in a Bag
Daisy’s Garden
Garden Planner Worksheet
Additional Resources – Mountain Readers

Coming Soon — 2025 PBS Kids Writers Contest

In January, we’ll begin accepting submissions for the 2025 PBS Kids Writers Contest!

This annual event at West Virginia Public Broadcasting is a competition that encourages West Virginia children in grades K-5 to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories.

To learn more and see past winners, click here.

WVPB 2024 Reader’s Choice: “The Sheriff That Changed” by Mia Hutchinson