The tradition began four years ago over a semantic misunderstanding. Teacher-librarian Gloria Carrington told a cafeteria full of K-3 students that she planned to announce the names of the students in the frequent reader club so they could parade to the stage at the last school assembly. She meant that they could walk proudly to the stage. The kids, however, conjured images of banners, wagons decorated as floats, and a victory lap around the school property where passing motorists might honk and cheer.

That is how Tucson’s Drachman Montessori School dreamed up the annual Parade of Reading Champions honoring students who read at least 10 books during the year.

Every one of the 310 students read at least 10 books in 2007-2008. About 120 of the students read more than 100 books. Now, that’s reason for a parade. This school is really doing its part to foster a lifelong reading habit in students.