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Hongkou Campus: Reading Wonderland Week 2

April 20, 2026

Growing Together Through Stories

Our literary garden is starting to sprout! After the magic of fantasy literature ignited our students' love for reading in Week 1, Week 2 of Reading Wonderland arrived right on schedule. This week, we turned our attention to realistic fiction—stories that could really happen in everyday life. The best part? Characters stepped off the page, stories came alive in fresh new ways, and our students bravely shared their own understanding of the world.



This Week's Feature: Realistic Fiction

This week, our classrooms were filled with stories close to home. Our first graders were captivated by their teachers' lively read-alouds. From the playful tale of Three Monks, they learned the value of teamwork through laughter. With Miss Nelson is Missing, they reflected on a simple but important truth: cherish those who are kind to you—don't wait until they're gone. These stories about friendship, family, and growth felt like they could be happening right next door.





Meanwhile, the "Reading Buddies" activity continued for our second and third graders. This time, students brought their own realistic fiction books and read side by side with partners from the same grade. You could see that they weren't just sharing a book—they were quietly exchanging their understanding of life and a little bit of kindness.





Dress-Up Day: Book Character Day!

Calling all wizards, princesses, detectives, and heroes! On Thursday, our campus turned into a lively gathering of book characters, with familiar faces popping up in every corner. Children transformed into their favorite literary figures: wizards in cloaks, young detectives with magnifying glasses, brave superheroes, and clever princesses. Teachers happily joined the costume fun as well. Behind every carefully planned outfit was a child's deep love for a particular book and character. On this day, reading was no longer quiet—it was colorful, lively, and a love you could wear.









Live on Stage: StoryTime & TED-Talks

At SHSID, reading isn't just quiet time!


On Thursday morning, our first and second graders took the stage in the lecture hall. Selected students wowed their peers with live, interactive StoryTime presentations, delivering wonderful stories in both Chinese and English—from classics like The Magic Paintbrush and Pinocchio, to meaningful fables like The Lion and the Mouse and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, to beloved favorites like Harry Potter and Mulan. The young "judges" in the audience carefully filled out scoring sheets, cheering on every brave storyteller.







Meanwhile, our impressive third graders took the stage for "Young Readers Speak," delivering passionate, persuasive TED-style talks on their favorite books. Ten young thinkers stepped up one by one. Some recommended a favorite book—from the humorous everyday adventures in Diary of a Wimpy Kid to the deep reflections on memory and emotion in The Giver. Others analyzed a fascinating character. Hermione Granger, for example, was explored by two different speakers, each offering a unique perspective that felt fresh and inspiring to the audience.







The audience held scoring sheets and rated each speaker on multiple criteria. They also wrote down their favorite speaker, something new they learned, and a sincere compliment or suggestion. "Your talk was so fun—it makes me want to read that book too!" Feedback like this, coming from peers, might be more powerful than any medal.





As the final speaker bowed and thanked the audience, warm applause filled the lecture hall. Confident eyes, clear logic, and heartfelt expression—these third-grade speakers moved everyone in the room.


Reading is never just about taking in words; expressing ideas is where deeper understanding begins. And learning to listen and give thoughtful feedback is one of the best gifts we can give each other.


What's Next

Week 2 has come to a close, but the journey through Reading Wonderland continues. Next up: a magical Book Tasting Tea Party on World Book Day, followed by a cozy Family Reading Night. Stay tuned for more heartwarming moments as our children discover themselves and connect with the wider world through books.


Let Every Seed of Reading Blossom Bravely

At SHSID Hongkou Campus, we believe that a good book can open up a whole world, and a courageous act of expression can light up a heart. When our children dress up as beloved characters and step onto the stage to share their understanding, they are not only showcasing what they've read—they are declaring: I am a reader, a thinker, and a storyteller.


Let's continue to walk alongside these young lives, helping them grow with confidence in the springtime fragrance of books.



(Written by Nina Kang

Pictures/Video by Rachel Wu, Elaine Zhu

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Chenli Shen, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)