Since May is “Military Month” at the Library (due to Memorial Day), I decided to put together a book display of both fiction and nonfiction featuring US veterans and soldiers. I think it’s all to easy for those of us who don’t come from military backgrounds to overlook the sacrifices these brave men and women have made. So I wanted to do something special to honor them this month.

I decided to incorporate a letter box for Operation Gratitude. For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, Operation Gratitude drops care packages for service members overseas. These packages contain everything from chocolate to books to letters, so I wanted to encourage my teens to express their gratitude by making custom cards. I placed construction paper, scissors, and markers in the middle of the display (bordering them with military books on both sides). The end result was an interactive and attractive display.

Thus far, we’ve had eighteen tweens and teens make cards and place them in our box. Exciting, right?  That’s one of the highest participation rates for a passive program yet! So if you’re looking for a fun and meaningful May display, I’d highly recommend military month! My tweens and teens agree. 🙂

Recommended Books:

Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy

Brotherhood by A.B. Westrick

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb