books

Book Talk 

Posted on by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Ari Case 

The high school’s library is home to hundreds of books across every genre imaginable and provides a sanctuary for many students throughout the school day. 

“I’ve worried in the last couple [of] years that kids aren’t reading as much as they used to,” librarian Mrs. Carrie Vottero said. “But I think reading can still be cool.” 

This year has brought many successful new releases that have been popularized online through content creators and advertising campaigns. She cited online book clubs and social media as ways some students are encouraged to read outside of school. 

“I think part of the reason we have such [a] good reading culture is that we have [an] amazing staff that read,” Mrs. Vottero said. 

Several teachers share books with each other and are often seen chatting about recent reads in between classes. 

“It’s a positive community, lots of people are reading and I see a lot of books on desks,” science teacher Mrs. Rachel Sassani explained. 

The science book section of the library.

Photo By: Ari Case

Both Vottero and Mrs. Sassani shared that students have been reading a diverse collection of books. Science book recommendations—both fiction and non-fiction—can be found in the library and the science wing. 

Senior Raegan Goulding has noticed a lot of thrillers, mysteries, and Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition (WIRC) books in the hands of students. 

Last year, the GS WIRC team took home the first place trophy and they have hopes of keeping it this spring. 

The WIRC sign in the library.

Photo By: Ari Case

Goulding said the team is “very committed” and “there’s really not a kind of book you can’t find” on the list. 

Her favorite book from this year’s list is Rez Ball by Byron Graves, a realistic fiction YA novel about an Indigenous American high school basketball player. 

“I could connect with it on a personal level as an athlete, and it had a lot of [elements] that meant a lot to me,” she said. 

Despite the wide selection in the library, fewer and fewer students are checking out books. 

Vottero expressed concern that screens are “stealing young people away from their books,” which was echoed by Sassani and senior Dakota Nepple. 

It’s certainly no secret that many more kids and even adults are seen with phones and social media when they could be reading. Reading has been proven to contribute many positive health benefits from positive brain development to stress relief. 

“I don’t see people reading as much as I used to,” Nepple said. “We’re so caught up with our phones and [we] stop choosing healthy things we could do in our free time. Plus, as seniors we sometimes get busy worrying about our futures.” 

Goulding also shared that reading is different as a senior. Many students find it more difficult to read as they get older and have more to do. 

“Whenever I was a kid, I’d read a lot, but now I’m in high school I don’t have enough time,” Nepple said. “I think I don’t always make enough time, and sometimes I choose my phone [over] a book.” 

Even though people may not read as much as they used to, those who read at GS are consistently happy with the way they spend that time. 

“Every new release I’ve picked up this year, I’ve loved,” Vottero said. “It’s a good year for reading!” 

GS Library Trends 

Information Courtesy Mrs. Vottero

Most Circulated Book: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green 
Most Circulated Genre: Graphic Novels and Manga 

Popular Titles in 2024 
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 
The Women by Kristin Hannah (One of Mrs. Rachel Sassani’s favorite authors) 
The Reappearance of Racher Price by Holly Jackson 
Crescent City Book Three: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Mass 
When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson 
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman 
Reckless by Lauren Roberts 
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross 
The Skyward Series Book Four: Defiant by Brandon Sanderson 


Highly Anticipated Releases in 2025 
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove) 
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green 
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (The Love Hypothesis) 
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Beach Read) 
Never Flinch by Stephen King 
Atmosphere: a Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Daisy Jones and the Six) 


New Series Installments in 2025 
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Series) 
Legendborn Book Three: Oathbound by Tracy Deonn 
Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me Series) 
Fourth Wing Book Three: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 
 
 
 
 
 

The Golden Lion Shoppe 

Posted on by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Quinn Isenberg 

Students looking for a snack throughout the school day will be excited to hear that The Golden Lion Shoppe has reopened this school year.  

The shoppe is open every Tuesday and Thursday during advisory and is located across from the cafeteria. Students interested in the shoppe can get a pass from their advisory teacher to purchase items.  

“There’s mainly food, drinks and snacks like candy bars and chips,” shoppe supervisor Mrs. Leisa Ecklund said. “We also sell school supplies.”  

Food and school supplies aren’t all the shoppe has to offer. The Golden Lion Shoppe also acts as a way for students to get work experience.  

Students running The Lion Shoppe during advisory.

Photo by: Quinn Isenberg

“We wanted students to learn,” Mrs. Ecklund said. “We wanted the high school students to be able to come and get a snack and drink and then we also wanted our students to learn social skills that they can use for their future when they graduate high school.”  

The shoppe is an excellent simulation of what it’s like to work retail for the Life Skills students seeking work experience.  

“It feels like you’re actually doing business,” junior Joseph Sabolcik (JW) said.   

This business is teaching the students valuable things that they can take with them into adulthood and use in the real world.  

“It has taught me the different values of working and how it has more advantages than it seems,” freshman Belle Steward said.  

Working for the first time is difficult for most and can take time to adjust to. This opportunity is giving the students a head start in the workforce.  

“They get more comfortable interacting with other people,” Ecklund said. “I also see some students come out of their shell a little bit.”  

The shoppe not only benefits those who are working, but also the students who come to buy from them. 

“I can see the shoppe benefitting students because it provides a way for the students behind the register to learn how to use it, and it provides the students in front of the register a nice snack before third block,” sophomore Royce Boatright said.  

Proceeds from the shoppe are going towards supporting the Life Skills students for their hard work.  

“In the past we’ve used it towards field trips or educational tools for students like headphones,” Ecklund said. “Right now, we’re just trying to get up and running.”