The sign on the wall read

"22,414."

That was the number of books Whitwell students read this school year. Principal Annette Massie said she challenged the students to read 15,000 books at the beginning of the year. At a school assembly Tuesday, Massie said she was pleased with their effort.

"That is incredible," Massie said as she pointed to the sign on the wall. "This year you worked really hard and I'm so proud of you."

So was Superintendent Dean Nance, who stopped by to celebrate and to read a book to the kids himself: "The Giving Tree," by Shel Silverstein.

"I bet if you stacked them (the books) all up, it would fill this gym," Nance said. "I'm proud you read that many."

He challenged the students to read this summer instead of watching television.

T-shirts were handed out to first-graders who read at least 60 books, second-graders who read at least 75 and third-graders who read at least 100. Trophies were handed out to students who read at least 500 books. One child, Regina Morris, read 1,081 books.

Massie also thanked the parent volunteers who have helped at the school this year, some of whom attended the reading awards assembly.