ROME - Students at Fairland West Elementary are embarking on an adventure - the kind that can only be found within the pages of a good book.

Students at the school are beginning the work for "Where the Wild Things Are" a literary project that is scheduled for the week of Oct. 24-28. Each grade level received a recommended reading list that students can choose from.

"I like books better than TV," fifth-grader Maggie Knight said excitedly.

Knight read, "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, which was the 1994 Newbery Medal winner. And she did it in one evening. The book was so good, she couldn't put it down, Maggie said.

"I can't wait until next week," she said. "I'm going to check out the sequel to it."

Evelyn Capper is the library media specialist for the Fairland elementaries and the middle school. Capper said she loves to read and that it is important to tap into what the students like so they can find something they'll enjoy reading.

"You just have to connect them with the right book," she said. "Our goal is to enrich the lives of our students."

Books were designated according to grade level for the project. Third-graders will be reading Caldecott Medal winners, fourth graders will be reading about important people in Ohio, and fifth graders will be reading the Newbery Medal Winners for Literature.

The Caldecott Medal named in honor of 19th Century English Illustrator Randolph Caldecott is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The Newbery Medal, named for 18th Century British bookseller John Newbery, is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The week of the literary project, students will be able to dress up as a character in their book and "be" that character for a day.

"I think it is going to be so much fun finishing this book and dressing up as that character," fifth grader Hannah Thomas said. "I'm excited."

Thomas is reading "The Tale of Despereaux," and she said that she plans on dressing up as Princess Pea. She said that she is anxious about finishing the book, as she has already read fifteen chapters in one day.

"It's really good so far, I'm on the sixteenth chapter," she said. "It's a fun book. I can't wait to finish it."

The students are excited about their books, and they are excited about reading. Both said they were anxious to finish their current readings so that they could begin a new one. Their eyes were filled with excitement as they talked with Capper.

"That's what makes my job really neat," Capper said as she smiled. "It's been fun."

The library was able to replenish the books that they needed for the project with the Ohio Reads Grant. Capper said that they had $600 to spend on the books, so she talked with teachers and publishers. The library also received help from the PTO at Fairland.

The library is equipped with computers where students can log onto the library Web site and look up books. Students can also log on from any computer outside of the school system.

Capper also said that students at the school are also able to utilize the HomeworkNow Web site. The site offers many things to students such as research assistance and instruction. It also provides tutoring in math, science, English and social science seven days a week. Parents and students can visit the service at www.homeworknow.org.