Book Swap

March 6th, 2026

Celebrate Reading with the MVE Book Swap & Read Across America

The MVE PTA is proud to host our beloved annual Book Swap during Read Across America Week—a nationwide celebration of reading and diverse stories!This long-standing tradition is a fantastic way to refresh your child’s home library, promote sustainability, and ignite excitement around reading.

What is the MVE Book Swap?

The MVE Book Swap is a simple and joyful exchange: students donate a gently used book and choose another gently used book to take home and keep forever! It’s a wonderful opportunity to pass on stories they’ve loved and discover exciting new adventures.

Why It Matters: Aligning with Read Across America

Our Book Swap is intentionally scheduled during Read Across America Week (March 2-6, 2025). Read Across America is a National Education Association (NEA) initiative that focuses on motivating kids to read through events, partnerships, and year-round resources that celebrate diverse voices and experiences.

Learn more about Read Across America here: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america

By participating in our Book Swap, you’re not just organizing books—you’re actively joining a national movement to create enthusiastic, lifelong readers.

How to Participate: Donate & Discover!

1. DONATE A BOOK (March 2-4)

  • What to Give: Clean, gently used books in good condition (no torn/missing pages). Popular genres and chapter books are especially needed for our growing readers!
  • Where: Bring donations to your classroom or the designated collection bins in the MVE lobby.

2. SWAP & SHOP (Date TBA – During School Hours)

Students will visit the Book Swap with their class to browse and select their new favorite book to take home!

Book Donation Guidelines for Success

  • Quality Check: Please ensure books are in good, readable condition.
  • Appropriate Content: Books should be suitable for grades K-5.
  • Think of Other Readers: Donate books your child once loved—another student is waiting to discover them!

Let’s share the magic of reading and give every MVE student a new story to cherish.


Junior Authors Short Story Challenge

Calling all Mountain View Lions with a story to tell! The MVE PTA is thrilled to announce our first-ever Junior Authors Short Story Challenge! We are on a mission to discover the amazing storytellers in our school and publish their work in a digital "MVE Shorties" story collection.

This is your chance to become a published author! Grab your imagination, and let's see what adventures you can create.

Challenge Categories

Pick your favorite category and let your creativity run wild!

  • Paws & Tales: Write a story featuring an animal as the main character. (Is it a brave mountain lion cub? A talking dog on a secret mission?)
  • The Great MVE Adventure: Imagine a magical or amazing event that happens right here at Mountain View Elementary.
  • The "What If?" World: What if your toys came to life at night? What if you discovered a hidden door in your backyard? Build a story around a fascinating "What if?"
  • A Kindness Chronicle: Tell a story where a character's kindness makes a big difference.

Guidelines & Rules for Our Junior Authors

  • Who: Any MVE student 
  • Submission Dates: March 2 - 6, 2025. Stories must be turned in to your teacher or the main office by Friday, March 6th.
  • Length:
    • Grades k-2: 1-3 paragraphs (A few great sentences can tell a wonderful story!)
    • Grades 3-5: 1-2 pages (double-spaced).
  • Format: Stories must be original (your own idea!), written in clear handwriting and appropriate for school. You can type it on a computer or write it neatly by hand. Don't forget to illustrate it if you'd like!
  • How to Submit: Include your name, grade, teacher's name, and the category you are entering. Give your story a creative title!

Get Inspired! Story Examples

Category: Paws & Tales

Title: The Midnight Patrol
 Leo the house cat seems lazy all day, but every night, he puts on a tiny sheriff's badge and patrols the backyard, protecting the garden from cunning raccoon bandits. One night, they steal something precious...

Category: The "What If?" World

Title: The Glowing Seed
What if you planted a seed that glowed? Maya finds one in her grandma's attic. She plants it, and overnight, a strange, shimmering vine grows up her wall. It doesn't have flowers... it has tiny, ringing bells.

Tips from the Pros (A.K.A. Your Teachers!)

  1. Start Strong: Hook your reader on the first line with action, a question, or a cool detail.
  2. Picture It: Use words that help your reader see, hear, and feel what's happening in your story.
  3. Solve It: Your character should face a problem or a challenge. How do they solve it? What do they learn?
  4. Revise: The first draft is just the beginning! Read your story out loud to see if it sounds right. Add details, fix tricky spots, and make it shine!

What Happens Next?

  • All participating authors will get a digital copy of the book and public recognition!

Ready to Write? Your Adventure Starts Now!

Don't wait for inspiration to strike—go out and find it! Think about your favorite books, your wildest dreams, or the funny thing that happened at recess.Your story is waiting to be told. Will you write it?Challenge Timeline:

  • Start Writing: Today!
  • Submit Your Story: March 2-6, 2026
  • Digital Book Published: End of March 2026


Calling All MVE Artists! Design Our Book Cover!

Attention, Mountain View Elementary artists! Your stories are amazing—now let’s see your art on the cover!In addition to the Junior Authors Short Story Challenge, we are thrilled to announce the MVE Shorties Book Cover Art Contest.

This is your chance to illustrate the very first cover of the MVE Shorties digital book—a book that will be read by your friends, family, and teachers!

The Mission: Design a Book Cover

Create an original illustration that captures the magic of storytelling and the spirit of MVE. Will you draw a brave mountain lion curled up with a book? A group of kids sharing stories under a tree? An epic scene from your own imagination? The choice is yours!

  • The Winner’s artwork will be the official cover of the MVE Shorties digital story collection.
  • The Top Five finalists will be recognized as “Honorable Mentions” and featured inside the book.

Contest Guidelines

  • Who: Any MVE student, in any grade!
  • Theme: “The Magic of Stories at MVE”
  • Medium: Any! Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, paint, or digital art. Be creative!
  • Format: Artwork should be on standard letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”), in portrait orientation (tall, not wide).
  • Submission: On the back of your artwork, clearly write your full name and grade. Submit your artwork to your teacher or the main office.
  • Deadline: March 2-6, 2025 (Same week as the short story submissions!)
  • Judging: MVE PTA members will vote on all submissions based on creativity, originality, and how well the artwork fits the theme.

Need Inspiration? Imagine These Scenes!

Example 1: A majestic mountain lion, our MVE mascot, wearing tiny reading glasses, holding an open book with glowing letters rising from its pages.

Example 2: A vibrant tree growing from an open book instead of soil. On its branches, kids from different grades are sitting, reading their own stories to each other.

Ready to Create Your Masterpiece?

Your art could be the first thing hundreds of people see. Grab your favorite art supplies and let your imagination lead the way! Enter Both Contests!

Write a short story AND design the cover for a chance to be a published author and illustrator! This is your year to shine.

Questions? Have your parent or guardian email us at: mveptateam@gmail.com