WENDELL - Thanks to the thoughtfulness of a teacher, 225 students at East Wake School of Health Science have a new book to read – not as part of a school assignment, but to enjoy.

Paul Taperek, an Alternative Learning Center teacher, spearheaded a partnership between East Wake High and Books for Kids Inc., a Wake County nonprofit that gives books to children who have limited access to publications in their homes.

Taperek discovered Books for Kids a few years back, and has been working with the organization ever since. This year, he gave his students a list of 16 books to choose from. Vendors at Quail Ridge Books, whose owner is involved with the nonprofit, recommended the titles.

Freshman Brittany Brannan and sophomore William Hunt both chose a book in the Shadow Children series. The stories, written by Margaret Peterson Haddix, revolve around a society impacted by drought and famine – so much so that the government restricts each family to two children.

Any “extras” are known as shadow children, who must be hidden to remain safe. When shadow children are discovered, they and their parents are killed.

Brannan read her first Shadow Children book in middle school, and her enthusiasm convinced Hunt to pick up a book in the series, too.

Brannan, Hunt and sophomore Asia Dunn, who also received a free book, said they all like to read for pleasure, but admit it’s not as easy to complete required reading assignments for school.

If Hunt is into an assigned book, he said he’ll read it really quickly, while his peers might look at completing the book as a required deadline to meet.

“I just look at it as another chance to read a book,” he said.

If he doesn’t like the assigned book or story, “I’ll still read it; it just won’t be as interesting,” Hunt said.

Asia added that reading, especially for classroom assignments, is important because it helps with “comprehension, and vocabulary words get you ready for the SAT.”

The students also had ideas for encouraging teens who don’t like to read much.

“Make more reading projects mandatory – (make them) a certain percent of the grade,” Dunn said.

Hunt suggested that teachers create more interactive projects involving books in the classroom.

The trio won’t have to worry about completing any homework after receiving their free books, however.

The purpose of the giveaway was just to “put a book in the hands of a kid for them to read,” Taperek said.

Dunn expressed her appreciation for the gift. “I think it’s very generous,” she said.

Books for Kids was created after a discussion among friends who like to read, said board member Nancy Colman.

The group has just a few fundraisers a year; the rest of the group’s money comes from friends or fellow readers. Teachers or others desiring free books for children or teens must fill out an application. The organization has given about 2,500 books away this year, Colman said.