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Henry County Schools Media Specialist Among All-Star Librarians Honored in Boston by ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Author

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Timber Ridge Elementary School Media Specialist Brandy Hudson was among eight librarians honored by “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney during his All-Star Librarian Weekend this summer.

The No. 1 bestselling author established the event to celebrate librarians and promote their efforts and impact on the community. Last fall, Kinney launched an inaugural nationwide search for “extraordinary” school or public librarians. After several rounds of review, the author’s team narrowed the search to eight finalists, including Hudson.

Kinney treated the finalists to a fun-filled weekend in Boston from June 7-9 including visits to some of his favorite iconic locations, such as the Freedom Trail and Boston Public Library. Kinney also served as chaperone, joining the librarians on his Book Bus.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Hudson said. “Jeff Kinney and his team were welcoming and hospitable throughout our weekend in Boston. He devoted considerable time to showing us how much our work as librarians means to his work as an author. He and his team thoughtfully curated a weekend that truly accomplished their goal to celebrate librarians.”

The trip included visiting Kinney’s writing bookstore, An Unlikely Story. The special guests received an autographed set of his books and were invited to select an additional 25 books from other authors to supplement their libraries’ collections.

The bookstore also serves as Kinney’s writing studio, where the Wimpy Kid products and media franchise come to life. The librarians enjoyed a rare, memorable, and immersive experience in the making and evolution of the global hit series.

“Kinney's goal was to recognize hard-working librarians and advocate for the importance of librarians and library programs in communities across the country,” Hudson said. “The Wimpy Kid team sought librarians with innovative approaches or those who have advocated for libraries and their importance in the face of challenges.”

Hudson’s nearly 18 years in education have all been with Henry County Schools, originally as a second-grade teacher and then a K-5 instructional coach. This school year marks her sixth as a media specialist.

She is deeply committed to her role, steadfastly promoting Timber Ridge Elementary’s library and its services and ensuring students have access to books every day. She is unwavering in her commitment to creating a welcoming environment for teachers and students. From unique events and activities to eye-catching displays, Hudson pursues innovative approaches to promote books and inspire a love for libraries and reading from an early age.

“Our media specialists play a vital role in one of our primary goals as a district – to increase the number of students reading at or above grade level – by encouraging a love for reading,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Carl Knowlton. “We are so proud of Mrs. Hudson for being selected for this exclusive and exceptional opportunity, and we can’t wait to see how she will use what she learned to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of our students.”

Hudson also looks for ways to support teachers at Timber Ridge Elementary, endorsing media specialists as valuable instructional resources who can support teachers in enhancing the learning experience for all students.

“As a former classroom teacher and now school librarian, I understand both sides that exist in the drive to advance literacy,” Hudson added. “We need to impart the ‘how’ of reading to students, which is the task of our amazing teachers. However, we can’t forget to teach students the love and importance of reading, which I find is where my role as a school librarian becomes essential. Teaching students to read requires striking a delicate balance between developing the skill and developing the desire. The developers of the Fountas and Pinnell reading levels said, ‘Levels are a teacher's tool, not a child’s label.’ If a child is interested in a book about sharks and cannot yet read at that level, let them look at the pictures and be excited about what the book offers. Sometimes overlooking reading levels and letting students freely choose books is where we build the love and desire. From there, we can continue to help them build the skills.”

“I am thrilled our amazing Brandy Hudson got the chance to meet Jeff Kinney,” added Timber Ridge Elementary Principal Holly Williams. “This opportunity not only highlights her passion for and commitment to enriching our students’ literary experiences but also serves as an inspiration for our entire school community. We are excited about the insights and creative ideas that will come from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!”

“The role of a school librarian encompasses many experiences I have treasured throughout my career – sharing stories with students, supporting teachers, and applying my creativity to the learning environment,” Hudson added. “There are times I miss the classroom, but the role of school librarian is, by far, my favorite.”

About Henry County Schools 

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000. 
 
HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society. 

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