Seven-year-old Petra Evans after being awarded the Young Reader Medallion.
NORA SMITH
Staff Writer
Although younger Chautauquans might not always have the same vocabulary as members of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle to describe their relationship with reading, one thing is for certain: Reading makes them ecstatic.
Nearing the end of the 2026 Summer Season, the Young Readers Program awards young Chautauquans who’ve read at least 16 books on the Young Readers’ historic book list an honorable medallion and certificate for their dedication. Michael I. Rudell Director of Literary Arts Stephine Hunt said the program serves the same purpose as the adults’ reading list and celebrates reading.
“It’s so that any reader at any age can find some form of encouragement to continue picking up books and finding some enjoyment in that,” Hunt said.
Siblings 10-year-old Sylvia Ray and 12-year-old Elias Ray earned the medallion this Summer Season, and both said growing up in a family that doesn’t watch much television or play many video games leaves more time for reading.
“Reading takes me away from my personal troubles,” Sylvia said. “It brings me to a new world, and I love getting lost in the story.”
Sylvia said she most enjoyed Scary Stories for Young Foxes, The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy from the historic book list.
“[Receiving the medallion] felt very accomplished, and I liked having a goal to work toward,” Sylvia said. “I do have a list of books I want to read, and I’m also trying to complete a second Chautauqua reader list.”
Elias said he most enjoyed reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Scary Stories for Young Foxes and Squire: A Graphic Novel from the book list.
“I love reading,” Elias said. “It makes me feel happy, and I really get invested in the story.”
Elias said receiving the medallion was “cool,” and he hopes to finish all 12 books in the How to Train Your Dragon series by the end of the summer.
Another medallion awardee, 7-year-old Petra Evans, said reading makes her happy and her personal favorite off the historic book list was Charlotte’s Web.
“[Charlotte’s Web] was about a pig at a farm, and it didn’t have a friend, and then a spider popped out, and they were going to eat the pig, but the spider wove a web, and they didn’t eat it,” Petra said. She added that she enjoys reading books about animals and can also recite a poem from Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Petra elaborated, saying receiving the medallion made her happy, while her mom, Christin Evans, said she bought her daughter flowers and had a picnic in front of Alumni Hall to celebrate.
“We are all CLSC members, and it’s cool to see, like, Petra’s excited about it, and now even her younger brother, who’s 4, saw Petra’s super cool medallion and is now excited to potentially do that, too,” Christin said.
John Comeau said he became a member of the CLSC, and his 12-year-old daughter, Helen Comeau, has completed the Young Readers Program.
“[Helen] really enjoyed it as well, and she’s an avid reader — like, she’ll read a Harry Potter book in one or two days, and I could never do that,” John said.
John said his wife homeschools their children and “is really focused on reading and knowledge and wisdom and trying to expose the kids to different literary works and trying to foster a love for reading, a love for knowledge.” He added that Helen and her friend will read books together, refer books to one another and are always in the bookstore or library.
“[Receiving the medallion will] definitely encourage her to read more because it’ll show that it’s the recognition for having done this program and showing that it’s a real achievement, which it is,” John Comeau said. “It will, hopefully, encourage her to go even further and to continue reading and continue learning and be a lifelong learner.”
