OAKLAND — Paige Lilly read “The Secret Language of Girls” on Tuesday afternoon as she lounged in her pajamas among her girlfriends.

While the occasion could have been a sleepover, it was the Reading Rocks! Read-In inside the gymnasium at Williams Elementary School.

Librarian Rose Smith and literacy specialist Jody Workman planned the day-long event to promote reading for about 260 third- through fifth-graders.

Paige loved it.

“Sometimes we run out of time to read in class and today we had a whole lot of time, and we got to pick what we wanted and got comfortable and read,” she said.

The ten-year-old said that in the morning she especially liked listening to Smith read scary stories. “She changes her voice for each character and she has great expressions,” whispered Paige, so she wouldn’t disturb schoolmates sprawled on mats, blankets and bean bags around the darkened gymnasium.

And the fifth-grader said she was enthralled with Dorene Hebda’s book illustration presentation. “She taught us how to make a painting come alive,” said Paige, her eyes wide.

Hebda is an artist as well as the school nurse, Smith said.

Smith said the feedback had been so positive that she and Workman were already thinking about organizing a similar day in the spring.

“We spend so much time assessing and forget sometimes that the simplest things are the most effective,” Smith said. “This didn’t cost a thing. It’s (reading) a foundation they’ll build on the rest of their life. It’s the best gift we can give them.”

In the morning, students selected four 40-minutes sessions among the 10 offered.

Sessions included Kindle, reader’s theater, scavenger hunt and TumbleBooks — an online collection of animated, talking picture books.

Reader’s theater was ten-year-old Emily Caron’s top choice as it combined reading and acting, two favorite activities of the fifth-grader who has appeared in several plays at Waterville Opera House and Colby College.

Megan Quirion, 10, appreciated the time to delve into “Deep and Dark and Dangerous” by Mary Downing Hahn. “I really like her as an author,” said Megan.

Smith said many students love anything with a ghost theme.

And she said, when students can read about what interests them, they will.

“They love to read and have somebody read to them. And when you let them have choice, they love it.”

Beth Staples — 861-9252

[email protected]