Students at School of Discovery now have an opportunity to learn just about everything they’ve wanted to know about sports and famous sport personalities.

Through a $1,800 grant from International Paper, School of Discovery Media Specialist Becky Chandler was able to obtain a new collection in the school’s library.

Chandler recently purchased 150 books on sports, which she hopes will help students find enjoyment in reading and read more often. &uot;Children are interested in sports,&uot; Chandler said. &uot;They come in all the time asking for sport books, but all the ones we had were too old.&uot;

To make matters worse, the Alabama Department of Education gave librarians only $350 to operate school libraries this year.

To add to the excitement of receiving the new books, Chandler decorated the School of Discovery library in a sports theme. The walls are covered in banners and sports equipment rests atop books shelves.

The librarian said the most popular books in her collection are the ones about professional wrestlers.

School of Discovery principal Gerald Shirley said that children tend to read what interests them. He believes this is a good way to improve their comprehension skills.

Another School of Discovery student, Christopher Munford, is taking advantage of the new collection to learn more basketball.

Chandler said she was also able to purchase

Accelerated Reader quizzes to go along with the new books.

Students who read the sports books and take the quiz can earn extra points.

The new books are already on display at School of Discovery and available to any student who wants to learn about their sports heroes.