Alina Bujnowski, 5, has read more than 130 books this summer by herself. Photo by Reena Singh.
To say Alina Bujnowski loves to read is an understatement.
With more than 130 books under her belt in the past three months, the 5-year-old super reader has out-read every other child during Great Falls Library’s summer reading program.
“I don’t know why I like to read,” said Alina after a recent trip to the library. “The books make me laugh.”
In the last few months, her interests in fiction have gone from simple picture books to chapter books, according to her mother Josie Bujnowski.
“We started her when she was young,” she said. “My parents didn’t encourage reading. They just wanted me to do well in school. I love the fact that she loves to read on her own.”
Unlike many others her age, she reads chapter books up to a second grade reading level by herself. Recent favorite books have been a series on fairies with different hobbies and interests. Josie can tell her daughter understands what she is reading by the way she reacts to different scenes.
“The comprehension is absolutely there,” she said. “I see her reading, and I know she understands it because she’s laughing.”
When Alina is not reading or at the library three to four times a week, she’s playing outside with her friends or watching Star Wars - her new favorite movie series - with her dad Ben Bujnowski.
Dee Dee Vachon Lee was one of Alina’s preschool teachers for two years at Village Green Day School. She said she has never seen a child so interested in books.
“She loves books more than any child I’ve ever known,” she said. “She reads more than any child I know.”
She said most other students her age are just beginning to master letter sounds or recognizing sight words.
“We started reading to her when she was a baby,” said Josie. “We provide the environment, but if they’re not interested, it’s just not going to happen.”