Past / Current Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes
​Literacy Grant Awards

​Examples of some projects funded in the past include Elizabeth Ketelle, an awardee from California, sent us a section from the school newspaper about their project. Susan Singer, an awardee from Kentucky, used The Hound of the Baskervilles for 8th graders to study Holmes as a CSI. Matthew Stark, an awardee from rural Alaska, reported on his mystery story podcast project for grades 2-8. Janelle Kelly, an awardee from South Dakota, used Teen Read Week to focus on Sherlock Holmes for grades 6-8. Linda Marchisio and Mary Rose Katuzney, awardees from Connecticut, shared their program for grades 11 and 12, Literature in Forensics on their wiki site. Andrea Coulter, an awardee from Minnesota, got additional PTA ​funding to help her introduce 4th graders to Sherlock Holmes. Phillip McAndrew, an awardee from Tennessee, held a Battle of the Books for young adults at the public library. Marie Wright of The River School in Washington DC led hearing and non-hearing 3rd graders "Sleuthing Through Books" in 2012.
Click on the Final Report button to see what was accomplished with the grant funds awarded to the entity.
2025 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $1,000 to eighteen (18) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. The total amount awarded is $ 14,357.76.  Here are the awardees for 2025:
1. Linda Averill, Christmas House, Everett, WA, [email protected]
Provide Sherlock-based books for low-income families to assist children with learning.
2. Melissa Badger, Streator Library, Streator, IL, [email protected]
​The project will be implemented over the course of three months. The program will include: weekly reading sessions, discussion groups, creative activities, and a final showcase.
3. Melissa Black, Winfield Elementary, Winfield, WV, [email protected]
Create a reading center around Sherlock Holmes for whole group reading, take reading assessement tests, and to study plots and scenes from Sherlock Holmes.
4. Cheryl Curtis, Aiken Intermediate School, Aiken, SC, [email protected]
​In collaboration with the English language arts teachers, author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his literary detective Sherlock Holmes will be introduced to Aiken Intermediate School students. Through scheduled library book tastings, students will be given an opportunity to dive into the world of Sherlock Holmes. 
5. Alicia Faxon, Meadowview Middle School, Morristown, TN, [email protected]
The library will purchase Sherlock Holmes stories in both English and Spanish to be included in the general collection. The school will host a Holmes-themed event one evening to increase interest.
6. Mary Graham, Abington Community Library, Summit, PA, [email protected]
​Participants will dive deeply into an exploration into rare Arthur Conan Doyle books and manuscripts from the Rosenbach Museum & Library’s collection. Program leaders will guide them through a variety of age-appropriate hands-on activities to help them uncover a book’s journey from its creation to the present day.
7. Linda Hamann, Edgar School District, Edgar, WI, [email protected]
​Program Components of the project will include:  a Real Detective Guest Speaker, a Literature Study, a Mystery Night, a Mystery to Solve, and a Themed Mystery Kit
8. Katherine Lewis, SMA3RT Resources, Condon, MT, [email protected]
​Annually, there will be 3 clubs offered in perpetuity through the Friday Club initiative of SMA3RT, divided into grades. Each club will include: Tabletop experience, Book Club experience, Detective Skill experience, Holmes and Watson Team Building, and Escape Room Events. 
9. Angela Massengale, St. George's Independent School, Memphis, TN, [email protected]
​In addition to reading appropriate grade-level books for 2nd through 5th grades, the school will be hosting a mystery on our campus that will involve students learning to decipher clues through cracking a code, tracking clues around our campus, and using their developing reasoning skills to solve the mystery. 
10. Amber McDickinson,  Vincent Elementary School, Vincent, AL, [email protected]
​Students will visit the library for this adventure over several class periods. The library media specialist will have a crime  scene set up and students will be challenged with the task of piecing together the clues, utilizing only the tools Sherlock  Holmes would have had himself, then using a collection of provided materials and the EDP to create a trap or device to apprehend the criminal before they can commit their next crime.
11. Jennifer Simons, Perquimans County High School, Hertford, NC, [email protected]
​The program will offer mini-lessons in the high school's library, focusing around Sherlock Holmes. Mini lessons will be 30-minute reading/writing/thinking activities that encourage students to want to learn more about a particular subject. These lessons are available in the media center for all 580 students before school and during lunch. In addition, the library will  partner with teachers (in this case, English teachers) to present the lesson to a whole class.
12. Ameriki Somers, Paisley Magnet School, Winston Salem, NC, [email protected]
​The school has conducted research to curate an updated mystery collection in the library. After placing Sherlock Holmes books in the library, the library will hold book tastings, reading incentives, and promotional events that spotlight the new collection.
13. Joni Spalding, Boonslick Regional Library, Sedalia, MO, [email protected]
​During the week of Holmes activities, programs and displays will occur throughout the library. The youngest readers will be introduced to the Holmes character through read aloud books. They will learn about the character through the librarian being dressed like Holmes, by exploring props and components of his outfit, and by  pretending to be a detective with magnifying glasses they will make during their craft time.​
14. Maryalice Taneyhill, Lake Fenton High School, Linden MI, [email protected]
​Students will engage in dally deductive reasoning challenges followed by a whole class study of A study in Scarlet and The Adventure of the Speckled Bond. Students will then break into small groups to study a third Holmes story of their choice before coming back together to view and discuss various screen adaptations. Finally, students will produce a culminating "one-pager" project to demonstrate their knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes canon.
15. Misty Tinney, Bauer Primary School, Dayton, OH, mtinney@miamisburg, k12.oh.us
​Will continue adding Sherlock books to the school library, as well as implementing an escape room.  This will allow for every student to take home a copy of the book being read in a group setting.
16. Becky Vanderheide, Mountain View Elementary, Hays, NC, [email protected]
​To introduce the mystery genre, the school will begin by using a breakout room activity.  Then, they will begin reading a Sherlock Holmes novel.  Students would spend time playing mystery games.  Then the students will design mystery and detective boxes.
17. Haley Warden, Auburn Public Library, Auburn, ME, [email protected]
​The Auburn Public Library will host a tween book club, reading The Hound of The Baskervilles graphic novel. The last meeting will be an interactive murder mystery program in partnership with our local community theater company.
18. Alex Weldon, Discovery Center Springfield, Springfield, MO, [email protected]
​Our reading and literacy volunteer will work one on one with students while the teachers will work with students in a group setting to read and understand the Holmes books.  Students will use whiteboards to work on spelling and understanding new words.
2024 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $1,000 to fourteen (14) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. The total amount awarded is $12,092.  Here are the awardees for 2024:
1. Asad Ansari, Anhar Institute, Atlanta, GA, [email protected]
We will purchase 20 sets of the Complete Sherlock Holmes, encouraging all 100 students in our program to read the complete stories.
2. Louise Cummings, Read With Me, Rancho Mirage, CA, [email protected]
With our book distribution program, we focus on offering books two times a year, one around Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March 2, and then again at the end of the school year.  We purchase books that are age appropriate for our elementary school students.  Students go to the library and pick out their books.  For grades K-3 each child receives two books, and for grades 4-6 students receive one book (as their books are more expensive).  
3. Chris Fisher, Pawling, NY, [email protected]
The project will consist of 24 programs: 12 book discussions, and 12 detective nights.  The book discussions will be broken into a teen group and an adult group. These groups will meet separately once a month to discuss the Sherlock Homes story that they read.  The two groups will read the same story.  The teen and adult program coordinators will decide on the stories together.  The groups will then come together later in the month to play Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. Through these two activities, we will build intergenerational collaboration as the teens and adults solve the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective together.  In addition, the library will create “Detective Bags” that will be placed in our Library of Things.  These bags will include a copy of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective as well as The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection. 
4. Tina Flook/Jordan Lander, Corry Area Inter. School, Corry, PA, [email protected]
The school library will display the Sherlock Holmes books for the students to see and check out. Each student will participate in the Junior Sherlockian Training throughout the grading period. Each week we will focus on one part of the training; explore, experience, extend, and ‘b’ recognized. Students will have access to BreakoutEDU.com to solve daily mysteries and to solve problems similar to an escape room. 
5. Alex Geller, Red Hook Public Library, Red Hook, NY, [email protected]
The first step of the program would be to develop the puzzles. There will be four (4) puzzles that participants would be required to solve, in the correct order, to “escape.” Each puzzle will reference a Sherlock Holmes novels/short stories:
  1. “A Study in Scarlet” – The puzzle will involve finding a tiny box with two fake pills. One pill will have a clue to the next puzzle (pointing to a map that reads “The Sign of the Four”). The other pill will be a decoy.
  2. “The Sign of the Four” – The puzzle will involve finding a pearl necklace, on which will be attached a black light.
  3. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” – Participants would need to use the black light to read the final clue on a portrait of Sir Hugo Baskerville.
  4. “The Final Problem” – The final clue will lead them to a number puzzle, which when answered correctly provides a page number. They will then need to find a copy of the “Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,” turn to the right page and say the word “Reichenbach” to escape. 
6. Angie Kaas, Germantown Elementary School, Germantown, MD, [email protected]
The library will focus on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during one month.  We will present the monthly focus during the first class for the month, the media assistant will make bookmarks for the students, place books in the display case outside of the media center, and create independent centers for the students to do during book checkout time. A detective pack that includes a reading comprehension biography about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will be created, as well as a fingerprint activity.
7. Gabrielle Lucas​, Community Library of Shenango Valley, Sharon, PA, [email protected]
The project will introduce young readers to the Sherlock Holmes canon, and to encourage families to experience and appreciate Arthur Conan Doyle’s works together. This will be accomplished through the purchase of Sherlock Holmes books for our library collection, the purchase of copies of The Hound of the Baskervilles specifically for our book club, and the execution of a Sherlock Holmes-themed escape room that will encourage participants to develop the characteristics of Holmes (discernment, attention to detail, problem solving, critical thinking, etc.) to solve the mystery. 
8. Tiffani Makahilahlia​, Harrison Inter. School Library, Wylie, TX, [email protected]
We will purchase books to add to our library. Students will be invited to join a book club meeting weekly during lunch time, exploring the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel books as well as other Sherlock Holmes books as a group. We will work together to create book trailers for our selected books that will be hosted in a Sherlock Holmes 'book tasting' virtual bookshelf in Google Slides. This virtual book-shelf will be made available to all students at the school to encourage all students to enjoy Sherlock Holmes adventures.
9. Kelsey Morse, Horizon High School, Thornton, CO, [email protected]
For our advanced theatre class to create a mystery dinner theatre which will be based on The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and The Adventure of the Misquoted Macbeth by Derrick Belanger.
10. Samatha Moses, W R Coile Middle School, Athen, GA, [email protected]
The grant will purchase a variety of Sherlock Holmes books for the library, with books for different age levels; host a variety of educational programs related to Holmes, such as book clubs, mystery-solving workshops, and escape rooms, and partner with local schools and community organizations to reach a wider audience.
11. Megan Roberts,  Virginia Beach Library Foundation, Virginia Beach, VA, [email protected]
VBPL staff have planned and will implement the program activities, which include, the participants will be invited to read from a booklist of selected mystery novels, dress up as Sherlock characters, and collaboratively solve the clues in a Sherlock Holmes-based mystery to find the murderer. Every participant will leave with a Sherlock Holmes book. 
12. Kathleen Rohmer, Bryan High School, Bryan, TX, [email protected]
Students in 9th grade intervention class will be divided into book clubs. Each club will read a different book and discuss the book. Daily activities will help ensure comprehension of the text. A group project will analyze setting, plot, conflict, characterization and theme of the book.
13. Stephanie Smith​, Dozier Elementary School, Montgomery, AL, [email protected]
The project will allow for a "Mystery Reading Nook and Book Display" for use in the library and for circulation along with focusing on a Book Tasting that will allow for a living museum that features Sherlock Holmes and Jan Stauber in the DES which will be a great feature presentation because we have a stage located inside of the DES Library Media Center. 
14. Kelly Tibbetts​, Gorham School, Gorham, ME, [email protected]
The goal of this project is to increase interest in the classics within the collection. We will use The Hound of the Baskervilles to create the first escape room for our library. After that, and the students are interested in reading more classics, we plan to create more escape rooms around Doyle’s other works.​
2023 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $1,000 to fourteen (14) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. The total amount awarded is $10,771.  Here are the awardees for 2023:
1. Jessica Armstrong, Shawnee High School, Shawnee, OK, ​[email protected]
At Shawnee High School, Wolf Time will be used to help students explore interests, enhance their learning goals, and have exposure to new educational opportunities. With this project, the Shawnee High School Library will be able to provide students with equal access to the Sherlock Holmes books and provide book talks, summaries, and other planned activities such as scavenger hunts, book club, and trivia.
2. Linda Averill, Christmas House, Everett, WA, [email protected]
Provide Sherlock-based books for low-income families to assist children with learning.
3.  Manda Caudill, Bowen Elementary Library, Stanton, KY, [email protected]
To encourage reading of Sherlock Holmes and other mystery books, the school will conduct a Sherlock Holmes-themed week to discuss and learn about who Sherlock Holme was.
4. Heather Deal, Stewart Middle School, Douglas, GA, [email protected]
Students will have the option to participate in a Sherlock Holmes-themed activity, where they will create artwork inspired by the book they have read.  Students will display their artwork throughout the library.
5. Elizabeth Hughes, Powell County Public Library, Stanton, KY, ​[email protected]
To introduce patrons to the genre of Mystery in a fun way by expanding our collection to offer books about Sherlock Holmes for all age levels.  Our library is next door to our Central Office and an Elementary School.  These books will have enough copies that the teachers will be able to use them as a class set for instruction. 
6. Taylor Jennings, Pennington School, Pennington, NJ, [email protected]
Introduce the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the brilliant mind of his literary detective Sherlock Holmes to sixth- and ninth-grade students during their library orientations. Sherlock Holmes will be presented as a model detective for students to emulate as they learn to become expert researchers and library navigators.
7. Jaime Koerner, United North Elementary School, Alexis, IL, [email protected]
The project would be implemented by first introducing an author study on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle within my weekly library classes. I would help get the kids excited for Sherlock Holmes Day! I envision a school-wide participation day full of solving mysteries, classroom and library Sherlock-Holmes inspired games and riddles, and even a visit from the detectives at our local police department and sheriff’s office to talk about detective work and how it is similar to Sherlock’s! 
8. Jessica Lyszyk, Virginia Virtual Academy, Staunton, VA, [email protected]
The goal of this program would be to create a book club where middle school students read books inspired by Sherlock Holmes to develop a full portrait of him prior to taking on the challenge of reading the high level text of A Study in Scarlet. The group will discuss general comprehension questions alongside the guiding questions of what makes a "Holmes Mystery".
9. Miranda Matlock, Colbert Public School Library, Colbert, OK, [email protected]
I would use the books for read aloud times for my students, specifically 7th grade, and embellish the time by dressing the part of Sherlock Holmes as he would be in Victorian London. After introducing the students to the books through weekly read aloud sessions, I would strive to enhance the experience by partnering with our high school forensic class to set up an opportunity for the 7th grade students to be real detectives for a day. 
10. Jennifer Momaney, Gay-Kimball Public Library, [email protected]
To inspire young readers through adventure and mystery, the library will set up a family-friendly escape room, themed around Sherlock Holmes adventures.  Families will be inspired and encouraged to read the Holmes stories at home with their children.
11. Katelyn Nelson, Vandenberg Middle School Library, Vandenberg, CA, [email protected]
I would like students to read the original stories by Doyle, but feel they will need more modern inspiration first to get them hooked.  When students come in for class visits and/or for the school's Detective Club, we will do Sherlock Holmes-themed puzzle games to get them thinking about Sherlock Holmes and what a neat character he is.
12. Misty Tinney, Bear Elementary, Miamisburg, OH, [email protected]
To introduce the students to the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, especially for underprivileged students.  The school library would add a collection of Sherlock Holmmes books and retellings to the shelves for the students to continue to have access to after our month of activities.  Students will do a book study during their library time, and solve a mystery in small groups.
13. Beau Williams, Snow Hill Middle School, Snow Hill, MD, ​[email protected]
This project seeks to cultivate a profound appreciation for the origins of modern detective work among our elementary gifted and talented students.  Weekly engagement with these works will facilitate dynamic discussions, delving into story intricacies and plot elements.  Through this endeavor, students will embark on an enlightening journey, delving into the genesis of modern detective fiction, enhancing their critical thinking and literary analysis skills. This immersive experience promises to ignite intellectual curiosity, leaving an indelible mark on their academic journey and nurturing a lifelong passion for literature.
14. Donna Wood, Chowtaw County High School, Ackerman, MS, [email protected]
The librarian and ELA teacher will work closely together in the classroom and library. The students will work in groups to develop a presentation on the author/character.
2022 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $800 to eleven (11) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. The total amount awarded is $6,250.  Here are the awardees for 2022:
1.  Linda Averill, Christmas House, Everett, WA, [email protected]
To place Sherlock Holmes books into the hands of the youth of Everett, and Snohomish County, who may not have access to such books, especially those who are not English-proficient.
2. Beth Bernard, Baker Street West, Pioneer, CA, [email protected]
Our Summer With Sherlock program will focus on the unique case work of the world's first consulting detective. Students will learn performance and theatre basics through theatre games, writing monologues based on canon stories, and learning character development from theatre professionals and Sherlockians.
3.  Anna Behrens, Monadnock Middle-High School, Swanzey, NH, ​[email protected]
Sherlock Week will build awareness of and foster an appreciation for Arthur Conan Doyle and his Sherlock Holmes stories to local youth and adults.  The week will be filled with a variety of activities at both children and adults, including displays, interactive readings, presentations, and a forensic lab.
4.  Seth Block, ​Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX, [email protected]
​Using the Sherlock Holmes books, and access to the Hoopla stories we have available that are not in the books, the kids will learn techniques used in the stories by completing scientific experiments or deductive skill activities to acquire those skills.
5.  Tina Flook, Corry Area Intermediate School, Corry, PA, [email protected]
The school library will display the Sherlock Holmes books for the students to see and check out. Each student will participate in the Junior Sherlockian Training throughout the grading period. Each week we will focus on one part of the training; explore, experience, extend, and ‘b’ recognized.
6.  Galena P. Gaw, School for the Deaf & Blind, Spartanburg, SC, [email protected]
Introduce the students to the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.  Due to language delays and below-grade reading levels, many of our students have never read or been exposed to a Sherlock Holmes novel.  The school will add a collection of Sherlock Holmes books in a variety of formats to the library, set up a display of the materials, have students read the books, and host related activities.
7.  Jessica Jean-Denis, Innovation Youth Children's Library, Montreal, QC, [email protected]
To introduce students at our library to the Sherlock Holmes universe in French.  We will hold a month dedicated to the theme of Sherlock Holmes, where books will be displayed, and a Sherlock Holmes night will be conducted, including a discussion group with youth about Conan Doyle and his influence on culture. 
8. Kibby Kleiman, Pinole Valley High School, Pinole, CA, [email protected]
The theater club will produce a play with elements of Sherlock Holmes, including rehearsals and familiarity with Arthur Conan Doyle.
9.  Roberta Klein, Read with Me Volunteer Programs, Mirage, CA, [email protected]
We will purchase Sherlock Holmes books to provide to these students, which are given to the children at the library, based on their age. We will distribute approximately 75 Sherlock Holmes' books to fifth and sixth graders in 15 schools, and to their libraries.  The ability to read English -- our expected outcome -- is the fundamental foundation for everyday life and success. 
10.  Jennifer Valentine, West Deptford Free Public Library, West Deptford, NJ, [email protected]
The library will conduct a week of activities focusing on Sherlock Holmes, which will educate patrons of different ages about the detective and the author.  This will include an interactive problem-solving performance, a visit by Sherlock Holmes, an escape room, and various interactive stations around the library.
11. Andrius Vitkus, Pine View School, Osprey, FL, [email protected]
Using the 100 Year Old Secret -- The Sherlock Holmes Files, the students will be exposed to deductive skills and problem solving which they will use in solving other mysteries.
2021 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $750 to eight (8) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2021:
1.  Linda Averill, Christmas House, Everett, WA
"Placing Sherlock Holmes into the Hands of Children"
2.  Marti Brown, Westwood High Schoo, Blythewood, SC
​To introduce the Sherlock Holmes unit, students would participate in Sherlock Holmes escape-room game activities in the school library. Students would then be given a brief introduction by the librarian to the world of Sir Author Conan Doyle and his creation, Sherlock Holmes.
3.  Shannon Carlisle, Moore Elementary School, Franklin, TN
Grant funding will provide third grade Accelerated Learning students, of Moore Elementary School, with opportunities to read and analyze Sherlockian pastiches while they continue their Sherlockian Training- learning how to be observant, active participants in their learning, and critical thinkers ... just like the great detective, Sherlock Holmes.
4.  Kimberley Fitzthum, Tonasket Elementary School, Tonasket, WA
5.  Kathleen Kavet, Denver Discovery School, Denver, CO
6.  Roberta Klein, Read With Me Volunteer Programs, Mirage, CA
​​​​This project is a literacy program whose mission is to assist local children from a low income, limited English speaking environment, to develop their full potential by leaning to read, comprehend, and speak English, while understanding that people care about then as individuals. This applicant would also like to encourage people to donate Sherlock Holmes books to give to the students, and to assist them to select age-appropriate Sherlock Holmes books to purchase.
7.  Zachary Silverzweig, Tinivy, New York City, NY
TinyIvy creates books and products used by young children to learn to read using a unique method: a series of “TIPS” that allow every word to decoded as easily as a simple CVC word. We are currently launching our business, focusing on teaching this method to kids in schools. 
8. Natalie Thiele, Friends of Gilmer Public Library, Glenville, WV
The Friends of Gilmer Public Library want to introduce Gilmer County youth (and adults who wish to participate) to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, inspire them to read, and encourage them to exercise their own observational skills. We also want to provide educational, entertaining, socially-distanced programming for our library and our community.
2020 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $750 to ten (10) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2020:
1.  Flavia Bahena, Boronda Meadows Elementary, Salinas, CA
"Mystery Study for Struggling Students"
2.  Aramis Bacallao, Lied STEM Academy, Las Vegas, NV
"Inspiring Students to Read"
3.  Vickie Blankenship, East McDowell Middle School, Marion, NC
​"Sherlock Holmes Digital Breakout"
4.  Lynn Carney, Cleveland Metro School District, Cleveland, OH
"Meet Me on Baker Street"
5.  Jil DeMasi, Essex Regional ED Services, Commission, Fairfield, NJ
"Sherlock Holmes the Teacher"
6.  Amanda Hall, High Point Academy, Spartanburg, SC
​"Reimagining a Short Story from the Holmesian World"
7.  Elizabeth Hallermann, Talahi Community School, St. Cloud, MN
"Sherlock Holmes Meets STEM"  ​ 
8. Roberta Klein, Read With Me Volunteer Programs, Mirage, CA
​​"Putting Sherlock Books into Young Students' Hands"
9. Katie McKinney, Orrs Elementary Media Center, Griffin, GA
"Project Based Learning and the World of Sherlock Holmes"
10. Bethany Sharkey, Hiwassee Dam High School, Murphy, NC
"Sherlock Holmes and Forensics"
2019 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to five (5) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2019:
1.  Derrick Belanger, Century Middle School, Thorton, CO
 "Mystery Writer's Club"
2.  Jennifer Carey, Independence Non-traditional School, Manassa, VA
"Solve Clues to Decipher Lock Combinations"
3.  Megan Dellecese & Erica Overton, Whitesboro High School, Marcy, NY
​"Literature and Breakout EDU" 
4.  Maggie Krukowski, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, Keller, TX
"Sherlock Holmes Who-Done-It (in the Library)"  ​ 
5.  Majesta Maxwell & George Campbell, Bradley High School, Bradley, AR
"SH Murder Mystery"     
2018 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to fourteen (14) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2018:
1.  Melissa Carber, J.C. Lynch Elementary School, Coward, SC
2.  Andrea Eckerson, Lewis and Clark Library East Helena Branch, East Helena, MT
"Sherlock Holmes with a Murder Mystery Lock-in"
3.  Amanda Graves, E.T. Booth Middle School, Woodstock, GA
"Sherlock Holmes and Forensics" 
4. Sonya Harsha, Algona Public Library, Algona, IA 
"Teen Read Week"     
5.  Kim Jansen, Clear Lake Library, Clear Lake, WI
"The World of Sherlock Holmes" 
6.  Elizabeth Livingston, Whitesides Elementary School, Mt. Pleasant, SC
​"Mystery and Sherlock Holmes Reading Circles"
7.  Sandra Moltz, Swampscott Middle School, Swampscott, MA
"The Case of the Hidden Dewey Decimal Number"  
8.  Melanie Miller, Alfred Box of Books Library, Alfred, NY
​"Holmes, Forensics, and Criminal Investigation"  
9.  Cindy Philbeck, Simmons-Pinckney Middle School, Charleston, SC
"Reading Sherlock Holmes"    
10.  Melody Rodriguez, Scholarship Prep Charter School, Oceanside, CA
"An Author's Day"
11.  Tracy Shouse, Spencer County High School, Taylorsville, KY
​"Mystery and Sherlock Holmes"  
12.  Chris Sloan, Bensenville Public Library, Bensenville, IL
​"Study in Scarlet Escape Room"  
13.  Ellen Stolarski, Saint Mary's Area Middle School, St. Mary's, PA
​​"Mystery Solved…Graphic Novel Style"
14.  Michael Tierney, Step by Step Inc., Charleston, WV
​"Baker Street Book Club"
2017 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to twenty-two (22) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2017:
1. Stacy Acuna, ​St. Joseph School, La Puente, CA
​“Introducing the scientific method to students through Sherlock Holmes"  (8th Grade) 
2. Jill Altman, Saluda Primary School, Saluda, SC
“Crime Solvers reading club for students" (2nd Grade)  
3. Cara Bolley, Defiance Public Library, Defiance, OH
​"Tweens Meet Sherlock Holmes"  (pre- and teenagers) 
4. Elizabeth Buckhold, Bentley Middle School, Burton, MI
"Promoting Reading and Family Literacy Through Sherlock Holmes"   
5. Amanda Caple, Salem Elementary School, Fredericksburg, VA
​"Introducing Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Using the Stories to Increase Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills"​
6. Shannon Carlisle, Moore Elementary School, Franklin TN
​"Using Sherlock Holmes to Help Students Become Better Learners and Critical Thinkers" 
7. Brandon Carter, Bayless High School, St. Louis, MO
​"College Prepatory English Course Focusing on Sherlock Holmes" (High School)
8. Cheryl D'Aloisio, Westside Middle School, Winder, GA
"Using Sherlock Holmes to Write Effective Argumentative Essays"  
9. Mary Denham, Trinity Lutheran School, Springfield, IL
"Reading The Hound of the Baskervilles and Educating Students About 19th Century England"  
10. Tish Fenn, Monroe Country Day School, Monroe, GA
​"Language Arts and STEM Program Featuring Sherlock Holmes"   
11. Amanda Flower, Hudson Library and Historical Society, Hudson, OH
​"It's Elementary, Dear Sherlock"  
12. Katie Heaton, Fairmont City Library, Fairmont City, IL
"Teen Read Week highlighting Sherlock Holmes" (Teenager)     
13. Stephanie King, Early Connections, Inc. Erie, PA
"Sherlock Holmes Goes to Summer Camp"  
14. Noelle Loupin, Harmony Elementary School, Harmony, ME
"Sherlock Holmes for Elementary and Middle School Students"
15. Brian Murley, Giant City School, Carbondale, IL
​"Learning STEM Through Sherlock Holmes"
16. Amber Nash, North Greene Schools, White Hall, IL
"Sherlock Holmes and Pop Culture"
​17. Linda Nowicki, River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, FL
"Sherlock Holmes Book Club"
18. Paula Peterson, The Children's Museum in Easton, Easton, MA
"Sherlock Holmes Mystery for Young Learners"
19. Holly Saunders, Bethel High School Library, Hampton, VA
​"Sherlock Holmes in Breakout Activities"
20. Sara Schepis, Newburgh Free Library, Newburgh, NY
"Happy Birthday, Sherlock Holmes!"
21. Anne Vantran & Jennifer Finn, East Bridgewater Public Library, East Bridgewater, MA
​"Sherlock Holmes and a Locked Room Mystery!  
22. Kyla Waltermire, Collinsville Memorial Library, Collinsville, IL
"Sherlock Holmes Comes to the Collinsville Memorial Library Center" ​
2016 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to ten (10) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2016:
1. Christa Bell, Lafayette County C-1 School District, Higginsville, MO
“Sherlock Holmes and Critical Thinking and Forensic Science” (grades 6-8)    
​2. Matthew Collier, Marmaduke School District, Marmaduke, AR
“An Evening with Sherlock Holmes” (grades 8-9)
3. Virginia W. Everett & Helen Cauley, Cobb County Public Library, Kennesaw, GA
“Monthly Sherlock Holmes Story Discussion” (teenagers-adults)
4. David Fake, Tulpehocken High School, Bernville, PA
​“A Study in Scarlet” (grades 9-12)
5. L. V. Finnegan, Pillow Elementary, Austin, TX
“Reading Detectives” (grades 3-5)
6. Jnanama Ishaya, Bethel School, Sugar Grove, NC
​“An Introduction to Sherlock Holmes” (grades 3-8)
7. Sarah Lawler, Fayetteville Free Library, Fayetteville, NY
​“Sherlock Holmes Forensic Camp” for grades 6-12 and “Sherlock Holmes Science and Book Club” (grades 3-5)
8. Sandra Little, Region 9 Education Service Center, Wichita Falls, TX
​“Expanding Literacy through ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’” for individuals seeking their Graduation Equivalency Diploma (GED)
9. KT Lowe, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN
“The Hound of the Baskervilles” (grades 4-6)
10. Susan Wilson, Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Natrona Heights, PA
“Sleuthing with Sherlock Holmes” (ages 12-18)    
2015 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year Jan Stauber Grant funding was at an all-time high of $8,000. We were able to provide up to $500 to fifteen teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2015:
1. Dr. Michael Brady
Developed a Sherlockian curriculum relating it to the California High School Standards and then teaching adolescent youths in the California Prison System, Torch Middle School, Fullerton Community College, and Santa Ana Community College.
2. Shannon Carlisle, Moore Elementary School, Franklin, TN
"The Character Traits of Sherlock Holmes for the Younger Elementary Student” (K-grade 1) and “The Sherlock Holmes Museum for the Young, Curious, and Observant Mind” (grade 4)
3. Lisa Casey, Melrose Elementary School, Jamestown, RI
“The Melrose Street Irregulars—an after-school library reading program” (grade 4)
4. Jennifer Clapp, Malden High School, Malden, MA
"The Mystery of the Mystery—Sherlock Holmes course unit (grade 12)"   
5. Cathy Collins, Sharon High School, Sharon, MA
“Elective forensic course incor​porating the Sherlock Holmes stories”​ (grades 9-12)
6. Michelle Fiorini, Benjamin Middle School, West Chicago, IL
​“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes—a program to improve reading skills and encourage students to think critically” (grade 5) ​ 
7. Rachel Karch, Lexington Public Schools, Lexington, OK
​“Sherlock Holmes Week"
8. Kristy Lucio, Williamson Library, Williamson, GA
“Sherlock Holmes themed mystery dinner theater” (ages 10 and up)
9. Dorothea Miller, Albright College and 13th and Union Elementary School Partnership, Reading, PA, [email protected] 
​“A two week reading/language arts unit built around the Sherlock Holmes stories” (grade 4)
10. Robert Nunn, Albert Cassens Elementary School, Glen Carbon, IL
​“Sherlock Holmes in the Classroom: A Cross-curricular Approach Integrating Literature and Mathematics” (grade 5)
11. Pamela Seigel
Enid High School Library, Enid, OK
      ​“Sherlock Holmes Book Club” (grades 9-12)
12. Stephanie Singer, Readington Middle School Library Media Center, Whitehouse Station, NJ
“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—classic author” (grades 6-7)
13. Chris Sloan and Penny Mandziara, Bensenville Community Public Library, Bensenville, IL
“The Hound of the Baskervilles" (grades 6-8) ​
14. Larnette Snow, St. Paul School, Cana, VA
​​“Learning to Think Like Sherlock Holmes” (grades 5 and 7)
15. Aprille Williams and A.J. Jackson, Richard B. Russell Middle School, Winder, GA
​“A critical analysis of the Sherlock Holmes stories and various adaptations of those stories” (grade 8)
2014 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year Jan Stauber Grant funding was able to provide up to $500 to eighteen (18) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2014:
1. ​Susan Amundson, Talahi Community School, St. Cloud, MN
​​“Introduction to Sherlock Holmes Using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Approaches” (grade 5)
2. Janet Boston, Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church, Pensacola, FL
“Sherlock Holmes and Critical Thinking” (grades 4-7 in tutoring and scouting programs)
3. Amy Beckham, Foster, Boone County Public Library, Union, KY
​“Mystery and MAYhem” for (pre-K-high school)
4. Timothy S. Greer, Memphis University School, Memphis, TN
“Detective Fiction and Other Courses” (grades 7-12)
5. Rebekah Haithcock, Burton Magnet Elementary School, Durham, NC
​"The Hound of the Baskervilles in Various Media” for (pre-K-grade 5)
6. Joyce Horner, Literacy Volunteers of Livingston County, Inc., Leicester, NY
​“An Evening of Mystery with Sherlock Holmes” (grades 4-6)
7. Christine Knowles and Evan Dewdney, The New School, Kennebunk, ME
“Sherlock Holmes in the Classroom: A Cross-curricular Approach Integrating Literature and Mathematics” (grades 9-12)
8. Darlene LaBrie, New Berlin Library, New Berlin, NY
“Elementary” (grades 7-8)
9. Cheryl LeBlanc-Weldon, Porters Lake Elementary School, Porters Lake, NS, Canada
“Sherlock Holmes Book Club” (grades 3-4)
10. Diantha Litwer, Robert Anderson College and Career Academy, Anderson, SC
“The Sherlock Holmes Literary Society” (grades 6-8
11. Barbara Swander Miller, Alexandria Junior/Senior High School, Alexandria, IN
​“Sherlock Holmes Goes Steampunk” (grades 8-12)
12. Brent Obillo, Olive Vista Middle School, Sylmar, CA
“The World of Sherlock Holmes” (grade 8)
13. Kristal A. Petruzzi, Northwood Arts and Science Elementary School Library, Crestview, FL
“Sherlock Reading Detectives: The Science Behind Sherlock” (grades 3-5)
14. Darshell Silva, Rocky Hill School, East Greenwich, RI
“Sherlock Holmes Week” (pre-school-grade 12)
15. Joyce Smith, Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, Colorado Springs, CO
​“Sherlock Holmes in Multiple Formats: Audio, Braille, and American Sign Language” (grades 6-8)
16. Rachel Sweany, Louisville Public Library, Louisville, OH
“Detective December” (ages 12-18)
17. Kimberly VanBeek, Manchester Academic Charter School, Pittsburgh, PA
“Reading Out of School Often: Sherlock Holmes” (grades K-5)
​18. Mary Ziegenfuss, St. Matthew’s Catholic School, Virginia Beach, VA
“Introducing Sherlock Holmes” (grades 5-8)
2013 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year Jan Stauber Grant funding was able to provide up to $500 to seven (7) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2013:
1. Johanna Archer, Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School, Hewitt, NJ
​“Whodunit?: Mysteries in the Library”  (K-6th grade)   
2. Kirsten Bester, Guelph Public Library, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
​"Sherlock Holmes Video Adventure Project—Unlocking Guelph Public Library’s Sherlock Holmes Collection” (grades 7-12)
3. Brittany Maguet, Ste. Rose Regional Library, Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, Canada.
​“Baker Street Detective Club” (ages 8-12)
​4. Tracey Pankratz, Jake Epp Library, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.
“The Mystery of Sherlock Holmes” (ages 5-9 and 10-14)
5. Christopher Pearce, Middletown High School, Middletown, OH
“A Study in Comic: Sherlock Holmes’ Graphic Novel Anthology” (grade 9)
6. Elizabeth Simmons and Sally Gummere, Granville High School, Granville, Ohio.
“What’s the Mystery?” (grade 12)
7. Marie Wright, The River School, Washington, DC. 
“Sleuthing Through Books: A Scientific Connection” (grade 3)
2012 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year Jan Stauber Grant funding was able to provide up to $500 to eleven (11) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2012:
1. Kori Barnett, Shiloh Hills Elementary School, Reading, PA
"Shiloh Hills Sleuths" (grade 5)
2. Kelis Berry, Antlers High School, Antlers, OK
"Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century" (grades 9-12)
3. Andrea Coulter, Clearview Elementary School, Clear Lake, MN
"Sherlock Holmes comes to Clearview" (grade 4)
4. Ryan Devlin, Brockway Area High School, Brockway, PA
"Baker Street Podcasts" (grade 11)
5. Angela Foley, Holy Family Catholic School, Bensenville, IL
"Bringing Mystery to Middle School" (grade 6)
6. Cynthia Gozzard and Randy Ongena, Delhi Public School, Delhi, Ontario, Canada
"Students Engaged in Reading Sherlock Holmes Using Literature Circles Activities" (grades 7-8)
7. Phillip McAndrew, Williamson County Public Library, Franklin, TN
"Sherlock Holmes Battle of the Books" (ages 13-18). Student teams read the four Sherlock Holmes novels and challenged one another in a competition.
8. Alison Neal and Sarah Cocuzzi, Pierre Berton Resource Library, Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
“The Baker Street Irregulars: Introducing Sherlock Holmes” (young readers)
9. Debra Oyler, Houghton Portage Township School Library, Houghton, MI
“Holmes @ Houghton” (high school students and grade 7)
10. Brandi Waldroop, Duke High School, Duke, Oklahoma.
“You Know My Methods, Watson” (grades 9-12)
11. Marie Wright, The River School, Washington, DC
“Sleuthing Through Books” (grade 3) Students were introduced to Sherlock Holmes through the world of Geronimo Stilton, mouse author of a series of detective stories for young children.
2011 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to five (5) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2011:
1. Susan Chambre, Somerville Elementary School, Ridgewood, NJ
"Sherlock Holmes Book Club" (grades 1-5)
2. Judith Freeman
"Gems and Stones of Sherlock Holmes". Using the American Museum of Natural History as the backdrop, Judith provides a wonderful description of the various minerals depicted in the 60 stories of the Canon.
"A Canonical Animal Tour". In addition, Judith has developed a supplemental document, focusing on animals in the Sherlock Holmes stories that can be seen at the American Museum of Natural History
3. Janelle Kelly, Big Stone City Middle School, Big Stone City, SD
"Teen Read Week: focus on Sherlock Holmes" (grades 6-8). Collaborated with other teachers on forensic activities, book discussions and a guest speaker to focus on Sherlock Holmes during their annual Teen Read Week.
4. Linda Marchisio, Bacon Academy, Colchester, CT
​​"Forensics in Literature: Sherlock Holmes" (grades 11-12). Using The Hound to illustrate techniques of deductive reasoning in science for juniors and seniors, they successfully taught their course in the Fall and Spring semesters. 
5. Susan Toole, Douglas Elementary School, Trenton, SC
"Sherlock Holmes Audio/Reading Program"  (grade 5)
2010 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to five (5) teachers and librarians to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2010:
1. Timothy Abney, Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO
“Sherlock Holmes Speaks Latin”
2. Elizabeth Ketelle and Brad Mason, Golden Sierra High School, Garden Valley, CA
“Sherlock Holmes, Critical Thinking and Forensic Science”. A special section of the school newspaper shows the remarkable scope of this well-planned project.
3. Francine Kitts
"Sherlockian Deduction". Inspired by the popular TV show “Jeopardy” and uses the same rules. The basic rules for the game can be found online via many sources. You may choose to adapt the rules for use in your own classroom. For example, students can play in teams rather than as individual players.
4. Susan Singer, St. Aloysius Elementary School, Pewee Valley, Kentucky.
“Sherlock Holmes Goes 21st Century”. Use The Hound to teach analytical reasoning in mystery writing.
5. Matthew Stark, Maudrey J. Sommer School, rural Tanana, Alaska.
“Sherlock Holmes and Me”.  Communication technology can overcome isolation and distance in teaching, and this project used Holmes as an introduction to mysteries in general and the world of podcasting for students' own stories.
2009 Jan Stauber-Sherlock Holmes Literacy Grant Awards
This year we provided grants of up to $500 to one (1) teacher and librarian to assist them in developing a teaching project to introduce more young people to Sherlock Holmes. Here are the awardees for 2009:
1. Karen T. Paulson, Westfield Area High School, Oshkosh, WI
"Sherlock Holmes: Unit of a Mystery Novels Class"
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