Books in Motion
This uniquely creative 10-day in-school program is targeted to 5th grade students in the St. Louis region. Books in Motion promotes collaboration between teachers and artists to design a creative and inspiring curriculum that fosters appreciation for the arts, love for reading, and hands-on experiences that are unique to the needs of each school. MADCO's skilled teaching artists guide students through exercises that explore storytelling through dance, encouraging each student to take ownership of their learning. Students work together with their MADCO teachers to use their ideas in a final production inspired by the Books in Motion book of the year. At the end of the program, students perform for the entire student body, family, and the community alongside MADCO dancers. MADCO also provides schools with a complete study guide including activities, discussion questions, vocabulary, and more!
The 2025-2026 book selection for Books In Motion is The Sherlock Society by James Ponti.
This story features 4 middle schoolers and one grandfather in Miami looking to solve mysteries as a summer job - way more exciting than babysitting or mowing lawns! Quickly the Sherlock Society goes from cold cases (treasure hunting) to current ones - stumbling upon evidence of corporate corruption and environmental concerns in the Everglades. With topics of friendship, social status, environmentalism, cultural diversity, history, mystery, action, and humor this series debuted at #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list and #1 on the Indie Booksellers Bestseller list. The Sherlock Society has also received the 2024 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Award and was named one of the best new books for Missouri students in 2025.
The Modern American Dance Company is honored to bring Books in Motion programming to schools across the St. Louis metro area.
This year, MADCO is proud to serve:
Concord Elementary School (Lindbergh School District)
Conway Elementary School (Ladue School District)
Kratz Elementary School (Ritenour School District)
Marion Elementary School (Ritenour School District)
Marvin Elementary School (Ritenour School District)
Sappington Elementary School (Lindbergh School District)
Special thank you to our past partner schools: Keysor, Long, and Woodward Elementary Schools.
Books in Motion Programming is made possible in part by Missouri Humanities, and with public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
For inquiries about Books in Motion, scheduling, or how to help, contact our Education Director Katherine Kennedy at madcodance@gmail.com.
"Once in a while, along comes a program that is above and beyond any expectations you could imagine for a school program. Books in Motion with MADCO is one of those programs."
- Flavia Everman, Executive Director of Warren County Fine Arts