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In her application, Brennan described how she collaborated with Phil Spears, Head of Middle School, and Warren Hunter, Director of Student Life, to create a pleasure reading program for middle school students. Referred to as “Parallel Reading,” this program encourages boys to develop "Reader Identity" by reading and reflecting on five books of their choice throughout each school year. Faculty and students of St. Christopher’s Middle School all participate to produce a program that provides skills and experiences to create lifelong readers. A variety of experiences such as responding to short writing prompts, promoting books to others, and listening to mentors describe their reading experiences help the boys develop a love a reading.

This pleasure reading program promotes positive results even with reluctant readers and offers enrichment for those who are already avid readers. Boys remark on the importance of listening to others provide booktalks, as well as how much emphasis they put on book reviews from their peers.

"Making pleasure reading an active part of each boy’s life is our purpose," said Brennan in her winning application. "We wanted to hear them discuss reading in the same way they fluently voice preferences regarding sports, music or video games."