Minot Forest and Hammond Elementary students took trips around the solar system during the "Blast Into Books" reading program, and they were awarded for their efforts late last month.

Starting in October, students in kindergarten through fifth grades "visited" each planet, represented by bulletin boards in each school, by reading 240 minutes per planet.

Students received certificates, medals, trophies, and t-shirts depending on how often they made their way around the solar system, with 11 of the 700 participating students making it around three times.

It was the first year of Blast Into Books, which was sponsored by the Village PTA and run by parent volunteers.

"I think it's been really positive," said PTA President Jill Johnson. "The kids would track me down if they saw me at Walmart or Stop & Shop, and say 'Hey what stop am I on?'"

Johnson said the PTA plans to expand the program to East Wareham Elementary next year.