Linda Kieling, an art teacher at Rosemont Ridge Middle school in West Linn, Oregon, describes an altered book art project she introduced to her students. Alteration of books is a form of recycling that started in the eleventh century when Italian monks recycled old manuscripts written on vellum by scraping off the ink and adding new text and illustrations on top of the old. This form of recycling was known as "palimpsest." The author also describes another form of book recycling known as "Grangerism," a Victorian practice of illustrating a particular book with engravings torn from other books. The author relates that the art project was a successful one as her students were able to use materials and techniques, unity and evolution of the theme, and artistic statement. The books created by these student artists were thoughtful, creative, and technically successful.