Inspiring Imagination
There are few pleasures in the world as great to me as reading. As a child, I read voraciously, and without limits—I read about Greek Mythology, and biographies of great men and women, and Japanese Folk Tales, and about Lost Treasures of the Incas, and Fairy Tales, all with equal fervor. I traveled to other worlds with Charles Wallace Murray, and grew up alongside Taran Wanderer. I learned about Robot Detectives, and Magic Swords, and Time Machines. But most importantly, I learned that we live in a world without limits. And that's the most important lesson of all.—James A. Owen, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series
2017 Testimonial Archive
Amanda McClanahan
Teacher, Skyview High School, Buckeye, Arizona
September 21, 2017
The students of Skyview High School would like to thank you for the generous donation of Frank Beddor's Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. Every student who was present on the first day of school received a copy. Pictured below are our students, including those who dived in and were engrossed in the story by the end of the school day. Thank you!
Nellie Garone
Title I Reading Teacher, Mannsville School Library, Mannsville, Oklahoma
September 1, 2017
We received our books and I asked a couple of girls to unpack the boxes for me and ... as you can see ... the lure of the books was too great—the whole class had to join in! We are so excited. We never dreamed that they would be such first class books—brand new, current title and authors. And then ... everyone begged to get a book and take it home to read for the weekend. They were so excited ... the smiles say it all. Needless to say, I hurried up and did check out cards. Who could resist the enthusiasm?!
We really appreciate your kindness and the grant. The whole school will be so blessed when we get the books into the library. What a wonderful thing you have done for our school!
Robert F. Lambert
President, York County Libraries, York, Pennsylvania
July 14, 2017
On behalf of all of our libraries' visitors, staff, Board of Directors, and the entire York County Libraries family, thank you for your generous gift. We will use your donation to propel ourselves into the future and, through innovative services, programs, and initiatives, guarantee that everyone in our community has a place to call home at their local library.
Theresa Dellick
Judge, Mahoning County Juvenile Court, Youngstown, Ohio
June 21, 2017
Thank you for the donation of books for the Youngstown, Ohio Increasing Education and Reducing Crime Program. The Mahoning County Juvenile Court Advisory Board is grateful for your generosity. The books were distributed to the youth the day of the event. Your participation in the event added to the excitement of the day. The books were then read by celebrity readers to audiences across the city!
Alison Kirkpatrick
Librarian, River Road High School, Amarillo, Texas
June 1, 2017
Thank you so much for the incredible gift of books & Highlights for our K–6 book drive. Because of you, we were able to give 12 books each to over 600 K–6 children this year!! Our students will continue to read and learn over the summer thanks to your organization!
Anna LeBlanc
Kindergarten Teacher at Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
May 19, 2017
Thank you so much for allowing us to be apart of this program!
Mrs. Morales
Kindergarten Teacher at Berean Academy, Sierra Vista, Arizona
May 19, 2017
Parents and students were very excited to participate in the program. They were looking forward everyday to see what book they would pick.
Rebekah Oragwu
Kindergarten Teacher at 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
May 19, 2017
The books were well-received, and the attached letters were helpful primers. thank you!
Evalani Dela Cruz
First Grade Teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 18, 2017
The program has been positive to students and teachers.
McGhan
First Grade Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 17, 2017
This was really helpful, thank you so much. Many of my students said they could not practice reading because they did not have any books. This gave them the opportunity to read.
Amber Ferrell
First Grade Teacher at Spann Elementary School, Jackson, Mississippi
May 16, 2017
Great literacy resources
Jon and Adrienne Howell
Organizers, Advancing Education�Reducing Crime, Youngstown, Ohio
May 16, 2017
We were so overwhelmed by the wonderful brand new books our children were able to take home with them through Advancing Education—Reducing Crime Day and Kids Need to Read's generous donation. We had no idea there would be such an extensive, varied selection. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.
Stephanie Markham
First Grade Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 16, 2017
I loved the program. This program gave my students the opportunity to read a new book each week that is at their reading level.
Aaron Ramirez
Kindergarten Teacher at 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
May 16, 2017
Books were at their target levels. They aided in their reading development throughout the year. As the year progressed the students were able to read the books more fluently.
Ramirez
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 12, 2017
It is a good program that I will use again next year.
Ms. Serna
First Grade Teacher at 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
May 12, 2017
The reading buddies were a big hit. Plenty of choices for the students each month at each rotation.
Karen Thompson
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 12, 2017
The students were so excited about the books and materials. Those students whose parents were on-board from the beginning relayed their excitement about reading to their child and reading with their child. The reading gains are tremendous in the classroom.
Sharen Underwood
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 11, 2017
Thank you for providing books in our student's homes. Wonderful program
Cruikshank
Kindergarten Teacher at CICS Prairie, Chicago, Illinois
May 10, 2017
Many of our students wouldn't have any access to extra books in the home were it not for this program! It was awesome! Our students loved it!
Reina Figueroa
First Grade Teacher at 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
May 10, 2017
I loved the program and the variety of books.
Ashley Justice
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 10, 2017
I love the opportunity this program gives to my students!
Kathy Plummer
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 10, 2017
very easy to use; good skills for the students
Leticia Barrera
First Grade Teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 9, 2017
We need more programs like this to encourage, motivate, engage, and make families part of their children's reading progress.
Tanya Harper
Kindergarten Teacher at Mesa Arts Academy, Mesa, Arizona
May 9, 2017
I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into organizing and gathering the books and this program. The author visit was amazing and we truly appreciate all that this program provides.
Mrs. Elsa Sterrenberg
First Grade Teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 9, 2017
Great Program.
Yehleen Alana
Kindergarten Teacher at Lybrook Elementary School, Cuba, New Mexico
May 8, 2017
Our kids enjoyed the books sent to them.
Mrs. Castro
First Grade Teacher at Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
May 8, 2017
Thank you for the opportunity for allowing our students to take part in this program. It was very well received and enjoyed by all of the students.
Katherine Knight
Kindergarten Teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
May 8, 2017
Love the READ Together program! The amazing staff and their generosity in providing our students with opportunities to receive books and meet amazing authors!
Mrs. Kovalev
First Grade Teacher at 107th Street Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
May 8, 2017
Parents and students were very excited to participate in the program. They were looking forward everyday to see what book they would pick.
Karye Maine
Kindergarten Teacher at La Vega Primary School, Waco, Texas
May 8, 2017
My students loved getting to take the books home!
Ms. Lisette
Kindergarten Teacher at Mexicayotl Academy, Tucson, Arizona
May 4, 2017
Sra.Lopez
Kindergarten Teacher at Lincoln Street Elementary School, Hillsboro, Oregon
May 4, 2017
The students are very happy that they have books to read at home not only during our school days, but also for the summer. Thank you so much for everything and for supporting our school.
Una Maher
Kindergarten Teacher at Lincoln Street Elementary School, Hillsboro, Oregon
May 4, 2017
Our dual language classes request more beginner Spanish reading books for the students to use. This year I was fortunate to have students (4) surpass the five levels provided in kindergarten. Thankfully I also have a leveled library that they moved to. One student grew from a level 3 (DRA score) to a level 20 (DRA). Thank you so much for committing to our students.
Denise Webb
First Grade Teacher at Mexicayotl Academy, Tucson, Arizona
May 3, 2017
The students and I love this program. They are now more excited to read new book. Each student in my class, gets to read one book to the class, each day. Thank you :)
Linda Slack
First Grade Teacher at Frank Elementary School, Guadalupe, Arizona
April 26, 2017
Any additional help that I can get to help my students is greatly appreciated.
Amanda Stoffey
Kindergarten Teacher at CICS Prairie, Chicago, Illinois
April 25, 2017
The students LOVED receiving their reading buddies! I had a parent who was so grateful, she sent me an email that her son reads to his buddy every evening.
Allyssa Jones
Kindergarten Teacher at Lowell Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
April 23, 2017
Our students love having access to books in their homes! Thank you!
Roseae Pak
First Grade Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 19, 2017
I absolutely love the program. The kids enjoy the books so much and remind me weekly that it is time to change their books!
Mary Gilmore
First Grade Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 17, 2017
Thank you for such a great program! :)
Quiroa
First Grade Teacher at Lowell Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
April 17, 2017
I love this program. Most of my kiddos were eager to receive new books!
Bonnie Civille
Kindergarten Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 13, 2017
My students love books. Thank you for giving them the opportunity to take books home.
Valerie Garcia
First Grade Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 13, 2017
I loved the books and it helped my low English Language Learners how to start reading.
Aimee Gerkin
Kindergarten Teacher at Palomino Primary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 13, 2017
The kids were very excited to take books home! They love to read.
R. Pressgrove
Kindergarten Teacher at Spann Elementary School, Jackson, Mississippi
April 12, 2017
Our STAR assessment scores are higher now than a few months ago.
Dylan Vaughan
First Grade Teacher at H.E. White Elementary School, Bomont, West Virginia
April 11, 2017
It is nice to have reading materials on hand that students can take home to read. Many students do not have appropriately leveled books at home to read.
Mrs. Guzman
Kindergarten Teacher at J.B. Sutton Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona
April 10, 2017
Thank you for all you do or our students. The book gift was a blessing and my students were so excited to pick their titles.
Kristin Butler
Teacher, Brainard Elementary School, Los Angeles, California
March 8, 2017
We really enjoyed meeting Stacie, and the kids cherished the books that they received. And all of this was done during Read Across America Week, which made it even more special. We appreciate you thinking of us, and please know that it was very meaningful for the entire school and staff!
Todd Kemmerer, M.ED
Guidance Counselor, Mohave Middle School, Scottsdale, Arizona
March 3, 2017
I wanted to update you on my groups using the books you sent me. The kids loved Drawing out the Dragons! The group I targeted were the students struggling with poor grades. We met during lunch and used the book as a book study. They really got into it and made some pretty amazing connections to their own lives. If I can coordinate another group during our 4th quarter I will run a second group. As always, the resources you provide me are priceless and very much appreciated!!!
[The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens] ... I have ... used the book with some of my 8th graders that I am working with on an individual basis during our one on one sessions. As always it is a great tool.
Again, much thanks to you and your organization for giving me tools to be a great resource to my students.
PS... The kids love the dolls!! I even had a teacher ask if he could have one. They have become a great tool to help kids in crisis have something to put a smile on their faces.
Yehleen Alana
Kindergarten Teacher at Mesa Arts Academy, Mesa, Arizona
February 1, 2017
Thank you for your patience and great efforts to bring this reading program to my students.
Dylan Vaughan
First Grade Teacher at H.E. White Elementary School, Bomont, West Virginia
January 13, 2017
This program is great for my kids. Many have a lack of books at home. This program gives them an opportunity to have something to read every night.
Sherri Markle
Kindergarten Teacher at H.E. White Elementary School, Bomont, West Virginia
January 11, 2017
The kids seem to enjoy this program. They are excited check out books to take home.
Denise Webb
First Grade Teacher at Mexicayotl Academy, Tucson, Arizona
January 11, 2017
The students are utilizing the books for story telling, read alouds, grammar, comprehension, 20 minute reading at home, and homework. Thank you!!!
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