Inspiring Imagination through the Magic of Books
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
Art by Dawn Russo
Elizabeth Birru
French Teacher, Golightly Educational Center, Detroit, Michigan
February 22, 2010
What an incredible blessing! We are thrilled to receive these books for our students. I knew, Denise, when we spoke, that you clearly understand how the burden of illiteracy particularly haunts the lives of poor, minority children. That you are actively pursuing a partner school for Golightly – that you continue to supply books to our children – is fundamental proof that you understand how each and every book has the potential to change their lives.
Thank you most sincerely for putting your words into action on behalf of our children.
Katherine Roddy
Special Education Teacher, Columbia Middle School, Sunnyvale, California
February 16, 2010
We have received the books! I let them open them in the last half hour of school yesterday. They were SO EXCITED. Even I was surprised. We made a big ceremony out of cutting the tape on the boxes. There was something of a feeding frenzy which I had to step into. I allowed each student to take one book home. [Kids Need to Read], you should have seen their eyes SHINING! I wish you could have heard them talking about the books, deciding which to read first. This is the biggest thing ever. Even the kids who tell me they don't like to read were excited, because these are books they actually can read. The girls have gone crazy for Babymouse. The biggest Babymouse fan is Amanda, who has told me 100 times this year that she does not like reading because it's so boring. I went to the Scholastic website and downloaded a coloring page of Babymouse for Amanda. Today, when I gave it to her, Jennifer and Jocelyn demanded copies, too.
The boys are big on the Bone Series. Usually, if they are given books at school they hide them because they're too babyish and the other students will tease them. But Bone is very cool and grown-up looking.
I have one student in particular I'm very worried about. His family is very gang connected. His older brother, one of my former students, is in jail. Jose actually tried to sneak one of the High Noon Raven Mystery Series books out of the box while I wasn't looking. Today he told me all about how he liked those books, they were pretty good. He's going to read the rest. He was practically swaggering. I acted very impressed and amazed that he could read the whole book in one day. He's got to read the rest of them now, he told me.
As I speak, the kids have just finished a math test. At their insistence, I'm allowing them to dig in to the books. The girls are sitting around the round table, delving into the Babymouse books.
As you can imagine, my students are used to being at the end of the line when it comes to resources or consideration. They get photocopies instead of new workbooks, and they use whatever science tools or math manipulatives their teachers can scrape up. Several of them have told me, point blank, that the school doesn't care about them. They love your books because they can actually read them, but also because the books are proof that an official organization believes they are worthy of a set of brand new materials. They are so proud.
Jessica
Student, Girls Incorporated of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
February 10, 2010
When asked if she found a book she would like to read in the Kids Need to Read shipment, Jessica said, "I found an entire series."
Roberta Wilhelm
Executive Director, Girls Incorporated of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
January 27, 2010
We are thrilled about receiving both the books and Highlights magazines. Rest assured we will milk every book for all it’s worth. At Girls Inc., every book pretty much fulfills its Karmic destiny. We use books in our programs, for free time reading, and to loan to girls and their families. When I began working at Girls Inc. six years ago, our print materials were quite pitiful. Our “library” was a room with broken furniture and boxes and boxes of cast off books (likes sets of encyclopedias from the 1940’s and cast off, moldy text books). Through the generosity of individuals and organizations like Kids Need to Read we have been able to accumulate books and magazines that the girls actually want to read.
While we accept donations of any books that are age appropriate, the kind of books you describe - books with messages of hope, courage, compassion, kindness, friendship, love, tolerance and perseverance – are the kinds of books we treasure and know the girls will, too.
Sarah Moddrell
4th Grade /Writing Support Teacher, Rowena Chess Elementary School, Pasco, Washington
January 27, 2010
The books are so wonderful! I can't even express this enough! The kids will truly love them as they are of multiple genres and popular titles that they are already excited about. I'm sure the students will be as thrilled as they were with the Highlights Magazines that they received during our Snuggle Up and Read Day! Again, thank you so much for all you do for kids!
Stacey Holland
Director, Rocky Mountain Youth Academy, La Jara, Colorado
January 19, 2010
Thank you so much for the books! The kids are enjoying them very much! We will use them for many years!!
Elizabeth Birru
French Teacher, Golightly Educational Center, Detroit, Michigan
January 20, 2010
May I first wish you and yours a well-deserved and very best of New Years. I must also say that you and your organization have certainly set our students off to a fabulous New Year's start by so generously offering them an absolutely amazing collection of novels. The variety of topic and difficulty of these novels well suit the diverse population of our readers. The HIGHLIGHTS magazines are also phenomenal for our elementary aged students. All of the children are ecstatic! And, we, as the adults, are "whoopin' it up, too!" Needless to say, we are very appreciative and want you to know that these literary materials will be lovingly and effectively used.
[Kids Need to Read], please keep us in mind for whatever jewels of literacy you may encounter down the line and may I thank you yet again for making available to our children such wonderful literature. Wishing you only the very best.
Jacob D. Massaquoi, II. MBA
Executive Director, African Refuge, Staten Island, New York
December 11, 2009
The kids love the books; they have been an important part of our youth program. Some of the kids who did not have interest in reading are now beginning to show interest in reading because some of the stories in the books relate directly to their own settings.
Rebekah Lund
English Teacher, Willow River High School, Willow River, Minnesota
December 11, 2009
The books arrived a few weeks ago. The kids love them. I am glad there are so many series of books. Many times we have one or two of a series, but to have the entire sets is very nice. The variety of books is good – many kids like the Looking Glass [Wars] series and many really like the graphic and manga novels.
Jason Mabee
Media Specialist, Maritime Industries Academy #431, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore, Maryland
October 28, 2009
Wow!!! Your organization has truly helped fill a big void in our school library/resource center! Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for our students. I can't wait to process and display all the fantastic graphic novels and high interest books! As you know, we have a large population of reluctant readers, as well as a self-contained program for emotionally disturbed students. The titles that you have selected are the perfect prescription for developing their passion for reading.
Truly, Kids do Need to Read, and your foundation has done a great service to the students of Baltimore City. I look forward to sending you more specific student feedback later in the year, but I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU from all of us here at Maritime Industries Academy #431.
Please know that what you have done is appreciated. Our principal, Ms. Joy Savage, as well as our nearly 600 students, pass along their gratitude as well!
Sheryl A. Morelli, MD
North Public Health Clinic, Pediatric Residency Program, Seattle, Washington
August 28, 2009
I wanted to formally send our sincere appreciation for the donation of books and Highlights Magazines to North Public Health Center in Seattle, Washington.
We serve a very diverse, low-income population; many living below the poverty level. Like you, we believe in the power of literacy and strive to encourage a lifelong love of reading in all the children we serve in clinic. The outstanding collection of books that we receive from your organization continues to excite and inspire our patients to become lifelong readers!
Your generous donation of books and magazines aimed at school-aged children and young adults definitely fills a gap of many literacy programs across the United States. Through your donations, we are able to provide all children that walk into the clinic the start to an outstanding home library. We are truly fortunate to benefit from your inspirational mission.
Jacob D. Massaquoi, II. MBA
Executive Director, African Refuge, Staten Island, New York
August 17, 2009
Thank you so much for your generous contribution of children’s books to African Refuge.
Your gift allows us to implement our critical and valuable Youth and Family Program to the marginalized population that we serve in Staten Island. Your support positively contributes to the socioeconomic development of our society and provides the resources to focus on collective strengths rather than on individual deficits.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community of clients, we thank you for your generosity and friendship.
Jordan Boaz
Teen Librarian, Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, Avondale, Arizona
June 26, 2009
Just letting you know that we received the two boxes of books today from UPS and hope to start processing them tomorrow. The kids were so excited about the titles and our children’s librarian has already planned multiple story times around the books that we got. Again, thank you so much. I cannot even express how grateful we are here at the library.
Jarret Sharp
Principal, Children First Academy, Phoenix, Arizona
May 11, 2009
Recently, Kids Need to Read sponsored an event for Children First Academy - Phoenix, a public charter school serving grades K-6 with over 80% of their students homeless.
Local comic book store owner/illustrators [SpazDog Comics owner Shawn Demumbrum and illustrator Derrick West] came to the student body with vivid examples of exceptionally stimulating reading materials. Students were inspired, not only by the opportunity to read popular material, but by local talent and the quality of the materials that were donated.
Exposure to this quality of material by these professionals is restricted by a lack of personal resources. Our students often aren't aware that movies are inspired by artistic professionals, editors, authors and creative minds. This opportunity has had a profound impact on their perspective.
This is KNTR's second visit to CFA - Phoenix, and the student body looks forward to seeing them again!
Kristina Kim
Fifth Grade Teacher, Sutro Elementary School, San Francisco, California
April 26, 2009
Thanks again for the great books. The librarian told me to let you know that many of the books you sent are by far the most popular books we have in the library! No kidding!
Theresa Rosales
HR / Office Manager, VT Industries, La Mirada, California
March 16, 2009
Thank you again and the entire staff of your organization. You're providing the world through books to the children at New City School, and so many other children. You guys are AWESOME!
Jan Landis
Library Chairperson, Paragon Science Academy, Chandler, Arizona
January 18, 2009
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the wonderful books. I got tears in my eyes as I opened them, and then such a feeling of kindness. I really appreciate your efforts.
Chris Phelps
Librarian, The New City School, Long Beach, California
January 18, 2009
...a big thank you for all the wonderful books!! As I was unpacking the boxes, I had several visitors passing through the library: students, teachers & one administrator. All were so excited to see the new books! I hope to have the books out on the shelves this week. All the kids will be very happy!
Thank you so much!!