Judith’s Reading Room Vigorously Supports Scotland’s ‘Heavy Sound’
Collection includes graphic novels, books for dyslexic readers and best-selling novels

 

June 3, 2025 — Judith’s Reading Room, the global literacy nonprofit organization based in eastern Pennsylvania, continued its “15 Libraries to Celebrate its 15th Anniversary  in 2025” by today installing its latest collection of books for teens at Heavy Sound, the Scottish nonprofit located near Edinburgh in the village of Cockenzie, Scotland.  Heavy Sound, founded by Jordan Butler, works with some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disconnected teens with poor to no literacy.

Representing Judith’s Reading Room, Daniel Leiber, (on the left) was on hand today, June 3rd, to celebrate the addition of 52 new graphic novels, plus books crafted for dyslexic readers and global best-sellers along with Jordan Butler, Founder, Heavy Sound. The curated book collection was added to the organization’s existing Judith’s Reading Room library. Not shown, but greatly appreciated, are two Scottish Book Trust staffers who are credited with doing 100% of the legwork in acquiring the collection.

Ms. Sarah Barratt, Educational Psychologist and Head of Youth Services at Heavy Sound is credited with curating the exquisite list of 52 graphic novels at a value of $1,000 — books for dyslexic adult readers and global best-selling novels to enhance Judith’s Reading Room’s 107th eponymous library dedicated at Heavy Sound in August 2024.

Judith’s Reading Room acknowledges two Scottish Book Trust employees who did 100% of the legwork in obtaining the curated books in today’s donation:  Ms. Faye Channon, Commercial Manager and Ms. Signe Rudovica, Sharing Sensory Stories Project Manager.  They are named 2025 recipients of the organization’s “Outstanding Service Award” for their commitment and passion to obtain the books that will help sustain the youth of Heavy Sound.

Today’s curated selection of books include:  The Road:  A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Cormac McCarthy, To Kill a Mockingbird:  The stunning graphic novel adaptation by Harper Lee and Fred Fordham; and Dyslexia-friendly classics such as Animal Farm by George Orwell, Circe by Madeline Miller and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.  Rounding out the collection are best-selling novels like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Excitingly, Jordan Butler, recipient of Judith’s Reading Room’s 2024 Founders’ Award, is developing a library project at Heavy Sound for the young people based on his own experiences of finding his library to be a safe haven.

“Heavy Sound recognizes the barriers illiteracy causes throughout a person’s life and therefore aims to inspire and support them to become readers and writers,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  She added, “The idea is to not only get these kids onto grade level reading, but to instill in them a love of reading that will catapult them into a lifelong relationship with literature, for all the days of their lives.”

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 global literacy organization was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and cousin to the founders.  Its mission is:  “To enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.”  The organization has fulfilled that mission by establishing to date 111 eponymous libraries in 25 countries and 10 US states with more than 134,000 donated books at a cover price of $1.4 million.

In a bold move, the organization’s Board of Directors voted to celebrate its 15th anniversary by enhancing existing Judith’s Reading Room libraries or dedicating new libraries.  The initiative stretches across 4 oceans and 4 continents and will reach thousands of children.  Scotland’s Heavy Sound is the 9th library featured in the global initiative.

 “The 15 Libraries to Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary” — Dedication Dates

1. Bright School/TEACH Rwanda, Muhanga, Rwanda — January 7
2. Escuela ‘Agustin Flores Contreras,’ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — January 15
3. Read for Literacy, “Real Men READ-y,” Toledo, Ohio — February 3
4. Avery Chapel AME Church, Southaven, Mississippi — February 15
5. Watch Me Grow Learning Academy, Grenada, Mississippi  — February 15
6. Mosaic Preparatory Academy, East Harlem, New York — March 14
7. Louisiana Methodist Children & Family Services, Ruston, Louisiana — April 1
8. Washington Co. Residential Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ Portland, Oregon — April 4
9. Heavy Sound, Edinburgh, Scotland — June 3
10. Janata Adharbhut Vidhyalaya School, Kathmandu, Nepal — June 20
11. Vhulakanjhani Primary School, South Africa — June 25
12. James Prendergast Free Library, Jamestown, New York — July 31
13. Abundant Life Academy, Nutley, New Jersey — September 12
14. Kirioruwa School, Marabedda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka — September (TBA)
15. Chinle Planting Hope, Navajo Nation, Chinle, Arizona — November 1

Along with Heavy Sound and the Scottish Book Trust, Judith’s Reading Room has collaborated in Scotland since August 2024 to bring the perfect books to the exact audience. Judith’s Reading Room dedicated its 107th eponymous library at Heavy Sound with 174 books valued at $3,456 to support kids and adults, many of whom are emergent readers — very few are able to read fluently and most suffer from a deeply held fear of failure.  Today’s donation of 52 books valued at $1,000 brings enhances our library to 226 books at a value of $4,456.

To learn more about Judith’s Reading Room libraries around the world and our Awards,  visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

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