“Freedom Through Literacy”
Est. 2010 in memory of Judith F. Krug
December 18, 2023 —This season, give a gift of “Recognition” by nominating your favorite literacy champion —teacher, author, librarian, educator —for the prestigious 2024 Judith’s Reading Room ‘Freedom Through Literacy Award.’ Marking its 10th year, the Award recognizes champions of literacy from around the world for the impact they make on instilling in others the love of reading.
October 5, 2023 — Lehigh Valley, Pa — Judith’s Reading Room announced today that the 2024 Application for its prestigious global literacy award is available at www.judithsreadingroom.org. The deadline for submission is February 5, 2024.
October 2, 2023 — Lehigh Valley, Pa — Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization best known for its network of 105 libraries in 23 countries and its annual “Freedom Through Literacy Award” announced plans to host a mobile Literacy Stories Round Table in Acapulco, Mexico, November 7-8, 2023.
Finally, Honorable Mention Awards (no cash award) are given to those applicants who the judges want to acknowledge and think deserve encouragement. The idea behind the Honorable Mention Awards is to propel the applicants to continue their literacy efforts and to apply for future Freedom Through Literacy Awards.
Pamela Laskin, author, New York City for her project, “Diversity and Differently-Abled.” Two-time Freedom Through Literacy Award winner, Laskin has completed a series of picture books that capture the world of those who are differently-abled; in particular, those without speech, and what it means in a family. She reads these books aloud in public school classrooms with the goal to educate a mainstream audience.
Evangelia Ritzaleou, award-winning high school teacher, Drama, Greece for her project, “School Reading and Creative Writing Club.” Evangelia knows what she is talking about when she documents the effects of book clubs on kids — she has, after all, headed up a Reading and Creative Writing Club at her school for 15 years.
Colin Bloom, 16-year-old New York City high school student and founder of a literacy nonprofit for his project, “Creating a Library for Literacy at the Senianya Primary School in Mpumalanga, South Africa.” Colin is a standout on multiple levels: as a teenager, he established a nonprofit, Libraries for Literacy, has dedicated two libraries in impoverished rural South Africa, has assertively insinuated himself into partnerships with global entities, and has shown tenacity, drive, entrepreneurship, compassion and a desire to learn and improve from each experience.
Victor Owuor, after-school program coordinator, the Sunflower Trust, Nairobi, Kenya for his project, “Pathway to Alternative Learning Education (PALE).” As World Literacy Ambassador since 2022 representing Kenya, Victor understands what it means when one lacks resources to attend school: He was born and bred in the informal settlement of Kibera slum, Nairobi. Sunflower Trust works in partnership with community schools to identify girls, in the fifth grade, who are at risk of ending their education early and transitions them to the after-school, part-time PALE program.
The $2,500 Grand Prize goes to award-winning children’s book author Ty Jackson for his youth financial literacy project: “The Danny Dollar Entrepreneur Fair,” Fresno, California. Ty, a previous winner of the coveted Judith’s Award, developed a creative program based on his book, Make Your Own Money: How Kids Can Earn It, Save It, Spend It, and Dream Big.
Judith’s Reading Room dedicated its 103rd library today at Jabulani Community Center in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This custom library contains books designed for teenagers and adults who, for whatever reason, find themselves grown but not fully literate.cation can donate a book or two at checkout for a child in need and forever change that child’s life.