Puerto Vallarta Receives Collection of Bilingual Books

 

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

School in Puerto Vallarta Receives Collection of Bilingual Books
Introducing bilingual books to Spanish-speaking children is one of the most effective ways to set them on a path to success

January 15, 2025 — Judith’s Reading Room announced that its 106th eponymous library, Escuela ‘Agustin Flores Contreras’ in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico received today an expanded collection of bilingual books in honor of the organization’s “15 Libraries to Celebrate Its 15th Anniversary in 2025.”  Principal Ma. Guadalupe Ramirez Lopez requested a collection of bi-lingual books on comprehensive themes including fantasy, values, animals, superheroes and emotions.  

Judith’s Reading Room co-founders Cathy & Scott Leiber inaugurated the hand-picked collection of 52 bilingual books (Spanish-English) with a cover price of $494 today at “Escuela Agustin Flores Contreras” in the heart of this Pacific Ocean resort. The bi-lingual books will deepen the library of 538 books that Judith’s Reading Room donated in February 2024, naming it the organization’s 106th library.

Until February 2024, the public school serving 189 elementary aged children did not have a library. “A whole-community effort including parents, teachers, students, government officials demanded that a library be established at the school so that the children could compete for better jobs in the future,” stated Lopez.  “Judith’s Reading Room stepped in and established our first ever library filled with bilingual, Spanish and English books to help connect our children to the world” she added.  

Adding more bilingual books to the existing Judith’s Reading Room library is an important step in building English language competency as bilingual books can offer a gentle bridge between the two languages, stated Ana Ramirez Luhrs, Judith’s Reading Room board member and Consulting Librarian to the organization.  “Bilingual texts help children feel empowered to read independently and also help parents who are not fluent in English to explain text” she added.


Today’s “15 Libraries to Celebrate our 15th Anniversary” was celebrated at an all-school event attended by administrative scholastic personnel and parents. The Judith’s Reading Room library has become an important hub at this public school. Teachers are enhancing their classroom discussions with books in the library.


Scott and Cathy reading aloud to classrooms in 106th library.


The Cat in the Hat was a huge hit!


These students are studying English and volunteered to read in English today in front of their classmates.


Student reading in English to their fellow classmates from one of our newly donated bilingual books.


The teacher read the Spanish sentences ii the bilingual book while the students behind her read them in English.


To celebrate the organization’s 15th anniversary, the Board of Directors declared a bold initiative to enhance or dedicate 15 new libraries in 2025.  On January 7th, the first of 15 libraries was celebrated in Muhanga, Rwanda.  Escuela ‘Agustin Flores Contreras’ is the 2nd of 15 libraries to celebrate the anniversary. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of kids from Mexico on the Pacific Ocean to Sri Lanka on the Indian Ocean.

The “15 Libraries to Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary”

  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 Family & Children’s Services, Ruston, Louisiana — April 1
  8. Harkins House, Portland, Oregon — April 4
  9. Heavy Sound, Edinburgh, Scotland — May 30
  10. James Prendergast Free Library, Jamestown, New York — July 31
  11. Chinle Planting Hope, Navajo Nation, Chinle, Arizona — November 1
  12. Kirioruwa School, Marabedda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka — TBD
  13. Vhulakanjhani Primary School, South Africa — TBD
  14. Shree Jantra Adharbhut Vidhyalaya School, Kathmandu, Nepal — TBD
  15. Shree Prasad St. School, Kathmandu, Nepal — TBD

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 met its mission by establishing to date 108 eponymous libraries in 25 countries with more than 133,000 donated books at a cover price of $1.4 million dollars.

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Judith’s Reading Room Gifts TEACH Rwanda with a STEM Library

 

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room Gifts TEACH Rwanda with a STEM Library
Bright School/TEACH Rwanda’s Students Needed Books to Conquer Robotics Challenge

 

January 7, 2025 —  Judith’s Reading Room named Bright School/TEACH Rwanda as its first of 15 global organizations to receive a curated collection of books in celebration of the organization’s 15th anniversary.   The bold initiative, “15 Libraries to Celebrate Its 15th Anniversary in 2025” will include organizations stretching across 4 oceans and 4 continents. The inaugural ceremony was captured on ZOOM as eager students, their librarian and several teachers dove into the books.

Working with our partner TEACH Rwanda, Judith’s Reading Room established its 94th eponymous library in 2016 with 137 children’s books to which subsistence farming families could relate.  In testament to the dedication of TEACH Rwanda founders Jan Brown and William Whipple of Easton, Pennsylvania, today Brown and Whipple requested books on elevated science topics like robotics.

The hand-picked collection of 52 books on aeronautical engineering, architecture,  oceans and robotics with a cover price of $800 will add significant depth to Judith’s Reading Room’s library and will benefit 340 students ages pre-K to 6th grade plus 20 teachers in this sub-Saharan, land-locked African nation. 

“In particular,  the books on robotics and oceans will greatly assist Bright School’s Robotics Team as they compete in LEGO’s 2025 championship, the theme of which is “Submerged,” noted Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  “To give Bright School’s students a “leg up,” Judith’s Reading Room selected a dozen books on the Ocean — a place on the planet most of them will never, ever see,” she added.

Bright School/TEACH Rwanda’s Robotics Team boasts 50/50 girls/boys.  UN Women,  sponsor of AGCCI — African Girls Can Code Initiative  — has been instrumental in making sure that girls can see technology-heavy careers for themselves.  “Robotics has been a big step forward in our lives.  First of all, we didn’t expect that robotics would bring us so many opportunities like meeting our (Rwandan) President face to face or getting our own computers,” Ninette, student, grade P6.

“What makes Bright School/TEACH Rwanda stand out is our concentration on literacy, developing teachers’ skills, providing necessary materials, and stressing gender equality,” said Whipple.  He added, “TEACH Rwanda has brought modern librarianship concepts to life including teaching respect for books,  how you turn pages of a book, how you put them on shelves so that you can find them again — etiquette that seems obvious to us in America is not well understood by children in Rwanda.”

French teacher and librarian, Bonfils Iradakunda, refugee from Burundi, encourages literacy, empowerment and joy at Bright School’s library.


 “The 15 Libraries to Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary in 2025”

  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 Family & Children’s Services, Ruston, Louisiana — April 1
  8. Washington County Juvenile’s ‘Harkins House,’ Portland, Oregon — April 4
  9. Heavy Sound, Edinburgh, Scotland — May 30
  10. James Prendergast Free Library, Jamestown, New York — July 31
  11. Chinle Planting Hope, Navajo Nation, Chinle, Arizona — November 1
  12. Kirioruwa School, Marabedda, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka — TBD
  13. Vhulakanjhani Primary School, South Africa — TBD
  14. Shree Jantra Adharbhut Vidhyalaya School, Kathmandu, Nepal — TBD
  15. Shree Prasad St. School, Kathmandu, Nepal — TBD

 

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.”  It has achieved that mission by dedicating 108 libraries in 25 countries with nearly 134,000 books donated valued at more than $1.4 million dollars.   ##  END  ##

Banned Books Week 2024

NEWS RELEASE 
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

 

Banned Books Week Shines Spotlight on Threats to First Amendment
Judith’s Reading Room Works to Defend Each Person’s Right to Read

September 20, 2024 — The American Library Association will highlight the dramatic increase in threats against First Amendment rights during its annual Banned Books Week  celebration this year, scheduled for September 22-28, 2024.  

Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy nonprofit founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian, supports the right to read and freedom through literacy.  Judith F. Krug, cousin to the founders of Judith’s Reading Room, served as the ALA’s Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom for 40 years and in that capacity, she founded Banned Books Week in 1982.

The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person’s right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information.  According to the ALA, the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year.  

The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 were:

  1. Gender Queer:  A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.  Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson.  Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  Challenged for sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content
  5. Flamer by Mike Curato.  Challenged for LGBTIA+ content
  6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.  Challenged for rape, incest, sexually explicit

7/8. (Tie) Me and Earl & The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews.  Challenged for sexually explicit and profanity

7/8. (Tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins.  Challenged for sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content

9.  Let’s Talk About It:  The Teen’s Guide to Sex by Erika Moen & Matthew Nolan.  Challenged for sexually explicit, sex education

10.  Sold by Patricia McCormick.  Challenged for sexually explicit and rape.

The public is reminded to stand up against bullies who want to tell you what to read.  In 1982 Judith Krug staunchly defended everyone’s right to read and said, “no one has the right to tell us what we can or cannot read.”  Please support everyone’s freedom to read under the protection of the First Amendment , visit your local library and thank your librarian and library workers who confront people attempting to remove materials from libraries.

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3, established in 2010, has dedicated 107 libraries in 24 countries with over 133,000 donated books valued at more than $1.4 million.  The organization recognizes individual champions of literacy through its ‘Freedom Through Literacy’ Award that has distributed $58,100 to 71 individuals in 18 countries.

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Start Someone’s New Year Off Right!

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.judithsreadingroom.org

Start Someone’s New Year Off Right ….. Nominate Them for the 
2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award
Deadline fast Approaching

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.  Apply at www.judithsreadingroom.org before the deadline of February 5, 2024.

To date, winners from 17 countries have collected more than $53,000 in prize awards.   Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010 in the memory of the founder’s first cousin, Judith F. Krug, who served as Director of Intellectual Freedom for the American Library Association for 40 years.  The organization’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.

LITERACY CHAMPIONS APPLY NOW:  www.judithsreadingroom.org

 

2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award Flyer

 

Judith’s Reading Room Award 2024 Application Season!

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Apply Now for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award 

Calling All Teachers, Authors & Librarians!

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.

The Freedom Through Literacy Award recognizes the achievements of teachers, authors, librarians, educators, literacy nonprofits — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  Applicants are judged on five criteria including how their philosophy about literacy guides their work.

The organization’s annual $5,000 Freedom Through Literacy Award was inaugurated a decade ago to pay tribute to those on the front line of literacy.    Up to six applicants split the purse with $2,500 awarded to the Grand Prize Winner.

Since 2015, Judith’s Reading Room has awarded $53,500 to 60 champions of literacy from 17 countries and 11 U.S. states.

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 literacy nonprofit organization was established in 2010 in the memory of the founders’ cousin, Judith F. Krug.  Its mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  That mission has been fulfilled by establishing 105 libraries in 23 countries with over 132,000 books donated to serve tens of thousands of children and adults.

The Founders’ Award and The Literacy Chair Award are additional ways the organization celebrates the accomplishments of literacy champions around the world.  The Founders’ Award and The Literacy Chair Award are additional ways the organization celebrates the accomplishments of literacy champions around the world.  Visit www.judithsreadingroom.org to learn more.

2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award Flyer

 

Mobile  Literacy Stories Round Table in Acapulco, Mexico

NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Judith’s Reading Room to Host Mobile 

Literacy Stories Round Table in Acapulco, Mexico

Organization has supported literacy in Mexico since 2017

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.

Capitalizing on its mission to “enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy,” the organization has invited the participation of, among others, Biblioteca Publica Municipal Rosendo Pintos Lacunza, Biblioteca Carmen Romando de Lopez Portillo and Biblioteca Publica Ramon Nogueda Lopez.  Librarians and Judith’s Reading Room board members will engage on questions such as:  What are the greatest obstacles librarians face in championing literacy in their community?

In 2017, Judith’s Reading Room committed to Mexico when it established its 96th library in conjunction with The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, Mexico naming that organization a 2017 Freedom Through Literacy Award ‘Honorable Mention.’  The $500 award was used to purchase 50 children’s books in English and Spanish for their Biblioteca Infantile ‘Bridge to English’ reading program serving more than 160 children.  Again in 2020, in conjunction with Judith’s Reading Room’s 10th Anniversary, The Palapa Society was declared one of its ‘Stand Out’ libraries and was once again awarded $500 to purchase new books.

Judith’s Reading Room has set three priorities for its inaugural mobile Literacy Stories Round Table in Mexico: First, geographically expand its commitment in Mexico by pinpointing an organization that would benefit from a Judith’s Reading Room library; establish a timetable for its dedication.  Second, amplify awareness of the organization’s 2024 “Freedom Through Literacy Award” and encourage qualified champions of literacy to apply.  Third, single out potential winners for the organization’s Founders’ Award and Literacy Chair Award.

Judith’s Reading Room

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3 literacy organization was founded in 2010 in the memory of the founders’ first cousin, Judith F. Krug, who served as Director for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association for over 40 years.  Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  We have fulfilled that mission by establishing 105 libraries (and counting) in 23 countries with over 132,000 donated books.

Applications for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award will be posted on October 5, 2023 at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  The Award honors individual champions of literacy from all disciplines around the world — teachers, librarians, authors, researchers, nonprofit literacy organizations and educators — anyone who has done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  Since 2015, $53,500 in prizes has been awarded to 60 literacy champions in 17 countries.

The Founders’ Award, inaugurated in September 2022, is a cash prize at the discretion of Judith’s Reading Room founders to honor literacy heroes who have had to overcome immense obstacles in order to enrich lives through literacy.  Ms. Basarat Kazim, Alif Laila Book Bus Society, Lehore, Pakistan and Ms. Simon Ke, Anjali House, Siem Reap, Cambodia were the 2022 recipients, each receiving a cash award of $1,000.

The Literacy Chair Award, inaugurated in October 2022, is in honor of or in memory of a champion of literacy nominated by a Judith’s Reading Room member of the Board of Directors.  The Literacy Chair Award is a non-cash award presented with a one-of-a-kind piece of art to illustrate the power of literacy through art.  Dr. Lisette Caesar, former principal and founder of Mosaic Preparatory Academy in East Harlem, NY was named recipient of the inaugural 2022 Literacy Chair Award.  In 2023, the Award went to the Chautauqua-Cattaragus Library System of 38 libraries and its Bemus Point librarian, Shannon Donovan, for their “CCLS Road Trip” summer program that seeks to reduce ‘summer slide.’

**END**

 

Banned Books Week at Harkins House

NEWS RELEASE 
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates Banned Books Week
Harkins House Receives Collection of YA Books 

22 September 2023 Hillsboro, Oregon —In recognition of Banned Books Week, the global literacy nonprofit organization Judith’s Reading Room hosted a special event at Washington County’s Harkins House with a donation of mostly banned or challenged YA fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels.   The organization established a library at the residential home in May 2012.

Judith F. Krug, a prominent First Amendment and library activist, in whose memory Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010, fervently believed that no one should tell another person what they can or cannot read.  Judy is credited with creating Banned Books Week in 1982 in her capacity as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association in Chicago, Illinois .  

Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools.  It is notable that 2022 marked the year when demands to censor library resources was the highest since the ALA began compiling data about censorship more than 20 years ago.

Scott Leiber, co-founder, Judith’s Reading Room and first cousin to Judy will make brief remarks to the residents and staff at Harkins House about Judy’s lifetime commitment to the First Amendment.  For over 40 years, Judy led the American Library Association’s prestigious Office for Intellectual Freedom.  In that capacity, she defended librarians, teachers, authors and book publishers who came under attack for offering books that someone objected to. 

To honor the spirit of Banned Books Week, Judith’s Reading Room purchased many of the top challenged books to donate to Harkins House including:  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie, Lawn Boy by Evison, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by Green.

“These books are intended to provide fun for youth impacted by the Juvenile Justice System residing at Harkins House,” said Cathy L. Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  “Research shows that reading for pleasure can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being,” she added.

Today’s donation brings to a total 631 books donated since 2012 to Harkins House at a value of $7,874.  This demonstrates the organization’s on going commitment to support the education and mental health of young people by providing them books that can help navigate difficult times and build resilience.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  Its signature event, the annual Freedom Through Literacy Award honors teachers, authors, and librarians who have done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  To date the organization has dedicated 105 libraries in 23 countries, serving tens of thousands of children and adults with more than 132,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.

To apply for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award, visit the organization’s website on October 5, 2023 at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  The deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.


 

Honorable Mentions-2023 Freedom Through Literacy

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.

Cynthia Jacobsen, Ph.D. – “Rhyming to Reading:  Early Literacy Curriculum”
Longmont, Colorado

Cynthia Jacobsen, Ph.D. Speech Pathologist and Researcher, Longmont, Colorado for her life-work project, “Rhyming to Reading:  Early Literacy Curriculum.”  Dr. Jacobsen, co-authored Rhyming to Reading, an early literacy program for children 4-7 whose goal was to create a program to help young children learn skills that are highly predictive of early reading success. Thousands of children participated in the group classes at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics for 20 years prior to the COVID pandemic.  Dr. Jacobsen collected evidenced based outcomes and clinical data to develop the program.    She says, “Literacy instruction must be evidenced-based, with methods which are known to help children.”  For her life-time devotion to helping children and families learn methods to overcome literacy challenges such as dyslexia, Judith’s Reading Room wishes to give Dr. Jacobsen global recognition through an Honorable Mention.

“Literacy involves the entire family. When families know how to model early literacy skills in a fun and multi-sensory manner, children experience success.”

Cynthia Jacobsen

Joseph Tsongo – “Amani Academy for Peace Literacy”
Goma, North-Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Joseph Tsongo, Coordinator, Amani Academy, Goma, North-Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, for his project, “Amani Academy for Peace Literacy.”  Born in the middle of war in 1994 in the province of North Kivu, Joseph challenged himself to inspire young people to rebuild, despite the traumatic ordeals they were facing on a daily basis.  Since 2016, he has organized resilience and community building activities to promote a culture of active non-violence.  Through the Amani Academy, which he initiated in 2018, he introduces children to the basics of reading.  In 2022, Joseph was named a 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, a program of the U.S. State Department.  For his determination to foster literacy and peace in the context of violent conflict, Judith’s Reading Room proudly recognizes Joseph Tsongo as a Freedom Through Literacy Award Honorable Mention.

“We use literacy to teach and communicate the culture of peace and life skills to young people affected by conflict and war.”        – Joseph Tsongo

Board Option Award-Pamela Laskin – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award – $200

Pamela Laskin – “Diversity and Differently-Abled”
New York City

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.  Laskin says, “books have been written about children with special needs, but what makes my project innovative and creative is that the books are written from the point of view of the young people who ARE differently-abled.”  Through her work, this diverse population will no longer be marginalized.  For her insistence in presenting differently-abled people, she is helping establish human dignity with a focus on what can be done, not what can’t, Judith’s Reading Room awards Pamela with a USD$200 Board Option Prize.

“Reading and writing are marriage partners. Literacy happens when young people are engaged on both levels.”

–  Pamela Laskin

 

Board Option Award-Evangelia Ritzaleou – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award – $200

Evangelia Ritzaleou – “School Reading and Creative Writing Club”
Drama, Greece

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.  Her efforts have resulted in kids feeling that they are “equal” members of a club, and with this new-found confidence, they become effective speakers, writers, critical thinkers, listeners and communicators.  Evangelia has expanded her school library from 20 books to 530 and boasts that her school library serves not only as a place for reading and writing but also as a refuge for introverted kids.

She says, “Joining a Reading and Creative Writing Club is a path from literacy to critical literacy and that lifelong readers have the culture of reading instead of being addicted to social media.”  For her passionate commitment to enriching the lives of high school children through the beauty of a book club, Judith’s Reading Room awards Evangelia a USD$200 Board Option Prize.

Reading must be seen as an engaging entertainment.”

Evangelia Ritzaleou

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