“Freedom Through Literacy”
Est. 2010 in memory of Judith F. Krug
March 14, 2025 —Judith’s Reading Room announced that it has inaugurated its 111th eponymous library at the prestigious Mosaic Preparatory Academy in East Harlem, New York City that serves 235 scholars, grades 3K-5th grade with a custom collection of 221 mostly STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and animal books.
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.
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.
Board Option Award – $200 Pamela Laskin – “Poetry at the Border” NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK Pamela Laskin, a lecturer at City College, established “Poetry at the Border” to encourage children whose families are seeking asylum to write poetry about their experiences. Poetry enables children to understand trauma following horrible events like hurricanes (Puerto…