Summer Reading at Library, and Books Donated

A June 24 New Haven Register article reports on a project related to Read to Grow, which has been featured in earlier posts to this blog:

"In an effort to help children develop a love of reading, R.J. Julia Book Sellers of Madison this week donated books to more than 16,000 kids in elementary and middle schools in New Haven. The main event took place at King-Robinson School, where about 500 students gathered for an assembly about reading. Four students read short essays they wrote about why they love reading and why it is so important.... A number of publishers donated 40,000 age-appropriate books. Originally, [R.J. Julia owner Roxanne] Coady had asked for about 20,000 books and the publishers doubled the amount. There were more than 20,000 extra books after the event. Boxes of them were left at the school and the excess will be available to librarians, teachers and day care centers.... More than 100 people volunteered time to organize and disperse books to the 38 schools. Coady in 1997 founded Read To Grow, a nonprofit organization that provides books for families of newborns in New Haven.... Her goal is to pique the kids’ interest by showing them that reading is 'something cool' and encouraging them to get involved with it."

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/06/24/news/aa3rjjuliadonates062410.txt
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Here's news of a summer reading challenge from the New Haven Public Library:

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/summer_reading_challenge_charges_up/