Campaign Provides 10 Free Books Annually to Close Literacy Gap

A national initiative aims to address the literacy gap by providing children in low-income neighborhoods with ten free books each year. The program, called the If You Give A Child A Book campaign, focuses on helping students build home libraries to enhance their learning opportunities. This initiative is particularly significant in areas where access to books is limited, often restricted to what is available in schools.

In Lincoln Heights, Ohio, first-grade teacher Nicolette Jemison works with students who are still mastering the fundamentals of reading. Many of these children are at a critical stage where they transition from learning to read to reading to learn, which typically occurs between the third and fourth grades. Dawn Bailey, principal of Lincoln Heights Elementary School, emphasized the importance of reading, stating, “Reading is the key to everything. They can’t be successful on the test in science or social studies if they can’t read.”

Schools designated as Title I, which serve high percentages of low-income families, often struggle to provide students with books at home. Sarah Wartman, a kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Dayton, Kentucky, noted the challenges her students face due to the absence of a local library. “Having the opportunity to get books two or three times a year makes a phenomenal difference for our population,” she said.

Supported by the Scripps Howard Fund, a public charity affiliated with the E.W. Scripps Company, the If You Give A Child A Book campaign facilitates Scholastic book fairs at around 100 partner schools. At these events, children can select books at no cost, with the goal of ensuring that every child receives ten free books annually. Meredith Delaney, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Fund, highlighted the transformative potential of reading: “You’re planting a seed in a child where they can learn about new experiences… It unlocks potential.”

The excitement surrounding book fair days is palpable, according to Bailey. “The energy of children when the book fair comes is the biggest thing. It’s like going to a car lot and having a choice that isn’t based on what you can afford,” she remarked. Choice is vital, and school officials guide students to select books appropriate for their reading levels to ensure a positive experience. Delaney stated, “We want to meet them where they are because we certainly don’t want them to feel excluded or challenged in a way that would turn them off from reading altogether.”

The need for such initiatives has become even more pressing in light of recent trends. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores have declined annually since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 31% of fourth graders are reading at or above the proficient level, while 40% are reading below the basic level.

Since its inception in 2016, the If You Give A Child A Book campaign has distributed over 1.5 million books. The initiative aims to reach the 2 million mark ahead of its tenth anniversary next year. A donation of just $12 can provide two free books, with all contributions going directly to putting books in the hands of children. Interested individuals can donate at ifyougiveabook.com, supporting the mission to enhance literacy and learning opportunities for children in need.