NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This
school year, more than 33,000 students from schools across six
states and the Dominican Republic
will be given the opportunity to choose and own 10 new
children's books for free. This venture is made possible by My Very
Own Library (MVOL), an international initiative that encourages
literacy by offering students in need an opportunity to own their
own books. MVOL works in collaboration with Scholastic Book Fairs
so kids can choose their own books at a fun school book fair, build
home libraries and develop a love of reading.
According to the Scholastic Kids & Family
Reading Report™, 61% percent of children ages 6–17 from the
lowest-income homes say they read for fun mostly in school. To
ensure low-income students have access to books at home, the MVOL
program allows students to choose the books they want to read for
free from their school book fair. By the end of the school year,
each child will have 10 brand-new books of their own to create
their home library.
Throughout this school year, the My Very Own Library program
will support:
- 2,433 low-income students in 7 public schools in
Kansas City, KS with the
support of United Way of Greater Kansas
City giving away over 24,330 books
- 26 public schools in Newark,
NJ, serving 16,500 students giving away over 165,000
books. (Partner Organization: United Way of Essex and West Hudson)
- 1 Middle School & 1 High School at Making Waves Academy in
Richmond, CA, serving 780
students giving away over 7,800 books
(Partner Organization: Making Waves Foundation)
- 4 schools in Chicago,
Illinois, serving 1,250 students giving away over 12,500
books.
(Partner Organization: University of
Chicago Charter Schools)
- 14 schools across the state of Wilmington, Delaware, serving 5,900
students giving away over 59,000 books
(Partner Organization: United Way of Delaware)
- 14 public schools in Milwaukee,
WI, serving 4,500 students giving away over 45,000
books
(Partner Organization: United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County)
- 11 schools in the Dominican
Republic, serving 2,000 students giving away over 25,000
books (Partner Organization: Dream Project)
Also included in the MVOL program are school visits by
award-winning children's book authors. During author visits, more
than 100 copies of each author's book are personally autographed
and given to participating students. Additionally, each school also
receives $1,000 in grant funding to
host three family literacy events that coincide with each book fair
event.
Founded in 2011 by the late Anne
Feeley (1954-2012), My Very Own Library was first
implemented in Newark, NJ, and has
expanded year after year. To date, My Very Own Library has provided
more than 1.2 million books to students in Newark, NJ; Richmond, CA; Chicago, IL; Wilmington, DE; Milwaukee, WI; and the Dominican Republic. By summer 2017, My Very
Own Library will have provided nearly 1.6 million books to students
across all seven locations it will serve.
"At Scholastic we know that the right book can open a world
of greater understanding, self-motivation, and joy for
students," said Alan Boyko,
President of Scholastic Book Fairs. "By working with My Very
Own Library and their partner organizations, Scholastic is able to
reach more children, many who may never have owned their own
books, and help them discover the power and joy of
reading."
"Ten free books that students select and take home; award
winning author visits; family literacy events; and strong community
partnerships make up the My Very Own Library program," said
Shannon Boehmer, Project Director,
My Very Own Library. "As we continue to expand My Very Own
Library year after year, we are forever grateful to the Family
& Friends of Anne Feeley,
Scholastic Book Fairs, and the support and leadership from the
seven non-profit partners who work tirelessly to ensure that these
important program elements are successfully implemented in the
schools they support."
"Out of all the books I have read, my favorite would have to
be The Hunger Games. Without My Very Own Library, I don't think I
would know about the Hunger Games series or be at an 11th grade
reading level," said Rosangela
Mora, an eighth grade student at Abington Avenue School in
Newark, NJ. "It is an honor
to have this program here at Abington."
For more information on My Very Own Library, or for details on
making a donation, please visit www.myveryownlibrary.org
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SOURCE Scholastic Inc.