America is a nation of over 316 million individuals. Although many of us praise our unique American individuality, we also create strong communities. Some of those communities revolve around family, religion, enthusiasm for a sports team, hobbies or pastimes. But we also have the opportunity to build a community of readers, a community built around

We love nothing more than hearing about an entire community supporting and sharing the experience of reading one book together. Because One Book programs are so vital to supporting literacy and library systems as a whole, we think it is important and helpful to recognize the communities that excel at these kind of events. Today we’re focusing on Medina, Ohio

Listening plays a vital role in communication and it’s an essential skill that students need to function effectively in the workplace; and life in general.

Check out these authors’ all-time favorites, very first reading memories, books that made them cry and changed them forever and more—and all because they discovered them at the local library.

We never said Yes. We weren’t even talking about next year’s book. Weeks still stood between us and summer vacation and we were busy with activities to wrap up our current adventure. Typically we discuss books for our school-wide reading initiative for the better part of a year. But when people ask us how we

The Invisible Boy Promotes Kindness in Kentucky’s One Book One Frankfort for Children Project by Trudy Ludwig, author of The Invisible Boy (Knopf Books for Young Readers, October 2013) It’s one thing for an author to write a story that she has a strong need to share. It’s quite another for her to experience in person

Since its publication five years ago, R. J. Palacio’s Wonder has spread kindness in classrooms and communities across the country and inspired the Choose Kind anti-bullying initiative. Now educators can introduce the importance of choosing kind to younger readers with the publication of We’re All Wonders, a gorgeous picture book featuring Auggie and Daisy on

by DONNA GEPHART, author of Lily and Dunkin (Delacorte Press, May 2016)   I’m not going to sugarcoat this. The statistic is grim and the stories behind it heartbreaking. Forty-three percent of transgender young people try to kill themselves. Why? Here’s one story: Because her parents isolated her from supportive friends and adults, refused to accept

It has been 13  years since Betty Birney began writing about the sensitive, talkative, and perceptive hamster who makes his home in Mrs. Brisbane’s Room 26. Since then, she has visited schools across the country and around the world, and the love for our furry friend is palpable. When Betty set out to write The

With hate rhetoric and hate crimes blasting their way across social media, an all-school or community reads can serve as a powerful antidote to these polarizing fearful times. Books slow us down. Books let us find the humanity of those on the other side of any sort of human-made divide. Teachers know this. Librarians know

Dion Graham has become a familiar voice to both adults and children for his riveting reads of important and beloved books. Hear why he loves “falling into a story” and listen to clips from his recent recordings including RUSA Listen List and Carnegie Medal Winner, EVICTED by Matthew Desmond.

Did you know that more than 85% of learning derives from listening? Chelsea Clinton, author and narrator of IT’S YOUR WORLD, shares some fascinating literacy facts that support why audiobooks are an important addition to any classroom or library.