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OAKLAND, CA – On Tuesday, Highland Community School experienced the magic of reading, thanks to Books Are Fun and their ‘Book Blast’ program along with Ignite Reading. This wasn’t just a book delivery; it was an investment in literacy, as 462 students received their own new books through a student-driven sponsorship program designed to promote literacy. This ‘Christmas morning ‘- style event saw students unwrapping their literary treasures simultaneously, creating a powerful moment of shared excitement and discovery.
“Today was a momentous occasion for our students,” said Liz Noone, TSA at Highland Community School. “Witnessing the excitement as they received their own books is heartwarming. Thanks to the generous support of Books Are Fun, Ignite Reading, and the Imagine Nation Foundation, who matched contributions dollar for dollar, every student will receive at least two books, helping to spark a passion for reading and support their academic journey.”
For over thirty years, Books Are Fun has been a trusted partner in literacy, working with schools nationwide to foster a love of reading and a commitment to lifelong learning. Through its ‘Book Blast’ program, Books Are Fun strives to ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, has the opportunity to build a vibrant home library and embark on a journey of imagination and personal growth.
“The ‘Book Blast’ program at Highland Community School, in partnership with Ignite Reading, is a wonderful example of how we can empower students through reading,” said Ben Kaplan, CEO of Books Are Fun. “Seeing the excitement of these 462 students as they receive their own books underscores the importance of our mission: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to build a personal library and discover the magic within its pages. “
Since September, Ignite Reading has provided one-on-one literacy tutoring at Highland Community School, supporting 60 students in Grades K-5, achieving 2.29 weeks of reading progress per student – a testament to the program’s impact. Highland is part of a larger partnership between Ignite Reading and OUSD, which is supporting 556 students across 14 sites for the 24/25 school year. Stephen Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation funds 480 of these students across 11 schools.
“We know that having access to engaging, readable books is crucial for all children, but especially for the developing readers we serve,” said Jessica Sliwerski, Co-Founder & CEO of Ignite Reading. “That’s why we’re so excited about this collaboration with Books Are Fun and Highland Community School. By combining our targeted reading intervention with the gift of beautiful new books, we’re creating a powerful synergy that will accelerate kids’ progress and foster a deep love of reading.”
About Ignite Reading
Ignite Reading is on a mission to ensure every student can access the tools they need to be a confident, fluent reader by the end of 1st grade. School districts nationwide depend on Ignite Reading’s virtual tutoring program to deliver literacy support at scale for students who need help learning to read. Our highly trained tutors provide students with 1:1 tutoring in foundational literacy skills each school day, helping them go from learning to read to reading to learn.
A recent study by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University found that Ignite Reading students across demographics — including students who are English Learners, Black, Hispanic, and those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — achieve the same outstanding gains of more than 5 months of additional learning during a single school year. For more information about Ignite Reading, visit www.ignite-reading.com.
About Books Are Fun
Books Are Fun is a literacy-focused organization dedicated to helping children across the U.S. build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading. For over thirty years, Books Are Fun has been a trusted partner in literacy, working with tens of thousands of schools nationwide. Through its flagship program, Book Blast, the company has provided millions of age-appropriate books to students from all backgrounds. Today, it continues to reach schools through fun, inclusive programs that expand access to reading and inspire young learners. Learn more at booksarefun.com.
Imagine Nation Foundation
The Imagine Nation Foundation champions literacy in economically challenged communities by putting high-quality books into the hands of students who need them most. As a nonprofit, it works to level the playing field—ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to build a home library. This mission is made possible through the generosity of donors who believe in the power of reading to transform lives.
eSchool Media staff cover education technology in all its aspects–from legislation and litigation, to best practices, to lessons learned and new products. First published in March of 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
