I am Encouraged to Make a Difference in My Sons' School

Dear Reader To Reader,

I love what you do!

I am just finishing up reading Jim Trelease's book and am encouraged to make a difference in my sons' school in the area of reading and books. Thank you for stepping forward and filling a need and being an amazing example for others who also have a love for books and for getting them into children's hands.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Therese Irizarry

(Read the profile of Reader To Reader in the Read-Aloud Handbook.)

Mystery Writers of America Partners with Reader To Reader

The prestigious Mystery Writers of America has joined Reader To Reader’s Navajo Nation Library Book Drive.

The book drive’s goal is to add 100,000 books and 100 computers to the Navajo Nation Library in Window Rock, AZ. The library serves as the principal library for the residents of the 27,000 sq. mile Navajo Nation in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

“We are so pleased to partner with the Mystery Writers of America to bring thousands of mysteries crime fiction and other books to the families that live on the Navajo reservation,” Reader To Reader executive director David Mazor says. “The MWA is well known for their Edgar® Awards that honor the best in mystery writing so we know their members will contribute great books.”

“Everyone at MWA is very excited and we already have some books ready to ship,” Laura Durham, Chairperson of Mystery Writers of America's MWA: Reads committee adds. “We are looking forward to working together.”

The Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery and crime writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and folks who just love to read crime fiction.

For more information on the Navajo Nation Library Book Drive please email info@readertoreader.org

Reader To Reader on TV

Channel 40 TV in Springfield, MA, ran a feature on Reader To Reader and our impact on Springfield's schools.

You can watch the news feature here.

I Enjoyed Your Enthusiasm, Passion, and Ability to Reach Students

Dear Reader To Reader,

Thank you for filling our book request for books for summer reading. The class was so excited, they poured over the books.

I enjoyed your enthusiasm, passion, and ability to reach students through reading no matter who they were, are, but most importantly Reader To Reader focuses on who they can be. Those are the reasons I have always wanted to be a teacher and know firsthand how reading can change one’s life.

Sincerely,

Rebecca LeClair
8th Grade ELA
Bellamy Middle School
Chicopee, MA

Reader To Reader Launches Summer Enrichment Program

This summer marks the debut of Reader To Reader's new Summer Enrichment Program. The program brings students from low-income communities who are entering their senior year in high school to Reader To Reader’s home on the campus of Amherst College for three weeks of academic enrichment.

The program focuses on enhancing academic skills through one-on-on work with college student reading mentors and specialized workshops with guest instructors. In addition to academic enrichment, the program also focuses on the college selection and application process, and strategies for a successful college experience.

“We are very excited to launch this new program which is an offshoot of our Navajo Mentoring Program,” says David Mazor, executive director of Reader To Reader. “We believe it will have a direct impact on students’ ability to get into and most importantly succeed in college.”

Rhode Island Librarian is “Librarian of the Year”

School librarian Lisa Mutter-Gendreau displays her award as Reader To Reader’s Librarian of the Year for 2009.

Ms. Mutter-Gendreau was chosen from the over 400 librarians that participate in the Reader To Reader program for her outstanding service to the students of Henry J. Winters Elementary in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

“Lisa Mutter-Gendreau has worked very hard to make her school library a wonderful place for all her students,” notes Reader To Reader executive director David Mazor. “She is always looking for resources that she can add and is an inspiration to everyone that cares about literacy.”

“Our library at Henry J. Winters Elementary School has grown tremendously due to generous contributions made by Reader To Reader. My students are so excited about all the new titles we have added to our shelves,” Mutter-Gendreau says. “Organizations like Reader To Reader make it possible for schools operating with little or no budget to continuously expand their school libraries. Your donations have made my students enthusiastic about reading. And that is fantastic! My sincere thanks to all of you for making this happen.”

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Lisa Mutter-Gendreau and are pleased to recognize her with this award.

Reader To Reader Launches Navajo Nation Library Book Drive

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Navajo Nation Library Book Drive.

The Navajo Nation Library in Window Rock, Arizona, serves the 26,000 square mile Navajo Nation in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The library has a collection of 75,000 books and 15 computers. Reader To Reader has set a book drive goal to collect 100,000 books and 100 computers.

“I am very excited about our planned joint project,” says Irving Nelson, Program Supervisor for the Navajo Nation Library. “I would like to note that Reader To Reader’s goals to secure 100,000 books and 100 computers are very ambitious and I sincerely believe that it will be accomplished.”

Regarding Reader To Reader’s previous donations he adds, “I would like to note that the qualities of the books you secured for our branch library were excellent and I was so pleased to add them to our branch library collections. The books were definitely a wonderful addition to our branch library.”

“The Navajo Nation Library plays an invaluable role for the children and adults of the Navajo Nation,” says Reader To Reader Executive Director, David Mazor. “There are no book stores in the entire 26,000 square mile area, so the library fills a essential need that would otherwise not be met. We are so pleased to partner with them on an ambitious project to boost their library resources.”

We encourage people to donate books for the library and ask that they use the following guidelines.

1. Books should be in very good or excellent condition. (Books on Native-American subjects will be accepted in any condition).
2. Books on the subject of medicine or health should be no older than 4 years old.
3. CDs and DVDs accepted. No records, VHS or cassette tapes.
4. No magazines.
5. No textbooks.
6. No encyclopedias.
7. Donations of more than 10 boxes of books at a time should first contact us at info@readertoreader.org so we can make storage space arrangements.
8. People interested in donating computers should first contact us at info@readertoreader.org before making the donation. All computer donations must be preapproved.

Books should be shipped to:

Navajo Nation Book Drive
Reader To Reader, Inc.
Cadigan Center – 38 Woodside Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002

For further information contact info@readertoreader.org

Please help us make the Navajo Nation Library Book Drive a success!

Navajo Pine High Honors Reader To Reader

Navajo Pine High School’s vice-principal Rick Hall presented a plaque to Reader To Reader executive director David Mazor for the $175,000 in books, computers and other resources Reader To Reader had donated to the school during the 2008-2009 school year.

The plaque reads:

Navajo Pine High School would like to honor Reader To Reader and executive director David Mazor for their support and commitment to reading and public education.