Welcome to The Words Alive Reader, a regular newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we've been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. What have we been up to and how can you help? Read on to find out!
This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.
- Zoe, Eli and Titiksha, Words Alive Storytelling Team
Your Own Private Audience with a Best-Selling Author!
A collage of books from authors participating in the Authors Auction with the words “Authors Auction” and “www.WordsAlive.org/authors2020”
Through our Authors Auction, you can bid to win virtual visits with more than 40 award-winning, best-selling adult and children's authors!
Take advantage of this unique chance to personally interact with authors from the safety of your home, during your virtual book club, or, you can donate your win to a classroom. This year's authors are offering a variety of experiences — conversations, book discussions, a memoir-writing workshop, and even cooking demonstrations!
And when you place a bid, you'll be supporting Words Alive's mission in a time when literacy matters more than ever. Bidding starts at $99 and begins closing October 28. Visit the auction here!
Read Aloud Program is Back — Virtually!
A smiling student sits at a desk.
Our Read Aloud Program (RAP) launched virtually this week! As part of RAP, 22 classrooms (about 575 students!) will enjoy weekly virtual read alouds from a dedicated reading role model from the community.
Even virtually, books are connecting volunteers and students! Here's what one of our reading volunteers, Al, had to say: "Reading to the 2nd graders on Tuesday at Monarch was wonderful!...I didn't think I would be too thrilled about zoom reading but this experience was very special!"
Even during these difficult times, we are excited to keep sharing the joy of a good story while helping children develop the cognitive, language and social-emotional skills they need to be capable readers. Donate to help us reach even more children this school year!
Write Now with Alan Gratz
Alan Gratz holds up a copy of his book, Refugee.
"Imagine that bombs are falling on your neighborhood..." — Alan Gratz, author of Refugee
Words Alive has partnered with the San Diego Public Library for a series of exclusive writing prompts from contemporary authors. Students can also sign up for live Zoom workshops with selected authors! Recently, Julia Walton talked with us about her journey to becoming an author, mental health, her book (and the new movie!), Words on Bathroom Walls, and storytelling through letters.
This month, Alan Gratz has challenged students to put themselves in the shoes of someone driven from their home by violence. This is the conflict at the heart of Gratz’s novel, Refugee, which is our Cover to Cover book of the month. To hear from the author himself, head to www.wordsalive.org/write-now!
Readers in the Heights Impact
Two children sit at a table with colorful books and craft supplies in front of them. They are reading Eric Carle's book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? together.
This summer, we joined forces with United Way of San Diego to bring the popular Readers in the Heights program to kids in their own homes. Thanks to your support, we helped provide hundreds of reading kits to families across San Diego!
Each participating family grew their home library by an average of 20 books, and parents reported an increase in their kids’ confidence and enthusiasm for reading as well as changed reading habits that brought their families together. In the words of one participant, “It has been amazing family time...I think that reading books this summer has encouraged [my son] to say to himself, 'Ok, I am good at this and I can do it.'"
For more about our efforts and our partners, check out this story from ABC 10 San Diego.
Introducing: Plot Twist
Andrea in her new dorm room.
Words Alive just launched a new blog series, Plot Twist, where we'll be sharing the stories of people in the Words Alive community! Our first blog post features Andrea Vazquez, one of our second-year Westreich Scholars. We talked to her about her educational journey and what it’s been like to start at a new school during the pandemic.
Check out the interview here, and stay tuned for more! We hope that through these stories, you'll get to know our community a little better and see the power of literacy come to life.
We'd love to hear from you! Email our Storytelling Intern to tell your Words Alive story.
Volunteers Needed!
A man unloads boxes of books onto a cart.
Help us get books to children!
Today, the escape of a captivating story is more important than ever — yet only one in three hundred children in San Diego have an age-appropriate book at home to read.
Help us change that by delivering book donations to our community partners and families! These are one-time opportunities to make a real impact in our community. If you're interested, email [email protected]!
Calling all crafters!
Help us prepare arts and crafts for Words Alive families! Your work will complete our learning kits, full of books and resources to help families learn together at home.
The process is simple: pick up a supply bundle from the Words Alive office (contact-free, by appointment), volunteer from home, then bring the kits back to us! Email [email protected] to get started.
A child colors one of the activities in a Words Alive learning kit.