The United States of Readers (USoR) is a literacy program empowering PreK–8th grade students to choose their own books, build home libraries, and develop the self-confidence and cognitive skills foundational for academic and life success.
How we started…
The United States of Readers program was created to help close the literacy gap by ensuring that students in under-resourced communities have access to books they can choose, own, and enjoy. This vision became a reality thanks to the generous support of bestselling author James Patterson, who fully funded the first two pilot years of the program. His contribution made it possible for students in Title I schools in every state in the US, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to receive ten books of their choice throughout the school year—helping to build their home libraries and foster a love of reading.
James Patterson has long been a champion for literacy, inspired in part by his mother Isabelle, a lifelong teacher who instilled in him the importance of education and reading. His belief that every child deserves the chance to become a reader is at the heart of the United States of Readers.
“There is no such thing as a kid who doesn’t like to read, only a kid who hasn’t found the right book."
-James Patterson
The United States of Readers is groundbreaking
Program Pillars
Program Pillars
The United States of Readers brings the beloved Scholastic Book Club experience to all kids school-wide, for free!
How the program works…
The Goal is to reach 10 million PreK-8th grade students with no access to choose and own their own books
Scholastic and newly formed nonprofit Impact Reading work with elected officials, private foundations, individual contributors, and nonprofits—large and small—to identify, fund, and operate the program in the highest-need schools across the country.
After a successful two-year pilot, the program reached 12,000 students across 36 schools in three states…and we are growing the program annually to reach our national goal.
The Outcome
The USoR engages the entire community around the child—at school and at home.
Provides meaningful support to classroom teachers all school year for consistency
includes caregivers in a barrier-free experience to books and reading
invites everyone to be part of a widening network of communities across the country whose kids can confidently say….
