The Wonder of Reading: Building Relationships to Better Education

208 libraries renovated. 5,500 literacy mentors trained. 130,000 children served. The Wonder of Reading is a non profit charity that works to promote literacy among children in Los Angeles. They work alongside the public school districts in Los Angeles to bring together the community on the district and state levels.

With school library renovation programs, library book programs, literacy grants, volunteer reading programs, family reading programs, visiting author programs, and a principals’ forum, the Wonder of Reading has been extremely successful in providing services to public schools and other under-funded programs that promote literacy.

Making Up for Where Public Schools Lack

California ranks 47th in the country in 4th grade reading skills.

70% of public school fourth graders cannot read at grade level in the United States.

55% of California 4th graders in public school failed to meet grade level standards in the 2007 standardized reading assessment.

In 2008, only 38% of Los Angeles fifth graders scored high enough on California Language Arts tests to qualify to enter into the sixth grade.

76% of fourth graders in California are below proficient readers. 46% are below basic.

California ranks 50th among all states in student-librarian ratios.

The Wonder of Reading is working to make up for the lack of funding and attention spend on elementary-school-aged children. Literacy is not being promoted as much as it should be in public schools. The Wonder of Reading wants to turn these statistics around and give each child a chance at a good education to better their lives in the future.

Promote Literacy: Give to the Wonder of Reading

Donate today to the Wonder of Reading. For every $10,000 raised, the Wonder of Reading will be able to renovate an entire library filled with books to promote literacy. You can mail your donation to Wonder of Reading, 5371 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Join their mailing list by emailing info@wonderofreading.org or calling 323-634-7109. Their Tax ID is #95-4484325.

In order to become a volunteer reading partner for an elementary school nearby, contact April Wind at 323-634-7111.