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ProvoREADS

A report released by the National Endowment for the Arts entitled To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence states that reading for pleasure correlates strongly with academic achievement. Children and teenagers who read for pleasure on a daily or weekly basis score better on reading and writing tests than infrequent readers. Further, those who read for pleasure are more likely to engage in positive civic and individual activities. Sadly, though, fewer and fewer children and teens are reading for pleasure, and reading scores for adults are even deteriorating, most notably among the best-educated groups.

ProvoREADS is a joint initiative involving the Provo City School District and the Provo City Library. The program is designed to promote literacy, to broaden and deepen an appreciation of reading, and to foster a sense of community by bringing people together reading a common book.

This year's selection is the works by Katherine Paterson, a winner of numerous awards, including two Newbery Awards, a Newbery Honor Award and the Hans Christian Anderson Award. Paterson is currently the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and strives to raise "national awareness of the importance of young people's literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development of young people."

ProvoREADS has decided to choose an author rather than a single book to give each age group and reading level a choice for an exceptional story and writing work. From picture books to young adult novels to essays on reading and writing, everyone is bound to find something that fits their reading level and liking.

Throughout the 2010-2011 school year there will be various activities connected to the project including book talks, an author Skype, assemblies, and ProvoREADS contests. Each school will receive multiple books by Katherine Paterson to ensure students have access to several different stories.

Previous ProvoREADS picks are Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck.