The goal of this annual challenge is for young scholars to develop a love of reading. Additional benefits of Reading is Leading include improving literacy skills, increasing student reading confidence, and increasing the confidence of families and caregivers to support students in their reading and education.

The read-a-thon kicked off with Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2nd. March involved themed spirit days – including Dress as a Cat and Wacky Hair Days – for students to dress up as their favorite characters. The Los Angeles Central Library and Little Tokyo Branch Library held virtual tours and online workshops for families to learn how to get a library card and check-out books online.

Throughout the reading challenge, businesses, individuals, and even local high school students joined in by reading virtually to PLN scholars, contributing books, and making donations to support the schools’ library and classroom collections.

PLN Board Member Cathy Hession shared about her experience reading with students virtually: “Pablo and Angel have both really grown as readers during the Reading is Leading challenge. We’ve been reading James and the Giant Peach and are having a lot of fun with the way Roald Dahl’s written the words. I asked them to practice reading to their siblings and they’ve gotten good at emphasizing parts for the story to sound dynamic. I feel lucky to know these two young men and to watch them become even stronger elementary school students. It’s been such a delight and I plan to participate in the program again next year.”

Now in its fourth year, our young readers tracked the minutes they spent reading, with the top three readers winning special prizes, such as books, games, toys, gift cards, Legos, PLN swag, and Los Angeles Dodgers gear. Gratts Primary Center celebrated their readers through May the 4th be with you – providing a Star Wars-themed background as a fun photo opportunity for families picking up their challenge prizes. All participants received a certificate showing their reading accomplishments, and the top three readers at each campus were gifted prize-packages full of books, toys, and more!