10 to Try Cover Comics

Ten to try: Comics and Graphic Novels

We are big proponents of letting children read whatever interests them, including comic books and graphic novels. But some may be surprised to learn that comics, despite having fewer words, can have just as great an impact on vocabulary growth! Research from the University of Oregon found that comic books averaged 53.5 rare or complex words per 1,000. This exceeds the rare word average for children’s books at 30.9 and even for adult books at 52.7.

The following titles would be great options to offer a child or teen in your life:

Thea Stilton Graphic Novels #1: The Secret of Whale Island

written by Elisabetta Dami, illustrated by Rafaella Seccia and Christina Giorgilli
ages 7 and up

It’s the start of the new school year, and the five Thea sisters have arrived at Ratford College. Every year at this time, the whales move off the coast of Whale Island, but this time, a savage killer whale threatens the peace.

Series recommended by Marion Tanner, Fayette County


Coraline: The Graphic Novel

written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by P. Craig Russell
ages 8 and up

When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

Recommended by Becca Revercomb, Kanawha County


The Last Kids on Earth

written by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
ages 8 and up

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he’s armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack’s loyal pet monster, Rover; and the fiercest girl Jack knows, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer!

Recommended by Blake Kemlock, Age 8, Fayette County


Sanity & Tallulah

written and illustrated by Molly Brooks
ages 8 and up

It can get pretty dull living on a small, out-of-the-way station like Wilnick SS. Best Friends Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega do their best to relieve the monotony of every day space life by finding adventures, solving mysteries, and taking turns getting each other into and out of trouble. But when Sanity’s latest science project-an extremely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten-escapes from the lab and starts causing havoc, the girls will have to turn the station upside down to find her-before the damage becomes irreversible!


I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: A Graphic Novel

written by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Haus Studio
ages 8 and up

George Calder must be the luckiest kid alive – he and his little sister, Phoebe, are sailing with their aunt on the Titanic, the greatest ship ever built! George can’t resist exploring every inch of the incredible boat, even if it gets him into trouble. But one night while George is off exploring, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Soon the impossible is happening: The Titanic is sinking.


Bad Kitty Gets a Phone (Graphic Novel)

written and illustrated by Nick Bruel
ages 7 and up

Kitty has everything any cat could want–a warm bed, plenty of fresh litter, a machine that dispenses food whenever she wants! But Kitty isn’t satisfied. She has her eye on something that will make her the happiest, most grateful cat in town. Something all the other cats have but that her owners refuse to get her! Something she desperately needs!

Kitty wants…a cell phone. And she can have one if she does all her chores with zero complaints. But can she handle the responsibility?

Series recommended by Peyton Ice, Age 12, Marion County


Girl on Fire

written by Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner, illustrated by Brittney Williams
ages 14 and up

Lolo Wright always thought she was just a regular fourteen-year-old dealing with regular family drama: her brother, James, is struggling with his studies; her dad’s business constantly teeters on the edge of trouble; and her mother . . . she left long ago. But then Lolo’s world explodes when a cop pulls a gun on James in a dangerous case of mistaken identities. Staring down the barrel, with no one else to help, Lolo discovers powers she never knew she had. Using only her mind, she literally throws the cop out of the way. Problem is that secrets like Lolo’s don’t stay a secret for long.


Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

written and illustrated by Laura Gao
ages 14 and up

After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars—at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name.

In Messy Roots, Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.


Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
ages 13 and up

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s best-selling graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.


Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal

written by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona
ages 13 and up

Marvel Comics presents the all-new Ms. Marvel, the groundbreaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to handle? Kamala has no idea either. But she’s comin’ for you, New York!

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Book Tasting: Special event links reading, summer book plans for East Bank Middle students

By Kristen LeFevers

Sixth graders filed into their first-period English class in East Bank Middle School’s library one morning near the end of the school year.

“I’m your barista today!” called Renita Cook, a reading specialist with Kanawha County Schools. “Coffee or hot chocolate?”

At first hesitantly, and then eagerly, students balanced cups of decaf or cocoa and maneuvered to one of the many high-top tables stacked with Descendants novels, Julius Lester, Rick Riordan, and other volumes.

Cook and fellow Kanawha County English Language Arts Specialist Amy Thompson had put together a special cafe-themed book tasting for students, an opportunity to browse books, sample excerpts, and swap recommendations in a relaxed atmosphere.

They called it Starbooks.

The Starbooks Café at East Bank Middle School’s book tasting.

Thompson reached out to Read Aloud West Virginia a couple months earlier about hosting a book tasting at East Bank Middle after hearing about a colleague who had held a virtual book tasting with Read Aloud Executive Director Dawn Miller.

Like many schools, East Bank is dealing with a shortage of teachers and substitutes. Vacancies are difficult to fill. Teachers are teaching outside their areas of expertise. Recent years have been especially stressful, for both faculty and students.

Thompson and Cook chose to play on coffee chain Starbucks to create an environment of literacy and good reading habits. When forming their own habits, developing readers need good models to look up to.

“We were looking to lifelong readers for examples – how do they behave and interact with other readers? We wanted to make reading fun,” said Miller. “We knew we wanted a recreational atmosphere for them.”

“Amy took this idea and called it ‘Starbooks,’ and made hot chocolate and decaf coffee for the students.”

She and Cook covered the tables and added centerpieces and placemats. Black bulletin board paper became a chalkboard menu sign, tempting students with different “flavors” – mystery, biography, non-fiction, and realistic fiction.

A local Starbucks donated cups and supplies. A “Starbooks Cafe” banner hung from the ceiling.

Read Aloud supplied the books, a wide selection casually spread around the tables for students to browse.

“The kids loved it,” said Thompson. “The event helped us to model lifelong behaviors [of good readers]. It was something practical we could do.”

Miller and Thompson each did a couple book talks for the four English classes that rotated in throughout the morning. The rest of the class period, adults and students mingled and chatted about what they had read, and what they were interested in reading.

“We know that students who read for pleasure over the summer prevent summer learning loss,” Miller said. “They can even gain skill. We also know that lifelong readers make plans about what they are reading next. They also share what they are reading with friends. We saw students do that at the book tasting.”

At first, the event was more structured to prevent behavior problems. But as the morning went by and it became clear that students would engage with the books, Thompson said, they let students move about as they wished, as readers do in an actual bookstore or coffee shop.

“They became more relaxed, and conversations became more natural,” Thompson said. “It worked out so nicely.”

“Students were so appreciative,” Miller added. “It was lovely. I had conversations with students about books, careers, and college plans. A couple students even commented on their own behavior. They seemed surprised that their classmates were so well behaved.”

By the end of class, each student was able to choose two books to take home. 

“I look forward to doing it again,” said Thompson. “I’m really grateful for our partnership with Read Aloud and what they do for our schools and teachers and students.”

Kristen LeFevers is a graduate of Marshall University and lives in Huntington, West Virginia.

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Backpacks stocked with books and food help Randolph County kids

by Dr. Mary Boyd, Randolph County Chapter President

Since 2018, Read Aloud Randolph County has been putting brand new books in backpacks for children who qualify for the food program that works out of First United Methodist Church in Elkins.  Kids get the backpacks once a week, and the books are put in the backpacks once a month. 

Mary Boyd sorting books in May 2022 at First United Methodist Church.

We started this program back in 2018 when I went to a Read Aloud West Virginia conference where many ideas are shared by other counties. Jackson County has a very active Read Aloud program, and they had been putting books in backpacks. I brought the idea back to our board, and it just seemed to resonate with the other folks on the board, so we started looking for ways to pay for it.

With lots of help from Read Aloud West Virginia, we got grants from both the Tucker Community Foundation and the Snowshoe Foundation to get us started. The state people thought getting grants locally was a good idea, and it worked. The money helped us get brand new books with nameplates, so the kids can take ownership of the books. Also, the kids get to choose the books, so they can get what they are interested in.

The program was put on hold in 2020, but in late 2021, the church started the food program back again, so the kids got books in February, March, April, and May of 2022. Since the county chapter did not apply for grants while the program was on hold, Read Aloud West Virginia provided the books from their stock made possible by community contributions and support. Participating schools have been Jennings Randolph, Midland, North, Third Ward, Elkins Middle and High School, Coalton, George Ward, Tygarts Valley, and Harman. 

Randolph volunteer Judie Smith’s vehicle filled with books that she transported from Charleston.

Read Aloud West Virginia started in Kanawha County in 1986 with the mission of motivating children to read for fun, helping them become better readers. For many years, the organization was led by Mary Kay Bond as Executive Director. Currently, it operates in 46 counties, with 29 local volunteer chapters. The state Read Aloud office is based in Charleston, where current Executive Director Dawn Miller and other Read Aloud staff make possible projects like this one across the state.

Read Aloud WV did not shut down during the pandemic – it evolved to continue serving students! Over 26,800 books were given out in 2021, a new organizational record for annual book distribution. Read Aloud is on track to break 100,000 books given by the end of 2022, and the Randolph County backpack program will be part of that achievement.

“We hope we can continue with this wonderful program.  We love putting books into the hands of kids and ideas into their heads,” says Dr. Boyd.

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10 to Try: Black History Month 2022

Selections by Shanté Ellis, Racial Equity & Inclusion Director of YWCA Charleston

Read Aloud and the YWCA of Charleston partnered to bring you another 10 to Try full of books to help you celebrate and educate this February, Black History Month! Titles in orange are the YWCA’s top picks.

I Am Enough

by Grace Byers | Ages 4-8

The perfect picture book for our times: a lyrical ode to self-confidence and kindness, for girls from every background and every color. 


edited by Ellen Oh | Ages 8 and up

Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold short story collection celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.


The Colors of Us

by Karen Katz | Ages 4-8

Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.


All the Colors of the Earth

by Sheila Hamanaka | Ages 4-8

All the Colors of the Earth describes children’s skin tones and hair in terms of natural phenomena and then describes love for these children with rich colors and flavors: A celebration of diversity.


Martin’s Big Words

written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier | Ages 6 and up

This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words.


I Can Do It Too!

written by Karen Baicker, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max | Ages 2-4

This heartwarming story reminds us how satisfying it is to grow up surrounded by love. I Can Do It Too! Affirms a little girl’s growing independence as she, too, can begin to do all the things she sees her parents, relatives and neighbors do.


Please, Baby, Please

written by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson | Ages 2-5

This book presents a behind-the-scenes look at toddlerhood from the sandbox to a high chair to a crib, and families everywhere will delight in sharing these exuberant moments again and again.


The Undefeated

written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson | Ages 6-9

The Undefeated highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. 


Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem

written by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long | Ages 4 and up

A young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey. They learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves.


The ABC’s of Black History

written by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer | Ages 5 and up

A beautiful alphabet picture book that presents key names, moments, and places in Black history with text lyrically written with passion, beauty, flow, and style. A celebration of Black history and culture in lively verse, matched with illustrations that are each like a folk painting.


Want more recommendations celebrating Black voices and culture? Check out our Black History Month 10 to Try from 2020 or our Juneteenth 10 to Try.

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Ten to try: Read Around West Virginia

We converted our usual in-person spring fundraising event Read-A-Palooza to a COVID-safe poster to both raise money and serve the mission. The Read Around West Virginia poster features books set in or written by authors from the Mountain State alongside our 31 sponsors, listed below. A celebration of West Virginia literacy, culture, and art, the poster was hand-drawn by Charleston-based artist Brenda Pinnell of HepCatz Design.

Posters will be shared with enrolled schools and community partners this winter onward. They will be sold in Charleston’s Taylor Books and Lewisburg’s A New Chapter, as well as other potential vendors.

Email stateoffice@readaloudwv.org if you’re interested in offering Read Around WV posters in your business.

This Ten to Try includes a sample of children’s books featured in the poster, and why we think they’re great.

The Star Fisher

by Laurence Yep | Ages 8 and up

Set in Clarksburg in 1927, fifteen-year-old Chinese-American protagonist Joan Lee, shares an emotionally complex story of prejudice and the immigrant experience in Appalachia, weaving a traditional Chinese myth about the half-bird, half-human starfisher throughout.


Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Put Astronauts on the Moon

Written by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk | Ages 5 and up

The true story of Katherine Johnson, a Black mathematician and White Sulphur Springs native, and how she went from a curious, gifted student to a prominent contributor to the NASA space race, saving lives and making history with her calculations.


Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story

Written by Anna Egan Smucker, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly | Ages 4 and up

The true story of how a Clay County farmer – Anderson Mullins – discovers a tree of Golden Delicious apples on his farm and collaborates with the Missouri-based Stark brothers to make them a staple of the apple world.


Mothman Learns the ABCs

Written by Michael Schang, illustrated by Danner Seyffer-Sprague | Ages 0 and up

An ABC book starring West Virginia’s most famous cryptid, Mothman, who travels the Mountain State on a quest for knowledge.


More Than Anything Else

Written by Marie Bradby, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet | Ages 8 and up

A fictional account of nine-year-old Booker T. Washington living in a West Virginia settlement after emancipation, working in the salt works, and longing to learn to read.


The Boys Start the War

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor | Ages 8 and up

A prank war between the four Hatford boys and the three Malloy girls is started when the Hatfords attempt to antagonize their unwanted new neighbors into leaving West Virginia and returning to Ohio.


Passing the Music Down

Written by Sarah Sullivan, illustrated by Barry Root | Ages 5 and up

A tale told in lyrical free verse and inspired by the lives of renowned fiddlers Melvin Wine and Jake Krack, this book follows a young boy who learns from an old-time fiddle player, joining a tradition of passing the music down.


Up Molasses Mountain

By Julie Baker | Ages 10 and up

Set in Clay, WV in 1953, two young narrators tell the story of a divided mining town. Elizabeth, whose father and brother are opposed on unionization, and her classmate Clarence, who is shunned for his cleft-palate, face turmoil and heartache together, weaving a narrative of empowering friendship amongst adversity.


The Relatives Came

Written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell | Ages 2 and up

In a time when big family get-togethers are much rarer than they used to be, who wouldn’t enjoy this sunny story about a long and boisterous visit from the relatives?


Venola the Vegetarian

By Cheryl Ware | Ages 8 and up

Seventh grader Venola Cutright isn’t afraid of a challenge. In a world where hotdog eating contests are the norm, she decides to become a vegetarian, attempting to convert her family, friends, and the unsmiling cafeteria lady along the way.


Thank you to our sponsors!

The Becker Family

Andy Richardson

William Maxwell Davis

John T. Gibson, DDS, PLLC

Tom Heywood and Melody Simpson

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Read Aloud helped me find my child’s reading key

By Jackie Britton

Reading has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was a child. When I found out that I was pregnant with my first baby, I went to the book store and purchased The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, along with several other stacks of children’s books. I dreamed of reading to my kids and watching their imaginations run wild. I dreamed that my children would love reading just as much as I do. Imagine my surprise when that wasn’t the case with my second son.

My first son took to books like a fish to water. My second son taught himself to read at age four and was addicted to being read stories. By the time he was five and a half, he refused to read. I bought different styles of books to try to tempt him. Countless bribes and different approaches later – nothing. I couldn’t figure him out! We were both frustrated, and I was running out of ideas to engage him.

I stumbled across Read Aloud West Virginia’s Read Aloud Families and I was cautiously optimistic. I knew my oldest and youngest children would adore it. What would my middle son think? I knew he was a going to be a good reader, but the problem was how to motivate him to care.

Solo: A Star Wars Story – Train Heist, the book that unlocked independent reading enthusiasm for Jackie Britton’s middle child, who participated in Read Aloud Families, a special distribution effort launched during the COVID shutdown.

The first order form came, and all three of my children were excited. They picked their books, and my middle child shocked me. He picked a Star Wars book. He has never seen the movies or shown any interest in Star Wars at all. I was so skeptical. I asked if he was certain he wanted that one and read a few other book descriptions to him.

No. He was positive he wanted that one.

The day the first shipment arrived, the three kids crowded around me and squealed over their new books. My oldest ran off to begin his, and I read my youngest child’s book to her and my middle son. Afterward, I watched what he would do with his new book. He curled up in a chair and began flipping through the pages.

After a little while, he started from the beginning and began to read quietly. I joined him and we took turns reading pages and continued to do the same with those first few book deliveries. Soon he was able to read them all on his own.

Every time there was a Star Wars book on the form, he would choose it. He began to choose other genres I would have never expected. The variety of the books on the order form was wonderful. He always found something to look forward to and having good experiences with these books has changed his attitude about new story lines.

Read Aloud West Virginia helped me find the key to turn my son from the most reluctant reader into an enthusiast.
Now he is engaged during Book Tastings and can’t wait for library day at school. I am so grateful!

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Bedtime Book Club carries on Snuggle and Read tradition

By Suzette Lowe

The phrase ‘the book will find the child’ holds true for the partnership of Jackson County Early Explorers and Read Aloud of Jackson County.

Cheryl Miller, a longtime Read Aloud volunteer and force behind the county’s Snuggle and Read program, has seen firsthand how impactful the experience can be for young readers.

A Jackson County student visits the Read, Play, Grow station at Cedar Lakes to get an Early Explorers book bag.

“When we were able to have that type of story time, the children picked out the book that appealed to them, one that ‘found’ them that they could take home, along with a blanket provided by Constellium,” she said. “It was so precious seeing that connection.”

It was frustrating not being able to have that family reading time with children and their parents during the pandemic. Miller, who co-founded Jackson County Early Explorers with Jessica Isner, also saw the hugely popular Early Explorers program for young children struggling to be active during COVID-19.

“One day, I had a preschooler come up to me, out of the blue, and beg me to read him a story,” said Miller. “I knew right then, and Jessica agreed, that we had to do something to meet this need.”

A natural collaboration between the county’s Read Aloud program and Early Explorers was formed, initially with books that were left over from a past Snuggle and Read. These, along with a blanket, would be put in book bags for children to find at the Read, Play, and Grow station at Cedar Lakes.

“With our mission and knowing how popular Early Explorers past book bag distributions were,” said Janet McCauley, president of the local Read Aloud board, “it was a win-win partnership.”

McCauley said the concern that children would not get ‘their’ book was quickly dispelled.

“The very first child who picked up a packet said ‘oh that’s just what I wanted’, so we knew we’d done our job,” she said.

But still for Miller there was something missing.

“I had another child come up and grab me by the legs and beg for a story,” she said. “It hurt my heart that I couldn’t do that.”

Miller said she couldn’t get the idea of children not getting their bedtime story out of her mind.

“In this pandemic, we forget that children are hurting and feeling stressed,” she said. “They need a time to settle down and feel loved and safe.”

That child hungering for a story planted the seed for Bedtime Book Club.

Each Monday at 6 pm, Miller posts a story time on Facebook. It can be accessed at any time by going on to the Jackson County Early Explorers or Read Aloud Jackson County page.

“First we get the wiggles out, then settle down for three stories.” Miller said.

The “Story Lady” as Miller has been dubbed, has already gotten a large following, including a grumpy cat who comes out of hiding every time he hears her voice.

Knowing that children look forward to each week’s story means so much to Miller.

“I had a little girl come up to me just to share how much she loved the little duck story I read the other night,” she said. McCauley said parents have also expressed their appreciation for the efforts of both Early Explorers and Read Aloud.

“They tell us that their children are hurrying in from outside play to read their books,” she said. “Several have said they hear their children singing or reciting phrases from their favorite stories.”

For Miller and McCauley, that’s what it’s all about, connecting children to books and instilling a love that can last a lifetime.

Suzette Lowe serves on the Read Aloud of Jackson County board

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Energy Express has always held a special spot in my heart

By Bob Johnson

Energy Express has always held a special spot in my heart. Several years ago, the local WVU Extension agent told me about the need for Read Aloud volunteers during the six-weeks-long reading and nutrition program (with two meals served daily) held during summers. The whole process clicked with me. Since I am a part-time teacher, my summers were free. Why not volunteer to read with kids?

Bob Johnson reads to Energy Express students at Cherry River Elementary in Nicholas County.

My first opportunity coincidentally came at my alma mater elementary school. I had spent grades one through eight there. Yes, that dates me, but I fondly and clearly remember the teachers who had taken the effort to read aloud with my classes. There was a warmth in those classrooms, where teachers said, in effect: “I have a beautiful story that I want to share with you.” In my mind’s eye, that is effective instruction.

Over the summers since my first readings, I have subsequently been able to read in three more locations in four sessions with Energy Express. I often use the classic stories of Seuss, since each one holds a nugget of morality which students need to hear from an adult. Sometimes, the readings are supplied by the Energy Express site. While that is convenient, there is no time to rehearse the reading selection, one of my personal rules of reading aloud. Sitting with students is the expectation of many Energy Express locations, but I prefer reading while standing at a music stand or other platform at a convenient height, so my old eyes can easily focus on the reading. It is also the only way I have found to ensure that inflection is heard, and gestures, body language, and expressions are easily seen by listeners.

Energy Express and Read Aloud WV share some common goals: 1) Get valuable books into the hands of students, and/or 2) into the ears of listeners by reading aloud. I am privileged to know the directors of both programs. Mark Swiger heads Energy Express with West Virginia University, while Dawn Miller is at the helm of Read Aloud WV. Both leaders have only one thing in mind, which is reaching readers at many grade levels with enriching opportunities that expand interest in books.

Adult volunteers are an essential part of both reading efforts. Please consider sharing your reading skills with students at every opportunity.

To learn more about Energy Express, go to: extension.wvu.edu/youth-family/youth-education/energy-express

Bob Johnson is a member of the Read Aloud WV of Nicholas County Chapter Board and teaches in a Save the Children US, after-school program at Cherry River Elementary School in Richwood

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Dollar General gives $50,000 in honor of longtime supporter Jennie Fitzkee

By Amanda Schwartz

Photo courtesy of The Kelly Clarkson Show, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios
Jennie Fitzkee, center, is surprised by the announcement of Dollar General’s generous donation on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

When The Kelly Clarkson Show chose to celebrate preschool teacher Jennie Fitzkee ­­— a West Virginia native and longtime Read Aloud WV supporter ­—Read Aloud’s Executive Director Dawn Miller was asked to video call in to the filming as a surprise.

“Anything for Jennie Fitzkee!” she replied.

Miller was excited to be part of recognizing a dedicated supporter and local literacy champion, but had no idea there was a surprise in store. Both Fitzkee and Miller were shocked and deeply touched by Dollar General’s announcement of a $50,000 gift to Read Aloud in honor of Fitzkee and World Teacher Day.

Fitzkee became involved with Read Aloud in 2012 after the passing of her childhood friend, Read Aloud champion Candy Galyean. Fitzkee (born Jennie Lively Lytton) grew up with Galyean in Huntington, but moved to Groton, Mass., where she has been a preschool teacher for almost 40 years. When her sister sent Galyeans’s obituary in 2012, Fitzkee saw it suggested donations to Read Aloud West Virginia.

“I thought, ‘This has got to be someplace else!’” Fitzkee recalled. “I just can’t believe this! I never knew about this wonderful place.”

Fitzkee called and spoke with Read Aloud founder and then Executive Director Mary Kay Bond. They had much in common, including an inspiration, Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook, first published in 1979.

Eager to give back to her home state and support her friend’s legacy, Fitzkee began collecting books. She and her students and community gathered so many she and husband Steve Fitzkee rented a truck and drove them all the way from Groton, Mass. to Charleston.

After that momentous donation, Fitzkee has continued to support Read Aloud, nurtures readers through her blog “A Teacher’s Reflections,” and has contributed to this newsletter.

“This gift means so much to us,” said Executive Director Dawn Miller. “It is an acknowledgment of the lifelong value of our work to help children develop an intrinsic motivation to read, and it will help Read Aloud to stay strong and flexible, of course.

“But with this gift the Dollar General Literacy Foundation also recognizes the efforts of every volunteer, every teacher, every school coordinator, every principal, every donor ­­— every friend of Read Aloud who has contributed to the effort to help children discover joy in reading,” she said.

“On top of all that, we are touched and honored to still be part of remembering Candy Galyean, who even now plays such an important role in bringing us together in this cause.”

Over the past 28 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has donated more than $203 million to provide funding and resources to support literacy advancement and has helped more than 14.8 million individuals learn to read. In both 2020 and 2021, they granted funds to Read Aloud to support shipments of self-chosen books to low-income children across the Mountain state, keeping them reading through the pandemic and beyond.

Dollar General’s co-founder, J.L. Turner, was functionally illiterate and never completed a formal education. In 1993, J.L.’s grandson, Cal Turner, Jr., founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to honor him and support others’ educational journeys.

Dollar General and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s $4.5 million investment to help students, teachers, and nonprofit organizations working to support and improve youth literacy across the country includes more than $3 million in youth literacy grants from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a new $1.45 million partnership with education nonprofit Donors Choose.

To watch the announcement and Fitzkee’s heartwarming reaction, click here.

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2021 NIP Tax Credits Now Available

Get them before they’re gone! Read Aloud West Virginia has received Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) Tax Credits to distribute to eligible donors on a first-come, first-served basis. NIP credits are administered by the state to encourage donations to local nonprofits.

For example, a donation of $1,000 qualifies for up to $500 in NIP credits off of West Virginia personal income or corporate net income taxes. That means donors can have a $1,000 impact for a bottom-line cost of only $500.

Read Aloud WV motivates West Virginia children to read for fun by putting books in their hands and trained volunteer readers in their classrooms. Research shows kids who read for pleasure become stronger readers, setting them up for long-term academic and career success. Every dollar donated to Read Aloud results in more time spent coordinating with families, schools, and volunteers to get kids the tools they need to grow their reading skills. As little as $100 can fund books for an entire classroom, while $1,100 can fund a month of Books for Babies, which gives all new parents delivering at CAMC a board book to encourage them to read to their child from birth. With low-cost, high-impact programs like these, even the minimum donation to qualify for tax credit ($500) can help hundreds of children and families.

Read Aloud has remained on mission throughout the pandemic, adapting book distributions and volunteer classroom reading efforts to meet the new conditions and needs. “We are busier than ever, and our donors make all this work possible,” says Executive Director Dawn Miller.

If you’re interested in giving early and helping Read Aloud improve the literacy climate in WV, you can:

  • Mail a check to Read Aloud WV, PO Box 1784, Charleston, WV 25326 (this is preferred, as there are no fees associated with your donation and Read Aloud receives the full amount to put towards programs).
  • Click the Donate button above to make a secure donation through Square.

The maximum tax credit allowed in any one year is $100,000. Donors cannot reduce their total state tax bill by more than 50%, but they have five years to use their credits. If you have any questions, contact Read Aloud headquarters at (304)345-5212.