Arizona Charity Kids Need to Read Gets US Youth Excited About Reading

In 2006, science fiction author PJ Haarsma was visiting schools to promote his book when he realized that public libraries and children's libraries across the country were underfunded. He met kids who were eager to read but had nothing to read, as well as teachers who were using their own money to buy books for their students. At one school, a little girl followed Haarsma into the parking lot after his presentation and offered to trade a movie ticket she had gotten for Christmas for one of his books. Deeply moved, Haarsma decided start a charity. He enlisted the help of actor Nathan Fillion and Denise Gary, and together they founded Kids Need to Read in 2008.

Based in Mesa, Arizona, Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for kids by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs in the United States, particularly those serving disadvantaged children. The organization's goal is to see every child and adolescent have access to quality books regardless of economic status, race, or capabilities. Kids Need to Read also offers programs designed to boost literacy rates and reduce dropout rates in the country.

Kids Need to Read understands that merely donating books to institutions that lack sufficient funding is not enough. To make a large and lasting impact, the charity actively gets kids excited about reading – an undertaking that begins with selecting the best books possible, books that will engage children's minds and imaginations and make them want to read new books on their own. Kids Need to Read's flagship program, Reading Revolution, was developed in partnership with Arizona State University and ASU Preparatory Academy. The program educates children and teens on the importance of reading in an engaging and relatable manner and teaches them how to integrate books into their lives.