Author and educator Frank Serafini said, “There is no such thing as a child who hates to read. There are only children who haven’t found the right book.” Every child can fall in love with reading if given the right book, and that’s where Book Trust comes in. A national literacy nonprofit operating in 21 states (and delivering over 1M books in Hawaii since 2005), Book Trust provides the means for low-income elementary students to choose and own books they want to read, so they can become successful readers and lifelong learners.

Research-based, Teacher-Led, and Student-Driven

Studies show that interest-based choice, independent reading time, and book ownership are key factors in reading achievement. Book Trust empowers kids to choose and own their own books, selecting 1-3 books each month of the school year. Through Book Trust, students discover books they love and fall in love with reading while building a home library of about 25 books each year.

Teachers enhance existing great classroom literacy instruction with “Feed the Read” celebrations each month when the books arrive, and with the independent reading time so critical to reading improvement. Teachers are further empowered to talk to parents about reading at home, supporting the family-based culture of literacy that helps ensure student success.

53,000 Maui and Mainland students served, but many are still waiting

Nearly 5,000 students benefit from Book Trust in 9 Maui elementary schools: Hana, Haiku, Kahului, Kihei, Kula, Lihikai, Makawao, Waihee, and Wailuku. But the program has over 600 schools waitlisted nationally, representing 180,000 hopeful teachers and students awaiting Book Trust. Funding is the only obstacle.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Book Trust raises money through individual donations and grants.

  • Become a Book Trust Champion – learn more at booktrust.org/donate;
  • Donate when you order your kids’ books through Scholastic Book Clubs: add a donation via their order forms/online;
  • Attend the annual Book Trust Extravaganza on January 27, 2018: info at org/events;

Email [email protected] to talk with Hawaii Director Shay Goodfellow directly about how else to get involved.