What a season it has been!
This Friday, READ USA’s 2026 Book Fair season will officially conclude at Crystal Springs Elementary School, wrapping up weeks filled with excitement, discovery, and thousands of meaningful moments as students across Jacksonville selected free books to take home and cherish.
From the very first fair to today, one thing has remained constant: the unmistakable joy on a child’s face when they find a book they cannot wait to read.
However, those moments represent something far bigger.
A single book can help strengthen fluency, expand vocabulary, spark imagination, and reinforce comprehension. Just as importantly as building reading skills, it can help a child begin to see themselves as a reader.
That’s why READ USA Book Fairs matter so deeply. They are far more than events — they are investments in literacy, learning, confidence, and brighter futures for children across Jacksonville.
For many students, READ USA Book Fairs provide access to books they may not otherwise have at home. That is vitally important, because when children have books of their own, they are more likely to continue reading outside the classroom, practice critical literacy skills, and grow in confidence as readers.
We know that literacy changes lives, and access to books is a critical part of that equation.
A single book can entertain, but it can also empower. It can introduce a child to new ideas, strengthen academic skills, and create positive associations with reading that last for years.
That is the true purpose behind READ USA’s Book Fairs: it’s not about simply distributing free books, but about helping students continue building the literacy skills and reading habits necessary to thrive in school, the workforce, and life.
Our Community Showed Up for Students!
This year’s Book Fairs brought together our incredible community of donors, sponsors, volunteers, educators, and supporters — all united around the powerful belief that every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader.
Because of your generosity and support:
Every volunteer shift, every donated dollar, every packed box of books, and every helping hand contributed to something much bigger than a Book Fair.
You helped create opportunity.
Because of you, more children across Jacksonville will begin their summer with books in their hands, growing confidence in their reading abilities, and greater opportunities in their future.
To every donor, sponsor, volunteer, educator, and supporter who helped make the 2026 Book Fairs possible: THANK YOU!
Congratulations, READ USA Seniors!
With graduation season upon us, Team READ USA is proudly celebrating an incredible group of young leaders: our graduating senior tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders!
Throughout this school year, these students have shown up with professionalism, compassion, leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping younger students succeed as readers.
And because of their dedication, lives were changed.
At elementary schools across Duval County, READ USA tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders worked directly with students to help strengthen foundational reading skills, build confidence, and move children closer to — and in most cases achieve — grade-level reading proficiency.
That impact cannot be overstated.
For the elementary students they tutored, our tutors and AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders also served as champions, encouragers, and role models. They helped transform reading from something frustrating into something achievable — and even joyful.
And at the same time, our seniors were growing, too!
Through their time with READ USA, they developed valuable workforce and life skills that will continue benefiting them long after graduation: communication, leadership, professionalism, adaptability, teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to step up and serve others with purpose.
Over the course of this year, we have watched these students grow tremendously as young professionals and become even more prepared for their next chapter in life.
We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and deeply grateful for the energy, care, and excellence they brought to their schools and students every single week, helping to build stronger readers, stronger schools, and a stronger community.
To our graduating seniors: thank you for staying the course, representing READ USA so well, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children across Jacksonville!
We cannot wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish next!
Meet Our Teachers at Long Branch Elementary
This week, we are thrilled to feature our incredible READ USA teachers behind Literacy Tutoring & Workforce Development at Long Branch Elementary School!
#FastFacts about Long Branch Elementary
At all our Literacy Tutoring sites, our Teachers of Content and Organization work closely with tutors to ensure high-quality instruction, strong student engagement, and consistent progress monitoring. From coaching tutors to managing day-to-day operations, this team plays a critical role in moving students to grade-level reading proficiency.
Meet our Teachers at Long Branch Elementary below and read why they love the work they do at READ USA—and show them some love on social media HERE!
To better understand our teachers’ unique roles, read below:
Teachers of Content are responsible for all literacy content needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring, ensuring seamless delivery of literacy content needs at each school site. Specifically, Teachers of Content coach and annotate tutor next steps and observations, model lesson parts, and provide tutor professional development. Importantly, they also audit and monitor student literacy growth and oversee student assessments, among other responsibilities.
Teachers of Organization oversee all operational needs of READ USA Literacy Tutoring. This essential role ensures smooth and efficient program delivery, from managing communications with schools, parents, and READ USA staff to collecting and entering weekly student data. Teachers of Organization also handle student discipline, transportation support, and provide oversight of the READ USA aftercare program.
Aftercare Teachers monitor and provide guidance to elementary students awaiting their Literacy Tutoring sessions each day. They are also responsible for student attendance, supper, and snack tracking, and deliver supplemental literacy programming, such as read-alouds and other literacy-focused activities.
THANK YOU to our incredible teachers at Long Branch Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!
#FastFacts Wednesday: Celebrating Culture, Communication & Curiosity
This week’s #FastFacts highlight three important recognitions that remind us how literacy connects people, cultures, ideas, and opportunities.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration established in 1992 to honor the history, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders throughout U.S. history.
#FastFacts:
At READ USA, we believe it’s important to recognize how literacy helps students learn about different cultures, perspectives, and histories, helping to build understanding and stronger communities along the way.
International Museum Day | May 18
International Museum Day was established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to highlight the important role museums play in cultural exchange, education, and lifelong learning.
#FastFacts:
Team READ USA believes that learning happens everywhere — and museums help bring stories, history, and imagination to life in powerful ways!
Speech Pathologists’ Day | May 18
Speech Pathologists’ Day recognizes the professionals who help individuals strengthen communication, language, and literacy skills.
#Fast Facts:
Just like a good book and a cup of coffee, reading and communication go hand in hand! We are grateful for the speech-language professionals who help students build the skills and confidence needed to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
From celebrating cultural contributions to exploring museums to supporting communication development, this week’s recognitions remind us that literacy opens doors to connection, discovery, and opportunity.
Children’s Book: Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Adusei
READ USA is continuing to feature the Top 10 Finalists for the 2025-2026 Florida Literacy Association Children’s Book Award in our weekly children’s book review. There were 10 finalists in the Grades K-2 category and 10 for the Grades 3-5 category for a total of 20 books.
To view the full list of finalists, click here.
This Week’s Featured Book: Cesaria Feels the Beat by Denise Rosario Adusei
Top 10 Finalist in Grades 3-5 category | Illustrated by Priscila Soares
What does it feel like to search for where you belong—and then finally feel it? In Cesaria Feels the Beat, Denise Rosario Adusei invites readers into a vibrant, rhythmic story of identity, culture, and self-discovery.
Cesaria is surrounded by music, movement, and tradition, yet she doesn’t quite feel connected to it all. As she watches others confidently step into the rhythm, she wonders where she fits. Through patience, practice, and quiet courage, Cesaria begins to find her own place—not by copying others, but by listening to herself.
The lyrical language pulses like music, making this a powerful read-aloud and an equally meaningful independent read. Rich illustrations amplify emotion and movement, giving readers space to reflect on their own experiences with confidence and belonging.
This is a story that resonates long after the final page—leaving a reminder that every child carries their own rhythm, and that discovering it is something truly worth celebrating.
Parent Education Corner: A Quick Check—Is Your Child Ready for School?
The preschools and kindergartens of today are much different than the early grades of the past. A decade or more ago, PreK and Kindergarten were mainly focused on social aptitude. They spent time on snacks, rest periods, free-play, manners, story time, music, and art.
Today, students who are ready for school should demonstrate behaviors that show their social skills are developed, and they are ready for formal learning. Use the list below to reflect on whether you and your child can spend some time working on any of these readiness indicators.
Does your child understand:
Although this list (Fountas and Pinnell, 2021) seems difficult, preschools concentrate on these concepts to ensure Kindergarten readiness.
If your child does not attend preschool, these are ways to ensure your child is ready for school.
Submitted by Tabetha West, READ USA Chief Programs Officer