The momentum continues to build, and the books are flying off the tables!
READ USA Book Fair season is officially in full swing — bringing the joy of reading and choosing brand-new books to students across Jacksonville — and we’ve already had an incredible start!
Thank you to our amazing volunteers!
During the past week, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we’ve had the privilege of hosting free READ USA Book Fairs at 10 Duval County elementary schools. Thank you to VyStar Credit Union, the DuBow Family, and J.B. Coxwell Contracting for your support of literacy and READ USA Book Fairs!
At each school, the excitement has been contagious — students eagerly browsing, discovering new stories, and selecting books to make their own. There’s nothing quite like watching a child light up when they find the perfect book!
And behind every successful Book Fair is a team of dedicated volunteers helping bring these moments to life — guiding students, restocking tables, and celebrating each book chosen.
It’s Not Too Late to Join the Fun!
Our Book Fair season continues throughout the month, and there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. Plus, we will be releasing the names, dates, and locations of additional READ USA Book Fairs very soon!
Sign up to volunteer at an upcoming Book Fair!
Whether you can give an hour or a full shift, your time helps put books directly into the hands of students who need them most. Every READ USA Book Fair is more than an event; it’s a spark that can ignite a lifelong love of reading!
Please note: All adult volunteers must pass a free DCPS Level I Background Check. You can submit your application here.
We hope you’ll join us!
Literacy Locker Room at John E. Ford Delivers Books, Energy & Inspiration
The Jacksonville Jaguars brought the energy to John E. Ford PreK-8 English/Spanish Montessori with our latest Literacy Locker Room last week, and it was a day to remember!
With nearly 600 pre-K through 5th-grade students each receiving a free book, courtesy of event sponsor JEA, the event combined literacy, motivation, and school spirit in a powerful way.
Students also had the opportunity to hear from Defensive Lineman BJ Green II, #95, whose message of perseverance, discipline, and focus resonated throughout the gym.
Even the middle-school students who attend John E. Ford also had a brief opportunity to join the fun with an impromptu, mini pep rally just for them!
Thanks to the generous support of JEA, this event created a memorable experience that connected literacy with inspiration for the students at John E. Ford, demonstrating how strong reading skills are part of achieving success both in school and beyond.
Thank you to the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation for its ongoing partnership with the Literacy Locker Room events! Our gratitude also goes to Adriel Rocha, Vice President of Community Impact and Football Development, and Michael Carnahan, Jaguars Foundation Community Impact Senior Manager, who created these wonderful events that connect literacy, sports, and FUN!
Be My Neighbor Day: A Celebration of Community & Literacy
READ USA was proud to again be part of WJCT Public Media’s annual Be My Neighbor Day, a community-wide celebration focused on kindness, connection, and learning — and it was filled with smiles and eager readers!
Families came together to enjoy hands-on activities, explore resources, and engage in meaningful moments centered around literacy and community building. From interactive experiences to conversations with families, the day was all about creating connections that support children both at home and in school.
Events like Be My Neighbor Day highlight the importance of community partnerships in supporting literacy growth. When families are engaged and equipped, students are better positioned to succeed.
We’re grateful to have been part of such a meaningful event again this year and to continue working alongside partners who share our commitment to strengthening our community — one child, one family at a time.
Thank you to WJCT Public Media and all of our neighbors for a wonderful event on Saturday!
Meet Our Teachers at Biltmore Elementary
At Biltmore Elementary, it’s truly all hands on deck — and that includes our incredible READ USA team making a difference every day!
#FastFact about Biltmore Elementary:
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Our READ USA AmeriCorps Tutor Leaders also volunteer their own time to support the students, teachers, and faculty at Biltmore Elementary! We are proud of our teens for going above and beyond to support student success. You can read more about how they support the school on their own time here.
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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 Biltmore 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 Biltmore Elementary for all you do for our students and teens!
#FastFacts Wednesday: Literacy in Every Aspect of Life
This week’s #FastFacts highlights three important topics and how each connects back to literacy and opportunity.
Financial Literacy
April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to highlight the importance of understanding money management, budgeting, and financial decision-making.
#FastFact: Individuals with stronger literacy skills are more likely to demonstrate better financial decision-making and long-term economic stability (FINRA Investor Education Foundation, National Financial Capability Study).
At READ USA, we know that reading proficiency is foundational because understanding financial concepts starts with the ability to read, interpret, and apply information.
Autism Acceptance
April is also Autism Acceptance Month, focused on promoting understanding, inclusion, and support for individuals with autism.
#FastFact: Early literacy and language development are critical for students with autism, as they directly support communication and comprehension skills (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; CDC).
READ USA is committed to creating inclusive learning environments where all students have access to the tools they need to succeed as readers and learners.
Military Child
April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child, honoring the resilience and strength of children in military families.
#FastFact: Military-connected students often attend 6–9 different schools during their K–12 years, making consistent literacy support essential for maintaining academic progress (U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity).
At READ USA, we understand that strong literacy skills provide stability and confidence, no matter where a student’s journey takes them.
Relatedly, we are proud that one of our Literacy Tutoring sites is Anchor Academy, a school located next door to Naval Station Mayport, where 70% of the student population is from military families.
Team READ USA is grateful to our military and military families for all they sacrifice for our country’s safety, security, and success!
From financial understanding to inclusive learning to supporting resilient families, literacy is at the center of it all!
Stay tuned for an upcoming #FastFacts Wednesday soon!
Children's Book: We Don’t Eat Our Neighbors by Daniel J. Mahoney
READ USA is featuring 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: We Don’t Eat Our Neighbors by Daniel J. Mahoney
Top 10 Finalist in K-2 category | Illustrated by Daniel J. Mahoney 
Being a good neighbor takes practice—especially when you’re a hungry alligator! We Don’t Eat Our Neighbors delivers a hilarious and memorable story about learning the rules of friendship.
As the main character tries (and tries again) to follow an important rule, readers are treated to a series of funny, relatable moments that make the lesson stick.
The repetition and humor make this an engaging read for young audiences, encouraging participation and prediction.
This book is sure to spark laughter while gently reinforcing an important message: being kind to others matters.
Parent Education Corner: Early Reading and Conversations
One of the most important things you can do as parents or caregivers is to play with your children, talk with them about the everyday routines in your family, and share time together.
It doesn’t matter if you are at home with a baby, toddler, or preschooler, the time you spend together is one of the strongest contributors to children's overall development.
A research study through MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) suggests that parents can have considerable influence over their children’s language and brain development by simply engaging them in conversation.
“The important thing is not just to talk to your child, but to talk with your child. It’s not just about dumping language into your child’s brain, but to actually carry on a conversation with them,” says Rachel Romeo, a graduate student at Harvard and MIT and the lead author of the paper, which appears in an online edition of Psychological Science. (Tafton, 2018)
To extend this idea, having conversations about books is a great place to begin this structure of daily discussions. Here are some ideas about what a conversation can look like in your home. Reading Rockets suggests the strategy of CROWD.
CROWD is used to remember the types of questions to ask: Completion, Recall, Open-ended, “Wh” questions, and Distancing. Here is an example of CROWD questions for the well-known story of The Three Little Pigs.
Completion question: “I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll __________ ___________ _________ ___________.”
Answer: Blow your house down.
Recall question: Which house couldn’t the Big Bad Wolf blow down?
Answer: The one made of bricks.
Open-ended question: Why do you think the first pig built his house out of straw?
Answer: It was the easiest to build. He was lazy.
“Wh” question: What kind of animal was after the pigs?
Answer: Wolf.
Distancing: How do you think the pigs felt when the wolf tried to get them? Why?
Answer: (Answers will vary.) Scared, angry, sad.