#ICYMI last week… The date has been set for READ USA’s 2026 Peace in the Pages! Mark your calendar for Friday, November 6th, at 11:30 a.m. at The Schultz Center.
But new for this week… You can now save your seat at Peace in the Pages!
We are also excited to officially announce Clary & Associates as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Peace in the Pages!
Peace in the Pages is READ USA’s annual luncheon celebrating literacy and the champions whose leadership, service and commitment are making a meaningful difference in our community.
And there’s even more to look forward to this year! Malcolm Mitchell will join us as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Peace in the Pages.
A former NFL wide receiver, author and literacy advocate, Malcolm has dedicated his work beyond the football field to inspiring young people through reading and promoting the importance of literacy. We can’t wait to welcome him to Jacksonville and hear his message at this year’s celebration.
Our generous supporters who donate $1,000 or more to READ USA are invited to Peace in the Pages as our guests. Donors will receive additional information regarding seating as we get closer to the event.
We are grateful to Clary & Associates for serving as this year’s Presenting Sponsor and supporting READ USA’s mission to ensure children and teens have the literacy and workforce development opportunities they need to succeed.
Reminder: READ USA supporters who donate $1,000 or more do not need to make an additional donation to attend Peace in the Pages. Additional seating information will be shared directly with donors.
More details about this year’s program and honorees are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Friday, November 6, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. | The Schultz Center
If you have any questions about Peace in the Pages, please contact Sophia at sophia@readusainc.com
From Your Shelf to a Young Reader
Have books at home that are ready for a new reader? READ USA needs your help filling our book inventory!
Throughout the year, READ USA works to put books into the hands and homes of children and teens across our community. As books make their way to young readers, we need your help replenishing our donated book inventory so we can continue sharing the joy of reading throughout Jacksonville.
We are currently accepting donations of new and gently used books for readers from Pre-K through high school, with our greatest need being books for elementary-aged readers.
Whether you have one book to give or a box full, every donation helps us keep our shelves stocked and books available for young readers in our community.
We are accepting:
- New and gently used books
- Books for Pre-K through high school
- Picture books, early readers, chapter books and other age-appropriate titles
- Elementary-level books are especially needed!
Donations can be dropped off at the READ USA office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
To coordinate a book donation drop-off, please contact Sophia at sophia@readusainc.com
Your bookshelf could hold the next story that inspires a young reader. Help us fill our shelves so we can keep filling theirs!
#FastFacts Wednesday
We’re back with more September #FastFacts!
This week, we’re recognizing three observances that invite us to learn more about the cultures, history and traditions that shape our communities: Hispanic Heritage Month, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and Yom Kippur.
#FastFacts: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th and continues through October 15th, celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
- Ever wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the middle of September? September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th.
- The celebration began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and was expanded to a 31-day observance in 1988.
Books and stories give young readers an opportunity to discover cultures, traditions, experiences and voices beyond their own. Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to explore books by Hispanic and Latino authors and illustrators and celebrate the stories that enrich our communities.
Want to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month? Read more from the Library of Congress here.
#FastFacts: Constitution Day & Citizenship Day
- Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are observed each year on September 17th, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
- The U.S. Constitution was signed 239 years ago this year!
- Constitution Week runs September 17–23, providing even more opportunities to learn about the Constitution and reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Reading and learning give us the tools to explore history, ask questions, understand different perspectives and become more informed and engaged members of our communities.
Want to keep exploring? Learn more about Constitution Day from the National Archives here.
#FastFacts: Yom Kippur
- Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” and is considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
- This year, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20th, and ends at nightfall on Monday, September 21st.
- Yom Kippur is a solemn time centered on atonement, repentance, prayer and reflection. Many who observe the holiday participate in an approximately 25-hour fast and extended prayer services.
- Yom Kippur is one of the Jewish High Holy Days and comes at the conclusion of a period of reflection and repentance that begins with Rosh Hashanah.
Learning about the traditions and beliefs of our neighbors helps us better understand the many cultures and communities around us.
Want to learn more about Yom Kippur? Read more here.
Whether we’re discovering the stories of different cultures, learning about our nation’s history or deepening our understanding of the traditions of our neighbors, there is always something new to learn.
That’s what #FastFacts is all about!
Children’s Book: Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber
Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us, is a non-fiction story written by
eleven-year-old Emerson Weber. In the story, Emerson celebrates letter writing and expresses her gratitude for her mail carrier, Doug and all the essential workers around her seen and unseen. Emerson uses jokes and her favorite words “dear” and “sincerely” and all the words in- between to connect her readers to her letters.
Emerson writes letters and sends them to her friends and family. She carefully decorates each envelope before she puts them in the mail. One day as Doug, her mailman was picking up her letters, she had an epiphany. What if she wrote a letter to Doug expressing her gratitude for making it all possible for her to send and receive letters. This act of kindness prompted Doug to share his letter with co-workers and they wrote letters of introduction about themselves and gratitude to Emerson for making letter writing come alive.
One tiny act of kindness made a huge impact on Emerson’s community and beyond. This true story is heartwarming and sincere. This beautiful picture book celebrates letter writing and expresses gratitude for others.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist
Parent Education Corner: Helping Our Children Sound Out Words Smoothly
Sounding out a word involves saying the sound of each letter or letter combination one by one until the end of the word, and then saying them all together again quickly. Help your child sound out words by:
- Showing how to say each letter sound in a word, starting at the left-hand letter and moving right, and then joining all the sounds together to form a word.
- Stretching and connecting sounds together as much as possible. The box below shows an example of how this might sound.
- Reminding your child to check their pronunciation after they connect the sounds together. For example: ask if the word is a real word, ask if they know the word, or if the word is not familiar, ask them to reread the word to make sure it is correct.
From The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences and The What Works Clearinghouse.
Submitted by Kathi Hart, READ USA Lead Content Specialist