Story perspectives

Montgomery Schools Boost Reading with 11,000 Free Books

12/13/2025

Center

Schools Promote Literacy

Montgomery Public Schools in Alabama partnered with the Equal Justice Initiative to give two free books to each child in kindergarten through second grade, distributing 11,000 books.
Hachette Book Group announced a $200,000 investment in the Raising Readers campaign to supply classroom libraries to underfunded schools.
The Raising Readers campaign also plans Little Free Libraries to broaden access to books.
Together, the initiatives emphasize improving children's reading engagement.

Right

Obama Inspires Young Readers

Barack Obama surprised students at Burke Elementary School by reading to them at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library.
He read "Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight," highlighting Coleman as the first Black female pilot.
The visit previews upcoming story time programs at the library tied to the Obama Presidential Center, set to open next June after delays and legal challenges, serving Chicago's South Side.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, addressing systemic inequalities that had disenfranchised African Americans, particularly in the South. The Equal Justice Initiative, founded by Bryan Stevenson in 1989, continues this fight. Recent partnerships, like those with Montgomery Public Schools and Hachette Book Group's $200,000 investment, aim to improve literacy and educational access for underprivileged children, crucial for breaking cycles of poverty.

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Schools Promote Literacy

Montgomery Public Schools in Alabama partnered with the Equal Justice Initiative to give two free books to each child in kindergarten through second grade, distributing 11,000 books.
Hachette Book Group announced a $200,000 investment in the Raising Readers campaign to supply classroom libraries to underfunded schools.
The Raising Readers campaign also plans Little Free Libraries to broaden access to books.
Together, the initiatives emphasize improving children's reading engagement.

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