From the Modesto Bee's "Every Monday Matters"

by Matthew Emerzian

FACTS

61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes.

43 percent of adults with the lowest level of literacy proficiency live in poverty.

Only 4 percent of adults with strong literacy skills live in poverty.

55 percent of children have an increased interest in reading when given books at an early age.

Children with a greater variety of reading material in the home are more creative, imaginative, and proficient in reading. They are also on a better path toward educational growth and development.

There is only one age-appropriate book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 13 books per child in middle-income neighborhoods.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

1. Go through your bookshelves...

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