DID YOU KNOW...?

• the state of Arizona uses the number fourth-graders who can’t read well in its calculations of how many prison beds it will need in ten years¹
• almost half of the American adult population is considered “functionally illiterate,” meaning they can’t perform tasks as simple as balancing a check book, reading labels on a drug bottle, or writing job application essays²
• according to the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 37 percent of fourth graders and 26 percent of eighth graders cannot read at the basic level; and on the 2002 NAEP 26 percent of twelfth graders cannot read at the basic level. That is, when reading grade appropriate text these students cannot extract the general meaning or make obvious connections between the text and their own experiences or make simple inferences from the text. In other words, they cannot understand what they have read. ³
• the annual monetary burden of illiteracy to the average taxpayer and business is estimated to be $20 billion⁴
• 44 million adults in the U.S. can't read well enough to read a simple story to a child.⁵
• Disadvantaged students in the first grade have a vocabulary that is approximately half that of an advantaged student (2,900 and 5,800 respectively).⁶

¹ "New Homes by Shea Homes - New Homes Builder." New Homes by Shea Homes - New Homes Builder. Arizona Republic, 15 Sept. 2004. Web. 18 Aug. 2010. <http://www.sheahomes.com>.

²Washington Literacy Council

³NAEP, 2003.

⁴ United Way, "Illiteracy: A National Crisis"

⁵ National Adult Literacy Survey (1992) NCED, U.S. Department of Education

⁶ White, Graves & Slater, 1990

World With Books is a local charity organization founded in June 2009 in New Jersey that seeks to distribute gently used books to under-privileged children.  After receiving your donations, we place them in various medical centers.  We are proud to announce that the Parker Clinic, Matawan's YMCA Children's Achievement Branch, Red Bank YMCA, Lunchbreak, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, Salvation Army in Asbury Park, Salvation Army in Red Bank, Asbury Park Pediatrics, Jersey Shore In-Patient Pediatric Unit, and the Jersey Shore Out-Patient Pediatric Unit have been able to receive books through our efforts.  Our aim is to create a world in which all children can have access to books and can reap the benefits of a lifelong love of reading!

If you want to help this worthy organization, please donate your gently used children's books today at Ranney School's libraries in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, or contact us to arrange for a donation at your earliest convenience!

ATTENTION:

A special thanks to all who have graciously donated to World With Books is given here, but I would like to particularly note the efforts of the certain generous people who have taken the time and effort to make significantly salutory contributions to this organization's efforts.  Andrew M, Hunter P and family, and Paulina M are among those heartily appreciated by World With Books as they continuously give so much of themselves for this wonderful cause.  Thank you again for all your support!