What is Leading Readers?

A playful, caring, and successful literacy program, Leading Readers engages struggling or reluctant readers from Grades 1-5.

Careful Pairing of Kids with Teens

The Library attracts positive, kind teens to our volunteer programs. They love kids, and are looking for resume-building experience in working with children, so they take their role seriously. In return, kids love their teens. They respond well to being paired with one, consistent, and compatible older kid. They thrive on the attention and grow in their reading confidence due to their bond.

Non-traditional Literacy Mix

We like to show reluctant readers all of the joys of reading by taking their heads out of the books. Leading Readers challenges kids’ regular definitions of reading. Our 1-hour long sessions start with a 1-on-1 reading with their teen volunteer, move into group games, and fun activities—all with a literacy underpinning.

For Kids with Basic French

We know practice makes perfect. In our French sessions, kids have a chance to practice what they're learning or have already learned. We use the same successful Leading Readers model, which is 1-on-1 sessions, pairings with dedicated teen volunteers, and fun reading activities, and focus on reading French-language stories. Kids who already know a little bit of French get to further develop their skills and learn new vocabulary words along the way.