Newark Invites Families To ‘Read Under The Stars’: 2026 Summer Events

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of Newark. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Mayor Ras Baraka has announced that the City of Newark will host the seventh annual “Reading Under the Stars” for youth and families on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Ivy Hill Park at Mt. Vernon Place in the West Ward. Three acclaimed children’s book authors will read their works along with special guest readers including Mayor Baraka. The event is free and open to the public through the efforts of the Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), and the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services.

“For families just like mine, Reading Under the Stars has been an evening of magical memory-making for the last eight years,” said Mayor Baraka. “I have watched my own children and countless others become enchanted by the reading and storytelling, the dancing and music and the selection of books they are free to take home. These are the memories that make us love reading and learning – that kindle the curiosity and investigation that make us strong adult community members. I look forward to seeing old friends and new young families enjoy a beautiful evening and leave with colorful additions to their home libraries.”

The Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education has coordinated the evening’s book giveaways, free food and refreshments, and informational material on student education opportunities and guidance. Reading is Fundamental, Source of Knowledge Bookstore, the Newark Public Library and Scholastic, Inc. are co-sponsors providing additional resources to attendees. The Newark Office of Sustainability remains a dedicated partner to this event, and will provide books and sustainability information for the public. The Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness will have its Dental Mobile Unit on site as well as WIC resources, and information on lead abatement services.

Additional community partners participating in sharing their resources with the community include: Newark Public Schools and Newark Board of Education, Optimum, Newark Boys and Girls Club, UVSO, United Community Corporation, Audible, McDonalds, Reading Partners, and My Brother’s Keeper, CareSpark, Partnership West, Inc., Salaam Ice Cream Parlor, Glass Roots, and The Weekend Spot Restaurant.

“Sitting in a park on a soft summer night, listening to authors bring their stories to life is an inspiring way to spread the love of literature and a thirst for literacy,” said Dr. Brown. “In Newark, this is how we lay a transformative foundation for lifelong learning. We organize events like Reading Under the Starts that unite government officials, parents and children, neighbors, community partners and school leaders under a common cause.”

The evening will feature two-time Emmy Winning reporter Phil Taitt reading his favorite children’s book I Believe I Can. West Ward Councilman, platinum-selling recording artist, and children’s book author Dupré L. Kelly (“Doitall”) will read his published story I Can Do It All. Author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris will read her Plátanos are Love and Marley Dias will read her book, I Am the Dream Come True. Nationally recognized public policy expert Fritz Bondoa will read Mr. Imhotep’s I Love Africa with his mother Colette, a Cameroon immigrant who became a bilingual math teacher in Newark public schools.

After the reading, the authors will autograph copies of their books for attendees. There will also be food and fun family activities.

“Reading Under the Stars brings families and community partners together around one of the most powerful things we can do for children: help them develop a lifelong love of reading,” said Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León. “When culturally relevant books are available in every home and reading becomes part of everyday family life, students build the strong literacy foundation they need to thrive in school and beyond. Newark Public Schools is proud to support this citywide commitment to ensuring that every child grows up surrounded by books, language and opportunity.”

“The Board of Education is proud to join the City of Newark and its community partners in making books accessible to families throughout our city,” said Newark Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Reading Under the Stars shows our children that literacy can be joyful, engaging and shared across generations. By helping families build home libraries, this event makes an investment in our students that will continue to pay dividends long after the evening is over.”

“Reading Under the Stars transforms reading into a memorable experience that children can enjoy with their families and neighbors,” said Mount Vernon School Principal Serenia Farrell. “We are delighted to welcome this wonderful Newark tradition to the Ivy Hill community and to help families discover new stories, obtain library cards and add culturally relevant books to their home collections. We want every child to see reading not simply as a school assignment, but as a source of discovery, imagination and joy.”

“Scholastic is proud to once again join the City of Newark in ensuring students have meaningful access to books that build strong readers and curious learners,” said Ardelio Valdes, Scholastic Education Solutions. “According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, community literacy events play a powerful role in motivating kids to read, which is why Reading Under the Stars continues to be such a valuable celebration for families.”

“Reading opens doors that no one can ever close,” said West Ward Councilman, platinum-selling recording artist, and children’s book author Dupré L. Kelly (“Doitall”). “When we invest in our children’s minds, we invest in the future of Newark. It’s an honor to share my book and hopefully inspire the next generation to dream bigger, read more, and understand that they truly can do it all.”

“Every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book, and Reading Under the Stars makes that promise real for Newark’s families,” said Ms. Dias. “Access to culturally relevant stories is how we build readers who feel seen and proud of who they are. I’m honored to support a program that’s turning literacy into a citywide celebration.”

The author’s mother, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias, added, “When I had nothing, reading gave me a chance to imagine new possibilities. My daughter’s love of reading changed our lives, and we are proof that reading is a most powerful gift.”

In its eighth year as a title sponsor of Reading Under the Stars, the Madan/Russo Organization, owner/operators of five McDonald’s in the Newark/North Jersey area, will attend the event to once again serve children’s Happy Meals.

About the Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan

In July 2023, Mayor Baraka, Dr. Brown, Newark Board of Education Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Dr. Mary Ann Reilly, and other dignitaries launched a 10-point plan to address child literacy through third grade.

This Reading Under the Stars event is one way to implement part of the Trust’s 10 actionable steps. Schools, parents, and community organizations can undertake these steps now and in the coming school year to put Newark’s students on track.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.