Newark Teaches Kids To Enjoy Books, Reading At Annual Event

NEWARK, NJ — The City of Newark recently held a “Reading Under the Stars” event for local families as part of a city-wide effort to improve youth literacy.

The city’s annual “Reading Under the Stars” celebration – its fifth – gained an extra sense of importance this year. Only 19 percent of Newark’s third grade students passed a New Jersey reading exam last year, data shows. READ MORE: Newark Has Plan To Improve 'Alarming' Student Reading Scores

In July, several Newark community leaders gathered for a news conference at the Newark Public Library to announce a 10-point plan to improve youth literacy in the New Jersey’s largest city. The plan will rely on cooperation between local schools, parents and community groups, who will team up to boost child literacy for toddlers through third graders.

Last week’s “Reading Under the Stars” event at Ivy Hill Park is one of many such efforts to come, city officials said.

During the event, two children’s book authors – Karina Nicole Gonzalez and Sheena Demby– read their works, followed by a screening of the family film “Puss in Boots” and book/backpack giveaways. The celebration also included information for families about local education opportunities and programs, and a “Wellness Village” with resources and information.

Sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the event was free and open to the public.

Also at the event, children’s literacy nonprofit Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) announced it will provide more than 1,000 free books to the children of Newark to build their home libraries and inspire a joy of reading.

“We know that if we unite communities around the power and joy of reading, then development, discovery, and opportunity will follow,” RIF president Alicia Levi said.

Other co-sponsoring organizations are Newark Summer Fun in the City 2023; Tate’s Bake Shop; the Department of Health and Community Wellness; the Newark Public Library; Source of Knowledge bookstore; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; McDonald’s; and United Community Corporation.

“When children learn to read well early, and enjoy it, they benefit from lifetime access to new thinking, interesting ideas, and ways of living beyond our imagination,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“When we instill a love of reading in our children, we give them a gift far more valuable than anything we could buy,” Baraka added. “We give them the key to understanding our world and their ability to lead it.”

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