End Book Deserts

Features the innovative people and programs who spread the love of books and reading culture in our nation’s high poverty areas.

Books on the Bus

In this episode of the End Book Deserts Podcast, Dr. Molly Ness interviews authors Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, who share their experiences and adventures during a year-long road trip to visit Title I schools in all 50 states. They discuss their mission to provide free books to under-resourced areas, the impact of their visits on students, and the research conducted during the trip. They also reveal their plans for the future, including online virtual school visits. Tune in to learn more about their inspiring journey and the importance of book access in under-resourced communities.

11-13
29:22

Meet the Writers

We kick off the new season with New York's Meet the Writers! Meet the Writers has reached more than 45,000 students citywide and distributed 25,000 books signed by visiting authors. Their collaboration with schools helps to create a culture of literacy and reading.

09-25
20:14

Drag Story Hour

We're thrilled today to be joined by Jonathan Hamilton who is the executive director of the Drag Story Hour!

04-03
20:20

Diverse Books for All Coalition

Join Carolyn Lyons and Kyle Zimmer to understand this new coalition advocating for literacy equity!

03-06
31:26

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Find out how Dollar General Literacy Foundation commits to the work to #endbookdeserts

10-17
30:48

Reading For Our Lives with Maya Smart

Find out how parents can become literacy advocates.

07-11
27:04

Jennifer Nielsen

Middle grade author Jennifer Nielsen chats libraries, book access, and building reading culture.

05-03
29:29

E Train & End Book Deserts

I turn the microphone on my youngest guest to discuss ways to motivate young readers.

04-11
25:06

I Love Books

Tune in for a conversation with literacy expert Cornelius Minor and Jonathon Beatty - as we chat hip hop, literacy, and entrepreneurship.

02-13
39:32

World Read Aloud Day 2022

Celebrate the power of connecting through text on February 2, 2022. Join me as I chat with Dwaine Millard, Senior VP of Literacy Initiatives at Scholastic.

01-20
27:35

Busload of Books

Join authors Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr as they discuss their yearlong adventure - driving a school bus (with their four children) across the country visiting Title 1 schools in the work to #endbookdeserts.

01-03
37:55

Book 'Em

A look into the work to #endbookdeserts in the greater Nashville area.

12-17
29:58

Governor's Early Literacy Foundation

Director James Pond explains how almost 45 million books have found their way to Tennessee’s children in the work to end book deserts.

09-27
23:45

My Very Own Library

A Chicago-based community literacy program provides students with educational programming and book fairs to #endbookdeserts.

06-14
35:14

Summer Reading 2021

Discover the partnership between Scholastic and Save the Children to #endbookdeserts and engage kids nationwide in summer reading.

05-28
28:51

Always Dream

Discover how former Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi went from ice skating to literacy activist and the work of her foundation Always Dream to #endbookdeserts.

05-17
25:35

Reading is Fundamental

Since 1966, this literacy giant has been leading the field in the work to #endbookdeserts

05-04
33:04

We Need Diverse Books

Join Cornelius Minor and Nawal Qarooni Casiano in a conversation about books and programs that reflect the stories of our diverse children.

04-12
35:11

Madison Reading Project

Madison Reading Project connects our community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading.

03-19
20:33

Young, Black, and Lit

This Chicago-based group works to #endbookdeserts by distributing affirming, representative books to black children.

02-26
22:25

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