Last night, JSL members volunteered to help Amanda O’Banion and the National Book Foundation promote a program in Huntsville called BookUp.  BookUp is an after-school reading program for undeserved middle school kids.  Participants get a new book every week they are in the program.  The vision of the program is not only to create a new generation of readers, but a new generation of confident, engaged citizens.  Currently, the BookUp program is only based in five communities nationwide – four of which are in New York City and one here in Huntsville, Texas.

The National Book Awards brought three of the best writers in the country to Huntsville for a three day event hosted at Sam Houston State University.  The authors (Phil Klay, Fred Moten, & John Corey Whaley) spent time at the University as well as the Boys & Girls club interacting with students.

The Junior Service League was honored to be part of the fundraising efforts and hopes to continue increasing awareness for this very worthwhile program.

For more information, check out this link:  http://nationalbook.org/bookup.html#.VRNi0lr-ubV