Children who are proficient and passionate readers by third grade are five times more likely to be college or career ready. Seventy-five percent of students who struggle with reading in third grade never catch up, and they are four times as likely to drop out of high school. Opening Books, Opening Doors is a community initiative dedicated to helping all third graders in the Coeur d’Alene School District meet grade level reading goals. In addition to strategies focused on kindergarten readiness and professional development in the schools, nearly 20,000 new books have been given to students reading below grade-level and 30 first and second-year teachers have received donations to build their classroom libraries.

This Book, a community action campaign launched by Opening Books, Opening Doors, emphasizes the significant benefits a community realizes from childhood reading success. This campaign encourages all citizens to help build a stronger community by taking time to read to a child or donate a book.