[CALIBK12] summer reading in Fresno

[Stephen Krashen]

Summer Reading in Fresno
Sent to the Fresno Bee, April 4, 2008

Fresno Central Unified’s decision to keep five
school libraries open during summer is the most
positive action that can be taken to improve literacy
(“Students to get more library options,”
April 4).  As library services supervisor Rae Swiger
noted, summer reading can make the difference. 
Studies have shown that children of poverty and
children from high-income families make equal gains in
literacy through the academic year; the difference is
what happens during the summer. Children from
high-income families read more, because they have more
access to books. 

For many children from lower-income families, the
library is the only source of reading material.  As
the Bee notes, there are few public libraries in
Fresno in crucial areas, and even for those who can
afford to buy books, few bookstores. (Fresno ranked
50th out 69 cities in the US in terms of public
library quality, according to the America’s Most
Literate Cities 2007 survey, and 48th in terms of
bookstores.) 

If the libraries are open, and good reading material
is made available, “incentive” programs
won’t be necessary. The pleasure and excitement
of Goosebumps, Harry Potter, and The Magic Tree House
will be more than enough to keep children reading.

Stephen Krashen