CLEVELAND \u2014 Now is your chance to change some lives right here in Northeast Ohio. It\u2019s time for News 5\u2019s annual If You Give a Child a Book campaign. On Wednesday, News 5 anchor Katie Ussin spent some time with a few kids who were eager to share how much reading means to them.<\/p>\n
Royel is a second grader at Stephanie Tubbs Jones School. It\u2019s one of two Title I schools that benefit from the campaign. He\u2019s still early in his reading journey, but he\u2019s caught the bug.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to read every one,\u201d he said, when Katie asked what books he likes to read. That\u2019s thanks, in part, to his big brothers. Messiah is in the 5th grade. He likes the Dog Man books. Cortez is the oldest; he\u2019s in the 6th grade.<\/p>\n
\u201cI read to both of them,\u201d he said of his two younger brothers. Big brothers reading to little brothers, growing their own skills along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilds teamwork,\u201d Cortez told us. To which Royel enthusiastically responded: \u201cAnd teamwork makes the dream work!\u201d<\/p>\n
This trio has been able to build up their home library thanks to free Scholastic Book Fairs held each spring and fall, funded by your generous donations during this campaign.<\/p>\n
Sixth grader Rylee can\u2019t wait for the next one.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe book fair is awesome,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her parents have instilled a love of reading in her, along with a love of the arts. She wants to be an artist when she grows up. She may even find some inspiration now, in stories.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like getting books that I want, whether they\u2019re older books or newer books or middle age books or something like that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Even kids who don\u2019t necessarily love to pick up a book know it\u2019s still important. As an 8th grader, Artavia told Katie, \u201cReading is actually good for you, even if you like it or don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She knows building this skill is essential. She\u2019s thinking about becoming a hairstylist or maybe a chef. Either will require her to read up.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecipes, reading the ingredients on the box, tablespoons, how many to put in there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
All of these kids know that books open doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome kids don\u2019t get the opportunity to get or read books in life,\u201d Rylee said. \u201cThey may not be the best reader, but with more books at our school, that\u2019s an awesome opportunity because you get to read a lot of books.\u201d<\/p>\n