READING BETWEEN THE LINES

READING BETWEEN THE LINES
by Cynthia Brian

To live and prosper in this society, all of us must be lifelong learners, with access to knowledge and skills that can sustain our lives at work, at home, and in our communities. At least 40 million adults in the U.S. need stronger literacy skills in order to take full advantage of continuing lifelong learning opportunities. Twenty percent of today’s adult population in the United States can not read well enough to read a children’s story book.  Literacy is one of the most important factors in determining whether a child ultimately goes to college or to prison.  The sad fact is, though, that most kids would rather watch TV or play a video game than read a book.   

According to The National Adult Literacy Survey over 40 million Americans over the age of 16 have significant reading deficiencies and 20% of adults read below the fifth grade level, which greatly hinders their ability to earn a decent wage. As the education level of adults improves, so does their children’s success in school. Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children.  

The expense of books is cited as a reason that people don’t buy and read books. Pay the price for illiteracy and you’ll find that reading books is a bargain! Ignorance and illiteracy costs American taxpayers more than $25 billion dollars per year.

Here are some frightening statistics:

• 43% of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty.
• 17% of people with the lowest literacy skills receive food stamps

• 70% of people with the lowest literacy skills have no full or part time job.
• Workers who lack a high school diploma earn a mean monthly income of $452 compared to $1,829 for those with a college degree.
• 44% of American adults do not read even one book a year.
• 13% of all 17-year-olds, and 44% of minority youth, are functionally
• illiterate.
• 60% of American prison inmates are illiterate

·         85% of juvenile offenders have problems reading

Low literacy and communication skills have been identified in studies as contributors to general conduct disorders, psychiatric disorders, criminal  behavior, violence, and adolescent suicide.   Be the Star You Are! ®charity is dedicated to increasing literacy by collecting, distributing, and donating books to groups in need . (http://www.bethestaryouare.org) Since it’s founding in 1999, this small group of volunteers have donated more than $1.5 million in books.

If you read between the lines you’ll understand that it doesn’t matter what adults or children are reading as long as they are reading.

A little reading every day will result in a wealth of valuable information in a short time, as well as an increase in self confidence, self discipline, and self mastery. We must not permit anything to stand between a child and a book that can improve a life.  

Make a resolution this year to read everyday and get your children involved in the love of books. The lives you save will be your own. Reading spells SUCCESS!

Read on.  

"Do not look back and do not dream about the future. It will neither give you back the past, nor satisfy your other daydreams. Your duty, your reward--your destiny--is in the present moment." -- Dag Hammarskjöld  

(Cynthia Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® charity who reads four books a week plus numerous journals to keep informed. Visit www.bethestaryouare.org.)