Page Turners Make Great Learners

Helping kids capture the joy of reading

Helping Kids Capture the Joy of Reading
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Our Founders Story

Page Turners began as one mother’s campaign to encourage her child to read.  As a book lover and avid reader, it was a shock to discover my daughter did not share my love of reading.  Drawing inspiration from great authors and memorable characters, I fashioned an after-school book club to motivate my child to read.  And it worked!  With help from great authors like Lemony Snickett, Stephanie Meyer and Lisi Harrison, she kept reading without being prompted. 

By involving friends and classmates, engaging teachers and enhancing the reading experience with hands-on activities, field trips and visits from guest speakers, not only did my child fall in love with books, her classmates did, too. Parents, teachers and  principals embraced the club as enthusiastically as the children.

What began as a campaign born of self-interest became a call to action.  Reading is not just an essential skill, but a flame that, when kindled, can light the way to new adventures, spark imagination and creativity, and fire an ever-growing sense of one’s own possibilities. If a book club could work for children whose parents were eager and able to provide extra enrichment and encouragement, how much more beneficial would it be for children born into less advantaged circumstances? 

Over the past 12 years, Page Turners Make Great Learners has conducted read-a-thons, books clubs and book donation drives benefiting thousands of children in Title I schools in DeKalb, Fulton and Atlanta Public schools.  We are still a young organization striving to make an impact on the lives, education and future of our children through the power of reading.  Because you are here, new doors will open for these children.  I thank you for your support in helping Page Turners achieve its mission. 

To whom much is given, much is required.

FeFe Handy

Founder

Children who don’t read can’t succeed. It’s just that simple.

Page Turners promotes shared reading experiences that engage, inspire and expand students’ knowledge of themselves and the world around them.  When books occupy a central place in a child’s world of entertainment, spirited conversations, personal discoveries and lasting learning are sure to follow.

Our Mission

Page Turners Make Great Learners, Inc.’s mission is to expand children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, themselves and their unique possibilities through a love of reading.

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Page Turners Make Great Learners

P.O. Box 7723, Atlanta, GA 30357

© 2021 · Page Turners Make Great Learners · Website by Rock Paper Scissors

We are with You

At Page Turners Make Great Learners, we believe that all children find themselves when they are lost in the pages of a book. In the company of beloved literary characters, mythical heroes, historical giants, or even evil archvillains, children learn about themselves and who they can choose to become. In this time of civil unrest, books have the power to enlighten, to change perspectives and to heal the wounds of hate and division. This is why Page Turners’ work is more important today than ever before.

Through our in-school book clubs, book donations and author visits, Page Turners strives to introduce children to diverse cultures and view points. For the vast majority of the students we serve, books are a luxury their families can seldom afford. More than 90% of these students are Black. Most of the books they read in school, while of undisputed literary value, do not feature characters who look like them or whose experience mirrors theirs.

Given the current civil unrest in our nation, we believe it is vital to introduce Black authors, characters, and texts to both Black and non-Black parents and children. We hope the titles listed below will spark productive conversations about racism and prejudice and lead to greater empathy, understanding and harmony.

We welcome your thoughts about these books and would love to hear more about the discussions you are having with your families and friends. You can share them on our social media platforms via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What affects Black communities, affects us all.

 

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Slay by Brittany Morris
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Blended by Sharon Draper
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
Infinite Hope by Ashley Bryan
Love by Matt de la Pena
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Crown by Derrick Barnes
New Kid by Jerry Craft