News

Florida Celebration of Reading returns for 16th year

Evelyn Longa | The News-Press – Roblero-Hernandez, the mother of two sons and two daughters, did not know the days of the week or months or how to write a sentence when she started participating in a literacy program three years ago at Family Literacy at Grace Place in Naples, the recipient of a Barbara Bush literacy grant.

Today, Roblero-Hernandez is reading at almost a third-grade level, according to Diane Ponton, the director of Family Literacy for Grace Place, who added that acquiring the skill to read will open new doors and possibilities for […]

Six questions for best-selling author Carol Higgins Clark

Evelyn Longa | The News-Press – Carol Higgins Clark, author of the best-selling Regan Reilly mysteries, is appearing at the Florida Celebration of Reading at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs on Friday, Feb 5. It will be her third appearance at the popular fundraising event that supports the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. The author, who is the daughter of best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark, participated in a telephone Q&A from […]

Deborah Bryant

Sierra Mannie | Jackson Free Press – The first lady of Mississippi, Deborah Bryant, gave high praise to local students on Jan. 14.

Bryant, a Jackson native, spoke before a crowd of students from Spann Elementary School, Murrah High School and Jackson Academy assembled in the Spann library Thursday, all of whom participate as mentors and mentees in […]

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy essay contest deadline extended, Jan. 22

GSMA | Naples Daily News – The essay topic will focus on the following aspect of Drew Daywalt’s New York Times best-selling book, “The Day the Crayons Quit”: The book’s main character, Duncan, opens his desk one day to find a stack of letters where his crayons should be. His crayons have quit, and […]

First Lady Deborah Bryant Helps Promote Barbara Bush Foundation Mentoring Program

Desare Frazier | MPB | Jackson, MS – The pair are in The Teen Trendsetters program sponsored by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. They launched the project in Jackson, last fall. It pairs elementary schools with mentors from area high and middle schools. Liza McFadden is president of the foundation. […]

Teen mentor reading program hailed, hopes to expand

Sherry Lucas | The Clarion-Ledger | Jackson, MS – Teen Trendsetters has 201 mentors and 211 mentees in the program in Jackson, said Liza McFadden, Barbara Bush Foundation president, “and we’re continuing to grow.” When children come into the program, a parent signs a contract with the child, that the child will read to them twice a week, a key responsibility to bring fun back into the family.

JPS Students Become Teachers

Lauren Fluker | WJTV 12 | Jackson, MS – “Children up till the third grade are learning how to read, and then after the third grad they are using the
reading to learn,” Barbara Bush Foundation C.E.O, Liza McFadden said. […]

Best-selling authors Mary and Carol Higgins Clark join line-up for Celebration of Reading

Naples Daily News – Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, New York Times best-selling authors and mother-daughter duo, have joined the line-up for the 16th annual Florida Celebration of Reading hosted by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy on Friday, Feb. 5 at […]

Mentor program connects teens with at-risk kids in Ohio

Eric Lagatta | Times Recorder | Zanesville, OH – “I know that one of the things that makes a big difference for students is that peer mentoring,” said Steve Foreman, the director of Title I and special programs. “I’m looking to show kids: What does a high school student look like? What do they need to do?” […]

Local High School Students Become Role Models For Elementary Kids in Ohio

Ross Caruso | Wiznews.com | Zanesville, OH – With this being the first year of the program, it already has 50 plus high school students involved. Students will be spending a few hours after school on Mondays and Wednesday’s with their mentees working on homework and […]