This column by David Brooks in the NYWT is all about giving school kids free books to take home during the summer:

Recently, book publishers got some good news. Researchers gave 852 disadvantaged students 12 books (of their own choosing) to take home at the end of the school year. They did this for three successive years.

Then the researchers, led by Richard Allington of the University of Tennessee, looked at those students’ test scores. They found that the students who brought the books home had significantly higher reading scores than other students. These students were less affected by the “summer slide” — the decline that especially afflicts lower-income students during the vacation months. In fact, just having those 12 books seemed to have as much positive effect as attending summer school.

This study, along with many others, illustrates the tremendous power of books. We already knew, from research in 27 countries, that kids who grow up in a home with 500 books stay in school longer and do better. This new study suggests that introducing books into homes that may not have them also produces significant educational gains.

Be sure to read the entire thing.

I’m linking to this today because I’ve been working on something behind-the-scenes for several months. In addition to slowly putting together a scholarship program (couple years away, I hope?), I’ve been working with funders and educators to develop a program that puts 10-12 books in the hands of a few hundred kids in rural areas of Kentucky. Normally don’t speak of things before the dotted line is signed, but I’ll buy the books myself if I have to. And Brooks’ column reinforces my belief that if you give kids the chance to read – not just from their school library (if they have one) – their lives can be changed for the better.

But enough of my rambling. I want your input on stories about Kentucky or books (fiction or non-fiction) by Kentucky authors to be considered for purchase.

What are your suggestions? Any great, interesting, exciting or essential reads for Kentucky youth? Probably high school sophomore-aged, so not stuff for kids.

It’s not too tough to find a few hundred folks who will read. Those young Kentuckians are likely to share those books they love with friends. At a minimum, no one can tell me that’s not a good thing. At a maximum, the literacy rates in Kentucky’s high schools could be improved by a millionth of a percent. (Don’t think it’s necessary? Read a few educational audits from high schools around the state – you’ll wet yourself in fear.)

So… give me the 411. Books? Authors? Get crackin.

Oh, and if anyone wants to give me money (there’ll be a full accounting, no worries) for the endeavor or if there are enterprising authors and publishers out there who want to give us great books, email me.