D.C. Youth Hit the Books During Big Read Event

Boys Town Washington, D.C. kicked off the Big Read Event in collaboration with the District of Columbia Public Library, with acclaimed authors Marita Golden and R. Dwayne Betts to encourage youth in reading and writing.

The Event, which happens nationwide annually, selects a book for youth to read and then follows with book discussions. It motivates youth to step away from their online world and become enthusiastic about, and interested in, reading.

“Aside from building on skills that our youth learn while at Boys Town, they are able to relate to each other through the open-format the discussion allows,” said Tara Dunston, Boys Town Washington, D.C., Administrative Assistant who helped coordinate the event with D.C. Public Library and the Capitol City Links Chapter. “During the first session I was impressed by their enthusiasm to read and touched by their connection with the discussion’s theme of self-worth and dignity.”

There are now four scheduled book discussions at Boys Town Washington, D.C., during the D.C. Big Read Event. During the first session, 12 youth attended and Boys Town is hoping to have that same turnout for the remaining sessions. Throughout each session, the youth are to discuss this year’s Big Read selection, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.

“The Big Read Event is a great way to get the youth jumpstarted with reading for the summer,” said Jessica Neal, Boys Town Washington, D.C., In-Home Family Services Administrative Assistant. “We hope to extend a partnership with the D.C. Public Library to further encourage our youth to read.”