Little Red Readers 2021-2022

Little Red Readers is a program designed to foster a sense of community throughout the district and establish our varsity student-athletes as mentors for younger students.

Research indicates that youth who can identify a positive role model in their lives have higher grades and self-esteem than those who can’t, particularly when the youth knows their role model on a personal level. Studies also show that when youth can identify positive role models within their family or school, they are more likely to make healthy lifestyle choices regarding nutrition and exercise.

In the Little Red Readers program, ICSD varsity student-athletes make connections with younger students through weekly book readings. Every other Friday, a new "Mystery Reader" records themselves reading a favorite childhood book, and the recording is shared with students at all eight of our elementary schools the following Monday. In addition to the reading, each student-athlete also shares a handful of fun facts about themselves, creating more meaningful connections for the younger students.

Mystery Readers are encouraged to choose books that promote anti-racism, inclusion, and equity, like Anti-Racist Baby by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi or All Are Welcome Here by Alexandra Penfold, and some will read in languages other than English.  

Week of June 6 Nicole and Jemma Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen View recording >> Week of May 23 Ainslie and Gabriella The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson View recording >> Week of May 9 Elodie Fey Change Sings by Amanda Gorman View recording >> Week of May 9 Aya Oulida In My Mosque by M. O. Yuksel View recording >> Week of April 25 Will Holmes The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad View recording >> Week of April 25 River Toffolo Keep Walking by W.S. Mason View recording >> Week of April 11 Aysia Louis Ambitious Girl by Meena Harris View recording >> Week of March 28 Xuyan & David Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho View recording >> Week of March 14 Mia and Sophia The Boy with the Rainbow Heart by W.S. Mason View recording >> Week of February 28 Julia Blakeslee The World Needs More Purple People  by Benjamin Hart & Kristen Bell View recording >> Week of February 14 Oche Onah Skin Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry View recording >> Week of January 31 Crosby & Alice We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom View recording >> Week of January 31 Aitan & Laila Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall View recording >> Week of January 17 Eli Simons Dot by Peter H. Reynolds View recording >> Week of January 3 Lila Travers I've Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb View recording >>