Burning Through Pages (BTP) has a simple goal - encouraging life-long thinkers by creating life-long readers. BTP comes in at a fragile stage of youth, when the passion from childhood begins to fade and the pressure of adulthood compounds, especially for at-risk youth. We discuss books and read with kids on a weekly basis, making it real, tangible, and exciting for them - ultimately preserving literature, literacy, confidence, and imagination!
Literacy is falling, education is suffering, vocabulary is dismal, imaginations are waning, and kids are so bombarded these days with media. We are trying to reach kids as they hit their early teen years and those in high school to show them that books are fun and actually teach them things they care about. At this pivotal age, kids begin to experience prescribed reading that is often antiquated and "out of touch", leading them away from a love of reading forever.
We have had nationwide, even worldwide attention with our efforts. There is expressed desire all over the country to create additional chapters of BTP - to revive not only paper literature, but a love of reading in kids, increased literacy rates, better outlook and opportunity with education, and communities of young thinkers and readers who take an active role in their lives and in their relationships. We simply cannot do this without the funds to support a staff network and provide books.
That is quite simple. If we can increase the productivity of this organization, the benefits are 10-fold! For the kids: reading levels, critical thinking, vocabulary, writing skills, interpersonal skills, confidence in reading out loud and interacting, healthy replacement of activities, comprehension, passion for reading, and creativity. For bookstores/libraries: reviving paper literature (proven to increase learning)! Authors: introducing their works to kids, encouraging them to read more!
