Goldfarb Elementary School witnessed double digit gains in our test scores this year and I contribute much of that success to 100 Book Challenge. The program gave students exactly what they needed, that being the ability to apply skills independently that were taught to everyone as a class.
—Dr. Jacqueline S. Conarton, Principal, Goldfarb Elementary School, NV
I am hooked on 100 Book Challenge. The students LOVE it, their attitudes and feelings towards reading are transformed. We can feel the excitement in the air when it’s time to earn a step. One of my children told me last week that he has the ‘reading bug.’ I am trying to tell them to be aware of their reading habits—and to let me know when it feels strange NOT to have a good book to read….we are making progress.
—Third Grade Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD
With 100 Book Challenge, [my son] started reading all the time. … He rose from 2-Green (1st grade) to Black (4th grade) in one year, ending the year on grade level. Now he likes to read.
—Linda Pierce, Fourth Grade Parent, PA
100 Book Challenge is one of the most significant Reading Programs I’ve ever experienced. It supports reading both at home and in school. Kids are introduced to reading as a life style…self-selecting just the right books, allowing them to become successful readers. Kids not only learn ‘how to read’ but to ‘love’ reading as a way of learning. Kids develop the habit of reading.
—Third Grade Teacher, School District of Philadelphia, PA
My child loves to read now. He doesn’t have to be told to read his books. He gathers his books and will come to his mom or dad or older sibling and ask us to listen to him read! Reading is knowledge and Noah is doing a great job with his reading. We are very proud of him.
—Kindergarten Parent, Propel Charter School, PA
Since my daughter began the 100 Book Challenge program, her reading has become more fluent. It has extended her vocabulary, which has helped her become a better writer as well. The gradual increase of reading difficulty has encouraged her to learn new words and has enabled her to read for longer periods of time without getting bored. She also spends more time reading for fun and likes going to the library in search of new reading material. Overall, her language skills have improved tremendously during the course of the 100 Book Challenge program and as a parent I am pleased with my child’s continued progress.
—Third Grade Parent, Margaret Park Elementary School, OH
I am very pleased with the success our child has had with 100 Book Challenge and the way he likes to read now.
—First Grade Parent, Propel Charter School, PA
As a teacher and I finished a conversation from a previous class period, students from the next class began to trickle in. The first two students to enter pulled out their log sheets and bragged about doing their home reading, to the amazement of their teacher. Previously, the one student had only read at home sporadically, while the other had never done homework at all!
—Teacher Coach, Charlotte County School District, FL
Prior to [100 Book Challenge], my son had difficulty reading and did not enjoy it. Now he has a voracious appetite for books. Every evening he wants to read.
—Bonnie Colm, Parent
100 Book Challenge has made a tremendous difference in teaching and learning at our school. Children are reading, reading, reading! Teachers are conferencing and are much more aware of students’ needs and abilities because of it. There is an excitement about reading that permeates the building. Reading is a celebration!
—Pamela Chatelain, Third Grade Teacher, Margaret Park Elementary School, OH
A quiet young fifth grader became our school’s first 100 Step medal winner. His peers cheered for him when his name was announced over the loud speaker. Everyone began asking each other what step they were on. Then they started sharing their favorite books and helping each other. When we bought this program we did not anticipate the collegial spirit it would inspire and the truest sense of community. Our kids are really loving reading!
—Wissahickon Charter School, PA
[100 Book Challenge] is the ONE thing that I did in my school that made a difference and CHANGED THE CULTURE of the school and community
—Middle School Principal, Atlanta Public Schools, GA
The reading atmosphere at our school has drastically changed since implementing Action 100. We read everywhere. Kids and teachers are excited about reading. The two most important pieces are the amount of time that students spend reading and the conferencing that takes place between teachers and students. Parents that are reinforcing this reading at home have said that it has truly changed their students’ lives. One of our parents that has a student with a disability stopped by to tell me that for the first time in her son’s life, he is able to carry on a conversation with her. She truly believes that it is because of all the vocabulary that he has been exposed to in the books he reads every day.
—Angela Gordon, Principal, Oscar J. Pope Elementary, FL
My daughter is very independent now and is able to do things we never thought were possible. She has an uplifting desire to learn. She can even read now because of the 100 Book Challenge.
—Kindergarten Parent, Propel Charter School, PA
Struggling readers were experiencing success since they were able to self-select books at their ‘just right’ level. The embedded incentive component encouraged our students to want to read more and move levels. As a reading teacher, I was so excited to hear my students discussing books. They were actually recommending book titles to each other. I also noticed a strong interest in the selection of non-fiction text.
—Reading Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD
I went into his room to tell him to shut off the TV and go to bed, and [instead of TV] he was reading.
—Parent, School District of Philadelphia, PA
My students are academically achieving more than students I have had in the past. The Research Labs/100 Book Challenge combination allows my learners to read, conference, write, reflect and present on an ongoing basis. I see through relevant assessments and discussions with the students an amazing growth in not only their tremendous amount of stamina, which has helped to develop their reading comprehension and engagement, but the way they can converse on specific topics and utilize appropriate task or thematic vocabulary with ease and nonchalance!
—Danielle Chiaro, 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Jersey City School District, NJ
The 100 Book Challenge not only gives students the opportunity to read; it motivates students to read because it is fun.
—Jane Marie Dewailly, Reading Coach, Volusia County School District, FL
I just wanted…to let you know how GREAT the 100 Book Challenge Program is. I have seen a complete change in [my son] Joey’s outlook on reading. Up until this program started, it was a battle to get him to read anything. We have purchased many books and nothing worked. He now looks forward to reading every night. One night he surprised me when he was so quiet in the Family Room. I asked what he was doing. He replied, ‘I want to log an hour tonight.’ He ended up with an hour and a half.
—Parent, Charlotte County School District, FL
100 Book Challenge has made a tremendous change in my daughter’s reading. When she first started, I didn’t think anything about it, but as time went on Taylor was reading more and so much better. … So I like to thank the school system for going with the 100 Book Challenge. You made a big difference. Thanks!
—Parent, Margaret Park Elementary School, OH