TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Over 500 students at Ruediger Elementary School received two free books each during the \u201cLet\u2019s Read\u201d Book Fair Tuesday.<\/p>\n
WCTV partnered with Midtown Reader and the Community Foundation of North Florida to help get books into the hands and homes of students in Leon County\u2019s Title I schools, where access to books can be limited.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say we\u2019re excited would be an understatement,\u201d said Midtown Reader owner Sally Bradshaw as she waited for students to rush through the doors. <\/p>\n
She said providing books for students to take home plays a key role in continuing learning outside the classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something special about being able to pick out a brand new book, see yourself in the story and begin the process of reading, or continue that process at home,\u201d Bradshaw said. <\/p>\n
She added that reading at home can improve vocabulary and critical thinking skills.<\/p>\n
The event marked the second of three book fairs scheduled this year, all aimed at encouraging early literacy and helping students build strong reading foundations. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps reinforce all of that at home, what they are learning in school, and eventually they will learn that reading is fun,\u201d said assistant principal of Ruediger Elementary School, Melissa Sumner.<\/p>\n
Five hundred fifteen students attend Ruediger Elementary, and each student selected two books to take home, according to Sumner. Books were also set aside for students who were absent from school and couldn\u2019t attend the book fair. <\/p>\n
Bradshaw said the initiative began three years ago through a grant that is now in its final year. Organizers are hoping that community support will allow the program to continue.<\/p>\n
The final book fair of the year is scheduled for next month at Hartsfield Elementary School.<\/p>\n
Donations are still being accepted. More information can be found here. <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe hope it helps them build their home library and that will instill a lifelong love of learning and reading,\u201d Bradshaw said.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n