Research shows kids who grow up with books in their home do better in school. And we know that children without access to books over the summer suffer academically—in fact students who don’t read over the summer typically need 4 to 6 weeks to re-learn material they have forgotten. Having books available beyond school doors is a critical part in increasing reading achievement and academic achievement overall.

Providing books to children at an early age is a passion here at Scholastic, so when spotted this teacher’s story on DonorsChoose.org, a website that connects the community to classrooms in need- we had to share it with you!

When Mrs. Mattox from Bowie Elementary School in Grand Prairie, TX asked her students to write down three books they have at home, many of her students only wrote one or two titles. She questioned one of her students about not having three titles and he said “I don’t have three books at home.”

Mrs. Mattox was so sad about this news she decided to give 70 Scholastic books to her 22 students, providing three books for each of her pupils to take home and call their own. She turned to DonorsChoose.org, and asked the public for help. So far, Mrs. Mattox group “I Don’t Have Three Books At Home” has had 17 donors from New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas and Canada, and she is already reached her goal! Every child in her class will get books to take home this summer.

Bowie Elementary is known as a high poverty school, and data has shown that children from low income families have fewer books in their homes and schools and live farther from a public library. Kids need to have access to text if they want a fair shot at succeeding in life and climbing out of poverty—so we encourage people to help an child in need by giving them a simple gift of a book.

Image via Ian Wilson