Readers Are Leaders - Assistance League - San JoseAssistance League

Established 2007

The purpose of Readers Are Leaders is to instill the love of reading in young students by having volunteers read in their classrooms on a regular basis.
Click here to see the 2024-2025 Readers Are Leaders Book List.
Click here to learn about the history of Readers Are Leaders.

Readers Are Leaders volunteers entertain, enlighten and encourage the students as they read quality, age-appropriate literature to them including books about science, biographies and fiction. On each visit members read two books that are then donated to the classroom library along with enrichment activities to instill a love of reading and to improve the quality and quantity of the classroom library for in-class reading.

Readers Are Leaders Volunteer Reading in a Classroom

During the holiday season each student is gifted a hard cover book from the National Geographic’s series of Little Kids First Big Books of various topics. Several other times each year, each student also receives a paperback book. Today’s readers are tomorrow’s readers!

2022 Ryan School - Big Book of Why for students

Thank You Valentine to Readers Are Leaders

We received your generous donation [several cartons of books] this afternoon. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your help and contributions.

Mark Dooley, Library Media Tech - Muwekma Ohlone Middle School

“Ms.LoForti, I don’t think I’m going to be able to concentrate today because I have to read this book right now.” Thank you to you and everyone who made it possible for the kids to receive those books. We’re starting our animal research projects in the new year, so the animal books will be perfect for that.

Laurie LoForti, Stipe Elementary School

To all the volunteers at the Assistance League of San Jose, please know that your efforts extend far beyond the walls of our classrooms. You are instrumental in instilling a lifelong love for reading and learning in our students. Your kindness and unwavering support are truly invaluable to us, and we are immensely grateful to have you as cherished members of our school community.

Kareen Rivas, 2nd grand teacher, Ryan STEAM Academy

Thank you for all that you do for us here at Almaden. We are very happy to partner with Readers Are Leaders who enrich our students, and staff, in many ways. The kids love receiving books! I am also looking forward to the books for the classroom and will be sure to apply for the $50 grant.

Michele Vega, 2nd grade teacher, Almaden Elementary

I absolutely love the idea of different activities accompanying the books, and that they are translated in Spanish so parents and families can get involved in the reading too.

Katsuri Basu, Principal, Lyndale Elementary School

I so appreciate our partnership over the years and also appreciate the additional money that I could use to buy books as well. I look forward to the readers visiting in person as that is such a huge part of the gift – seeing readers who are passionate to share books with students.

Dedra Downing, 2nd grade teacher, Stipe Elementary