To live and prosper in this
society, all of us must be lifelong learners, with access to knowledge and
skills that can sustain our lives at work, at home, and in our communities. At
least 40 million adults in the U.S. need stronger literacy skills in order to
take full advantage of continuing lifelong learning opportunities. Twenty percent of today’s adult population in the United
States can not read well enough to read a children’s story book.  Literacy
is one of the most important factors in determining whether a child ultimately
goes to college or to prison.  The sad fact is, though, that most kids
would rather watch TV or play a video game than read a book.   

According to
The National Adult Literacy Survey over 40 million Americans over the age of 16
have significant reading deficiencies and 20% of adults read below the fifth
grade level, which greatly hinders their ability to earn a decent wage. As the education level of adults
improves, so does their children’s success in school. Helping low-literate
adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both
the education and quality of life of their children.  

The expense of books
is cited as a reason that people don’t buy and read books. Pay the price for
illiteracy and you’ll find that reading books is a bargain! Ignorance and
illiteracy costs American taxpayers more than $25 billion dollars per year.

Here are some frightening
statistics:

• 43% of people with the lowest literacy skills live in
  poverty.
• 17% of people with the lowest literacy skills receive
  food stamps

• 70% of people with the lowest literacy skills have no
  full or part time job.
• Workers who lack a high school diploma earn a mean
  monthly income of $452 compared to $1,829 for those with a college degree.
  
• 44% of American adults do not read even one book a
  year.
• 13% of all 17-year-olds, and 44% of minority youth,
  are functionally
• illiterate.
• 60% of American prison inmates are illiterate

·        
85%
of juvenile offenders have problems reading

Low literacy and communication
skills have been identified in studies as contributors to general conduct
disorders, psychiatric disorders, criminal  behavior, violence, and
adolescent suicide.   Be the Star You Are! ®charity
is dedicated to increasing literacy by collecting, distributing, and donating
books to groups in need . (http://www.bethestaryouare.org)
Since it’s founding in 1999, this small group of volunteers have donated more
than $1.5 million in books.

If you read between
the lines you’ll understand that it doesn’t matter what adults or children are
reading as long as they are reading.

A little reading every
day will result in a wealth of valuable information in a short time, as well as
an increase in self confidence, self discipline, and self mastery. We must not
permit anything to stand between a child and a book that can improve a life.

Make a resolution this
year to read everyday and get your children involved in the love of books. The
lives you save will be your own. Reading spells SUCCESS!

Read on.  

"Do not look back
and do not dream about the future. It will neither give you back the past, nor
satisfy your other daydreams. Your duty, your reward--your destiny--is in the
present moment." -- Dag Hammarskjöld  

(Cynthia
Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® charity
who reads four books a week plus numerous journals to keep informed. Visit
www.bethestaryouare.org.)