America Reads Challenge [http://www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/] United States Government. July, 1999

"This unprecedented national campaign challenges every American to help all our children learn to read, including those with disabilities and limited English proficiency. The Challenge touches citizens from all walks of life and sparks collaborations between educators, parents, librarians, business people, senior citizens, college students, and community and religious groups."

Born to Read: How to Raise a Reader [http://www.ala.org/alsc/raise_a_reader.html]
American Library Association, Association of Library Service to Children. June, 1999

"The joy of sharing books is a gift you can give children from the time they are born. Chanting nursery rhymes, singing songs, and reading stories can comfort and entertain even the youngest child."

Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement [http://www.ciera.org/]
Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement, University of Michigan School of Education, July, 1999

"CIERA's mission is to imporve the reading achievement of America's children by generating and disseminating theoretical, empirical, and practical solutions to persistent problems in the learning and teaching of beginning reading."

Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader [http://www.ed.gov/pubs/startearly/] U. S. Government. June, 1999

"On the eve of the millennium, the United States is poised for a breakthrough in student reading achievement. If we can move beyond the 'reading war' over instructional methods, we have good reason to be optimistic about progress in reading in the near future."