World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which will see tens of thousands of people share books with others in their communities across America to spread the joy and love of reading on April 23. I delivered my books to the third grade class of Benteen Elementary. Why third grade you ask? Initially it was based on information I discovered saying that state correctional state planners looked at reading scores of second or third grade students for projecting the state's prison population. But later more legitimate research showed this was an urban myth. Still The myth probably has survived and circulated for more than a decade because it reflects the more fundamental truth that there is a powerful connection between school failure and crime. Several early childhood studies have shown that disadvantaged children who enter strong preschool programs are far less likely to get mixed up in crime when they get older. So here's me doing my part, I was given the opportunity to be a Giver for world book night and I'm happy to say that a group of third graders went home today with The Enders Game.

citation: Bill Graves http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/03/prisons_dont_use_reading_score.html