Mayor Ras J. Baraka has announced that the City of Newark will host the seventh annual “Reading Under the Stars” for youth and families on Wednesday, August 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Ivy Hill Park, at Mt. Vernon Place, in the West Ward. Five acclaimed children’s book authors will read their works. The event is FREE and open to the public. The event is being co-hosted by the Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), and the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services.

“This event is so popular every year because Newark parents instinctively know how reading and storytelling adds to the richness of their family life and to their children’s lifelong success,” Mayor Baraka said. “I am looking forward to reading one of my favorite books to the children on this wonderful summer evening, and I hope to see all Newark families enjoying this fun-filled night and leaving with a full bag of free books for their home libraries.”

Sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the event will offer children’s book giveaways, food, and information on student education opportunities and guidance. Reading is Fundamental, Source of Knowledge Bookstore, the Newark Public Library, and Scholastic, Inc. are also co-sponsors, and will provide resources to attendees. The Newark Office of Sustainability remains a dedicated partner to this event, and will provide books and sustainability information for the public. The Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness will have on site its new Dental Mobile Unit, WIC resources, and offer information on lead abatement services. Additional community partners participating in sharing their resources with the community include: Newark Boys and Girls Club, UVSO, United Community Corporation, Reading Partners, and My Brother’s Keeper. Lastly, principals from five West Ward elementary schools (Mt. Vernon, Ivy Hill, Thirteenth Avenue, Speedway and Lincoln School) will be have a presence at the event.

"We all can remember that one book that changed our lives, created a spark or set us on a path to our destiny. The Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan and the literacy events of the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education is our way to pay it forward and offer this next generation access to rich life changing literature,” said Chief Education Officer for the Office of Comprehensive Community Education Dr. Sharnee Brown. “There is no age limit on receiving access to quality, relevant literature. The truth is we should introduce reading as early as the unborn child, and thus creating a bulwark for illiteracy. Laying a solid reading foundation is transformative, and we have the collective power and genius in Newark to do it. Reading Under the Stars is an exemplar of how the government, community partners and schools can synergize to concretize a solid reading foundation.”

The evening will feature Aneesah Glanton Ross reading her book, Everyone’s Amazing and Special, and a special performance bringing to life the book Greatness by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt.

The Mayor himself will read Together, United, by Tami Charles.

After the reading, the authors will autograph copies of their books for attendees. There will also be food and family activities.

The readings will be followed by a screening of the family movie “Musafa: The Lion King.”

“Scholastic is proud to partner with the City of Newark to ensure students have access to books that support both their reading development and lifelong love of learning,” said Ardelio Valdes, Scholastic Education Solutions. “Research from the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report shows more than half of kids say they enjoy going to community events that involve reading—making events such as Reading Under the Stars a critical piece to engaging readers.”

“Literacy is the foundation for literally anything and everything that one might do in this world. Our ability to read well translates into our ability to think, write, speak and ultimately communicate well and effectively. I have counted the mastery and love of words as one of the greatest joys of my life. Words build worlds and, unfortunately, far too often we find ourselves outside of life’s many gates because of our lack of mastery around words. My hope for our community is that through literacy we can build miraculous things that we haven’t, yet, even imagined!” said writer and theater luminary TaNisha Fordham.

“Growing up in Newark, books were my passport to possibility. Events like Reading Under the Stars remind us that a single story, shared aloud, can spark a lifetime of imagination, curiosity, and hope," said New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles.

“The Newark Public Library is a proud supporter of Reading Under the Stars. We appreciate and enjoy this event every year, it is such a joy to situate reading right in the heart of our community. I have a personal love for this program since it was my first public event as the leader of NPL and I am so proud to see it growing and thriving each year,” said Newark Public Library Director Christian Zabriskie.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, will provide free books to the children of Newark to build their home libraries and inspire a joy of reading.

In its seventh year as a title sponsor of Reading Under the Stars, the Madan/Russo Organization, owner/operators of five McDonald’s in the Newark/North Jersey area will attend the event and serve 600 children’s happy meals.

About the Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan

In July 2023, Mayor Baraka, Dr. Brown, Newark Board of Education Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Dr. Mary Ann Reilly, The Newark Library Director Christian G. Zabriskie, and other dignitaries launched a 10-point plan to address child literacy for toddlers through third graders.

This Reading Under the Stars event is one way to implement part of the Trust’s 10 actionable steps. Schools, parents, and community organizations can undertake these steps now and in the coming school year to put Newark’s students back on track.