Kids Reading Across Rhode Island (KRARI), Rhode Island's One Book, One State community read program for kids, is offered by the RI Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book (RICfB). Each fall the KRARI Committee convenes to select a book that appeals to kids in grades 4-6. The selected book is announced in January/February and throughout the spring copies of the book are distributed by request to public and school libraries for conducting discussions and activities centered on the book. The author of the selected book is invited to a kickoff celebration that is held each May at the RI State House. Public libraries and local organizations are also invited to participate in the kickoff by offering an activity table and promoting their upcoming Summer Reading Program.
The KRARI Committee is advised by Danielle Margarida, OLIS Youth Services Coordinator and Kate Lentz, RICfB Executive Director. Committee members include public youth services librarians, school librarians, retired librarians, and retired educators. The committee is responsible for selecting the book, creating an accompanying resource guide, and planning the kickoff event. Librarians and educators who have experience working with kids in grades 4-6 are invited to join the committee any time of year by contacting Danielle Margarida or Kate Lentz. The committee meets in person approximately five times between September and May. Meeting attendance is not required, but committee members that cannot attend meetings are asked to participate in discussions via email. Committee members are also expected to:
Book sets of the current KRARI selection are available to public and school libraries for conducting discussions and activities. Book sets are typically made available by request March-June. For information about requesting a book set for your library please contact Danielle Margarida.
Kids Reading Across Rhode Island is a project of the RI Office of Library and Information Services in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Kids Reading Across RI 2021 is supported with major funding from: