Inspiring Young Readers
Beyond the Book is a literacy program designed to support children who are developing their reading skills, and those who are below the "decoding threshold" — the point at which students can read text accurately and efficiently. When students fall below this threshold, they often struggle with reading comprehension at grade level. Beyond the Book helps bridge that gap by introducing vibrant, engaging stories that showcase the wonders of children's literature, making reading an exciting and accessible adventure.
At DC Public Library, we are uniquely positioned to spark curiosity in young readers and empower families with the tools they need to support their child's growth as a confident reader. Through this program, children discover the joy of reading in a supportive, nurturing environment, which not only enhances their reading skills but also builds their confidence and love for learning. Beyond the Book encourages both children and caregivers to explore the vast resources our library offers, creating a community where children can thrive as readers and lifelong learners.
Your Beyond the Book membership includes:
- A Beyond the Book Club membership card
- A monthly newsletter with tips and tricks for developing readers
- A free copy of the seasonal Featured Book and/or Activity Packet (While supplies last)
- Exclusive invites to author talks and other fun family events
- BONUS: Does your family have a library card? If not, caregivers can get a DC Public Library card when their child signs up for Beyond the Book!
To register, visit your neighborhood library, or use the online registration form then stop by your neighborhood library to pick up your membership card.
Sign Up For Beyond the Book
Winter 2024 | Buckle Up
About The Book
Buckle Up by Lawrence Lindell is a vibrant and thought-provoking graphic novel that invites readers on a journey through a world of self-discovery, resilience, and the African American experience. This beautifully illustrated work explores themes of identity, culture, and the importance of community, making it a perfect complement to the DC Public Library’s Green Book exhibition, which celebrates the rich history of African American travel and resilience.
In Buckle Up, Lindell’s powerful storytelling and striking visuals guide readers through a narrative that both entertains and educates, reflecting the spirit of overcoming adversity in the face of systemic challenges. The book highlights personal growth and the strength of identity, resonating deeply with themes explored in the Green Book exhibition, which highlights how African Americans navigated the complexities of segregation while embracing empowerment through travel.
Through Buckle Up, readers will be inspired to reflect on their own journeys, connect with the stories of those who came before, and embrace the importance of navigating the world with resilience and courage. This book is not only a captivating read but also an essential piece of the conversation about the ongoing fight for equity and justice.
About the Activity Book
Go Beyond the Book to build on your experience of reading Buckle Up with fun learning activities! Explore the colors of your own feelings, what it means to be inclusive, and more! If you complete the activity book, please send a picture of your favorite activity to readingprograms@dc.gov or tag us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #BeyondTheBookDC.
Supporting Your Developing Reader
What is a developing reader?
A Developing Reader is someone that is learning how to use foundational reading skills and their background knowledge to understand text. A developing reader is interested in books but can’t yet read them independently or may be able to read some words but require support to convey meaning from print. Developing readers tend to be between the ages of children 5-8 that are starting their educational journey.
Developing Readers enjoy a variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction. As they gain more foundational reading skills such as the mastery of phonics and word comprehension they increasingly read books with more complex text and vocabulary words. Most excitingly, is that developing readers begin to discover that reading happens everywhere.
How do children learn to read?
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There are five key important categories that are important to be successful readers. These categories are not listed in a particular order.
Fluency
Fluent readers have mastered the multitasking skills of a reader’s ability to decode words and comprehend them at the same time. Fluent readers read smoothly and with expression. Read aloud to your child and listen to them read aloud. Discuss with them what a reader sounds like. Reading familiar text will help your child build their confidence as a reader and their fluency skills.
Reading Motivation
Make reading personal for your child. Children should love the things that they are reading. The more they enjoy the topic of books, the more they will want to read. Keep your child’s interest at the forefront of the reading process. Allow them to explore and pick books that appeal to their interests.
Comprehension
Comprehension is all about your child’s ability to understand what they are reading. It is the ability for the child to make connections with the story to their own life, make predictions, explain the story, and so much more. A developing reader’s comprehension skills can be strengthened by making observations about illustrations and discussions around the story’s plot. Repetition also makes a big difference, so make sure you reread stories and make observations about the illustrations. Have a conversation with your child about what they are reading.
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Decoding
Words are made of letters and those letters make sounds. Combined sounds make words that possess meaning. Decoding is what happens when readers put sounds together to figure out words. Practice sounding out words with your child and practicing common sound patterns they often hear. As their decoding skills grow, they will learn more about how to sound out larger words and identify more complex sound patterns such as vowel sounds and consonant blends.
Background Knowledge
This is all about what a child knows before they open the book. What is in their immediate environment that gives them access to the information presented in the text? You can build upon your child’s knowledge by teaching them new vocabulary words and introducing them to new experiences.
Developing reader tips
Developing readers have to do a lot of work as readers. This is the beginning of their journey where they will start to read not only for enjoyment but also for performance. It is important to
keep it fun while encouraging them to learn new reading skills.
Start with what the child knows and likes. Read about things that are of interest or bring joy, like sports, the arts and other activities. Think about all of the things you’ve done to help your child to enjoy the practice of reading. Keep doing those things and elevate your practice by supporting their book selections, and discussing how reading relates to life activities and experiences.
- Pause when you are reading together and ask them questions about the story or think your thoughts out loud so they can see how you make meaning from the stories you read.
- If your child knows the alphabet song, start to sing the song with the letter sounds versus the letter names.
- Expand the alphabet song by finding names of things they love that match the sound or sound pattern. This can be done as you’re walking around your neighborhood.
When you are at the library, look for easy readers, speakerbooks, picture books and books of poetry. These are great kinds of books for your developing reader. Check out DC Public Library's recommended reads and resources for kids to find titles for readers of all levels!
About Beyond the Book
This seasonal program builds on the Books from Birth program, an initiative with Imagination Library that mails a new book each month to children in DC from birth to age 5. Beyond the Book, generously funded by the DC Public Library Foundation, is a city-wide reading and learning club that engages Books from Birth graduates as well as developing readers across DC around a carefully selected title along with fun and educational learning activities that will deepen their understanding and enjoyment of the book as well as build their reading skills.
