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The Ridgecrest Corps’ summer Reading Zone becomes year-round.
Kids in Ridgecrest, California, are rediscovering reading for pleasure, thanks to the local Salvation Army’s Reading Zone, where they can select a new book weekly, free of charge, and receive a treat—often ice cream—upon finishing a book. This summer, the Reading Zone distributed more than 800 books.
Inspired by a Camp Redwood Glen program that encourages campers to spend 30 minutes a day reading or resting, Ridgecrest Corps Officers Captains Chris and Gina Noble started the Summer Reading Zone in 2022. They created spaces in the corps’ thrift store and its social service lobby where kids could relax with a book. Recently, the Reading Zone became a year-round program, potentially helping kids develop a new habit while supporting literacy.
“When I was a child, a book was a treasure—and it still is a treasure,” thrift store regular Lahoma Boyd said, pausing at the Reading Zone nook as she entered the store. “It’s so important. And once they start reading, they get enthusiastic, and they read more…You can go on adventures. You can learn.”
Boyd said she always notices the kids at the Reading Zone. She likes seeing what they’re choosing and sometimes offers a recommendation. It’s encouraging, she said, in a time when many kids don’t seem to enjoy reading.
Research shows pleasure reading has decreased, particularly among middle-schoolers. The Reading Zone is doing its part to avert a trend that children’s publisher Scholastic calls the “Decline by Nine”—while 57 percent of 8-year-olds read for pleasure, only 35 percent of 9-year-olds do. Scholastic also found that as kids grow older the trend continues; rarely is there a rebound.
Some analysts blame social media and screens for the decline, since middle school is often when kids get their first smartphone. Others suggest a breakdown in peer recommendations that occurred during the pandemic and hasn’t resumed, or the possibility that as kids get older their schedules get too full for pleasure reading.
Scholastic suggests it’s possible to re-engage a child in reading. This is where a program like the Reading Zone can make a difference, allowing kids to choose books and giving them a space where they can comfortably read and share their favorites, bringing back the lost practice of peer recommendations.
Local schools also support the Reading Zone.
“We highly encourage students and parents to participate in the Reading Zone,” said Melanie Branson, science teacher and At-Risk Socio/Economically Challenged Specialty Counselor for the Sierra Sands Unified School District. ”Literacy is so important to youth and teen success, which allows them to access all subjects and careers later on in life with such a strong foundation.”
This year the corps received a grant from the Harrell Foundation of Bakersfield (California) for its literacy program, allowing the Reading Zone to continue year-round. The grant designated funds for purchasing books and for beautifying the reading spaces.
Gina Noble purchases all the Reading Zone books at Ridgecrest’s only independent, family-owned bookstore, Red Rock Books.
Store owner Ann Rizzardini and staff prepare orders by age group in a monthly rotation. Noble said they choose books of literacy excellence, focusing on spiritual awareness and growth, life skills, social advocacy and empowerment.
“It is a great partnership that supports a local small business and inspires our whole community,” Noble said.
Among the regulars at the Reading Zone are Lynette Minnick and her daughters, Elise (7) and Eva (5).
“The girls read every night, instead of watching TV,” Minnick said. “Elise wakes up at 7 a.m. and asks if she can please read. Eva knows all her letters and is beginning to sound out the words…The girls pass their books along to others after they’ve read them.”
As the site of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Ridgecrest is home to many military personnel. Noble said one military family, new in town, has been making weekly trips to the corps’ thrift store as they unpack, donating no-longer-needed household items. Meanwhile, the children visit the Reading Zone, where so far they’ve received 12 books. Noble said she’s also linked the family to Red Rock Books and the local library.
“Reading knows no neighborhood or need,” she said. “Reading can connect families, schools and community.”
Others frequenting the Reading Zone are a home-schooling family who appreciate the free books, and kids arriving at the corps for youth events, where early arrivals can select books and settle into the Zone.
Along with supporting literacy, Noble said another program goal is to teach children to pay it forward.
“The kids know we’ll give them a new book,” she said. “With those they’ve finished, I tell them, ‘If it’s your favorite, hang on to it. But when you outgrow it, give it away. Share the magic.’”
Noble anticipates the program will continue to grow. Meanwhile, she said a local daycare center now participates, and three neighborhood lending libraries have started because of the Reading Zone.
“We are blessed by books and reading,” she said. “It’s so easy; anyone can do this.”
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