Whether you work with a school, district, public library, or community-based organization, R.E.A.L. can support your literacy efforts. We provide mentors with the books and guidance they need to lead interactive read-alouds, promote academic and social growth, and make a lasting impact on a child's life.
Scholastic R.E.A.L. | Grades PreK–8
A Mentoring Program with a REAL Impact
Scholastic R.E.A.L. is a literacy-based mentoring program that gives you everything you need to recruit and equip members of your community to support students' academic success.
Scholastic R.E.A.L. | Grades PreK–8
A Mentoring Program with a REAL Impact
Scholastic R.E.A.L. is a literacy-based mentoring program that gives you everything you need to recruit and equip members of your community to support students' academic success.
Real Change Starts with Your Community
What Is a R.E.A.L. Mentor?
Teaching children to read takes teamwork, and families and teachers can't do it alone. Watch Christian Adair explain how R.E.A.L. mentors fill gaps in children's lives and advocate for their success.
“It’s very rare [that] you can find a literacy program that’s going to engage everyone. Everyone has a piece of that puzzle, everyone can be involved in some form.”
–Christian Adair
Books for Families. Academic Growth for Students.
R.E.A.L. isn't just about mentors—it engages everyone in a student's life. With companion guides and take-home books for families and students, R.E.A.L. inspires a love of reading, cultivates well-being, and deepens students' comprehension skills and background knowledge.
Expand Home Libraries
Nurture reading with four diverse, take-home books in each grade-level set.
Maximize Community Partnerships
Recruit and equip positive role models from your community to lead interactive read-alouds and support literacy efforts.
Strengthen Cultural Relevance
Engage readers of all backgrounds with culturally relevant books that reflect diverse characters, communities, and experiences.
Read the Research
R.E.A.L. is built on a foundation of evidence and has been shown to have profound benefits for the students and mentors who participate.
Scholastic R.E.A.L. Foundation Paper
Learn how R.E.A.L. uses evidence-based concepts and practices to improve students’ relationship with reading through interactive read-alouds, modeling by adults, literacy-focused mentoring, family engagement, and expanded home libraries.
Home Libraries Topic Paper
This paper details the importance of creating a literacy-rich home environment for all children and outlines the essential components of a student home library.
Meet R.E.A.L. Mentor | Christian Adair
Christian Adair is the founder and director of Alpha League and a coordinator and program partner for R.E.A.L. Since implementing R.E.A.L. in Fayette County Public Schools, 100% of elementary students in the district now have home libraries that reflect the student population. Adair has welcomed over 500 new volunteers including more than 100 men of color and held over 10,000 interactive read-alouds at 36 elementary schools.
Explore the Program
R.E.A.L. gives you everything you need to build a successful read-aloud mentorship program. A base set is designed for one mentor, 10 students, and four months of mentorship.
High-Quality Books
Four titles with 10 copies for students and one for the mentor (44 books total)
Student Guides
Engaging reading and writing activities that strengthen literacy skills
Family Guides
Activities to encourage family participation and enrich children’s at-home reading experiences
Digital Resource Site
- Digital versions of the Implementation Guide, Community Recruiting Guide, Mentor Guides, Student Guides, and Family Guides that are easy to share with program facilitators and mentors
- Hands-on activities to help families celebrate the joy of reading together
- Additional support materials and tips to prepare mentors for their read-alouds
- Easily downloadable and reproducible materials such as family letters and mentor contracts
Professional Learning for Educator Success
Facilitated Implementation Support
Getting Started with R.E.A.L.: Promoting Literacy Through Mentorship
Three-hour course | In Person or Virtual | Up to 30 participants
Prepare step-by-step plans for recruiting and celebrating mentors, training teachers and families, and ensuring children’s academic success through interactive read-alouds and book discussions.
Consultative Planning
Receive ongoing feedback and support to maximize the impact of R.E.A.L.
Enhance Your R.E.A.L. Experience
My Books Every Day
This books-to-home literacy program encourages a personal connection to reading while nurturing the relationship between families and schools.
Rising Voices Library
Pair diverse stories with instructional materials to broaden the perspectives of students from all backgrounds.
