This project is now in update mode. Check back regularly to see how things are progressing.
With Your Help, We Did It!
Over the summer, a group of young readers met in Worlds of Words for a focus group to better understand their needs as readers. They expressed a desire for more social connection. This connection certainly happens between peers in the program, and it also is a function of a wider community who connects in digital spaces like their Instagram or podcast feeds.
The success of this crowdfund campaign, to hit 126% of our fundraising goal, does mean that we will be able to distribute more books, fly in authors who we otherwise couldn't afford, and reach out to connect to readers across the country. It also means so much to be able to tell them the community -- YOU -- support their love of reading and attempts to connect with other readers and experiences through literature.
A Middle School Reading Ambassador shares her sketch with author and illustrator, Jose Pimienta, at a cartooning workshop run by the artist. Pimienta flew to Tucson for the workshop and provided special edition books to participants who bravely shared their work.
You haven't heard the last from us yet. This November we launch season 4 of WOW Reads, a new video short series, and start prep for the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books -- all with the help of your generous gifts!
Catch the Reading Ambassadors in Action
Reading Ambassadors participate in literature discussions with books that offer multiple perspectives and equip them to be critical thinkers, empathetic citizens and reading promoters. Those experiences include hosting events with the book authors. Please join these remarkable readers in action this October as they meet Jose Pimienta.
Author events are special because they are planned, promoted and moderated by Reading Ambassadors. From selecting refreshments to crafting thoughtful questions, these readers take ownership of the process. They are eager to show their peers—and you—the power of literature.
Middle School Reading Ambassadors Present Jose Pimienta
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Worlds of Words Center, College of Education, Room 453
Reading Ambassadors will interview Pimienta while participating in a drawing workshop. The event concludes with a book signing. Campus Stores will be on site to sell copies of the books.
Why Your Support Matters
These events are more than just opportunities to meet authors—they are moments of community engagement, where Reading Ambassadors hone their abilities as organizers, moderators and champions of literature for people their ages. Your support will make a huge impact, allowing the Reading Ambassadors to access a variety of books, participate in thoughtful discussions and develop the skills they need to be leaders—both in their school and other social contexts.
By attending these events, you'll witness first-hand how your contributions can support these readers. You'll see them ask probing questions, foster discussions on critical issues and create spaces for their peers to engage with literature in new and exciting ways.
How You Can Get Involved
- Attend the Events: We would be thrilled to have you join us. Not only will you have the chance to meet a talented author/illustrator, but you'll also see the impressive work the Reading Ambassadors have done.
- Spread the Word: Help us get the word out to others who might be interested in attending or supporting our efforts. Share the event details with your friends, colleagues and anyone who believes in the power of books.
- Make a Donation: Your financial support will allow us to sustain our growing program and bring in more in-person authors. Large or small, every contribution makes a difference.
Together, we can ensure that the Reading Ambassadors continue to discover the world through literature and help shape it using their voices. We look forward to seeing you at these exciting events!
Reading Ambassadors Making Digital Connections
It may seem sweet to have adorable kids engaging in the quaint act of reading, but we see ourselves on the cutting edge of children's literature with plenty of opportunities for digital connection. The sustained focused reading we do with the hard copies of our books combined with the energy from so many bagels not only helps us gain new perspectives on the world, it helps us with the persistence to learn new technologies. This year, we will record the fourth season of our podcast, WOW Reads, while growing into additional digital spaces. This may include video, and it will most certainly include creating interactive graphics (click the image for an example).
Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content
This work was conducted through our partnership with DIALL (the University of Arizona College of Education's Digital Innovation and Learning Lab). This is one of many partnerships the Reading Ambassadors have that also includes U of A Campus Store and the Tucson Festival of Books.
$19
A Book
The average price for a hardcover MG or YA book is $19. Your gift at this level will provide a book to a middle or high school reader or to their school.
$55
Bagel Bundles
Anyone who listened to the 2024 recap episode of the WOW Reads podcast knows Reading Ambassadors are serious about their bagels. Your gift of $55 covers bagels, cream cheese, and hot chocolate for one of our meetings.
$179
Educational Supplies
Literature discussions are lively events that can include activities designed for multiple modalities of learning. We use high-quality paper, printer paper, butcher paper and newsprint. We use pencils, pens, crayons, markers and paint. Clipboards, lanyards, stickers and other materials come into play. Our laminator can get quite a workout too! Your gift of $179 covers all this.
$380
Book Browse
Reading Ambassadors choose their own books, but they need to see the books first to make that determination. To make this possible, we offer a book browse of between 15 and 20 books at a cost of $380. These books will then be incorporated into center holdings or distributed as part of the program.
$880
All the Bagels!
We do enjoy our bagels -- and strawberries with chocolate icing and hot chocolate! That much gooey goodness requires plates and napkins and cups. Your gift of $880 covers all the refreshments and tableware for lit discussions and public events.
$1,310
Books for an Entire Cycle
Reading Ambassadors read four books for this program. Worlds of Words spends $665 on each group for each cycle. Your gift of $1,310 will cover an entire cycle of books for both groups. To show our gratitude for gifts at this level, we will thank you on an episode of the WOW Reads podcast.
$2,000
National Author Honorarium
The Reading Ambassadors have had virtual visits from authors zooming in from Japan and the U.K. and both U.S. coasts; however, nothing beats an in-person visit. Your gift of $2,000 will allow the Reading Ambassadors to fly a national author to Tucson for a public event. To show our gratitude for gifts at this level, we will thank you on an episode of the WOW Reads podcast and tell an appropriate joke of your choosing.
$5,240
All the Books!
Each Reading Ambassador receives a free book for their personal library AND a book to share with their school or in another community context. We purchase an average of 35 books for each Reading Ambassador group for all four rounds at a cost of $5,240. Your gift at this level would cover all the books for the entire year! To show our gratitude for gifts at this level, we will thank you on an episode of the WOW Reads podcast, tell an appropriate joke of your choosing, and make an announcement or share a message from you.
