Teen Creates ‘Adele’s Literacy Library’ to Spread a Love of Books
By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/8/2009
Eighth-grader Adele Taylor may seem like an average teenager—she likes to write poetry, dance, rock climb, and read. But this New Jersey girl has taken her love of books further than most kids her age by creating a nonprofit organization with the motto: read and be empowered.
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Thirteen-year-old Adele Taylor founded Adele's Literacy Library to spread the love of reading. |
On a recent visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, where Taylor’s nonprofit donated more than 50 new books and 25 five bookmarks, she was given a tour of the facility. "Going to the Ronald McDonald House was such a humble experience", says Taylor, "When I first arrived, it was very difficult to see kids of all ages physically challenged with many medical obstacles.”
Taylor, who also hopes to offer scholarships to high school graduates who want to pursue their educational dreams, currently hosts "Storytelling with Adele," where she visits schools and reads to classrooms. She’s also in the process of finalizing the details of a fundraiser with her school to promote literacy—and the hope is to offer this program to schools nationwide.
With plans to attend Williamstown High School in New Jersey as a freshman next year, Taylor also holds the title Miss Heartland's Outstanding Teen 2009 for the State of New Jersey, a title that allows her to compete for Miss America's Outstanding Teen for the State of New Jersey.
"Being a part of the Miss America organization has always been a dream of mine,” she says. “As a local title holder, having a crown allows me to promote literacy to all ages on a much broader scale. I love being involved in my community and I want people to know that knowledge is power and through reading you gain that knowledge."
Taylor plans to attend Book Expo of America from May 28 to 31 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. “It's my first trade show where I am representing my company," says Taylor. "This four day event is filled with opportunities for my business to flourish.
Adele's Literacy Library is funded through book drives, fundraisers, and donations.
