Read Across Connecticut

Past Campaigns

CEF Celebrates Reading with Local Sports Stars!

The Connecticut Education Foundation is excited to share a Read Across Connecticut webpage filled with resources to incorporate into your annual Read Across America celebration!

  • Watch interviews aimed at upper-elementary and middle school students with UConn basketball legends Scott Burrell and Morgan Tuck as well as super climber Nina Williams, as they share their love of literacy and explain how reading helped shape their careers.
  • Keep scrolling to find grade-level specific resources, books, and downloads to share with your class!

Reading with the (Rock) Stars!

Connecticut has some homegrown athletic talent! We interviewed some incredible sports figures about their love of reading. They want to share some of their favorite books with you and tell you why literacy has been important in their lives.

Southern CT State University Men’s Basketball

  • Head Coach Scott Burrell
  • Isaiah Boissard
  • Alexander Lin
  • Elmin Redzepagic

Morgan Tuck – Director of Franchise Development for Connecticut Sun
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
College: University of Connecticut
Played for: UConn and CT Sun

See Morgan Tuck dominate for UCONN and the CT Sun

Scott Burrell – Head Coach for SCSU Men’s Basketball
Sport: Basketball
Hometown: Hamden, CT
College: University of Connecticut
Played for: UConn, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Charlotte Hornets

Watch Scott play in the 1998 NBA playoffs with the Chicago Bulls
Hear Scott talk with local news about being a coach at SCSU

Nina Williams – Professional Rock Climber
Sport: Climbing
Hometown: Killingly, CT
College: University of Colorado, Boulder

Watch Nina’s TED Talk about letting go, falling, and how seeing things from a different perspective helped her move forward and try again.
Watch Nina climb in Peru!

Elementary Readers:

Check out these resources for elementary readers, including read-alouds by your favorite celebrities, literacy sites, and fun learning games!

Download Early Reader Resources

Middle School Readers:

Having a hard time finding a book to read? Download this to find books for all interests from authors all over the world.

Download Middle Reader Resources

High School Readers:

We found 10 books that promote diversity, inclusion, and unity. Also find sites to help encourage your readers along with a student-focused New York Times crossword puzzle.

Download Young Adult Resources

 Bookmarks

Download and print “Read Across Connecticut” bookmarks. There are four adorable characters for your students to pick from!

Download Bookmarks

 Reading Certificates

Download and print “Read Across Connecticut” Star Reader certificates for your class. Print them out to give out on Read Across America Day on March 2nd.

Download Star Reader Certificate

 Word Search

All celebrations need a fun activity! Download and print this Dr. Seuss themed word search.

Download Word Search

Thank you to our partners:


More Information:


iHeart Radio Interview

Listen to iHeart Radio interview with CEF President Joslyn DeLancey about this year’s Read Across Connecticut event.

Teacher-Hosted Book Drive in West Hartford Brings Joy of Reading to Children in Need

The fun-filled family event was organized by the Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF) and community partners iHeartMedia and Blue Back Square. CEF collected several thousand books that will be donated to Little Free Libraries – many of them in Alliance Districts, where some of the greatest needs exist.

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The Little Free Library Challenge Is Here!

In honor of Read Across Connecticut, CEF is offering 20 Little Free Library kits and books to districts that apply. Help get books into the hands of kids!

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