Resident Launches Reading Program

A local book worm is encouraging young boys to read.

Midtown resident Roderick Tate recently launched The Reading Project, a read-aloud book program for boys ages 7 to 10.

"I started this program to share my love of reading," Tate said. "I consider myself a reading role model."

The program targets boys because many "think it is not cool to read," Tate said. 

"Boys take longer to learn to read than girls do," he said. "Boys read less than girls. Girls tend to comprehend narrative texts and most expository texts significantly better than boys do."

Tate hopes his program "empowers young boys to read, build self-esteem and helps them with reading comprehension."

He held his first workshop July 23 at Bound to be Read Books in East Atlanta. 

Children are given incentives to read. "Once five books are read they will receive a prize for completion," Tate said, such as free books or coupons to restaurants. 

He said the children who participate are from Atlanta. 

"It gives them the opportunity to expand their minds," he said. "Reading allows you to comprehend, escape and think critical."