Youth Get 'Their Own Library'

Louise A. Spencer School recently hosted the “My Very Own Library”  Initiative, a book fair attended by more than 50 special needs students. .
 
Author Lulu Delacre joined the students as they selected books to add to their home libraries. Delacre, who also spoke to the students,  is the celebrated author of “Jay & Ben”—a book written especially for children with autism and other developmental disorders like ADD and ADHD.
 
The My Very Own Library initiative is supported by the Foundation for Newark’s Future and philanthropist Ann Feeley in partnership with NJ after 3 and First Book to provide Newark children with the opportunity to choose new books to build their own home libraries and meet the real-life authors who write them.
 
Brandon Stanfill, Principal at Louise A. Spencer School: "With the My Very Own Library program we’ve been able to put 10 books in the hands of every single child in the building,” said Brandon Stanfill, the school’s principal. “It’s great to see the kids going down the hallway beaming from ear to ear with their new book and seeing the kids on the playground huddled around a book reading.”