New York, NY (November 30, 2006) -- On Friday, December 8, 2006, millions of children will join together to participate in Read For 2007: Read For Life™, the eighth annual worldwide read-a-thon to get kids excited about reading, created by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company.  In partnership with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s oldest and largest children’s literacy organization, the read-a-thon encourages children in schools, libraries and homes to stop everything and read for 2,007 seconds (approximately 33 1/2 minutes) and to celebrate the joy of reading on this day and throughout the new year. 
 
This year, 38 Gubernatorial Spouses ― and two “First Sons” ― have signed on to participate as Scholastic Read For 2007 “Ambassadors of Reading.”
The Governors’ Spouses and First Sons will help spread the message about the importance of reading to his/her state and to the nation by hosting reading events at schools, libraries or state capitals.  As part of their participation, Scholastic will donate 500 books to a RIF site in each state that is represented by an “Ambassador of Reading.”
 
“Read For 2007: Read For Life is a chance for parents, teachers, librarians, Governors’ spouses and celebrities to be reading role models and share the love of reading with kids around the world,” said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic.  “By designating this special day, we want kids to show their commitment to reading and make the pledge that reading is important, fun and worth celebrating!”
 
To build excitement for Scholastic Read For 2007, Scholastic has launched the official Web site at www.scholastic.com/readfor2007, which features podcasts about reading from young celebrities, including actress and author Masiela Lusha from the George Lopez show, and recording artists Sabrina Bryan of the Cheetah Girls, Kristy Frank, Tyler Hilton and J Xavier.  Special online tools have been created for students, teachers and parents, including “Kids’ Pick For 2007,” where kids can vote for their favorite books, plus online chats with best-selling authors, and an interactive world map featuring classrooms participating in the program.  The Web site also offers a vast selection of free resources, including reading tips, age-appropriate book lists, downloadable Scholastic Read For 2007 reading certificates and fun bookmarks featuring children’s favorite characters including Captain Underpants®, Clifford® and Dragon™.

“The Read For 2007: Read For Life program offers children and the adults in their lives an opportunity to make reading part of their busy day,” said Carol H. Rasco, president of Reading Is Fundamental.  “At RIF, our hope is that families, businesses and other organizations across the nation will encourage children to participate in Read For 2007 and make reading a fun and fundamental part of their daily lives.”
 
Following are the Scholastic Read For 2007 Ambassadors of Reading to date.
 
Alabama – First Lady Patsy Riley
Arkansas – First Lady Janet Huckabee
Colorado – First Lady Frances Owens
Connecticut – First Son Michael Rell
Delaware – First Son Frank Ingram
Georgia – First Lady Mary Perdue
Guam – First Lady Joann Camacho
Hawaii – Lt. Governor Duke Aiona's spouse, Mrs. Vivian Aiona
Idaho – First Lady Vicki Risch
Indiana – First Lady Cheri Daniels
Iowa – First Lady Christie Vilsack
Kansas – First Gentleman Gary Sebelius
Kentucky – First Lady Glenna Fletcher
Louisiana – First Gentleman Raymond Blanco
Maine – First Lady Karen Baldacci
Massachusetts – First Lady Ann Romney
Michigan – First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern
Mississippi – First Lady Marsha Barbour (co-chair)
Missouri – First Lady Melanie Blunt
Montana – First Lady Nancy Schweitzer (co-chair)
Nebraska – First Lady Sally Ganem
New Hampshire – First Lady Susan Lynch
New Mexico – First Lady Barbara Richardson
North Carolina –First Lady Mary Easley
North Dakota – First Lady Mikey Hoeven
Ohio – First Lady Hope Taft
Oklahoma – First Lady Kimberly Henry
Oregon – First Lady Mary Oberst
Pennsylvania – First Lady Marjorie Rendell
Rhode Island – First Lady Suzanne Carcieri
South Carolina – First Lady Jenny Sanford
South Dakota – First Lady Jean Rounds
Tennessee – First Lady Andrea Conte
Texas – First Lady Anita Perry
Utah – First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman
Virginia – First Lady Anne Holton
Washington – First Gentleman Mike Gregoire
West Virginia – First Lady Gayle Manchin
Wisconsin – First Lady Jessica Doyle
Wyoming – First Lady Nancy Freudenthal
 
About the “Scholastic Read For” Program
In 1999, Scholastic launched the “ Read For” campaign to commemorate the millennium and to unite children in a global celebration of reading.  “Read For” was quickly embraced by schools around the world and continues to bring reading and the joy of learning into homes and classrooms.  Since its inception, the initiative has grown to unite millions of children, parents, and teachers in each of the 50 U.S. states and throughout 37 countries, connecting children across cultures and continents from Iowa to India.  Each year in the U.S., Scholastic enlists the help of Gubernatorial First Spouses to serve as Ambassadors of Reading, leading statewide celebrations of reading in their communities. 
 
About Scholastic                  
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.
 
About Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.  RIF’s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8.  Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.  For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF’s website at www.rif.org.

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