At 10 years old, Adrian* loves Legos, hockey, basketball, and being the funniest guy in the room. But these days, there is something new he carries with him everywhere he goes: a book.

When Adrian first joined Friends of the Children – Utah, reading felt like a chore. He had absolutely no interest in it. After long days of required reading at school, he’d ask his Friend Will—a long-term, professional mentor—”Can we do ANYTHING else?”

Determined to spark his interest, his Friend got creative. Will started by having Adrian practice by reading everyday text: plaques at the aquarium, arcade game directions, texts from his parents. Anything to make the words matter. They spent hours visiting different libraries all over the city, hunting for the right book, and searching for the perfect story. While he enjoyed Fly Guy and Dog Man, everything changed when Adrian discovered the Percy Jackson series.

Suddenly, Adrian was carrying his book everywhere he went. Car rides transformed into deep discussions about the chapters, with Will asking comprehension questions, and tying the plot to history, social cues, emotions. They even discovered and listened exclusively to the Percy Jackson musical soundtrack.

Recently, when Will picked him up for an outing, Adrian paused at the car door and asked, “Wait, can I bring my book?” He sprinted back inside to grab it, choosing to read quietly in the rearview mirror rather than listen to the radio. His passion has grown so much that he recently started a small book club at school with his friends, making connections between the characters and his own peers.

Adrian’s story is one of many taking shape at Friends of the Children – Utah, where a love of reading is built on purpose. To address the critical nationwide literacy gap, the chapter is intentionally transforming its clubhouse into a literacy-rich environment.

Friends utilize Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) reading assessments to pinpoint each youth’s reading level and benchmark growth, using these insights to carefully guide their individualized support. The chapter ensures every youth receives a library card and participates in monthly activities—such as book clubs, poetry stations, and a Summer Reading Quest read-a-thon—designed for all ages and abilities.

Friends of the Children – Utah brings that same magic home to families. At a recent Family Engagement Event, a local bookstore’s “Book Nerd Mobile” rolled up donating hundreds of free books to families—more than 30 new books to help build the clubhouse library. At the celebration, youth and caregivers played literacy games, made bookmarks, decorated book bags, and had a custom soda bar serving reading-themed drinks.

Adrian’s spark didn’t come from being told to read. It came from someone who kept showing up until they found the story that was his. When a child is given the time, resources, and individualized encouragement to find what they love, their entire world opens up.
At Friends of the Children, the goal isn’t just teaching youth to read. It’s helping them develop a love of learning—one spark at a time.

*Youth name changed to protect privacy