A Literacy Crisis We Can Change 📖✨

The Decline of Literacy in U.S. Public Schools—and How to Combat It

The numbers are sobering.

Recent studies show a steady decline in literacy rates across U.S. public schools. More than 30% of fourth graders read below basic proficiency. By high school, those gaps often widen—not just in reading ability but in confidence and lifelong learning habits.

As a society, we face an uncomfortable question: What happens to a generation that grows up without the ability—and desire—to read?

At White Lake Press, we believe the answer begins not in policy meetings or standardized tests, but in living rooms, classrooms, and quiet bedtime routines.

Here’s why:

 Reading is More Than a Skill
It’s the foundation for critical thinking, empathy, and self-expression. Children who read for pleasure perform better academically—and are more likely to vote, volunteer, and succeed as adults.

But when schools are overburdened and screens dominate free time, cultivating this habit falls to all of us.

 Small Steps With Big Impact
We can combat the literacy crisis by reintroducing the joy of shared reading. Here are three ways to start:

1.  Read Aloud—Even With Older Kids
   Stories spark imagination at any age. Reading aloud helps model fluency, exposes children to richer vocabulary, and creates a bond around books.
   

2.  Make Books a Conversation
   Ask questions about characters and plot. “What would you do?” or “How did that make you feel?” These simple prompts encourage deeper engagement.

3.  🏠 Create a Culture of Reading at Home

Leave books where they’re easily seen. Make visits to the library or bookstore feel special. Celebrate stories as part of family life.

At White Lake Press, our mission is to offer books that foster not just literacy but connection. Titles like Sneaky Sneakerton and SAM Steps Down are designed to be read aloud, discussed, and cherished—igniting that spark of curiosity every child carries.

The literacy crisis can feel overwhelming. But change doesn’t always require sweeping reform. Sometimes it starts with a single parent, a single teacher, a single book—and the willingness to say: This matters.

Together, we can rewrite the story.

Warmly,
Miriam Monette
Founder, White Lake Press