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BOOK IT! Reading Program Creates Free Incentive for Children to Read

Association of Texas Professional Educators
Association of Texas Professional Educators

Date Posted: 11/22/2022

In 1984, Pizza Hut created the BOOK IT! program for Kansas schools before branching out across the nation the following year, according to National Today. Currently, the initiative now offers multiple programs, including:

The BOOK IT! @School program lasts from October to March and includes teachers from grades pre-K to sixth. Teachers enroll their classes to participate in the free program, set goals based on their students’ reading abilities, track their progress, and issue rewards when students meet reading goals. Students can redeem those rewards for a free Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut, according to BOOK IT!’s website.

Teachers can enroll students on the website, which includes a library of recommended books based on grade level and a Teacher Toolbox containing activities accompany the program.

According to the program’s website, over 14 million students and 37,000 elementary schools participate in BOOK IT! annually. A week-long reading event was also created in 1989 called National Young Readers Week, which is the second week of November every year, according to National Today.

There is also an option to donate to the BOOK IT! program on the website through the BOOK IT! In the Community program. Alongside that, there is an option to order the BOOK IT! Bundle from Pizza Hut, with $1 from every purchase going to the organization First Book, which works to provide books to children in need.

Lastly, for summer reading, BOOK IT! has the program Camp BOOK IT!, which is parent-led but still provides all the same rewards. This program runs from June to August and is also free and completely digital.


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