Press Release: Innovations in Reading Prize

For more information contact: divas@readergirlz.com

READERGIRLZ HONORED IN NEW YORK CITY

The leading teen online book community is awarded by the National Book Foundation.

November 17, 2009 (Seattle, Wash.) – readergirlz (rgz) proudly accepts an Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation at an awards luncheon today in Manhattan. Co-founders Dia Calhoun and Lorie Ann Grover will accept the honor on behalf of the nonprofit organization.

Chosen for developing innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading, readergirlz will use the prize money to continue inventive and engaging literacy projects.

“readergirlz is perpetually creating innovative, fun, and impactful ways to connect teens to the best YA novels and authors. What people may not realize is that readergirlz is run completely by volunteers and has been almost entirely self-funded by the divas. So thanks to the Innovations in Reading Prize, we can now pay for our day-to-day operational costs--but also kick off a new, exciting literacy program we've been brainstorming for the coming year,” says co-founder Justina Chen.

About readergirlz

readergirlz is the foremost online book community for teen girls, led by five critically acclaimed YA authors—Dia Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia), Holly Cupala (Tell Me a Secret) Lorie Ann Grover (Hold Me Tight), Justina Chen (North of Beautiful), and Melissa Walker (Lovestruck Summer). readergirlz is the recipient of a 2007 James Patterson PageTurner Award and the 2009 Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation.

To promote teen literacy and leadership in girls, readergirlz features a different YA novel and corresponding community service project every month. For more information about readergirlz, please visit www.readergirlz.com and http://readergirlz.blogspot.com, or contact divas@readergirlz.com.

2009 readergirlz