Jumpstart's Read for the Record

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day was October 27, 2022

Over 2 million readers and thousands of classrooms, libraries, and communities came together to celebrate early literacy.

This year, we DREAMT BIG.

About Read for the Record

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is the world’s largest shared reading experience to celebrate children’s early language and social-emotional development. Each year Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children as they read the same book on the same day, building an intergenerational community through reading. Held this year on October 27, 2022, over 24 million people have participated in Read for the Record to date, and hundreds of thousands of high-quality books have been distributed to children in underserved communities across the United States over the past 17 years.

**Join us in reading Nigel and the Moon written by Antwan Eady and illustrated by Gracey Zhang**

Nigel and the Moon is about a young boy who dreams big, but is too scared to share his dreams with the world. Instead, every night he tells his dream of becoming an astronaut, dancer, and superhero to the moon. As his class moves through career week, Nigel’s community helps him build up confidence in who he is. This book encourages children to celebrate where they come from, who they are, and who they want to be. Nigel and the Moon is published by HarperCollins.

This fall, we invite you to meet Nigel, his loving family, and his supportive community. Together, we will honor the diversity in our world, celebrate pride in where we come from, and uplift the essential workers in our communities.

Order Today!

Activity Guides and Resources

RFTR Virtual Programming

RFTR Awards

2022 Read for the Record Book

**Meet Our 2022 Read for the Record Author, Antwan Eady**

This year’s selection is Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Gracey Zhang.

Check out this incredible talk with author Antwan Eady, Jumpstart Board Member and Literacy Champion, Nigel Barker, and Jumpstart CEO Naila Bolus.

Antwan Eady grew up in Garnett, SC, where he spent most of his days riding four-wheelers, fishing, and imagining a world without limitations.

Eady is the author of Nigel and the Moon (Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins) along with upcoming titles Micah’s Rise (2023) and The Last Stand (2024).

When he isn’t writing, he’s searching for the best Lowcountry boil in Savannah, GA where he currently resides.

Meet the 2022 Read For the Record Literacy Champions

Nigel Barker

Fashion photographer, author, & Filmmaker

Monique Coleman

Actress, producer, and Daytime Emmy nominated host

Ashanti

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actor & author

Meena Harris

Lawyer, producer & Children’s Book Author

The Jumpstart Read for the Record Special Edition

Every year, Jumpstart works with early education experts and our publishing partner to create a paperback special edition of the campaign book. This special edition copy is designed to help deepen children’s understanding of the book. This special edition is exclusively available through Jumpstart.

In Aurora, Colorado a teacher shared with us that Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang inspired children to dance in the form of a dragon, draw dragons, and even practice writing the simplified Mandarin character for ‘dragon.’ One child proclaimed during the lesson, ‘dragons are sooo cool!’

– 2021 First Time Read for the Record Participant Awardee
Aurora Public Schools
Aurora, CO

Ready to Read for the Record?

All proceeds from Read for the Record support Jumpstart’s work to increase early education access for young children in underserved communities. Jumpstart delivers research-backed programming directly to children; works to grow and train the next generation of early childhood educators; and advocates for more equitable policies in the early education sector. Learn more about our impact.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record