“Research shows that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help a child prepare for reading and learning.”

We know you care about literacy and so do we. So we created a whole page to help. This page has links and suggestions that we have discovered to be helpful to our fellow book and literacy lovers.

If there is something you wish had been on here and it is not, let us know by completing this suggestion form.

The Need

Kids Who Read Beat Summer Slide. Studies show that access to books during the summer prevents a drastic loss in reading skill – especially for kids in need. (PRNewsFoto/First Book)

Watch this 60 Minutes clip to understand more about the Summer Slide.

All Things Books

At Project Transformation Rio Texas, we focus on building diverse, equitable, and inclusive libraries that act as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors for the reader. We live in and work with diverse communities, and know we have to be intentional in building anti-bias book collections in our programs and the homes of our participants.

How are books used at PT?

Site Libraries
- Children and youth who participate in Project Transformation programs have access to their Site Churches’ library during program. Project Transformation Rio Texas Site Church (PT) libraries support program components including but not limited to Reading Buddies, Reading Rockstars, LIT Clubs, and an overall love of literacy. PT libraries should also be available to children and families in the community to increase access to quality books, increase interest in reading, and improve literacy skills. PT participants and community members are encouraged to read during programming, while at the church, and to take books home.
- If you are starting to build a leveled library for your site, check out these lists of leveled books.
- If you need resources on how to level books, email info@PTRioTexas.org.
Free Book Stores
- Books of all levels and interests are collected throughout the year. Twice each summer, rooms at Project Transformation Site Churches are transformed into book stores. Participants shop for books for themselves and their families. Sometimes the books they select at our Free Book Stores are the first books they own which they have selected for themselves. Free Book Stores are a powerful way to expand access to books and increase interest in reading.
Little Free Libraries
- Little Free Libraries are houses for books where people can freely donate books and take books as they’d like. The motto is “take a book…leave a book”. Little Free Libraries help increase access to books and decrease book deserts. Learn more and join the movement by clicking here!

Creating Your Own Library

The following resources are intended to guide our site churches and community partners as they build diverse libraries for children and families in our communities.

Collection Development Guidelines
Inventory Rubric
Book and Resource Database
- The Project Transformation Rio Texas book database is a living document where we collect titles and resources to share with the community. The database includes extended information about each title such as reading level, themes, and demographics of the author and characters. The database also includes resources to anti-biased book lists, recommended publishers, and more. The database is separated into titles for Primary (Kinder-3rd Grade), Intermediate (3rd-6th Grade), and Youth (6th-9th Grade), and extended resources.

Supporting Local Literacy Communities

- An impactful way to support local communities is by supporting local and independent bookstores. Learn more about the importance and impact of local bookstores by clicking here
- Find your local bookstore on Indie Bound’s website
- In an effort to support local communities even while shopping online, our wishlists are posted on Bookshop.org.
- New and gently used book donations to Project Transformation Rio Texas can be mailed to or dropped off at 1902 Vance Jackson Rd. San Antonio, TX 78213

Project Transformation Rio Texas Book Wishlists

2022 Curriculum Books (Elementary)

2022 Curriculum Books (Youth)

Primary Book List (Kinder-3rd Grade)

Intermediate Book List (3rd-6th Grade)

Youth Book List (6th-9th Grade)

Highest Needs Book List (This list represents four categories of high need books in each of our site libraries: Bilingual (Spanish-English), Read Together, Phonics, High-interest/low-reading level. One of each of these books or book sets at each site will support the needs of growing readers and their grown ups!)

Books can be mailed to Project Transformation Rio Texas at 1902 Vance Jackson Rd. San Antonio, TX 78213.