{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":" SONIC Drive-In - Making Books Accessible","description":"For book lovers, there\u2019s no such thing as too many books! But to spark that love, everyone needs access to them \u2013 a reality that remains out of reach for many communities where children can\u2019t easily access public libraries, and schools are strapped for resources.   The literacy crisis in America is real. According to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), only 43% of U.S. fourth graders scored at or above a proficient level in reading. Studies also show that students with greater access to books perform better academically than their peers who lack this simple resource.   That\u2019s why, this October, in honor of National Book Month, SONIC Drive-In is turning its passion for literacy into action. You\u2019re invited to interview some of the people working to spread the love of reading and bring books into the hands of those who need them most.   SONIC donates a portion of every drink purchase back to support local students and teachers through its Limeades for Learning initiative. For National Book Month, the SONIC Foundation is teaming up with educational nonprofit partner DonorsChoose, donating $1.25 million to fund reading and literacy projects submitted by public school teachers for the \u201cFill Every Shelf\u201d campaign.   But that\u2019s not all \u2013 SONIC is also partnering with Little Free Library to bring 25 free \u201ctake a book, leave a book\u201d libraries to communities in need across the country.   Stuart Brown, Executive Director of the SONIC Foundation, and Shavawn Simmons, representing Family Literacy of Georgia on behalf of Little Free Library,  discuss with CONN how you can make a difference \u2013 from inspiring new readers to supporting literacy in their own backyards. ","author_name":"CONNECT with Conn Jackson","author_url":"http:\/\/www.connjackson.com","html":"