 A young Suns fan gets a little reading assistance from the Matrix at the Phoenix Zoo. |
The Phoenix Suns' Read to Achieve program features a wide variety of reading activities, including free, age-appropriate book distribution to students in low-income schools, donation of teaching materials for teachers in grades 4-6, and the creation of Reading and Learning centers throughout Arizona. Players also participate in public service announcements which carry the literacy message into children's homes and visit schools every month to read to children at special Reading Timeouts.
Through Read to Achieve activities, the Phoenix Suns hope to build a life-long love of reading among Arizona children.
Suns Favorite Books
Anyone who loves to read has a book they can call their childhood favorite and Suns players are no exception. Find out what your favorite player's favorite book was growing up.
Your Closest Library
Even in today's computer age where just about any tidbit of information you need is at your fingertips, the local library is still the best source for cultivating a love for reading. Click here to find the closest library to your home.
Helpful Links
Find useful links for reading resources on the Internet, as well as learning games for kids of all ages.
Suns Read to Achieve Headlines
April 12, 2006: Forward Shawn Marion stopped by the Phoenix Zoo and read one of his childhood favorites - Curious George - to children in attendance.
July 5, 2006: It was a busy week for Amaré Stoudemire. The All-Star forward/center not only ran his annual basketball camp at Desert Ridge High School, but also unveiled the Amaré Stoudemire Reading & Learning Center at a Boys and Girls Club near downtown Phoenix.
May 2, 2006: Suns forward Amaré Stoudemire paid a visit to Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School where he promoted the importance of reading. The All-Star even brought along a few gifts in the form of 1,000 books which he donated to the library.
March 14, 2006: The students at JFK in Phoenix got visits by both Suns guard Raja Bell and Clifford the Big Red Dog at a Read to Achieve event. Bell treated students to readings of Clifford the Firehouse Dog and Sick but Slick - a personal favorite of the Suns Gorilla.
Sept. 29, 2005: Assistance League of Phoenix completely outfits over 3,000 children a year from 5 of the Valley¹s school districts. On "Operation School Bell" day dignitaries and the press were invited to see this operation in motion while participating in "shopping experiences" or supervising the children in the wonderful Phoenix Suns¹ Reading & Learning Center.
March 2, 2005: The Suns hosted a birthday party for Dr. Seuss as part of the league's Read to Achieve program at America West Arena. All-Star guard Steve Nash read a book to a group of 100 school kids with the help of the Suns Gorilla to celebrate the 101st birthday for one of the greatest children's authors of all time. Click here to watch a webcast of the entire event, which was held in conjunction with National Read Across America Day.
Oct. 1, 2004: As a part of Charles Barkley’s induction into the the Sun's Ring of Honor last March, a $25,000 renovation of the Peoria Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and the naming of the facility’s Reading and Learning Center in his honor.
March 2, 2004: The Suns hosted a group of over 250 second and third graders at America West Arena on Tuesday in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ 100th birthday. The event, held on National Read Across America Day, was part of the NBA’s Read to Achieve literacy program.
Feb. 6, 2004: Suns center and NBA All-Star Reading Team member Jahidi White was joined by Suns alumnus John Shumate, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and other prominent local political figures for a Literacy Awareness Night and Scholastic Book Fair at Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee.
Oct. 23, 2003: The 2003-04 season has tipped off, and so has the NBA's Read to Achieve program. Several Suns players participated in the season's first league-wide literacy event at Silvestre Herrera Elementary School.
April 4, 2003: As the 2002-03 regular season was winding down, Suns players took time out of their intense drive towards a playoff spot to help open a new Reading and Learning Center in central Phoenix.
Oct. 24, 2002: Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury stars helped tip off the NBA's Read to Achieve program for the season by visiting with students at Navajo Elementary School in Scottsdale.