MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Books were given out on Wednesday to thousands of local students with hopes that they will foster a love for reading.

The kiddos at 23 Memphis area schools were treated to six free books per student.

Currently, more than half of Tennessee's third graders have fallen short of the reading standard. Studies have shown that at-home libraries can change that.

Many may remember the Book-It program, where kiddos were encouraged to read in order to get a small deep dish.

"We know that when children have home libraries, they become active readers, the families become active readers. This has a huge influence," said James Pond, the president and CEO of the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation. • (Photo by: WREG's Jerrita Patterson) • (Photo by: WREG's Jerrita Patterson) •

See Full Page