Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization, hosted a special literacy celebration featuring basketball legend and best-selling author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at St. Aloysius School, 223 West 132nd Street, New York, NY 10027.
Abdul-Jabbar will spoke to students in grades 4 – 6 who are part of the St. Aloysius Education Clinic, a RIF program in Harlem that provides educational programming and academic support to students throughout New York City. He read excerpts from his new children’ s book Sasquatch in the Paint, a story about a tall young man who struggles to make the most of his interest in both basketball and academics, while solving the mystery of a theft. Students were invited to discuss themes from the book, including courage, friendship, and teamwork.
To culminate the celebration, students received a signed copy of the book and had an opportunity to choose two additional free books to keep as their own.
The celebration is an especially personal cause for Abdul-Jabbar, who grew up in Harlem. This event was made possible through the generous support of Macy’s.