Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

New partnership provides free eReaders for schools most in need

Richard Garner
Tuesday 30 April 2013 23:41 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Primary school pupils struggling to read will be given a boost by a new partnership which will bring 1,000 free eReaders into schools.

Under a deal struck between the Evening Standard and America's biggest bookshop chain, Barnes & Noble, children in schools with some of the highest illiteracy rates will be encouraged and helped to read books like Roald Dahl's Matilda via the eReaders.

The free eReaders are being supplied by NOOK Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, to boost the Get London Reading campaign launched by the Evening Standard, sister paper of The Independent. The campaign has so far helped over 2,000 children improve their reading by raising £1m to fund the training and supply of reading helpers by national literacy charity Beanstalk.

In all, 1,000 free NOOKs will be supplied to help volunteers teach in almost 300 London schools with high levels of illiteracy. In addition, Barnes & Noble are lowering the price of their NOOK Simple Touch eReader across the UK. Jim Hilt, Barnes & Noble's managing director, said: "Literacy is at the heart of everything we do. We hope to further enrich the minds of readers of all ages across the UK and give them access to books they love."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in