All books, even for older readers, are welcome. Photo illustration by George Clarke

Some people raise money and print posters to promote literacy. These teens move mountains.

The team of volunteers that composes Read It Forward has transported thousands of used books to thousands of bright children over the past two school years, and the organization is still growing today.

“I love to sit in my rocking chair and just read a book,” said junior Luciano Ovalle.

Ovalle devotes himself to Read It Forward not just because he loves the work, but because he wishes to spread his love of reading.

“It shows how trusting they are because they see what you’re doing for them – giving them the ability to read is a wonderful gift,” Ovalle said.

That is a remarkable part of the group’s work: the children really do appreciate receiving their books. With the omnipresence of mass media and mobile devices, it is easy to feel cynicism toward the simple, indescribable magic of a good novel. The members of Read It Forward, through their many hours of receiving donations, cleaning, sorting, and delivering used books, embrace that magic.

Read It Forward members meet to plan the next donation. From left: freshmen Emily Hoffman, Hannah Foster, Vishal Suresh; club founder Brenda Voll; juniors Luciano Ovalle and Chris Voll. Photo by George Clarke

“When I was growing up, I had the luxury of having a lot of books around,” said Chris Voll. “I understand that a lot of people are unable to have that luxury.”

Read It Forward began when Brenda and Chris Voll found themselves with a house full of books and some extra space in her business warehouse. Somehow, the act of storing and donating a few books turned into a full campaign for literacy; as the scope increased, so did the workload.

By the summer of 2009, Read It Forward volunteers had amassed a mountain of books to be cleaned, sorted, and personally shipped to elementary schools, English as a Second Language programs, correctional offices – any organization with a salient need for literature.

So the volunteers went unto the mountain, and it was moved. On the seventh month, they are not resting – there are too many books to be moved and too many young minds to be nourished.

Today, Read It Forward consists of sixteen adults and 34 students whose goal is to place at least one book into the hands of every elementary-school student once per school year. Any surplus books are used elsewhere.