• name that book

    Name that Book (NTB) is a Kindergarten – High School year-long event which celebrates and champions literature for young people. The program was started over fifty years ago by Maxine Jackson, a Librarian at  River Oaks Elementary.  As it grew, HISD Library Services took it over and the program has since been adopted by the rest of Houston’s surrounding school districts and independent schools.

    The HISD Name That Book competition is open to all HISD schools or HISD affiliated charter schools. The program begins each May when the following year’s book lists are revealed. The book lists are award-winning books. 

    In the fall, Library Services trains sponsors on the rules and guidelines of the program. 

    The schools practice for the culminating event in the Spring: the Houston ISD Name that Book competition, our Superbowl of Books! During the 2022-2023 school year, over 140 schools competed over a three-week period.

    Schools may send one team to compete in each level in which they qualify. Three to six students may make up a team with one official alternate who sits in the audience. One student is designated to serve as captain. Each contest will consist of five (5) rounds, with each round consisting of five (5) questions. A quotation is read, and each team will have 60 seconds to identify the book. The top team from each preliminary contest will advance to the Finals competition. The Finals are recorded and broadcast via Houston ISD television.

    Name That Book 2023-24 lists are coming soon!  See the Name That Book page in the side menu for more details. 
     
    Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Name That Book contest for High School. 
    1st place - Westside
    2nd place - HSPVA
    3rd place - DeBakey
     
    Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Name That Book contest for Middle School.
    1st place - TH Rogers 
    2nd place - Meyerland 
    3rd place -  MIMS
     
    Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Name That Book contest for 3-6.
    1st place - AIMS / West University
    2nd place - Horn / Lovett
     
    Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Name That Book contest for K-2.  (note - there are no finals for this division.  These are the winners for each competition day.)
    1st place - Condit / TH Rogers, Field, Lovett / West University, Milne, Piney Point, River Oaks, Twain

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    Read Houston Read is a literacy-based program in which volunteers donate an hour of their time each week to assist students in becoming confident readers. Conducting one-on-one 30-minute sessions, which include reading a story, sharing a hands-on activity, and listening to the student read, volunteers have the opportunity to mentor two 1st grade students. For more information and to register as a volunteer, visit Read Houston Read.


  • hrealmenread Houston Real Men Read is a mentoring program in which gentlemen from across the greater Houston area volunteer an hour of their time once a month to read to a class of 3rd grade HISD students. The program reinforces three fundamental principles: reading is fun, the community cares and a commitment to education can ensure success. 


  • A picture containing text, clipartDescription automatically generatedThrough  support from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, HISD has saddled up with the BBHLF and Region 4 to kick off Reading Roundup, a volunteer literacy program. Reading Roundup aims to inspire young minds and improve their literacy skills through read alouds using books and lesson guides designed specifically for the program.  Reading Roundup Mentors make a meaningful difference by engaging students in the stories they share. Learn more about Reading Roundup here.


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    The Astros Literacy Bus is a collaborative idea born from a powerful partnership between the Astros Foundation, Houston ISD, and the Friends of the Houston Public Library. With the sponsorship and support of Oxy and our amazing community partners, we are getting books into the hands of children all over the city of Houston! To see if the bus is scheduled to make a stop at your school, view the Astros Bus Event Calendar.  


  • Logo, company nameDescription automatically generatedLearning and reading continues year round in Houston. HISD’s Literacy By 3 commitment includes variety of reading programs to promote authentic reading. myON, an online literacy platform, is a great resource both in school and at home. Houston ISD and myON are partnering to give students unlimited access to over 5,000 enhanced digital books that can be read anytime, anywhere, via the Internet or offline through mobile devices. Enrolling students in myON is easy. Follow the directions here to get your students up and running with myON. For information on the Read-to-Succeed contest, click here.


  • A picture containing text, person, indoorDescription automatically generatedJumpstart’s premiere national campaign, Read for the Record presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is that one time of the year when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy and support Jumpstart in its efforts to promote early childhood education. On October 27th, people across the country will read the book Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady in support of Jumpstart’s mission to work towards the day that every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed.