<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2429f77/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3872x2592+0+0/resize/789x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb9%2Fb7%2F896ccbef47fc9366a7c9f6b3e603%2F4508639159-f01cc6dbfd-o.jpg">(ThomasLife / Flickr)Literacy in the United States is at a critical level. One statistic shows that 43 million Americans between the ages of 16 to 65 can't read well enough to fill out a job application.So, is the concept of reading out loud to our kids enough to get them ready for school? Writer, educator and literacy advocate Maya Payne Smart doesn't believe it is and she's challenging this idea in her new book, Reading for Our Lives.

(ThomasLife / Flickr)Literacy in the United States is at a critical level. One statistic shows that 43 million Americans between the ages of 16 to 65 can't read well enough to fill out a job application. So, is the concept of reading out loud to our kids enough to get them ready for school? Writer, educator and literacy advocate Maya Payne Smart doesn't believe it is and she's challenging this idea in her new book, Reading for Our Lives.

(ThomasLife / Flickr)Literacy in the United States is at a critical level. One statistic shows that 43 million Americans between the ages of 16 to 65 can't read well enough to fill out a job application.So, is the concept of reading out loud to our kids enough to get them ready for school? Writer, educator and literacy advocate Maya Payne Smart doesn't believe it is and she's challenging this idea in her new book, Reading for Our Lives.

Why reading is critical to your child's future

Hosted by Gemma Gaudette on Boise State Public Radio News, this weekday public affairs podcast serves as a gathering place where ideas are shared, stories are told and conversations thrive. Whether you’re curious about local government, inspired by the arts or invested in your community, Idaho Matters is where the voices of Idaho come together to inform, engage and celebrate the people and places that make the Gem State unique.Send us your questions, comments or story ideas by emailing idahomatters@boisestate.edu or sending us a voicemail using the "Talk To Us" feature on the free Boise State Public Radio app.<a href="https://bit.ly/3IMs9Va">Make a donation</a> to support the Idaho Matters podcast today.

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Hosted by Gemma Gaudette on Boise State Public Radio News, this weekday public affairs podcast serves as a gathering place where ideas are shared, stories are told and conversations thrive. Whether you’re curious about local government, inspired by the arts or invested in your community, Idaho Matters is where the voices of Idaho come together to inform, engage and celebrate the people and places that make the Gem State unique. Send us your questions, comments or story ideas by emailing idahomatters@boisestate.edu or sending us a voicemail using the "Talk To Us" feature on the free Boise State Public Radio app. Make a donation to support the Idaho Matters podcast today.

Hosted by Gemma Gaudette on Boise State Public Radio News, this weekday public affairs podcast serves as a gathering place where ideas are shared, stories are told and conversations thrive. Whether you’re curious about local government, inspired by the arts or invested in your community, Idaho Matters is where the voices of Idaho come together to inform, engage and celebrate the people and places that make the Gem State unique.Send us your questions, comments or story ideas by emailing idahomatters@boisestate.edu or sending us a voicemail using the "Talk To Us" feature on the free Boise State Public Radio app.<a href="https://bit.ly/3IMs9Va" rel="noopener noreferrer">Make a donation</a> to support the Idaho Matters podcast today.

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