Rainier Reads
Summer Keep Growing — A literacy initiative dedicated to combating summer slide and putting books in the hands of every child.
Rainier Reads: Project Overview
Rainier Reads is a new literacy initiative founded by high school junior Rainier Beckham, dedicated to combating “summer slide” — the decline in reading skills during summer break — by providing books directly to low-income children.
The project is driven by the mission to foster a love of reading and ensure equitable access to books for all children, particularly focusing efforts on the African American community where data suggests a significant drop in summer reading activity.
“Every child deserves the journey that a great book can provide.”
My Love for Reading
Rainier Beckham’s lifelong passion for books began when she was four years old, fostered by a family environment that valued reading, including her mother, Robin. Her education at Shady Side Academy reinforced the importance of summer reading assignments and book reports.
Rainier Sky Beckham — Founder, Rainier Reads
Key Objectives
Providing Access
Distributing books to children who may not have the means to purchase them or access public libraries.
Focusing on Summer
Concentrating efforts during the summer break to mitigate the “summer slide” learning loss.
Encouraging Ownership
Ensuring children can select and keep their own books, helping to build personal home libraries.
Targeting Underserved Communities
Prioritizing partnerships with organizations that serve low-income and African American children in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh.
Strategy & Operations
Rainier Reads operates on a model of community partnership and resource redistribution.
Book Collection
Rainier collects new and gently used books from individuals, community organizations, and potential partners.
Strategic Partnerships
The project aims to partner with existing community organizations — summer meal programs, community centers, local non-profits — to serve as distribution hubs, ensuring books reach children where they already congregate during the summer.
Targeted Outreach
A specific focus will be placed on encouraging reading within the African American community, addressing reported data regarding reading engagement declines in this demographic during the summer months both nationally and locally in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh.
The Vision
Rainier Reads seeks to leverage the power of literacy to open up “journeys” for other children, just as reading has done for Rainier herself, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a great reader regardless of their economic background.
Summer Learning Gap
Research identifies the “summer slide” as a critical factor in the academic achievement gap, specifically impacting students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color.
National Summer Reading Statistics
Regional Statistics: Pennsylvania & Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania Proficiency Gap
In 2024, the average reading score for Black students in Pennsylvania was 31 points lower than that for White students — a gap that has remained largely unchanged since 2002.
Pittsburgh Proficiency
Third-grade reading proficiency in Pittsburgh was recorded at 46.2% in 2024, a slight decline from the previous year. While White students' scores recently increased by nearly three percentage points, scores among Black students declined by a similar amount.
Early Risks
In 2025/2026 data, approximately 15–18% of Black kindergartners in the region score in the lowest 10% of reading assessments — a rate significantly higher than the 5–6% seen in White and Asian peers.
Impact on African American Kids
Research indicates that providing book access and culturally relevant reading instruction can actually turn summer losses into gains for African American scholars. The “faucet theory” shows that resources are turned off for low-income and minority students during the summer, leading to significant stagnation or loss.
Summer Reading Tips
To help encourage kids to read over the summer — particularly for African American and low-income students in Pittsburgh — consider these evidence-based strategies to make reading a habit rather than a chore.
Prioritize Choice & Ownership
Integrate Culturally Relevant Materials
Make Reading Social and Active
Bridge Reading with Real-Life Adventures
Support the Community Hub Model
Community Impact & Partnerships
To scale in 2026 and beyond, the following strategic plan focuses on localized impact in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, leveraging Rainier Beckham’s vision of books as a “journey.”
Summer 2026 Roadmap: “The Literacy Trail”
Strategic “Book Drops” & Partnerships
- ›Summer Meal Sites: Partner with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank or local schools hosting the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Dropping books at “Grab and Go” meal sites ensures books reach kids who rely on these programs when school is out.
- ›Youth Organizations: Establish formal drop-offs with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and YMCA to supplement their literacy curricula.
- ›Community Centers: Focus on hubs like the Kingsley Association (East Liberty) or Focus On Renewal (McKees Rocks) to reach deep into neighborhoods where library access may be limited.
“Pop-Up” Book Giveaways
- ›Themed Pop-Ups: Align with the 2026 “Unearth a Story” theme. Set up tables at community parks with “Literacy Kits” (a book, a bookmark, and a small snack).
- ›Barbershop & Salon Literacy: Place curated crates in local Black-owned businesses. This meets kids where they are and provides culturally relevant stories during their summer routines.
- ›Choice-Based Models: Ensure kids can browse and “shop” for their own books. Research indicates that choice is the #1 factor in whether a child actually reads a book over the summer.
Fundraising & Resource Growth
- ›“Sponsor a Scholar” Tiers: Launch a campaign where a $25 donation provides a “Summer Reading Bundle” (5 books) for one child.
- ›Corporate Matching: Reach out to Pittsburgh-based corporations (like PNC or Highmark) for matching grants to fund the purchase of new diverse books, which are often harder to find in used book drives.
- ›Literacy Grants: Apply for the 2026 Dollar General Summer Reading Grant and the PNC Grow Up Great initiative, which often supports student-led literacy projects in Pennsylvania.
Measuring Success (The Data Connection)
- ›The “Book Count” Tracker: Publicly share the number of books distributed each month on social media.
- ›Partnership Growth: Aim to move from 3 partners in June to 10 by August 2026.
- ›Reading Logs: Distribute simple “Reading Passports” with the books. If a child returns a completed passport to a partner organization, they get a “Level 2” book or a small prize.
Future Vision
Rainier Reads 2.0
By 2027, Rainier is hoping this project can evolve into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, allowing for:
A “Book Bus” or Mobile Library
A dedicated vehicle to travel throughout Allegheny County.
Mentorship Integration
Partnering with fellow students at Shady Side Academy to serve as “Reading Buddies” during pop-up events, providing the social connection that encourages reluctant readers.
Help Put Books in the Hands of Pittsburgh’s Children
To support Rainier Reads, donate books, partner with the initiative, or learn more about how you can help combat summer slide in Pittsburgh’s communities.
Get Involved