Black Hills Reads helps to ensure children are proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Learn more about our various programs below.
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Baby’s First Book Bag
The purpose of the Baby's First Book Bag program is to provide at-risk families in the Black Hills additional resources to build a home library. The goal of this program is to help parents feel confident about reading to their children and give them tools to be successful.
For more information, please contact the Black Hills Reads Director at hanna@unitedwayblackhills.org.
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a program funded by United Way of the Black Hills to allow children ages 0-5 to receive an age appropriate book mailed to their home once a month.
For more information about the program, and to learn how to participate, visit our Imagination Library Program Page.
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Power Hour
Power Hour is an interactive, virtual learning event for child care providers and other early learning professionals in South Dakota. Providers can expect to hear from amazing speakers, participate in breakout conversations for reflection and collaboration, and have the opportunity to win prizes during each quarterly event. Learn more about upcoming Power Hour events by visiting the Black Hills Reads Facebook Page.
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Annual Race to Read Challenge
Each year, Black Hills Reads hosts a statewide 'Race to Read Challenge' in which readers across the state accumulate ‘miles’ for every book they read. These miles are then used to determine how far our figurative book mobile travels as we ‘race’ around the state! The goal with this challenge is to get kids and adults alike excited about reading. As such, any school, community organization, business, individual, or family in SD are welcome to participate!
For more information about this year's challenge, visit our Race to Read Challenge page.
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Young Readers One Book
Each year, Black Hills Reads partners with the SD Humanities Council to bring students across the Black Hills the selected 'Young Readers One Book' (YROB) for the current year.
Teacher/parent supplemental materials are provided along with fun Black Hills Reads swag for the students. There is also an opportunity for students to meet the author of current year's book in person or via live stream during the annual Festival of Books.
Explore Your Next Chapter
2022 YROB
Black Hills Reads was pleased to collaborate once again with the SD Humanities Council to Bring the Black Hills the 2022 Young Readers One Book, Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11 by N. Griffin. See the replay of the YouTube live event here.
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Young Writers 3rd Grade Writing Contest
Each year, Black Hills Reads hosts a writing contest for all third graders in the Black Hills. During the 2022 contest, every 3rd grader who entered received a free ticket to a Rush game. Plus, each category winner won a special visit from Nugget at school, and a family pass to a Rush game. Writers submitted short stories or poems based on themes from this year's Young Readers One Book. Stay tuned for details about the 2023 contest.