Rise Up, Read More

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    Students Reading

    "Reading is the gateway skill, it is the new civil right. Because children cannot access their other rights unless they can read well and strategically. In fact, good readers support our democracy, because it allows readers to interact with texts and make decisions that affect their lives. It is truly the most important thing that we do."   
    –Phyllis C. Hunter 

    Reading is a civil right, and it is a foundation for success in life.   

    It is a part of our responsibility as educators to set the conditions for students to thoroughly enjoy the reading experience and understand its value and purpose in life. According to the District’s priorities identified in our Strategic Plan, outstanding achievement is at the top of the list. Building a culture of literacy in our schools, community, and district that develops avid readers will dramatically increase students’ academic achievement and equip them with the tools necessary to pursue successful, prosperous lives.  

    Rise Up, Read More is designed to get students to read more. The research on reading is clear: reading more is scientifically proven to improve a readers' reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general knowledge.  Additionally, individuals who read communicate better, are more knowledgeable, more successful, and earn more than those who do not. 

     

    How does the District support independent reading?

    • Through opportunities for accountable independent reading provided within our daily core curriculum programs
    • Through our district-wide independent reading challenge during the school year called the “Rise Up, Read More”  
    • Through a variety of partnership programs with local and national partners 
    • Through Semester Reading Celebrations and school-based community events 
    • Through partnering with the community in our Let’s Read Community Reading Program 

  • Rise Up, Read More! A District-Wide Competition for All K-12 Students to Practice and Enjoy Reading! 

    The Division of Literacy remains dedicated to enhancing core literacy instruction and providing targeted support for struggling readers. While we recognize the importance of measurable literacy performance through state assessments, our mission goes beyond numbers. We strive to ignite a passion for reading in every student, as reading is a gateway to new experiences, personal growth, and civic engagement. By encouraging accountable, independent reading outside of coursework, we help students discover their potential. Last year, our students showcased their love of reading by logging thousands of minutes in the Rise Up, Read More Challenge. This year, we are excited to partner again with the Detroit Public Library to achieve a record number of independent reading hours, both in school and at home. Let's #Roar into Reading! 

    Inspiring Change Through Stories! 

    We are partnering again with the Detroit Public Library to log a record number of accountable independent reading hours both in school and at home! 

    When:  

    Challenge Round #1 runs now through January 10, 2026 

    Challenge Round #2 runs January 19- March 27, 2026 

    Who: All kindergarten–12th grade DPSCD students 

    What: K-5th grade classrooms and individual 6th-12th grade students are challenged to read at least 15 minutes per day individually and to log their reading using the Detroit Public Library Beanstack Reading Application. During this challenge, students are encouraged to read books related to their interests. 

    How: Students in grades K–5 are registered as a class by their homeroom teacher. Directions for teachers to register K–5 students can be found here and below. K–5 students' reading will be logged by homeroom teachers. Students in grades 6–12 will register themselves for a challenge during their ELA Class. Directions for 6th–8th grade students to register can be found here. Directions for 9th –12th grade students to register can be found here. 

    Prizes: 

    • The top three classrooms with the highest number of logged reading minutes will receive a prize pack and a field trip to Birdie’s Book Nest. 

    • The top three students in grades 6–8 with the most minutes logged per challenge will receive a prize pack. 

    • The top three students in grades 9–12 with the most minutes logged per challenge will receive a prize pack. 

    • Students who complete ten or more activities will be entered into a raffle for additional prizes.  

    Book Recommendations:  

    New this year to the challenge are recommendations for reading to help complete the challenge activities. These will also be found on the Beanstack app.  

    Please contact Emily Pettey, Program Supervisor in the Department of Literacy, for more information on Rise Up, Read More!

    K-5 Books 

    Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai 

    Change Sings: A Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman 

    A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara 

    The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig 

    Emmanuel's Dream: A True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson 

    The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay 

    Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris 

    What If… by Samantha Berger and Michel Curato 

    And Off You Go to Change the World by Ashten Evans 

    The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by Sophie Javna 

    Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World by Garth Sundem 

    Maddie's Fridge by Lois Brandt 

    You Will Do Great Things by Amerie 

    I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes 

    You Can Be a Good Friend by Taraji P. Henson 

    A World of Kindness by Ann Featherstone 

     

    6-8 Books 

    It's All of Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango 

    Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta 

    Speak Up, Santiago by Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez 

    Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes 

    The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by Sophie Javna 

    Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World by Garth Sundem 

    Stuck by Jennifer Swender 

    The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore 

    You Are Only Just Beginning by Morgan Harper Nichols 

    Flying Lessons & Other Stories by Ellen Oh 

    Posted by John David Anderson 

    Okay for Now by Gary D Schmidt 

    Out of My Mind Series by Sharon M. Draper 

    Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed 

    One Last Word by Nikki Grimes 

    For Everyone by Jason Reynolds 

     

    9-12 Books 

    Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 

    I Am Malala by Malala Yousafezai 

    When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk 

    The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

    What Makes Us by Rafi Mittlefehldt 

    Words We Don't Say by K.J. Reilly 

    Somebody Give This Heart a Pen by Sophia Thakur 

    Dear Martin by Nic Stone 

    Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith 

    All The Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr 

    Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo 

    The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas 

    Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman 

    A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman 

    The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner 

    Truth Is, A Novel in Verse by Hannah V. Sawyerr 

    We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds 

    Please contact Emily Pettey, Program Supervisor in the Department of Literacy, for more information on Rise Up, Read More! 

  • Get Started Today

    1. Sign up students using the directions for your grade level: 
      K–5 Grade (for classroom teachers ONLY)
      6–12 Grade

    2. Start logging reading minutes. Minutes can be logged while reading or after.
       
      For K–5: Teachers log minutes after registering classes using the same link used to register students. Minutes are logged for the whole class, not for individual students.

      For 6–12: Students register themselves for the challenge during ELA class using the same link. Students log their reading minutes daily.


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