In2Books (ePals Foundation)

This is my 5th year as an in2books teacher, and I cannot say enough about how this program motivates at-risk students to read and write! It allows students to select their own books, and then write letters to a pen pal who has also read the same books. Students who are very resistant to writing willingly type a letter to their pen pal and the revision process is almost painless! I am a veteran special education teacher and my students are SO excited to exchange letters with their wonderful pen pals!

Reading has always been an important part of my life. Like most, it was taken me on journeys far beyond what I could imagine. As an online penpal/volunteer for the last three years, In2Books has helped me continue that journey and share with children all over the United States. I am honored to serve with this organization.

I love being part of In2Books! Since it is a email pen pal program, you can write you letters at midnight if you so choose! As a retired teacher I like being able to share books and connect with students. The In2Books web site is very easy to use, and has lots of good ideas for writing your letters. In2Books is a program for anyone, whether they are educators or not. This would be an excellent program for someone who wants to volunteer but may not have the mobility to volunteer outside the home.

It was a great experience corresponding with a student about what he was reading in class. He was very eager to share about himself and the things he liked about school. I hope I was a positive example for him in his educational goals. I hope to volunteer again. There were a few system glitches that delayed several messages, but other than that it was a great experience that I hope to have again.

I enjoyed the interaction with my student. He had a great sense of humor and it was fun to communicate with him on the books. Besides, In2Books, offers great help in doing a good job of working with the students.

In2books is a great organization in which children can experience the joy of reading and sharing books with others. I used this program in my third grade classroom. My students had a better understanding of reading for a purpose and writing responses with evidence from the story. I will be volunteering again this year and hopefully many years to come.

In2Books is a dynamic program that impacts the lives of elementary students. the program provides books and adult pen pals for children to read with and write to. The In2Books program provided students in my class the opportunity to choose books from differnt genres to read throughout the yar and an adult pen pal was advised and read the same book. My students had the opportunity to write a letter to their pen pal and share their thoughts on the books read and hear what they (pen-pal _ thought. It encouraged my students to read and also provided a forum for them to learn about other areas of our country. My students were excited about the program and looked forward to not only getting their books (which they got to keep) but also getting their letters. I highly recomment In2Books because the program not only assists students in reading, but it affords them the opportunity to increase their knowledge of grammar skills as they enjoy and learn more about themselves and become reflective thinkers.

I found out about In2Books when I was studying to be an elementary educator in Southern Maine. Unfortunately, elementary education is a popular career field, so job opportunities are few. I have always supplemented my education with volunteer experience, so I was excited to learn of In2Books. Since joining the program, I have worked with different students from across the United States, and from very different backgrounds. In sharing my own stories and thoughts, I am able to connect with a child that I know I am impacting not only now, but also into the future with the gift of literacy. To watch a child learn and grow as a student and as a reader is one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities I have ever been awarded, and I highly recommend the ePals Foundation to any would-be educator who just wants to make a difference.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with In2Books. This organization allowed me the opportunity to pursue a dream...reading and communicating with children. I have always enjoyed reading and talking to other people about what I had read. I also liked receiving input from others about books to read. In2Books allowed me this opportunity. It was fun to communicate with a student I did not know. His suggestion of the books we were to read was a thrill. I had never read any of the books he had chosen. The program has the books set p by genre. Each book was picked from a different genre and I believe had some correlation to what the children were studying in school. After reading the books, we corresponded by email to give our thoughts about the books. There was always questions from the student about the book. He also included his thoughts and wanted to hear mine. Not only did I become aware of books I had never read, but I had the great joy of seeing a book through a child's eye...it does not get much better than that! There is such a need to assist children and adults in reading and understanding, no matter what the media is. I believe In2Books is a marvelous way to get to be a part of this. I believe it is as good for the children and as well as the adults. I only with my penpal and I could have read more books. Please endorse this program...It has so many special gifts to offer children as well as adults.

My wife was a K-12 reading specialist for many years and introduced me to in2books (ePals Foundation). I've now been a volunteer penpal to 4 students and have found it to be very rewarding. I can honestly say that I have seen, first hand, how much reading can change a child in just a few short months. The improvement in vocabulary, organization of thoughts, and ability to answer questions was clearly evident in their e-mails to me in response to the books and my e-mails with questions to them.

All my life I have wanted to be a Pen Pal; but the opportunity never arose. Even though I have lived abroad and wrote countless letters to family and friends, there seemed to be something magical about writing to a perfect stranger. So when, in my retirement, I learned about In2Books, a volunteer program that places adults with children through the safety of a school system, who shared the love of reading books together, I was hooked! "My child" selects a book along with classmates, and we volunteers read that book. Afterwards, "my child" and I become PenPals as we write to each other about what we thought of "our book." This In2Books adventure has been going on over five years for me. And I can't express enough the love and joy reading with youngsters brings into my life. Their innocence and my life experiences bring lessons to each of us. It is amazing how close one can feel to a child unsceen. Won't you give it a try? You will be happy that you did. :0)

In2Books is a great non-profit that benefits not only the child, but the volunteer as well. I thoroughly enjoyed participating knowing that I was helping a child grow and develop. One of fht books we read was about Albert Einstein. My student asked me quite a few questions that I researched to provide answers for her. It was a positive and rewarding experience! I am looking forward to participating again this year!!!

I enjoyed volunteering with In2Books. I love reading and I wanted to help kids learn to love readin also. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the books. They were fun and educational. It was a fun, easy and quick way to volunteer.

I have been part In2Books for several years now, and enjoy it very much. I find it a win-win situation - I get the chance to be penpals with and learn from a child from another state, they get a chance to learn the books they are studying from a totally different perspective. We are usually in different states, so we have a shared opportunity to learn about another part of the country. And In2Books makes it easy to fit in anyone's schedule as well.

In2books is an activity that allowed me to feel useful to children, to education, and to society. There is a responsibility of educating, respecting a child, as well as an enrichment that comes with our interaction. As a volunteer activity, it is very convenient. I have a busy schedule, working 60-70 hours a week, and it was easy to get used to it... of course in the beginning I questioned if I was doing alright, but ordering a book (which I would usually read in half an hour) and writing to the child about it made me feel at ease after a couple of letters. There is a satisfaction over several months of interaction... and I learned something everytime, without taking much of my time, without being overwhelmed, at all. It was worth writing these 4 letters, maybe 5 if you want, over the course of 10 months, and I will stick with the program for another year...

Recently retired and a former elementary teacher who wanted to have more connections with young children to make a difference in their lives, I came upon In2Books as a volunteer opportunity. This organization gave me the chance to be flexible with my time and still mentor young children. I enjoyed reading the books my student and his class chose for each genre throughout the school year. His teacher kept me informed about her class' progress with reading books and writing letters back and forth by email through the site. Best of all, I was able to be in touch and communicate with a young student and still live in my winter home part of the year. I recommend this volunteer opportunity for anyone who enjoys children, reading, writing and has about an hour each month to work from your computer.

I was a penpal for In2books this past year, and it has been really fun to write with a kid (I think who lives in New York?). One of the best parts of the program was the email he wrote around Valentine's Day. There was a note at the bottom that said, "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY BEST PENPAL YOUR COOL." The one thing that was difficult about this program was that the letters never matched up--there was never a conversation between me and my penpal. I think part of the reason was that we only wrote one letter every few months. Maybe it would have been more helpful if there were letters in between books too?

My penpal and I exchanged letters about once a month. The books were easy to read, and I found all of them at my local library, so I didn't have to spend any money. I enjoyed my give and take with a 4th grade boy who lives across the country. I wish we could have exchanged photos, or that I could have purchased a book for him at the end of the program.

I have been with In2Books for 3 years. It is wonderful to engage a young reader and feel that I am somehow encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

I don't have children of my own and wanted to do something to help the coming generation. I enjoy writing letters and especially enjoy reading the colorful letters I get back from the student to whom I write. The books we read in tandem have also been interesting and, even though they are children's literature, I have learned from them. The demand on my time and energy is quite manageable amid my otherwise busy schedule. I try to encourage and motivate the students I correspond with and I find myself so glad I became a part of this project.

I love In2Books! I truly appreciate the opportunity to share my love of books and of learning with a child, in a time-manageable format. I have enjoyed reading new children's books and rediscovering old favorites. The cost to participate is minimal, but the payoff is huge!

I was looking for a way to volunteer and make a difference here in the United States. I needed something that would work in with my full time work schedule and be of interest to myself and the benefactors. In2Books was perfect. It was simple, easy to follow, fun to engage in and I even learned a thing or two. Such an easy way to make a difference.

I'm really into getting kids interested in books and I wanted to get involved in volunteering. In2Books has been the perfect place for me. I have been a penpal for over 2 years and have enjoyed reading and discussing books with kids.

As both a volunteer and someone heavily involved in the realm of Education, I was quite impressed with the In2Books program. I had great interaction with my pal Alexa and I know that the content was age-appropriate and enriching. All too often we overlook the problem of the literacy disconnect between socioeconomic classes and this program is doing a great job at combating the issue. I comment In2Books and the ePals Foundation for putting together such a seamless and wonderful program. I will surely volunteer again.

I have tried the In2Books for two years and have been completely dissatisfied with the schools. It appears that this program is not meaningful enough to make it a positive goal for the teachers as well as students to read and write letters. I feel that it should be required and not just a program that is a hit and a miss if there is enough time to do it. This should be included in their curriculum and be part of their grade. Anyways, I do not plan on putting any more time into this program since its not taken seriously!

I enjoy volunteering with In2Books because it gives me the opportunity to do what I enjoy - reading and writing -- while helping to make a difference in a young student's school year. I really love seeing the improvement in their level of writing and comprehension as we move through the reading units. In2Books makes it easy to get books, through their source, Amazon, or the library. I have to admit that my favorite part of the program is that my volunteer work happens in the convenience of my home, whenever I can fit in the time to complete the reading and writing that my student pen pal looks forward to. It's a great program. I highly recommend!

I am a former English teacher. I used to teach 2nd, 5th, and 6th grade. I had to retire early for my teaching career, so I was excited about working with a girl in the fourth grade. We read the same books and reviewed them. I know that we were both so excited to receive letters from each other. I feel as though I got to know my epal by relating real life experiences to the stories we read. While she was improving on her writing skills and her knowledge of reading, we were also forming a kind of friendship that wouldn't have happened without Epals. My epal had a wonderfully developed sense of humor that showed in her written letters. I have enjoyed it so much, that I am looking forward to meeting a new epal friend.

I considered it a privilege to be a tutor in the In2Books program. We hear all sorts of bad things about the school systems these days, and with good reason I believe. But this program has real value for the children and I found myself wishing that all schools could be a part of this or something similar. Not only does it give the children the chance to write something meaningful in a real life context, but it also provides them with opportunities to interact with responsible adults that can be good role models and examples for the children. The child that I was pen pals with always expressed enthusiam at the chance to write and receive letters back, and although the timing wasn't always ideal for me, I still spent a lot of time composing each letter to give the child the best experience possible.

Get involved with a child's educational development. Read a book with a child! This is what In2books is all about. Become a pen pal. This is such a fundamental thing one can do to enhance a child's learning experience. And it is fun too. You get to learn about them too and all their interests, hopes, and dreams. Children are so creative and always have something funny to say. I enjoy reading, so helping someone else read & learn is so satisfying. When they write that they can't wait for the next letter, well that means you are making an impact. That's what it's all about. Cheers!

In2Books is a great way to volunteer online. You get to share letters with students about books they are reading in class. I always looked forward to getting my letters. The online nature of this program allowed me to read and communicate on my own schedule, which was great. I look forward to volunteering again!

I was able to participate in the In2books program this past school year. It was a great experience. I was able to read and discuss book with my pen pal. We had great conversations and I really enjoyed my time with him. I would love to do it again this year. My only concern was the time line. It was constantly changing and sometimes the books would not show up on the timeline until two days before the assignment was due. Overall, the program was great.

I have been working as a volunteer with In2Books for two years. I love the experience and think it's a great way to volunteer without having to leave your own home! Literacy is such an important thing and this is a great way to support students who need us most. I'd recommend In2Books (and have!) to anyone. I am getting my Masters in Reading Education and have recruited other teachers from my classes to join.

I enjoy reading books with my students and seeing their varying understanding versus mine. They have so much enthusiasm and really enjoy the exchange. It is a nice contrast to adult book clubs I belong to. The kids focus on the positive and the adults focus on the negative.

In2Books is an online mentoring opportunity that matches adults as pen pals with students. They then work through a series of different books together, while exchanging letters discussing their questions and opinions on the subject matter, as well as developing a friendship. I have participated as an online pen pal with the In2Books program each of the past four school years, and I intend to continue for the foreseeable future. I've been matched with six students thus far. I feel that, implemented appropriately, this program has great potential to positively impact children with regard to reading and writing skills. My student pen pals have always seemed genuinely enthusiastic about exchanging letters. They aren't always very focused on the books we are to be sharing, but they enjoy communicating with someone who takes an interest in what matters to them. The level of responsiveness from the classroom varies. Some of the students' teachers are very involved and take initiative to let the volunteer pen pals know exactly when the class is at each stage of the process. However, this hasn't been common in my experience. I understand that classrooms are extremely busy, and it's not always possible to keep up with the exchange of letters. My critique of the In2Books program would be that it seems to be somewhat unrealistically scheduled. From what I've experienced with six different classes, it is simply not feasible for students to get through the five specified genres within the required timeframe. The most ambitious class I worked with made it through only three full sessions. Generally, things start out fairly well, but after a few months at the most, classrooms fall far behind the In2Books online deadline schedule. Most times, I've stopped receiving letters from my student pen pal before the school year is even half over. In some cases, they continue through the books without sending letters, but usually activity and communication with In2Books seems to cease entirely. I write my letters as soon as possible, and it takes quite a long time to receive a reply, if one ever comes. I would suggest that instead of having a set order of genres to proceed through, perhaps they could allow each classroom to tailor their individual curriculum to better fit their needs and time constraints. A lot of the students really struggle with reading and writing, so it seems like it could become burdensome for them to muddle through while following a particular schedule. Perhaps each class could select three genres each year that interested them. As it is now, most classrooms never reach the final cycles during the course of a school year. All in all, this program is definitely worthwhile, but it does require the volunteer to be patient and flexible. Just remember, you're making a difference, and don't let it get you down if you don't hear back from your student. The teachers that are quite involved have assured me that the students really appreciate the letters they receive.

For me, reading when I was growing up was like watching TV for today's youth. We had a TV, but I preferred to read as I could make the scenery MY scenery, the clothing MY designs, etc. Being a volunteer reading mentor I how I can try and show other young people how to have imagination and creativity. I work a full-time and a part-time job. So, volunteering for In2Books is conducive to my work schedule. I CAN do it all! :)

As a recently retired educator, I was looking for a way to continue working with children in a cooperative, supportive manner. I discovered In2Books during an online volunteer search, and have been with the program for two years. The online support enables anyone with an interest in literature to be successful while helping a child to explore the different genres of books. The letter writing process is easy to folllow and allows you to share your opinions and reactions to the assigned readings. It's always exciting to receive a letter from your student and to read their thoughts and questions. I can highly recommend this program as a way to support children and foster a lifelong love of reading!

i think this is a great program for both the student and the adult . it shows the adult leadership for the student as they are helping the students learn better creativity .

The opportunity to share a reading experience with a youngster in a secure enviroment is the reason that I have returned each year to participate in the In2Books program. The insights the youngsters bring to each new book are inspirational. They amaze me at times. I most appreciate that teachers are totally involved in the program, committed to ensuring that students get the assignment done, communicating with us, the volunteers, reviewing what we write to their student and what is sent to us. Those who participate seem excited to be part of In2Books. I know that I am.

I was able to step in as a volunteer/mentor with a student mid-school year when her original mentor needed to leave for personal reasons. I was very impressed that in2books would do this; and not leave a young person hanging w/o a mentor while the rest of her classmates continued in the program! Though my tenure has been short, I had the opportunity to connect and care about an adolescent - which wouldn't have happened without in2books. In addition, the focus was on reading, learning, critical thinking, personal opinions, and the ability to convey thought in a cohesive manner; all the while incorporating technology. Does it get any better?? Thank you for your consideration of in2books!

With In2Books, I was matched with a student. The student chose a book we would both read together. After we read the book, the student and I would write letters about it to each other. Since I was connected with the same student over the course of a school year, we read 5 books together. Over that time, we got to know each other a bit by sharing information about ourselves. A connection was made and the volunteering fit my busy schedule while promoting reading and writing skills.

I wanted to make a difference in a child's schooling and this program did just that! I work many hours and have a non-stop schedule, but with this reading program, you can fit it in anytime! I'm up extremely early and could fit in reading the books required for the class and respond when I wanted to. Early morning, daytime, late night, whenever. With the future being so dependent on computer based knowledge, I felt this program is helping those students who otherwise would not have access to a computer. It's teaching them about email and the fact that their penpal cares enough to communicate with them.G Great program!!!!

In2Books is such a wonderful program for children who don't have the opportunity to have someone read with them. It helps them think about what they read, which in turns makes them actually read the book and think about what they want to write about the story. This is important for the learning skills that are needed in their future! I am proud to be involved with In2Books!

I have been involved witn ePals as a teacher for over ten years. My students have been penpals with other students in classrooms around the world through ePals. The experience(s) afforded the students have been wonderful. The last four years I have been fortunate to work with In2Books. The In2Books adult mentor/literacy program is incredible. Through reading books of different genres and "discussing" the books with an adult mentor, students are exposed to literature and critical-thinking skills that are truly life-changing. In2Books is a well-conceived program of literary enrichment for students everywhere.

My pen pal and I had a very positiver inter-action and communication. Our exporation of her interests expanded into a diverse source of educational material. Her comments in response to my feedback helped to develop a learning experience, that was filled with learning and motivational strategies.

I love writing letters with my elementary school pen pals. We read the same books (which I get from the library - no cost and little hassle) and exchange letters outlining our experience of book, plus little bits about our daily lives (like loving soccer or playing in the snow). I have a great time reading the books, writing my letters, and - of course - reading the letters I receive from my pen pal.

I had the most wonderful experience with In2Books. I was quickly paired with a young girl named Hanna. We chatted about all kinds of different books and we chatted about our personal lives. I live in Georgia and she lived out west somewhere and we compared our weather a lot! We both really enjoyed our reading assignment, "Who was Albert Einstein?" I made sure that I asked a lot of open ended questions and not just yes or no questions. I do think that we need to work on communication with the teachers better. I had no idea when she got out of school and we did not get to say good bye.

I'm an Emergency Department Nurse and often on days off just want to fall back on a bit of quiet. If you have a job like mine, or if you are a bit of an introvert and want to volunteer "quietly", then In2Books is perfect. This is also the perfect job for a senior who can't get out much, or for someone who lives remotely or who is unable to volunteer in a more traditional way. As an In2Books volunteer I know I make a difference when I write to my pen pal, and I can volunteer when I have a break in my very crazy schedule. It is about books, of course, but it is giving a fellow reader a chance to formulate and share their ideas, and about giving a young person some personalized attention and support and encouragement. I have been an In2Books volunteer for 3 years now, and can't wait for year 4 to begin. I get much, much, much more from my pen pals than they get from me. Think you can't find time to volunteer? Wrong again---there is always time to virtual volunteer, and In2Books is one of the best examples. We all need to give back, because we are all given in some way. Sincerely, Susan Dungan

I have participated in In2books for three years now. Its user friendly, fun, and I believe it truly helps build literacy in the classroom. It's exciting to recieve your pen-pal at the begining of each year and share your thoughts and feelings on books throughout the year. On a personal level this program has ecouraged me to read books outside of my favorite genres and I hope its doing the same for the children. I highly reccomend this program!

In2Books is a wonderful nonprofit organization that matches up grade school students to adult mentors. The students and mentors read and share their thoughts and ideas about the book they have read, through the exchange of letters over the secured site. I as a mentor, really enjoyed getting to know my student and exchange letters with her.

I really enjoyed participating in In2Books. It was awesome being able to mentor a child in another state. I had a great time purchasing the books and interacting with the child I was given. The letters were awesome as well. I always looked forward to reading them and I hope she enjoyed reading mine as well. I would definitely participate in this program again. It's a great program, and it benefits the children who are involved on a level any child would enjoy.

It was a great opportunity getting to know the students in this program. There were two students that I worked with, and we read stories together and sent pen-pal letters to each other. I shared my experience and insight into the books, and it was rewarding reading the experiences of the students.

I stumbled across In2books and figured I would give it a try. I am constantly reading and encouraging my children to read. I am even in the process of completing my degree in English so that I can encourage more children to enjoy reading. I have now completed two years of volunteering for IN2Books and I have loved every minute of it, the joy I get when I receive a letter from my pen pal is overwhelming. I hope and wish more and more people would donate, volunteer, and support such a great program.

I found out about In2Books several years ago when reading a magazine about volunteer opportunities. I joined and have been so impressed with their program. They matched me up with a little boy and we read books together and then wrote letters back and forth. It was wonderful. We had a great time. I have done this since 2009 and have enjoyed every minute. The kids are great and the teachers are very helpful when you need them. The site is very user friendly and I have been able to get all the books through the library. All in all, this has been a fabulous experience and I plan to continue for years. It's really fun.

I think this organization is well organized and its purposes are goodhearted.

I loved being a mentor for a young child. Being able to make a difference in someone's life is indescribable. I am ready to participate again. The coordination between a child and a mentor is in need of improvement. In some cases while I read one book, the child appear to read another. I hope to see an improvement in the future.

I was partnered with a student and we read books at the same time. We then exchanged letters, via the organization's website, discussing the books. I saw a great improvement in my student's ability to think and write cohesively during the course of the school year. And, because the books are geared to young readers, participating didn't take much of my time. I even learned myself from the topics of the books!

I loved volunteering with In2Books. It was a really great experience. I looked forward to each email from my student and really enjoyed the books he chose. I would definitely recommend volunteering with them to my friends!

I was really excited about this project at first, believing that I could make a difference in a young student's life. However, it took months before I was "matched" with a student. I put the word matched in quotes, because I only became aware of the students letter in Feb 2012, but learned she had sent it in Dec 2011. I was never notified by the site in Dec that I had received a match. I reached out to the student again, and to her teacher and sent 3 emails between Feb and Mar 2012, none of which were ever returned, and, for all I know, ever received. I felt the entire program is disorganized, and worse, I felt I let the student down because of it. The program, in my experience, deserves 1 star, but I felt that would be a little too heartless, given its positive intentions.

I found the In2Books experience to be personally satisfying to me. I enjoyed corresponding with my student. I know that this program makes a difference in the the lives of these students and greatly benefits their studies. The teachers also appreciated the extra attention we were able to provide.

Volunteering for In2books is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference in the lives of children helping them to better understand what they are reading as they create written narratives about those aspects of the stories they relate to. It gives them the ability to interact one on one with another adult who can bring new perspectives into their reading experience and help bolster their confidence in innumerable ways. Perhaps one of the better features of the program is that communication is done via Internet so the volunteer is able to work together with the child long distance, each reading the story and responding within a specific timeframe that is flexible for both parties.

In2Books gave me an opportunity to make a new friend and share experiences while reading books together. This was my first year as a volunteer, but their website offered a variety of resources to help new volunteers correspond effectively with their student pen pal. The only problem that I had was that it took longer than expected for me to be paired up with a student. The teachers mentioned that the students looked forward to letters from their mentor pen pals, but I was just as excited each time I received one from my student! It reminded me of when I waited for letters from pen pals as a child - before electronic communication came along.

This was a most rewarding experience to help a student by being a pen pal. We got to know each other and review the books we read together. I would recommend this volunteer project as a unique experience.

This past year, as a volunteer with In2Books, I served as a"e-pal" or mentor to a 3rd grader in Illinois. I read the same books she was reading in her class and then we e-mailed each other, discussing the books. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and felt I was contributing to "Veronica's" understanding and enjoyment of each book. She certainly contributed to mine! We were able to build a relationship simply by e-mailing notes to each other throughout the school year. We started recommending other books to each other and she has shown me some new gems of children's literature. What I enjoyed most, however, was seeing Veronica develop critical thinking, as we discussed the chooses made by various characters in the books we read. She was very critical of the poorer choices, but eventually could understand why the character might have made that choice. We discussed similar choices relevant to her own life, and I hope when she is faced with serious choices, she is able to maintain her strong sense of justice while tempering it with empathy for others' points of view. I want to thank In2Books for allowing me to make a small impact on a child's life!!

It is nice to that I can help get kids into reading.

Volunteering with In2Books was a very rewarding experience. It allowed me to make a connection with a child through reading which is something I already love to do. Not only did I help my pen pal with her reading comprehension, we formed a friendship and each of us looked forward to hearing from one another. I don't always have as much free time as I would like to dedicate to volunteering, but participating with In2Books was easy because I could do it from my home. The friendship I formed through this expereince was invaluable and I would definitely recommend particpating to anyone who wants to make a difference in a child's life.

I have truly enjoyed my experience with In2Books. For the past few years I have met and corresponded with a new pen pal each year and shared a love of books with them. It is always fun to hear what the students think about the book and what questions and comments they form after reading a story. If I could make one bit of advice to In2Books it would be to find a way for volunteers to have access to the chosen books without having to purchase the book. There have been times when neither of the 3 libraries I have access to have had the book and I have been forced to purchase it. Having no young children of my own this has not been something I wished to do. Another problem with having to purchase the books is that many volunteers such as myself are on tight budgets. If In2Books would make an electronic copy available of the books the student chooses I'm sure many volunteers would appreciate it. The organization addresses a real need in the community by encouraging young people to read and providing mentoring support.

A year ago I was looking for a way that I could give back to the community and make a difference at the same time. As I was searching the web I came across ePals Foundation and found out about In2Books. In2Books is a program that matches volunteers with young students to help improve their reading skills. You are matched with a student and you keep in touch by In2Books email. The student chooses a book and you get the same book to read. The topics of the books varies through different genres and you read 6 books throughout the school year. After you have read the book, you write to the student regarding the book and the student writes back to you. In2Books provides some information and questions to focus on you writing to the student. You decorate the letter and the student also responds to you with a decorated letter. At first I was wary about the process of having a back ground check and being approved. After calling the In2Books program I was able to ask questions and any reservations I had went out the door. The process of having a pen pal throughout the year where I was able to read books and share my love for reading was rewarding for me. I thought that I would be giving only, but I have to say that I received so many rewards. I was able to read some books that I have never read before. I learned about Tsunamis and what to do in case of natural disasters. I also have never known anything about pyramids and Egyptians, but was introduced to the topic through the book and letters with my ePal. I take the time to tell others about the program every chance I get. It is such a worthy cause to encourage children to enjoy reading, write and develop their thinking skills. It also gave me the chance to read children books that I never read before. I think that it is a volunteer opportunity to provided me with the ability to give back while enjoying one of my favorite pastime, reading.

I have been an in2books volunteer for two years and think it is by far the best volunteer experience I have ever had. As an avid reader I love connecting with a child over a book they selected. It is so much fun to hear their perspective on things they've read. The most rewarding part for me is to see the progress in their letters from the beginning of the school year to the end. I've witnessed both of my pen palls make great developments in their communication skills. It also feels good to let them know their is an adult out there who in interested in their opinion and cares about what they think. The fact that I can do all of this from the comfort of my home is the icing on the cake. In2books is an amazing experience that I highly recommend!

I just spent the school year sharing books read with a 3rd grader 4 states away. He was bright, funny and very enthusiastic about the books we read and the letters we exchanged. This has been one of the greatest experiences I have been honored to be a part of. In2books not only encourages children to read and improve their comprehension skills, but it helps them learn to communicate effectively and to see others opinions, thoughts and points of view too. I absolutely love this program!

As a retired reading specialist...I enjoy sharing a self choice book with a student and "discuss" the book elements together. We, also, share a limited about of personal perspective about the characters and situations. With the cut backs in time spent with interacting together, this is a valuable time. My only problem with the program is the lack of computer time these students get. It would be so wonderful for them to more access to technology...either through additional computers or the addition of tablets! I recommend this program and hope to see it grow.

I thoroughly enjoy participating in "In2Books". Children are the future of our county. What better way to ensure that our country is in good hands than giving our children the opportunity to learn all they can through educating them on the value of every human being and the importance of listening to different points of view and teaching them to consider all these ideas and then make their own decisions. Learning to think for yourself is perhaps one of the most important things that a child can be taught. By communicating with children through "In2Books" they learn to read, think about the deeper meanings of the writer and then discuss those ideas with their pen pal. They learn to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely through letter writing. This not only teaches the child but it keeps me current and the child teaches me as well. We, as pen pals, come from many different parts of the country so we can add value to the child's education by discussing their ideas and adding our thoughts. I firmly believe that this enhances the child's education and their understanding of the world. I would like to see every school participate in this valuable program. It offers a wider view of the world and enhances their classroom experience.

I have participated in In2Books for several years now. It is a great program to help students read and correspond with people outside those that they normally do. I have been delighted to get emails from my new penpals each time and enjoy their insights into the stories.

I am a pen pal with a student during the school year. In2Books matches up students and adult pen pals to communicate and discuss books selected by the students' class. The site facilitates the communication, notifying you when it's time to purchase a book. You purchase the same book as the student, read it and send the student a letter with your opinions about the book. You ask relevant questions with an aim to get the student to think more deeply about the meanings. In2Books has an interactive website with templates for letters that make it quite easy to use. The time involved is about 1-2 hours every 6-8 weeks during the school year. The experience is rewarding each and every time you send and receive a letter and realize that you are helping to make a difference in a student's life.

I loved corresponding with the 5th grader that I was in contact all year. HIs teacher did a great job of making sure they made their timelines. My student was friendly and always had great insights to what he and his classmates were reading. His responses to my letters were heartfelt and gave me a sense that I was truly connecting to him and his world.

This is a great program for any volunteer who loves to read. I loved interacting with a student and reading what they had to say about the books. It also encourages me to read more critically, which is never bad! And you get to read some pretty fun children's books.

As a former teacher, In2Books helped me stay connected to what I love most-- helping kids. It was a pleasure to read and share letters with my pen pal. Throughout the year I saw him grow as a reader and writer, and I hope, to love books. He had never been to the state where I live, so it was fun to share what Virginia is like with someone who had never visited here. I was sorry to see our year together end!

In2Books is a fantastic way for people like myself to help children learn the so important skill of reading, comprehension and a love of books. And all from home! I have worked with the program for several years and have several pen-pals. I love receiving their letters and enjoy hearing their point of view about the books. Some of these little guys have a great sense of humor. I also like knowing they are excited to get my letter too. It is a wonderful program with benefits for all. I would highly recommend this program to everyone!!

I liked being able to communicate directly with my student and watch them learn over the course of the school year. We had some interesting conversations; sometimes they were off-topic, although the discussion had been prompted by the book. The books we read were thought-provoking and well chosen. However, I felt that I didn't make that much of an impact on my student's writing/reading/general learning abilities. Perhaps a little more time could be spend coaching volunteers on how to ask good questions about the books that will spark conversations and allow the student to use critical thinking skills.

Great program! Everuthing is online so it fits my schedule. It feels great to see how month by month the student's skills are improving with every book that they read and discuss.

Working with In2Books was a very rewarding experience for me on many levels. I am a retired English teacher, and I loved having the opportunity to share my love of books with a student who lives across the country from me. We read several different kinds of books and then shared our reading experiences with each other via e-mail. I felt that the books that we read were very well written (and also well illustrated). I enjoyed getting letters from my pen pal and always looked forward to the next book. I know that "writing for an audience" is extremely important for students, so the fact that my student had a "live audience" to read his work must have helped his writing skills. I also felt that I was very well informed as to what was expected of me and what my due dates were. All in all, this was a very positive (and not overly time-consuming) volunteer opportunity. I am signing up again this year!

I have been volunteering with In2books for two to three years. I have had a great experience each year exchanging letters with students. Each student is so unique and responsive. They all seem so excited to have a penpal also. The tools that In2books provide to their volunteers are great and improve each year. They offer plenty of writing tools and resources to help volunteers understand more about the topic their student is learning. The program is very organized and not too time consuming for individuals who would like to volunteer but have minimal time.

In 2 Books matches students with an adult ementor. I think this system would have worked better if there were online versions of the books that you could make notes in and discuss. I felt like my student either was not interested in the program or was not given much time to complete the reading/letter writing. I would recieve letters that were very short. For example, "William" would write, "I liked this book. I learned about the weather. My favorite part was..." I would respond with questions about the reading and never got responses. It was not what I expected and was rather disappointing.

In2Books is a wonderful program! I began volunteering with In2Books several years ago when I was a junior in college. I love volunteering but between school and work finding the time proved difficult. In2Books allowed me to combine my love of volunteering with reading and I was able to do it from my home! Ever since then I have stuck with the program. The program is very easy to get involved with and is very organized. It takes up very little time so it is a perfect way to give back for those with hectic schedules. I absolutely love receiving letters from the children and reading about how excited they are about the program and about reading books! And not only does In2Books teach a love of reading but it also helps children learn essential computer skills that are needed in today's world. This program is truly wonderful and I am glad to be apart of it!

Other than a few scheduling glitches I believe that this program is great. To be able to interact with kids from different areas of the nation and read books from different genres that they are interested in is truly enjoyable. It's also fun to get the personal letters from the kids; some are so funny. I hope to do it agian when the new school year starts.

What a fun and wonderful way to promote books and reading with children. I wanted something that would conincide with a busy work and family schedule, and In2Books filled that need perfectly. I had fun reading the books and emailing with my student. He was a personable young man and I greatly enjoyed the experience. It was not a huge time commitment, and I could do it from home. I look forward to continued participation.

My first year volunteering for into books was a complete flop. The teacher failed to communicate with volunteers and she never proof red the e-mails sent by the students. At the very end of the year she asked all of the volunteers to read a book and reply by a certain date. I did my part and never got a reply from my student. When I looked into this matter, it turns out the date that the teacher set was after school had let out for the summer. So basically she just wasted all of the volunteers time. Regarding the emails written by the students, the student I was corresponding with basically asked me who I thought Sacagawea was sleeping with "Lewis or Clark." UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I tried to toss all of this up to the teacher, and not the entire In2Books system, so I signed up for a second year. This time the teacher simply never responded. She set a calender in the system and then told the volunteers that it was incorrect and she would let up know the dates. Sure she let us know the dates, one day in advance she said I need your letter by tomorrow. REALLY!!! I read a 150 page kids book and never received a letter from my pen pal student. The teacher never got back to us about reading the next book and finally after months of nothing she assigned a new book for us to read. I decided it just wasn't worth my time. The teachers seem to have absolutely NO REGARD for the volunteer's time.

In2Books is a great organization that allowed me to volunteer in a way that fit into my life as a stay-at-home mom with two kids. I love children's books, and I am at the library with my children at least once a week, so finding the book that my pen pal had chosen was easy and painless. My kids enjoy reading the books my pen pal has selected also! The In2Books website does a great job instructing volunteers on how to construct an email message to their pen pal that will provide the most impact and spark the most thought from the student. The teachers in the classroom are also available by email, and sometimes can provide background information on how the book fits into the overall classroom curriculum or about other projects the student may be working on. In2Books is organized and effective, and they make it easy and non-intimidating to be a volunteer. They have harnessed the power of email and the Internet in a positive way to make a difference in classrooms that need it the most.

My experience with In2books.com has been great. I have had three students in the two years that I have participated in this program. I love that the students start to write more as the year progresses. The first few letters that they send are very short and probably filled with nervousness as its the first few emails. But as the school year progresses they write and explain more why they found the books so fascinating. And, they are always interested in knowing your pets! In all our conversations about books we have also discussed pets and who they are in the family. I believe that us connecting in this way helps a lot with the writing longer and more detailed letters as the school year progresses. I love that you can get involved in a child's life simply by writing emails about the book you two have read. I always try to talk to people about this program because it's an easy and simple way of getting a student interested in reading and writing. I hope there will be more participating soon!

Poorly organized. I was very disappointed by my experience after I had such high expectations going into this endeavor.

This is an easy way to give back. Low time commitment and enjoyed reading/writing with my mentee pen pal.

This was a great experience. The time was minimal but I really feel that my pen pal looked forward to my mail. She often sent more messages and communication than was required. If I was late, she would say, "what's up? Please send me your message." I enjoyed hearing her perspectives on the books we read and I looked forward to them very much. They were often the highlight of my day.

In2Books makes it ridiculously easy to make an impact on a child's life. By reading a handful of books in your spare time (and it really only takes a few minutes to read most children's books!) and writing emails about the book to your pen pal, you make these lucky students much more likely to complete their reading and to think about it in deeper, more substantial ways. It's like tutoring a child electronically! And the best part, aside from sharing your love of books, is that you can set your own hours and work on the books and your emails whenever it is convenient for you. I've never seen another organization that makes it so easy (and fun) to give back.

I really didn't know what to expect, this my first year with in2books. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience. It simply required my reading and discussing books with a student. The student was very engaged, and the teacher was easily accessible. I'd like to think I made a difference in this child's life; I'm eager to sign up for another year. I would highly recommend in2books!

In2Books allows me to interact directly with a child who may not have many role models who are regular readers. I have been doing the program for several years, and each year my pen pal is very grateful for the chance to interact with me to discuss books and other subjects.

The experience itself is great as you have that one on one connection with the mentees. I've done it twice and both times have been very interesting even though I have been matched with very different penpals. I have learnt a lot about myself as I had to learn how to speak to children again, instead of professionals as I am used to. It's just such a great experience to be reading with children and seeing the joy of reading in them. However, the company itself is really hard to reach. I have sent emails and have never received responses so was thankful that it was not related to the correspondence with the penpal as I would hate for that to be hindered.

With In2Books I am partnered with an elementary school student. I read the same book she is reading in school. We then write to each to discuss the book and share some personal experiences. It is almost like having another grandchild! This is made an even better experience for me - it is paying it forward, as all of my children had writing partners in high school and elementary school. The enjoyed both levels and I believe they learned how think of others and see the world through different eyes. These life lessons are now imbedded in their lives.as a high school teacher my partners have been like a breath of the fresh air, so enthusiastic about reading and writing! In2Books asks so little and gives back so much. It is a joy to touch the life of one more child!

I love volunteering and helping children read these books. I take away from this experience great lessons I have learned from these children such as compassion, honesty and excitement

I absolutely adore opening my email and seeing a message from my ePal. They are so candid, innocent, and full of energy! I love being able to learn about their family, dreams, and life in general. Growing up, I was very distant with my older brother and had always wished someone would listen to me and I think this program offers just that.

I came across this website on a random blog one day. As a teacher, it sounded like fun to me. This way I could interact with a child who was not my student in a more lighthearted way than I normally get to do. I have had four pen pals over the last four years and I am looking forward to getting my fifth. It is such a pleasure to email with the students and get to hear about what they are doing in school. They appreciate the time you take to write to them. It is a lot of fun. The kids tell funny stories and like to hear about you, too. It is a really sweet experience and requires little time. I've found most of the books in the local library or used on Amazon and then donated them to my local library. I highly recommend it.

I had a great time working with the kids and reading along with them throughout their school year. I think that this is such an important way to volunteer- not only teaching children about strangers and the way that they perceive things but also reading skills and language comprehension.

I have participated as a ePal for 2 years. I read five books with my students and we each write a letter about each book. In the course of the year, we get to know one another. I encourage the student to read and do well in school. In return, I get very rewarding letters back. I also receive correspondence from the teachers. I have read that I am making a positive impact. The students can hardly wait to read my letters and return one to me. It is a wonderful hands-on language arts project. The organization is run very well. There are tutorials, sample letters, writing coaches - a lot of support for the volunteer.

I have been a volunteer with In2Books for three years. It has been very enjoyable to share my love of reading with these children. Their letters are a joy to read and I feel like I'm able to make a small difference in the life of a child. What a wonderful thing!

I have volunteered with In2Books online epal program for the past 2 school years. It has been a great experience. The kids really enjoy writing about the books their reading and seem to get a higher understanding of them when they talk about them with you. I love participating.

I found this site on-line and was very excited to join. I was matched with an 8 year old girl in Texas and read 2 books together and a few letters. I never heard anything after that, even after contacting the teacher. I finally e-mailed support, and was told the program had not worked out at that school. I hope to be matched again this year, as I found it enjoyable. I don't know why the program did not work at that location, but I do think it is a wonderful idea and should be very helpful and enjoyable for the students.

I have been doing this program for several years and have really enjoyed it. I like getting in touch with students from different parts of the country on a personal level. I also enjoy their choice of books and have learned a lot myself. The program is designed well and is user friendly. It is nice being able to get in touch with the teacher by email too. I will continue to participate in this program and see its value in helping students development their reading and writing skills in a unique and fun way.

I have volunteered with the In2books organizaton for 2 years now; it is a wonderful way to instill the love of reading with a child. It may be a small contribution, but hopefully I have connected with them in such a way that they will want to read more and more. I look forward to seeing I have a message from my student and I hear they look forward to getting my messages, too. I think this is a wonderful program and I hope it continues to be an adjunct to classrooms across the country.

In2Books is amazing! Each year, I'm partnered with a student in a low resource school. Throughout the school year we read the same books and write e-mails to each other about the content. It's quick; it's easy; and I can do it from any computer at any time, day or night! The best part is getting to know the student and knowing that I am impacting that student's learning and letting him or her know that I care. I've participated for 3 years and am eagerly awaiting the start of the new school year!

I volunteered as an "e pen pal" for two years, and I'm not sure it made any real contribution. It seems like an interesting idea in theory, but in practice, it doesn't get beyond a superficial level of impact and in both years, I had delays and disruptions. As a teacher, I understand how priorities change and this would fall lower than many other objectives, so I'm not faulting anyone. I just don't think it is particularly useful.

As an avid reader, I was thrilled to learn from a friend, of this organization. I also have problems with being able to drive places, so this fit me to a tea! I use my computer a lot. Put all these things together and it was a match made in heaven. I was matched with my first student, and was tentative at first, but the kids are so easy to "talk" to and come back with such great questions, comments, and ideas. I've been surprised to learn that although I'm reading books for young children, I find something in them I didn't know, I'm sure to tell them that so they can see it's never too late to learn something new. I have been doing this for three years now, and every summer look forward to starting up again. Each new child is a new adventure. I can see progress in my child's writing as the year progresses. They make me feel good when they write to say, "anyone would be lucky to have you for a pen pal!" That means you made a difference!

This program pairs a volunteer with a student. You are connected only through email. You and the student share information about family, hobbies, interests, etc. in an opening letter. The website (In2Books) provides guidance about what to write in your letters and templates for letters. This sharing of informaiton is continued throughout the entire program. Once you have gotten to know the student, the student then selects a book to read. The book is available from many sources and I get my copy from the local library. After reading the book, an email about the book is sent to the student. The exchange of emails about the book continues until the next book is selected. This year was slightly different as the last reading was a magazine rather than a book. I think this was a great idea. It introduced the student to new published media and provided a wider variety of subjects. I shall continue to be a part of this program and enjoy connectng with a student even thourgh it is for a short period of time.

I joined In2Books when my employer aligned with them a few years ago and have stayed on. I am an avid reader and found that books made great friends on lonely days during school. Books provide learning, adventure, discussion topics/shared interests and can ignite new passions. I believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn to love reading as much as I do. I realize some children struggle with reading (my husband had a learning disability and still has difficulty reading). I want to help as many children as I can to have the same wonderful experiences I have had with books. I'm proud to be a part of In2Books!

I have volunteered for In2Books for approximately 3 years now. In that time, I have been paired with four different children across the country. We read the same books and then write e-mails back and forth discussing the books. It is great practice for the kids in writing and reading comprehension. I have been paired with a variety of ages in elementary school. It is a lot of fun to correspond with the children and read the books with them.

I have been volunteering with I2B for three years now. It has been an easy way to connect with schoolchildren and promote the gift of literacy. I honestly feel like I have made a difference in the lives of these children, and without having met a single one.

I have worked with in2Books for two years now. Both times I have thoroughly enjoyed communicating back and forth with a student not only talking about the books that they have read, but also learning about them and their families. As a child I constantly communicated by letters with Pen Pals from around the world and to this day remember that. This is a great opportunity for these children to use what they learn.

I have participated as a volunteer for in2books for two years now and look forward to again. I enjoy the fact I just need to purchase 5 childrens books over the course of a school year and my time. I have plenty of time to give. I also like learning about the student I've been paired with through the letters we write eachother.

I have been a volunteer with Epals for 3 years now and I love it. It's rewarding what the program offers to young students. I enjoy the beginning of school year, every year, to see who my student will be and what we will be reading for the school year. It's warming to see them grow as a reader and a writer throughout the year.

Each year I have done In2books I realize I get more from the students letters than I thought. Knowing that I have the chance to encourage reading in a child is a dream. The program is easy to do and the site is great with all the tips and add ons. What could be easier! as the kids say" In2books rocks!".

I have participated in In2Books as both a teacher and as a volunteer pen pal. It means so much to my students to have an adult pen pal volunteerd to read books with them and then take the time for letters discussing the books. The fact that these students get the books for free and get to keep them just astounds them. I have seen my students reading skills and letter writing skills improve significantly. As a pen pal, I enjoy the opportunity to pass along my love of reading to my student pen pals. This program is amazing!

Well I was looking for ways my aunt with cancer could volunteer and help out in the community. I found this mentor-ship program. I joined because I thought it might give me a good excuse to read children books and not feel silly. I have been on the program now for 4 years and I have read a lot of interesting books. But the thing I love the most is when the kids write back, they make you feel like they have been sitting there waiting to write back to you.

As a retired teacher who worked with at-risk youth, I know how important reading and writing skills are to a student. Reading opens up the world and can help to open up their minds as well. It can change pen pals lives forever as they begin to understand the benefits of reading. Writing is a wonderful way to express thoughts and feelings. For young people, it is extremely important for them to find an outlet for themselves. We have all seen teens and even younger people take out their frustrations on themselves or others. Lastly I think, the importance of having an adult write a letter to them can help to develop better self-esteem as an important relationship and bonding develops between the student and adult pen pal. In2Books is an excellent program, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to continue working with students in, what I believe to be an important program.

in2Books is a great experience for sharing reading with a child. I have enjoyed it immensely, and having a penpal, is very special. It takes so little time to do, and apparently makes a big difference in the life of the student. We hear that they are very excited to open their letters, and to converse about the books we have read together.

I wanted to volunteer. I was in grad school and needed something that I could do on my own time--- In2Books is perfect for that! I feel so excited when students' writing improves through each letter. I am learning about new, exciting books to add to my classroom, and I am helping a student with technology. All from the comfort of my own home. In2Books is a great resource for my friends who are busy too!

I have been an in2books volunteer for three years and can't really remember how I learned about it. Maybe through an AARP magazine. I have been matched up with two girls and one boy student. The kids are so enthusiastic and happy to have a penpal. I have seen very advanced English skills and it's clear that my penpals have put a lot of thought into their letters to me. One student did disappear before the end of our school year together but the next two were with me to the end of the year. I had one penpal who went to school yearround and that was a learning experience for me. One had ancestors from Africa and cousins in England. He was interested in my ancestry. And hoped he'd get a penpal who drove a sports car. I laughed at that as I am retired and drive a convertible. He thought that was ok. I have enjoyed the books I've read and have learned from the experience. Writing my letters keeps my English skills sharpened as I really have to think as I wrte. I enjoy matching artwork with the paragraphs and hope that the kids appreciate my efforts I like seeing how they decorate their letters to me, also. It's exciting to have an e-mail telling me I have a letter. Helping kids enjoy books is a real treat and I recommend this program to anyone who wants to help kids. It takes very little time, a tiny amount of money and the reward is large.

I enjoyed being a volunteer for this program. I enjoyed sending and receiving emails from my student, Xin. I wish would could have had more interaction. I enjoyed hearing from Xin and how school was going. I think this is a great program because it helps kids become better acquainted with using computers and enhances their vocabulary from the letters that are sent. Last year was my first year volunteering, and if I chose to volunteer again, there are things I would improve on, like telling my penpal something new to research in each letter.

In to books is great for the students- they have an opporutnity to discuss books with adults. Many students do not have adults who care and question the books they are reading. (Outside of school)

I have been a volunteer for epals for four years. Each year I am matched with a different child and get to read the books that he or she chooses. I don't know where the student lives or what type of experiences they will bring to their emails. I must say that I am never disappointed to share their comments and perspectives on the books they have read.Let me share an experience that I had this past year with my student. She wrote that she loves horses and dogs, wouldn't you know I had just rescued an abandoned dog and she was so helpful to find me information, asked her Grandmother who raises dogs and share it with me. I then asked permission to send photos with her teacher and had a resounding yes. We had begun a relationship equal values and sheer joy. I am always disappointed that I am unable to write to my epals for years to come. I don't know who anticipates the correspondence more the students or myself.

Imagine having an email pen pal who will read the same book you are reading and have an email talk about it with you! I have been an email pen pal for In2Books for the last three years and have shared books with students from all over the United States and from different elementary grades. My job is to pose questions and get them to respond to the books we have both read. This format is more authentic than the "book report" because the discussion about the book, the author's style, and the knowledge gained from reading continues beyond one email. The support from epals makes the writing of responses easy and even helps with graphics and visual appeal for the letters that students receive. This volunteer opportunity is great for someone with a busy day schedule because you can respond to your student's letters 24/7.

In2Books Organization has provided an excellent forum to connect with students in the classroom throughout the country. The ability to be able to "read along" with students and help them with comprehension skills is great. I have been working with them as an volunteer/reading mentor for students for two years and hope to continue to support them for many more!

This charity allows for the connection between two penpals, one youth and one older. They discuss who they are as people what they like to do developing a sense of trust and understanding that will help the overall mission of this great organization. The mission of this group is to help young people gain more knowledge of reading and its components through writing about the literature they read to their penpals who ask them challenging and interesting questions to understand their comprehension of the story. In the end both the child and the penpal learn something about the books they read, who they are and challenge themselves in the process.

I have volunteered with in2books for 2 years. It's fun to read the same books that the students are and to ask questions and get feedback. You also get to interact with the student's teacher. You get a chance to be a small part of the student's life when they get to share with you. Also, the books you'll be reading can help you learn things that you probably didn't know. My experience, with in2books, is that these books are books that I probably wouldn't have read. It doesn't take much time at all to read the books and to "write" a letter to ask questions.

I've been an e-mentor and pen pal with In2Books since 2002 or 2003. It started off with emailing letters back and forth with their portal and receiving scanned handwritten letters from children. The progress that In2Books has made over the past 10 years or so to keep up with technology and engage kids in reading AND technology is awesome. They've made significant investments in the portal and tips/training that they provide volunteer pen pals. I've written to many children over the years and you can definitely see progress as each month goes by. The kids begin to trust you and become more inquisitive about you as a 'real' person they're corresponding with about books. They are learning to read, write, thinking thoughtfully, and use a computer to communicate. It's really a great program and takes as little as one hour every month- you can't beat that! type of impact! I've recruited family members to be pen pals and they've enjoyed their experience as much as I have.

I have been a volunteer for this charity for five years. It encourages children to read. The children pick a particular book and you read it along with them Then you share with them what you liked or did not like about the book and why. It is nice to be able to correspond with the children to share thoughts about the book. Sometimes the children are very insightful about some stuff.

IN2Books is a great way to make a difference in the life of a child. No matter how busy you are it is a volunteer job that you can do at your own pace and in your own home. It is also a very rewarding job. I love opening my email and finding I have a message from my ePal. Reading is so important in the life of a child and to help influence a child's love of reading is wonderful. I highly recommend IN2Books to anyone wanting to encourage a child to read.

I joined In2Books as a pen pal in 2000. It seemed like a great idea and a much needed effort. It was a perfect fit for me since I was traveling over 50% at that time and wasn't able to volunteer in person. In2Books has definitely exceeded my expectations. They match adult pen pals with students all over the country with varying reading levels. I've enjoyed seeing the progress over each school year with critical thinking skills, reading and writing levels. The program includes guides and sample questions for each book so the pen pals are not left on their own at any time. The teachers often write to say how they plan to include the books in their lesson plans and what a difference a letter from a pen pal makes. They even make it easy to get the books - buy on-line or find at your local library!

I started volunteering with In2Books a few years ago as a pen pal for student readers. It has been absolutely amazing to see students so motivated to read books and write letters about them, and I love being able to help make that difference in a child's life. I have worked with four different students, and each experience has been an absolute blessing. I will continue to volunteer with In2Books into the distant future.

I have been with them for three year and I love them. I have had such incredible experiences and I feel that I have made multiple kids very happy and they learnd so much as a result. I love IN2BOOKS!!!!!

I have volunteered with In2Books for the past 3 years and plan to volunteer again this coming school year. I love the connection with the student, I love reading the books and then sharing with them, via email, about the book, asking them questions and then reading their responses about what they enjoyed about the book, the message, the illustrations etc. It has been very rewarding to watch the student's progress over the year and to share some part in that. The time is well, well worth it!

I have been a In2Books volunteer for 3 years now. I first learned about this opportunity through our volunteer efforts at work. I personally find great joy in seeing the engagement and effort of these students grow with every book we read and review together! I cannot say enough about this program and the wonderful work they do!! I have recomended this volunteer activity to all of my staff to join as well.

Great volunteer opportunity for those that want to help virtually and make an impact in the life of a child!

Each year I am matched with one or more elementary grade students. We become "epals", both read the same book, and then have an email discussion about the book. We are coached a bit on what questions to ask so we develop their critical thinking skills. But we also share information about ourseoves. It is a fabulous experience! We don't know much about each other, except what we write to each other. Amazing that a 68 year old grandmother becomes friends with a 4th grader. It is SO rewarding to watch the student's writing progress over the course of the year, and 4 or 5 books. It is also critically important to have a supportive supervising teacher--I am so impressed with what they do for their students.

I work full-time and also am going to law school, so I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer that wouldn't have me running around even more. Not only do you work with children, but these children are underprivileged and most of them come from a single family home. They are inspiring children who are so thrilled to receive your emails and read books with you. It's wonderful to see the children grow through the year and advance their knowledge in reading and various subjects. It's an extremely worthwhile project to be a part of.

I wanted to mentor, but did not have available opportunities in my local community. I learned about In2Books from a friend who mentors at a grade school in another city and who has access to information about various mentoring programs. This one sounded interesting and so I applied. I was quickly matched with a young (9 y/o) student in another state and we hit it off immediately. He was excited to be participating and that made him very enthusiastic about reading and writing. All of our communication was through his teacher who told me he was the youngest of her students in the program but was enjoying it the most. About midway through the school year the student and I were relating details from the books we read to experiences in our own lives, which I feel helped him to see the value of reading (even at such an elementary level). For me the program fulfilled my desire to mentor a student and I found it to be richly rewarding. I have every intention of participating again.

My experience with In2Books has been absolutely wonderful. As a volunteer you come on board thinking about how much you're going to do for children and end up being overwhelmed by their excitement and energy for learning. Some of these children may not have someone to talk to about the last book they read and it's very touching and nostalgic to see little ones fall in love with reading. In2Books is a brilliant idea.

Volunteering with In2Books is very rewarding. I enjoy helping children, reading and writing. The In2Books program offers me the opportunity to do all of the above. I have volunteered with them for the last four years and will continue volunteering.

I have been an In2Books volunteer for the past 2 years and each year it has been an exceptional experience! I really felt the student and I connected and shared different views and thoughts about each book. By the end of the school year, I definitely saw a change in my students writing and spelling. I would definitely recommend this program!

This concludes my third year with In2Books and each year has been better. Since I love to read, I was excited to find a way to encourage young readers. Also, since it is difficult for me to get out, I was doubly thrilled to find a way to do it online with someone else taking all the security issues to heart. Each year I look forward to my student and learning a bit about them. It has been great to watch as they become more comfortable with expressing their thoughts on the book and even we inject some of our personal likes and dislikes into the discussion. I have enjoyed seeing the same book through young eyes, no pun intended, but it is a real "eye opener!" My first year was also the teacher's first year but I can say it makes a huge difference when there is communication from the teacher. She can give insight that is helpful. I encourage anyone to sign up one year, you'll be hooked! It does not take that much time and the rewards are great and long lasting.

This is my second year with In2books. I think I get just as excited as the students when I receive a letter from my pen pal. It is a great organization!

I'm now reading "George Washington Carver - The Peanut Farmer" with my third grade e-pal. Volunteering as an E-Pal mentor with In2Books is fully gratifying...I read and write to my student/friend and have totally enjoyed all the books I've discussed with her. Through our talks we've also learned personal likes and dislikes and likened experiences to those of characters in the books.

I highly recommend everyone who loves to read to share your passion with a child from a disadvantaged school and environment; you will make a huge difference in his/her future. Your day, your heart, and your spirit will feel lightened thrugh the experience..

My daughter in college has been e-mentoring 2 children through this process and invited me to join her. I happily signed up, as reading is my life's passion! I was lucky enough to pass that passion on to my 2 daughters and am now able to share in the wonder of discovering reading and new books all over again, with my reading buddy! I have had a delightful young lady as my book/pen pal, and look forward to every single letter and new book we get to share together. She loves the attention she gets, the letters she gets - who doesn't love mail!- and I hope has been inspired to read with greater enjoyment so she can tell me about the stories and her thoughts about them. This is a brilliant concept, easy, fun and so rewarding, reaching out from far away but touching someone up close and personally in a way to truly impact a life! Thank you for the opportunity!

I am a pen pal with a 4th grader. I have enjoyed reading books and writing about them to my pen pal. She seems to enjoy getting the letters. I think that this is a great way to encourage children to read and to discuss what they have read. It expands their experiences because their pen pals are from a different part of the country and this expose them to other people.

What a great opportunity for busy people like myself! I can share my experiences with an 11 year old any time of the day or night by getting on the computer and writing a reviews of books she is assigned to read in school. I am in Florida, she is in Minnesota but the connection is easy to make.

I really wanted to volunteer with an organization but owning a business made it difficult to commit. I finally found In2Books which is a perfect fit for me! I absolutely love to read and really started this passion around the age of 10. I'm happy to share my love of books with my pen pals. Plus, interacting with the students via email allows flexibility so I can respond when I'm not distracted at work. What a truly great organization! I tell all my friends about this. I feel incredibly rewarded when my student is excited to read our next book and looks forward to getting my letters. I feel like I'm doing my small part to pass on my passion for reading to the next generation.

I love to volunteer, but with all the craziness that life tends to through our way, I had a hard time finding a project that was both rewarding and flexible. In2Books is a perfect fit for me. Through this program I am not only able to combine 2 things that I love, reading and working with children, but can volunteer when it is convinient for me. I have been with In2Books for 2 years now and I see myself continuing as long as there are children who need penpals.

In2Books is a great organization. They provide you with everything you need to get started, through online resources and excellent communication. I strongly encourage everyone to support this innovative idea, which is greatly beneficial to all involved.

I was approached as a book blogger to consider volunteering with In2Books. Since I love reading, kids books, and relating to students, I thought this would be a great service opportunity. I have been thrilled with the experience. The staff have been excellent, the classroom teacher is friendly and helpful, and my student is a lot of fun. The website has wonderful tools to help mentors create letters and relate to students in a meaningful way. This has been a fantastic experience, and I will definitely participate again next school year.

I am disabled and have trouble leaving my home. In2books has given me the opportunity to volunteer in a significant program that makes a real difference in childrens lives. Too often I feel like I am only taking from all the people around me who help me lead a happy life. In2books makes it possible for me to give back and enrich someone else's life.

I've participated in the In2Books reading penpals program for 2 years now and I plan to continue for many more years. It's a great way to help kids with their reading and writing skills. I really enjoy sending letters back and forth with my student penpal. With the different books selected by the students, I find myself learning new things just like the student. For volunteers, it's a great medium for giving back, especially if you can't be at a physical location or can't donate lots of money to a charity.

II do not like to read- kind of a weird start for a pen pal program based on reading! But my want to teach and to help others far outweighs my dislikes! I had a pen pal when I was in 4th grade and I loved it! I looked forward to her letters and was excited to write her back. As a preschool teacher/mom/elementary education student, I wanted to share my experiences and continue to learn from others. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience with In2Books and will definitely come back again next year. I hope to have In2Books as part of my classroom! I love the books my pen pal has picked out and I am thrilled to read books that I can potentially use as part of my classroom instruction. Even if I wasn't planning on becoming a teacher, I would continue to be a part of this organization because every child needs encouragement and this program delivers that!

While this is my first year in mentoring, it has been very rewarding. When I received from my first letter from my Epal, I was reassured that this was going to be a fun way to mentor. She had so many questions that she wanted answered by me. They ranged from asking about my favorite movie, to if I had any children. I could feel her excitement! If children get a desire to read because they can discuss books with people outside of their classroom world, I fully support it! Hannah's teacher is also very supportive and keeps in contact with me to tell me how the reading is going and if they are ahead or behind schedule. I am honored to be a part of In2Books.

This is my first year as an EPal and I absolutely love this program!!! I was searching for Volunteer Opportunities in my area and came across In2Books and liked what I saw! I've been enjoying this year with my EPal and have read so many wonderful books. This program provides children with the opportunity to experience literature with a friendly EPal to discuss the books with and learn their viewpoint. I can't wait to see what is in store for next years readings!!!!!

In2Books is an amazing organization and very well run. It allows you and a student to read the same book and discuss it through email. I especially love that it has so many coaching tools to help you write a fun, interesting, yet educational letter about the book to the student. The current book that I had to read had so many facts, I wasn't sure which ones would be important to a 5th grader. But the coaching tips helped me choose what vocabulary was important, as well as which points in the book should be learned. I love the fun way you can design your letters using clip art and boarders too. Best of all, you are given plenty of flexibility as far as time. It's safe for the students, and I feel that we both are learning new things!

This is my first year volunteering with In2books. My epal Logan is in the fourth grade and we have already read two books. He is so enthusiastic about reading in his letters and he share somethings about himself as well. I look forward to letters from him. I came across this volunteer opportunity on volunteermatch.org. It looked like a easy and fun way to help a child improve their reading comprehension. I have been able to find the books required at the library, at Barnes and Nobles for cheap or on Amazon.com. I have really enjoyed volunteering with In2books. I feel good knowing I'm helping a child. The In2books website is easy to navigate. You can even find sample letters. You are able to contact the child's teacher if you have any questions.

This is my first year with In2Books. My epal Gwen is in 4th grade and we've read fiction "The Naked Mole-Rat" and social studies "Sacajawea". Our teacher is right on top of the program and keeps me well informed about the classroom. It's exciting to receive Gwen's letters, as she's open and enthusiastic about the books, and she shares a few things about herself with me.
The staff at In2Books makes it easy to sign up and has extensive suggestions on how to write the best letters possible. I love books and children, so this program fits me to a 'T'.

This is my fist year as a eMentor literacy volunteer and I just love it. I came across this volunteer opportunity through online AARP and thought I can easily do this, sounds like fun and I can help a child get the literacy foundation they need. Without reading and comprehensive skills learned early on, a child will most certainly find difficulty in the school years to follow. In2Books (ePals Fdn) offers an excellent program that both benefits a child but the pen pal at the other end. Two of the three books required for reading so far, I've gotten at the library, the other with a coupon from Borders. My life has been enriched so much by this opportunity to interact in such a positive way in a child's life. The online In2Books program is so easy to navigate and all questions are answered under one of the many subject tabs provided. It's a very rewarding experience for both student and pen pal.

A few years ago, my husband had a kidney transplant and we moved from our home to a new city and state so that he could get the care he needed. I was going a little nuts being housebound with him, and I needed a place to use my energy and expertise as a librarian. However, I needed to do this work from home. In2Books came into my life as a result of a mention in a women's magazine. I've been volunteering ever since. The kids are great and the teachers are dedicated to the program. I have a wonderful time doing what I do best: communicating with kids about books. So, not only did I help these kids and teachers, but they helped me keep my sanity at a very rough time in my life. Thanks In2Books.

Rewarding, engaging, fun and MEANINGFUL! I've been an In2Books pen pal for three years and every year I've loved exchanging letters with my student pen pal about great books! My pen pal, Austin, and I are currently reading a biography of Gandhi and discussing what it means to be a hero. It's got to be a well-designed, brilliant program when adults and children who otherwise have no connection begin to build relationships, write thoughtful letters and talk about changing the world! I plan to participate for years to come!

This has been a wonderful experience for me during the past two years I have participated. The communication with the administrators is great. The interaction with the teachers is always current and informative and, best of all, the letters back and forth with my pen pal have been wonderful. I love to read, have a full time job and am otherwise very busy. This is a commitment I can keep - reading books, writing letters and encouraging the young readers to grow and stretch in their own reading and writing development.

I hope to continue with this program for many years into the future. I cannot imagine a more worthwhile endeavor than to continue encouraging children to read and offering mentoring in the bargain.

How fun is it to have a friend who is reading the same book and who can talk about it with you?

This is my second year as a volunteer reader / pen pal with In2Books. I love my work with my student each year and In2Books makes it VERY easy to communicate and build relationships with these young readers and their teachers.

Children are an important part of society; they are the future. Giving kids hope and guidance by teaching them the tools they will need to be successful in life is what In2Books does. They teach kids that there are role models out there that are interested in their educational goals and challenges. It also promotes literacy. Being a volunteer penpal for a child is very rewarding and keeps you actively involved in the organization's work.