readergirlz is the cutting-edge literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Award for Innovations in Reading. It is a nonprofit volunteer organization. The readergirlz mission is to promote teen literacy and corresponding social service.

Launched in March 2007, in celebration of Women's National History Month, readergirlz was cofounded by critically acclaimed YA authors - Dia Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia), Janet Lee Carey (Dragons of Noor) Justina Chen (North of Beautiful), and Lorie Ann Grover (Hold Me Tight).

rgz Operation Teen Book Drop has donated over 30,000 new YA books to underserved teens.

Download our poster for the READ campaign (JPG or PDF)

James Patterson PageTurner Award Innovations in Reading Award, National Book Foundation Great Web Site Award, Association for Library Service to Children, ALA "You put soulful thought into all you do - you prompt us all to be not just better readers but better citizens." - Beth Kephart, National Book Award Finalist "Perhaps the hippest site for chatting about books around." - Cheltenham School District "The best teen book club I've found online is readergirlz...It easily has the most engaged group of members I've seen in an online book club." - Katie Zenke, Austin's Children's Book Examiner "I love what your site does for teens...gives them a place to talk about books they love, and speak with the authors. That's the best idea I think anyone has ever had." - a readergirl

    the rgz divas

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On the nightstand: The newest, hottest YA, and a classic, teetering somewhere in the stack.

Favorite drink while you write: Most drink coffee or tea. rgz was born in Seattle!   

Favorite bookstores: Let’s just say bookstores are our FAVORITE stores.

Favorite library: Basically every branch from Brooklyn to Miami to LA to Seattle. Yep, that about covers it. We heart librarians.

Pets: There are a few dogs in the crowd, but I think the cats have it.

Place to write: You’ll find us anywhere from our couches to coffee shops.  

Inspiration: Really pondering what it is that matters.

Dream book tour: The chance to hit every city and meet all our rgz in person.

Writer buddies: All the other divas, of course, and now our rgz Circle of Stars.

Cure for writer's block: Going out and playing!

Favorite outfit: All things sassy and chic.

Laptop or longhand? Pretty much every diva is tapping on her laptop.

Stilettos or Uggs? Usually, some high kicking boots.

Author idol: Every single altruistic YA author.

Next up: Watch the blog for the latest diva releases!

Website: http://www.readergirlz.com

Blog: http://readergirlz.blogspot.com

Twitter: Follow us on @readergirlz

Special Projects

Want to give back to the world by making a donation to a reputable charity and a good cause, but not sure where to start? Check out GlobalGiving. Their mission statement:

"GlobalGiving connects you to the causes and countries you care about. You select projects you want to support, make a tax-deductible contribution, and get regular progress updates - so you can see how your gift is making a difference."

To learn more, please visit http://www.globalgiving.org

The following tunes were recommended by readers at our blog. Click here to open the playlist in a new window.

Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
This Book is So Awesome by Harry and the Potters
Video by India.Arie
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog
Still Fighting It by Ben Folds
32 Flavors by Ani DiFranco
(We also love Alana Davis's cover of 32 Flavors!)
Ring of Fire cover by Universal Hall Pass
Misfit by Amy Studt
You Learn by Alanis Morissette
Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance
So Beautiful by Superchic[k]
Best Imitation of Myself by Ben Folds Five
Blame It on the Beat by Ashley Tisdale
Books Written for Girls by Camera Obscura
Rock What You Got by Superchic[k]
Frontload by Freezepop
Alright by Ledisi
Not a Pretty Girl by Ani DiFranco
Independent Women (Part I) by Destiny's Child
Listen by Beyonce
Single by Natasha Bedingfield
Anything but Ordinary by Avril Lavigne
Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
Just Fine by Mary J. Blige
Lazarus by Porcupine Tree
Salt and Foam by The Dimes
Into the Fire by Thirteen Senses
Sink or Swim by Tyrone Wells
Exceptional by Jojo Effect
Expressions by Salt-N-Pepa
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
Single Girls (Put a Ring on It) by Beyonce

 

So, how did we begin? What was the genesis of this literacy experience? When Justina Chen went on tour for her award-winning novel, Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies), she made a concerted effort to visit inner city schools. Seeing firsthand the students' passion and enthusiasm, she returned home wondering how to connect teens and authors across the country, regardless of socio-economic situations. Her cutting-edge answer at the close of 2006: an online book community where teens could dialogue with authors every day of the month.

Justina enlisted critically acclaimed YA novelists Janet Lee Carey, Dia Calhoun, and Lorie Ann Grover to help fulfill the dream. On March 1st, 2007, in honor of Women's History Month, the site launched with an avid following of readergirlz, librarians, and YA lit lovers. The hosted authors are archived here and those early exchanges are still documented on MySpace and MySpace Groups.

In the first year, the volunteer co-founders carried out the general mission and special projects like the 31 Flavorites celebration, where 31 authors chatted daily in October for YALSA's Teen Read Week. The co-founders also developed literacy outreach projects like Operation Teen Book Drop, which would eventually deliver over 30,000 new books to underserved teens. The co-founders were assisted by the postergirlz for readergirlz from the start, industry blogging professionals who lent their expertise in book recommendations: Little Willow, Jackie, Miss Erin, ShelfElf, HipWriterMama, Alexia, and Jen Robinson. As the years passed further teams came together: the rgz Street Team, rgz SALON, rgz HOSTS and rgz Authors in Residence. Sara Easterly was an important volunteer who helped get the rgz word out into the world. Today, roughly 30 people volunteer to maintain the work.

In 2008, the diva team welcomed the awarded YA novelist Holly Cupala, who has brought - and continues to bring - exquisite imagery to the blog and projects. The diva team also includes, or has included, Melissa Walker, Mitali Perkins, Liz Gallagher, Elizabeth Scott, and Micol Ostow.

Progressing with the social media scene, readergirlz eventually moved to blogspot, Facebook, and Twitter. The community was recognized nationally with the James Patterson PageTurner Award in 2008, and in 2009, the nonprofit organization was awarded the National Book Award for Innovations in Reading.

Watch our blog to see what is happening, and enjoy the archives here with your book clubs!

 

Planning your own get-together? Here are some party ideas from the divas.

Invite: Type out the first line of the book you are featuring on the invite cover.

Décor: Laminate book covers as placemats or posters. Create a slideshow of the author's works, and blast the rgz playlist. Or is this an all out masquerade where guests come as their favorite book characters?

Food: Always gather around chocolate, coffee, and tea. How about adding in a few cupcakes as well?

Movies: Depends on your pick, but support those book to movie projects like rgz Circle of Stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Game: Battle out who is your first choice Book Boyfriend/Girlfriend. Mr. Darcy or Edward or...

 

Click through the archives and see what books the postergirlz recommended from 2007-2010.

Join us at our blog to discuss great books and the most current industry news!