For our 20th Annual National Day of Reading, we wanted to feature a book that embodies the spirit of CSF. This year’s featured title, The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, aligns perfectly with our mission to help every child recognize their potential. Its message, that challenges aren’t the end, encourages students to keep trying, keep learning, and keep believing in what they can become.

With that spirit in mind, reading room school partners across the country joined us for CSF’s National Day of Reading. Here’s a look at how they brought the “magical yet” to life in their classrooms…

Many of our participating schools welcomed special guest readers to share The Magical Yet with their students. North Forestville Elementary School in Forestville, MD, and John H. Bayne Elementary School in Capitol Heights, MD, had the honor of hosting representatives from their reading room sponsor, the Pohanka Automotive Group. The wonderful lineup of readers included Steve Parker, Ralph Dykes, Lisbeth Garcia Reyes, Gae Beard, Shavon Deal, Andrew Kelly, Monica Parks, and Clement Troutman—a community partner of the Pohanka Automotive Group and owner of a local Tropical Smoothie Café.

Also in Maryland, Roye-Williams Elementary School in Havre de Grace welcomed Lauren Paige, vice president on the Board of Education of Harford County. She read The Magical Yet to students in their new reading room, which opened May 28, 2025. Another Maryland school, Milbrook Elementary School in Pikesville, hosted our very own Bridget Devoy, CSF Graphic Designer and Scholarship Coordinator, who read to their kindergarten classes!

Down in Florida, two of our CSF Fall 2025 Readathon winners celebrated the National Day of Reading with high spirits! Ensley Elementary School in Pensacola, FL, held a livestreamed event for the entire school, featuring a musical presentation and a visit from their reading room sponsors, Bill and Pam Fleming, who read this year’s featured book to students. During the celebration, they also announced that they won 1st place in their group for the CSF Readathon. What a day of celebration! Clifford O. Taylor/Kirklane Elementary School in Palm Springs, FL, also a first-place winner in their group, welcomed our co-founder, Candy Carson, as their guest reader for the National Day of Reading.

The celebration didn’t stop there! Heritage Christian School in Canton, OH, marked the National Day of Reading with a special weeklong theme celebration. They decided to dress up as characters from their favorite books each day of the week for National Day of Reading. Monday was Fairy Tales Day, Tuesday Dr. Seuss Day, Wednesday Nonfiction Day, Thursday Comic Book Day, and Friday wrapped up the week with Story Book Day. Students also read The Magical Yet and wrote down their own “magical yets” to remind themselves that great things take time and persistence. Way to bring the love of reading alive Heritage Christian School!

We also had one of our school partners, Redan Elementary School in Lithonia, GA—set to open their reading room in January 2026—join in on the fun. Their principal recorded her own narration of The Magical Yet and shared it with students across the school.

Our team is overwhelmed with joy at all the wonderful ways schools participated in our 20th Annual National Day of Reading. Each year, they show up, show out, and demonstrate their dedication to spreading a love of reading among our youth. Thank you so much for participating and sharing your stories!

We would also like to thank the Louis and Phyllis Friedman Foundation for sponsoring this wonderful celebration. They continue to be a major support system for CSF and our initiatives, and we could not have done this without their generosity. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Until next year, everyone, Happy National Day of Reading!

See more of the fun from across the country here