This week we are joined by a very impressive teenager! Earlier in 2020, Kai Gomeau was looking for ways to get involved in some community service, but, as it has for so many of us, Covid threw a wrench into his plans. Kai was determined, however, and decided to start his own virtual reading program- Read With a Teen. 

In this episode we talk about:

1. Kai’s reading habits as a busy teenager, how and when he fits time to read in and what he likes to read.

2. How Kai's project, Read With a Teen, went from a memory from Kindergarten to a successful online program with connections all over the country and even world!

“I had to go out and find another way…”

3. What Read WIth a Teen is and how it works.

“He started the program not liking reading, but as a couple weeks went by… when I would offer to read a book he’d be like, ‘no no no, let me read, let me read!’”

4. Some of the sessions and experiences that Kai has had that have made an impact on him.

“Part of that might have been reading with someone else that wasn’t his mom and doing it for fun!”

5. What Kai’s vision of the future of Read With a Teen is and the goals he has for himself and his program.

“I’ve heard from a lot of my high school friends that they don’t like reading and that they never liked reading, so I was like, ‘huh...I should fix that.’” 

In Read with a Teen with Kai Gomeau we mention:

We are so grateful to Kai for taking the time to talk with us! More information about him and Read With a Teen can be found in the following places:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ReadwithaTeen

Books we mentioned:

Pete the Cat (series) by James Dean

Fox in Socks by Dr Seuss

Scooby Doo Storybook Collection edited by Beth Dunfey

The Book with No PIctures by BJ Novak

Don’t the Pigeon Drive the Bus (series) by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie (series) by Mo Willems

Mercy Watson (series) by Kate DiCamillo

Shel Silverstein (author)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

William Shakespeare (author)

The Odyssey by Homer

Percy Jackson (series) by Rick Riordan

Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling

Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King

Catch a Fire by Timothy White

If you liked Read with a Teen with Kai Gomeau, be sure to check out our interview with Sarah Wood about what your child's teacher wants you to know about reading.