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Love Of Reading

KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOS BY JERRY ZOLYNSKY

Blumenstein
siblings bring
books alive for
kids with learning
disabilities.

TOP: Jacob, 15, Reuben, 11 and
Alana Blumenstein, 17, with all
the books available on their
KidsRead2Kids.com website.

W

hile other kids are out playing, Alana Blumenstein, 17,
and her brothers Jacob, 15, and Reuben, 11, have been
hard at work. They’re pouring their time into a project
they believe in — KidsRead2Kids.com, a website that gives kids a
chance to hear classic books read online by their peers.
Visitors find out about the website by word of mouth and, upon vis-
iting, can pick from a selection of books read on video by Alana and
a team of other student volunteers, most of whom attend the kids’
school, Detroit Country Day.
Whether it’s a chance to catch up on the classics, a way to practice
effective listening, learn English or a tool for students whose learning
disabilities make it tough to read or pay attention, KidsRead2Kids.
com gives everyone free access to a growing list of titles.
“There are so many skills kids can pick up from these videos,” Alana
said. “With these videos, they can take their time and listen at their
own pace.”
The project is a family affair — Alana reads and helps edit copy,
Jacob shoots and edits videos, and Reuben designed the logo featur-
ing hand-drawn superheroes.
Additionally, Benjamin, 19, lends a hand on the business side and
Julia, 13, helps them choose the titles they’ll read.
“Kids Read 2 Kids was created to help people who have trouble

reading to be able to learn to read,” says Jacob, a rising sophomore
who himself struggled with reading in school and was diagnosed with
dyslexia in fifth grade.
He also wrote a song featured on the website about what life with
dyslexia is like and says he wants to give others hope.
“We want to really convey the message that you’re not alone,” he
said. “A lot of people who have these kinds of problems that I had,
they really feel like they’re alone. We’re here to help.”

‘SHARK TANK’ WIN

The idea for the reading project had been in the works for some
time, but solidified when Alana took part in BBYO’s Building
Entrepreneurship program, which teaches high school girls how to
start a business. The application-based program, now going into its
fifth year, is open to high school girls.
During the school year, the 25-30 girls meet with entrepreneurs and
learn about female-owned businesses in Detroit, and then get to pres-
ent their own pitches to judges in a Shark Tank-like entrepreneurial
competitive environment.
“They work with female entrepreneurs who are their mentors to
take an idea and make it a reality,” says Katie Fried, regional BBYO
director. “They make a visual aid, give a speech, and present to a male

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August 24 • 2017

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