Meet Pranusha, our April Page Turner of the Month!

Page Turner of the Month!

This April, we are happy to recognize Pranusha Appanabhotla as Page Turner of the month! Pranusha has been a Page Turner since November 2022 and has since read fourteen books, totaling 36.5 hours and 2,918 pages.

1. Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? (As much as you’re willing to share)

Hello! I am Pranusha (she/her)! I'm a 7th grader who loves and enjoys reading books, writing, drawing, and building!! I'm very excited to be part of the Page turners community which helps me get closer to my interests, and help others at the same time!

2. How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?

A teacher recommended it to me!!

3. What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering?

My hobbies are reading, writing stories, STEM building, and drawing!

4. Has reading with Page Turners impacted your perspective on society or your community?

I have many hobbies reading and writing which would be my top favorites! To see that by reading I can help my community and others around me brings me joy, especially since technology has taken over many lives! By reading Pageturner's books, I know more about the world around me as well!

5. What is your favorite book(s) so far?

My favorite books are "Mananland", "Apple: Skin to the Core", and "Guero"...These books all focus on people outside my culture, who have many different experiences!

Shout out to Pranusha for all the time she’s dedicated to Words Alive! We are so thankful for their participation and dedication. 

If you would like to join Pranusha in their participation, you can sign up to be a Page Turner here.  

Meet Jesus, our March Page Turner of the Month!

Page Turner of the Month

This March, we are happy to recognize Jesus Rodriguez as Page Turner of the month! Jesus has been a Page Turner since December 2023 and has since read nine books, totaling 17.7 hours and 1,714 pages. This is what Jesus had to say about their time volunteering with Words Alive.  

Can you give a brief introduction of who you are? 

Hello! I am a 2nd year at UCLA studying Political Science and Public Affairs. Aside from my studying and reading, I am a BGS intern who serves students who have faced homelessness and were in the foster care system. In the future, I hope to work to create public policy that improves the lives of marginalized groups in Los Angeles. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

I love to cook traditional meals. Growing up in a Mexican household I loved to cook with my Abuelita every night and for any special occasion. My favorite dish to make was simple yet so flavorful, a classic shrimp taco.  

Has reading with Page Turners impacted your perspective on society or your community? 

It has allowed me to deepen my understanding of other diverse cultures within my community. I got the unique ability to read about their perspectives and the greater society as a whole.  

What is your favorite book(s) so far? 

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me has been my absolute favorite by far. Seeing how this book tackles sensitive topics regarding relationships is important to read, especially as a college student learning the importance of friendships and how to manage them. 

Shout out to Jesus for all the time they’ve dedicated to Words Alive! We are so thankful for their participation and insight. 

If you would like to join Jesus in their participation, you can sign up to be a Page Turner here.  

Meet Lanie, our new Page Turners Intern!

Hi everyone! My name is Lanie, and I am the new Page Turners Intern. I am so excited to have this opportunity and be of any service to our Page Turners community! Literature and reading are my longest, consistent relationship. It was the first place that made me feel understood and that I wasn’t alone. I leaned into it more when both of my parents were deported by the time I was 12 years old. I sought out my confusion and frustration through books and discovered a plethora of people who felt the same as I did and shared similar experiences. I fell in love with the power of words and learning.   

I recently received my B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing where I focused on decolonizing the cannon and curriculum. My main aspirations lay on creating art—mostly performing and writing—but I mainly strive to have people feel that they have a place in this world. That they belong to take up space and are not alone. By sharing our stories, and listening and uplifting other folk’s experiences, we can become more compassionate with ourselves and one another. I believe we can accomplish this through learning because learning is liberation. I plan on either getting my masters in Hispanic Literature or becoming an immigration lawyer. I want to be an asset and resource for my community.

What intrigued you about Words Alive? What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

I came across Words Alive by fate. After college, I wanted to challenge myself with new experiences that aligned with my mission in life. Reading and learning is incredibly important to me because both my grandmother and mother sacrificed their girlhood so that my siblings and I could have an education. Reading and learning was my only solace growing up. Even though I didn’t have a support system in real life, I received visibility and support through art and literature. Literacy is such an important (and fun!) aspect in life, and I plan to help people learn to love it and challenge themselves to be critical thinkers. Words Alive’s mission is exactly what I was looking to getting into after college, and I am so excited to see where this journey takes me. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering? 

In my free time, I like to read, write, and draw. I love to learn new facts and perspectives of historical events, so you will usually find me watching a YouTube video or show while writing or drawing. I have an Instagram under my performer pseudonym where I post my published work. I love being creative and challenging myself so I’m constantly changing hobbies, but reading and writing are my most consistent.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende.

Meet Madison, Our Page Turner of the Month

This month, we are proud to recognize Madison L. for her contributions to the Page Turners. Madison recently joined the Page Turners in 2023, and has since reviewed 3 titles, totaling 18 hours spent volunteering for this program. Though she is new to the program, Madison has shown a great passion for the work she has done already, and we know we can expect more to come. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback and time spent with us to help connect children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, let’s learn more about Madison and what got her started with Page Turners. 

Q: How did you come across Page Turners/Words Alive?

 I came across Words Alive through an internet search! At the time I found your organization, I was looking for a place to volunteer, and I happened to find your website when I looked up volunteer organizations in my area. I was immediately intrigued by your Page Turners program when I researched your volunteer opportunities, especially because I am an avid reader, so I just knew I had to be a part of it!

Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of volunteering?

My interests outside of volunteering are reading (of course!), badminton, tennis, guitar, writing, and music. 

Q: What is your favorite book(s) so far?

My favorite book that I have read so far would have to be the first book I ever read with your organization titled "All Out: The No Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages", which is a queer anthology novel. I loved getting to read short sections of such wonderfully diverse and entertaining stories. Each story was heartfelt and impactful in their own right, and the beautiful plot and lovable characters made me want to keep reading and reading! It was so exciting to see queer stories being highlighted and told in such a masterful way. 

Meet Serena, Our Newest Page Turners Intern!

Hello Words Alive community, my name is Serena Cuomo! I am thrilled to have joined this organization and have the opportunity to connect with all of its supportive members, working hard together in this labor of love for reading. 

In the interest of connecting with you all better, let me introduce myself a bit. My relationship with books started at a very young age; so young that I couldn’t even read yet. I’ve been told from family members of mine that I used to pick up books and come up with my own stories to fill the pages as I flipped through them, reading aloud what I imagined them to say. As I grew up and learned to actually read the stories I was holding in my hands, a deep connection to each new story brewed inside. I saw every book as a new opportunity to connect to a new understanding of the world through different eyes. I remember this deep connection to literature really stirred inside of me by the time I entered high school, breaking down and analyzing all of the components of a novel in my English classes. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger had always stood out to me because it was the first time I had ever felt so inside the mind of a character while still analyzing them from this outsider perspective that the character was completely oblivious to- I was amazed at Salinger’s talent to accomplish such a feat. 

The beauty of human connection that can be achieved through storytelling is what has always driven me to literature, and what pushes me now into the desire to work in the publication of this written art. Having recently acquired my bachelors degree in Literature and Writing Studies from the California State University of San Marcos, I spent most of my time in formal education studying the published works of many authors, and doing my best to embrace each story with an open mind; because even if I could not personally relate, I could try and understand. The opportunity to work with Words Alive in their admirable efforts to expand reading access to the youth of San Diego is an important feat for me, and one I am passionate towards. I know the power of stories and the effect they have had in my own life; I want to ensure that every child has that same opportunity to explore stories they can feel connected to as well. 

I am excited to pursue this passion here at Words Alive while also working towards my professional goals to begin a career in the book publishing industry. I know my work here will be a foundational start to my journey through the world of books, and those who create and consume them.  

Meet our December Page Turner of the Month!

EACH MONTH WORDS ALIVE RECOGNIZES PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM IN APPRECIATION FOR THE THOUGHTFUL FEEDBACK THEY SHARE WHEN REVIEWING TITLES WE ARE CONSIDERING FOR OUR CLASSROOM PROGRAMMING.

This month, we are proud to celebrate Vikki Bowes-Mok for her contributions to the Page Turners. Since joining the Page Turners in 2020, Vikki has reviewed 16 titles, totaling 132 hours spent volunteering for this program. Thank you for your insightful feedback and endless passion for connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, let’s learn more about Vikki.

Q: LET’S START WITH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION—TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU CAME ACROSS WORDS ALIVE AND THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM!

My name is Vikki Bowes-Mok and I live in San Jose, California with my husband, two teenage daughters and two cats. I’m a freelance writer and editor and an active volunteer in my community.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM?

I learned about Page Turners/Words Alive during the pandemic when I was looking for virtual volunteering opportunities. I was intrigued so attended the volunteer orientation and my teenage daughter and I have been involved with Page Turners ever since. 

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF VOLUNTEERING?

I obviously love to read and listen to audiobooks. I’m an avid hiker who loves time in nature, a travel enthusiast who also enjoys cooking meals for friends and family and a believer in getting involved, giving back and making a difference.

Q: HAS READING WITH PAGE TURNERS IMPACTED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY OR YOUR COMMUNITY?  

Absolutely! I’ve been exposed to many new authors and this has opened my eyes to different perspectives and worldviews.

Q: What’s your favorite book(s) so far?

Oh, that’s a hard one, there are so many great books; I particularly enjoyed “The Firekeeper’s Daughter,” “Between Perfect & Real” and “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them.”

Meet our September Page Turner of the Month!

Each month Words Alive recognizes participants in our Page Turners program in appreciation for the thoughtful feedback they share when reviewing titles we are considering for our classroom programming.

This month, we are proud to celebrate Carleen O’Reilly for her contributions to the Page Turners. Since joining the Page Turners in 2020, Carleen has reviewed 11 titles (reading over 900 pages), totaling 32.5 hours spent volunteering for this program. Thank you for your insightful feedback and endless passion for connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, without further ado, let’s learn more about Carleen!

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Q: Let’s start with a brief introduction—tell us a bit about yourself and how you came across Words Alive and the Page Turners program!

A: Hi! I am so honored to be the August Page Turner of the Month! I first learned about Words Alive when a colleague of mine started as the Executive Director. Yes, I'm talking about the brilliant Rachael Orose.

Q: How did you get started with the Page Turners program?

A: Like so many with downtime during COVID safer-at-home directives, I started to look for remote opportunities and remembered seeing Page Turners on the Words Alive website.

Carleen poses with family in front of trees.

I never considered myself to be a "reader," so I started with elementary-aged books to share with my sons, like "The Undefeated" and "The Proudest Blue: A story of Hijab and Family". When my older son transitioned to middle school, I did too. One day, he walked into my room and saw "Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen" on my dresser. I noticed him read the title and I asked if he knew what the word 'transgender' meant. He said "Yes, there was a character in one of the graphic novels you got me with a transgender boy." Never did I think that reading these books would spark important conversations with my 11-year-old to learn more about how he sees and understands society.

Q: Has reading with Page Turners impacted your perspective on society or your community?

This program has inspired me so much, and I have recommended it to several friends as a way to volunteer their time. By far, my favorite book has been "The Best At It." It was a fun read and I could see a bit of myself struggling to embrace my place in school and understand how my family's culture played a significant role in who I am.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?

A: Outside of reading, you can find me chasing my boys around Memphis doing all the sports and playing outdoors. I look forward to many more titles to recommend to the Words Alive bookshelves!

Want to learn more about the Page Turners? Find your next great read here!

Plot Twist: 2022 Page Turner of the Year Jazmyn George

Welcome to our blog series, Plot Twist! Here, we'll be sharing the stories of people in the Words Alive community — stories of change, growth, and maybe a few surprising twists! We hope that through these stories, you'll get to know our community a little better and see the power of literacy come to life. This article is part of a special edition of this series as it spotlights our incredible volunteers who have been nominated for Words Alive’s 13th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

A picture of Jazmyn George.

Hailing from Palatine, Illinois, high school sophomore and our Page Turner of the Year Jazmyn George (she/they) is already trailblazing her way at Words Alive and in the world of literature and writing. Through our Page Turners program, Jazmyn helps inform Words Alive of diverse, relevant books to include in our program curriculum as she reads and assesses different recommended titles. 

Jazmyn began volunteering as a Page Turner after discovering that she was able to gain school credit while engaging in volunteer work, but it didn’t take long for her to realize it was, in her own words, “the perfect role.” As a fast, avid reader since as long as she could remember and now a Page Turner, Jazmyn reads and reviews hundreds of books per year! 

“I’ve always believed that reading—especially [if it’s] good books that you actually connect with, whether it’s [to] your racial background, your experience, stuff like that—has always been a gift, but it’s also fun.”

— Jazmyn George

The cover of Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

Her love of books and storytelling is palpable as she animatedly described how re-reading Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, one of her favorite authors later in life as a Page Turner had allowed her to better appreciate the novel’s unique story format and connect more deeply to its moving themes of loss and grief.  

But Jazmyn’s passion as a Page Turner transcends her own interest in just reading great stories—she loves that she’s able to introduce kids to books reflecting the experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized groups that she would have loved to read growing up. Jazmyn shared that until she was thirteen, she had not read any book with a person of color as the main character. So when she signed onto the Page Turners website and saw dozens of titles with queer main characters and different characters that looked like her, she was shocked. “It was like, woah, I honestly didn’t know books like that were accessible!” she exclaimed. “Being able to pass that accessibility onto others is what really keeps me coming back.” 

In addition to sharing diverse and representative stories, Jazmyn also appreciates that she’s able to provide trigger warnings about books to help alert readers to potentially distressing themes. She sums up the impact of her work as a Page Turner as “like giving back to the community” even though she doesn’t live in San Diego. 

“I’m 100% coming back to this. It’s so easy, you just get to read a book, fill out a form, and it helps kids and I enjoy myself, so like, it’s a win-win for everyone!”

— Jazmyn George

Jazmyn’s experience volunteering and reading diverse authors has also encouraged her to continue pursuing her own dream of becoming a writer and publishing her own books. Writing since she was in kindergarten, Jazmyn endeavors to become part of the greater effort and hope that there will be more books written by authors of marginalized groups and diverse characters with narratives that authentically represent lived experiences. She has faith in her passionate, local Gen Z peers and believes that we can create a more diverse literary future by working and pushing for change together! 

We’re so astounded and inspired by you, Jazmyn! We know you’ll make a huge impact—thanks for allowing Words Alive to be a part of that! 

Book recommendations: The Sun is Also a Star and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon; Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis 

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This post was created by Gabby Villadolid, Words Alive’s Storytelling Intern! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love to have you on the team! Email to learn more.

Meet our Page Turner of the Month Kendall!

Page Turners awakens the minds of tomorrow’s readers and leaders. Core to our mission is introducing a diverse selection of books to students and families on the path to become life-long learners. Page Turners volunteers help us find books to help inspire that joy for students.

Page Turners volunteers help us find titles focusing on themes such as: resilience, identity, mental wellness, environmentalism, gender and sexuality, race and culture, courage, immigration, and so many more that resonate with today’s youth. Join Page Turners today and we PROMISE you’ll be matched with a new book you’ve never heard of today! Click here to sign up!

Don’t take our word for it —this month we’re celebrating our amazing Page Turner of the Month: Kendall Carr!

Here’s a little bit about her:

Q: How did you get started with Words Alive?
A: I got started with Words Alive when I saw a volunteering opportunity on Innerview, read about what my part in the program would entail and how it would encourage others to read - something I have had a love for as long as I can remember.

Q: What has been the best book you've read with Page Turners?
A: The best book I have read with Page Turners is Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngblood. I related to the main character, G-baby, and her step-sister, Tangie, multiple times throughout the book and am beyond appreciative that I have been able to read this heart-warming story.

Q: Why did you start reading books with Page Turners and why do you continue?
A: I started reading books with Page Turners because I wanted to be included in the process of helping to give feedback on books I would have been interested in when I was younger. I continue because I love that through the act of reading - which I already do on a daily basis - I am able to impact the lives of others and help to grow their affection for a long-standing hobby of mine.

Q: How has being a Page Turner changed the way you read or think about reading?
A: After becoming a part of the Page Turner organization and leaving detailed reviews on the recent books I've read; when I read the books I'm more interested in now I've started to scrutinize what the author may be trying to teach the reader and how they were able to incorporate it into their story through "showing" not "telling" as may be done for younger readers.

Q: What city are you based in?
A: I am based in the city of Chandler, Arizona.

Thank you, Kendal,l for all your hard work! Happy Reading!

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This blog post is written by Julie Chen, Words Alive’s esteemed Page Turners Intern. To connect with Julie email [email protected].

Plot Twist: Teoman Yazar

Welcome to our blog series, Plot Twist! Here, we'll be sharing the stories of people in the Words Alive community — stories of change, growth, and maybe a few surprising twists! We hope that through these stories, you'll get to know our community a little better and see the power of literacy come to life.

Meet Teoman Yazar: a multi-talented volunteer who, at 11 years old, is one of the youngest Page Turners in the Words Alive community! His myriad of talents and hobbies include playing four different instruments (and playing for rock bands!), rock climbing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. When he grows up he is considering a career in the biomedical field or becoming a wildlife photographer.

During COVID, Teoman and his dad were looking for community service opportunities when they stumbled upon Words Alive. As an avid reader and someone that values helping others, he figured being a Page Turner would be just the thing for him. He has already read and reviewed 6 books for inclusion in the Words Alive curriculum! 

Watch Teoman receive his award at 11:12!

Besides the rewarding feeling that comes with doing something meaningful for others, Teoman received the Bronze President's Service Award this year in recognition of his work.  "I was really excited," he recalls, all smiles, "I did not expect that to happen."

When asked about why people should volunteer, he replied simply: "Well, it's just helping other people." He added, “If you grow up helping other people then when you grow up you’ll want to just help other people. And not necessarily by volunteering, but just in general.”

What's also fantastic about Teoman is that he really engages with the Page Turner process of reading and reviewing books. It can be challenging, he admits. “Having to explain the whole book in a couple sentences — that's usually pretty hard.”

“I learned to understand the book better.”

But as he reads and writes about more and more books, he's growing in his reviewing abilities. “I learned to understand the book better,” he says, “like what the more important parts of the book are rather than what the details are.”

He has this advice to share with his fellow reviewers: "Before you write the review, make sure to skim through the book a little bit… to refresh your memory on what the book is about." He also says that reading other reviews to ensure that you understood the book correctly may also be helpful.

About the importance of reading books, he notes, “Reading really helps – at least my – attention span because you have to sit down and read something for a long time.” He feels books can show readers a variety of experiences and perspectives different from their own. "It teaches you what other people have to go through sometimes,” he says.

The Whispers by Greg Howard.

The First Rule of Punk by Cecilia C. Perez. 

Some of his top picks from the Words Alive list are The Whispers by Greg Howard and The First Rule of Punk by Cecilia C. Perez. 

Unsurprisingly for a committed Words Alive volunteer, he's truly enthusiastic about reading, even outside of Page Turners.

Teoman shows off one of his favorite books.

When we asked about his personal favorite book, he eagerly held up several volumes to the camera and said, “I have four of my favorite books right here, just in case you asked this question!” His current top choice is One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

Teoman wants other people to enjoy their experiences with books, too. He appreciates that through Page Turners, he is able to help others avoid diving headfirst into a book without knowing what it's about.

“Sometimes I read a book and it’s totally not what I expect and I don’t want to read the book anymore, so I don’t want that to happen to other people.”

He hopes one day he can be a Book Hunter for Words Alive and find new books for other Page Turners to review. “I want to do that because I know a couple books that I would definitely recommend.”

Judging by his attitude towards helping others and his work as a Page Turner, service is evidently an ingrained part of Teoman's life. We're thrilled to see this young student already taking initiative to change his community. Keep up the amazing work, Teoman! You are already making a difference now; we are positive you will accomplish great things when you grow up, too.

This post was written by Idie Park, a Words Alive volunteer! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love to have you on the team! Email to learn more.