Fourth grader Wesley Larson is not a typical bookworm. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Described by his mom Melanie as full of energy “like an Energizer Bunny,” Wesley is mostly an outdoor kid, who plays soccer and is on the swim team.
Despite being a bright student, Wesley’s energy impacts his focus, and as an ADHD learner, reading was a challenge. Then he started Read Better Be Better, with transformative results: “He absolutely loved it!” says Melanie.
The program’s structure, pairing younger students with older peers, was critical for Wesley, Melanie says. “He always strives to be with the big kids…So, I think that having an older peer read with him, rather than mom trying to make him read a book, was a huge difference for him.”
“It changed his outlook on reading in general,” she continues. “From the first half of third grade to the second half of third grade, his grades improved. He wanted to do better on the state and district tests, and he had more buy-in overall. His writing improved a lot. By the end of the year, he was a much better writer, as well.”
Since beginning the Read Better Be Better Program in the Spring of 2025, nine-year-old Wesley, then a third grader, has re-enrolled for the Fall. And, according to Melanie, his enthusiasm for the program has only continued to grow.
“He was super excited because his little brother is in second grade this year, so he gets to join the program and do it with him…He was telling his brother, Mason, ‘We get to do this, and it’s going to be so much fun!’”
Wesley is just one of over 18,000 students that Read Better Be Better has supported in achieving his goals and improving his reading. You can help us reach even more students by donating today.