It’s an exciting time at CLiF, as we recently selected the 12 public elementary schools in Vermont and New Hampshire that will receive our flagship Year of the Book grant during the 2024-2025 school year. This grant provides each school with up to $25,000 in literacy resources, including in-person visits from professional authors and illustrators; new books for the school and public libraries; new books for each student to choose and keep; optional family literacy events; classroom enrichment mini-grants; and many additional benefits. 

“CLiF is very pleased to support the children, teachers, and families at these deserving schools,” executive director Laura Rice said. “We are so impressed with the deep commitment expressed by each applicant to provide opportunities for literacy growth and excitement in their students. We are honored to partner with them in this important effort.” 

The Year of the Book program is designed to supplement a school’s existing literacy efforts, encourage reading and writing, increase family engagement, and make high-quality books accessible to all students. Eligible schools must demonstrate a significant percentage of students scoring below proficiency on reading and writing assessments, as well as a percentage of students from under-resourced backgrounds.

Here are our 2024-2025 CLiF Year of the Book schools:

• Ashland Elementary School in Ashland, NH
• Bakersfield Elementary School in Bakersfield, VT
• Beaver Meadow School in Concord, NH
• Charleston Elementary School in West Charleston, VT
• Ledge Street Elementary School in Nashua, NH
• Madison Elementary School in Madison, NH
• Pleasant Street School in Laconia, NH
• Salisbury Community School in Salisbury, VT
• Stewartstown Community School in West Stewartstown, NH
• Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua, NH
• The Dover School in East Dover, VT
• Westshire Elementary School in West Fairlee, VT

​​Since launching the Year of the Book program in 2011, CLiF has offered 127 grants to elementary schools in towns across the Twin States.

“CLiF’s Year of the Book Grant program has a proven track record of creating a culture of literacy within a school community,” program manager Cassie Willner said. “The excitement that comes from new ideas, new books, and new connections makes this an invigorating grant for schools. Our ultimate goal here at CLiF and through this grant is to inspire kids to love reading and writing.”