Austin ISD Student Raises Money to Share His Love of Reading

Fulmore Middle School student Xander Christou has started a fundraising program to encourage literacy and spread his love of reading.

Hooked by Books, a partnership among Xander, publishers and Travis Heights Elementary School, aims to raise $2,000 via Xander’s GoFundMe page.

For every $4 raised, a partnering publisher will donate one book to Travis Heights Elementary School. The project will continue until each child at the school has a book.

“My mission is to spread the wonder of books to these kids and get them hooked on reading at a young age,” he said. “I want kids to discover how incredible books are and see them as enjoyable instead of boring so that they will keep reading more and spreading the word about amazing books.”

The money raised will also be used to fund Xander’s trip to BookExpo America 2015, to help him pursue his dream of becoming an author.

Xander also reviews books on his blog, Forever Bookish.

Xander said he is passionate about blogging and reading, and sees Forever Bookish as the best combination of the two.

“I can’t imagine a life without books,” he said. “Books have shaped me and made me the person I am.”