A Celebration of Reading Florida

Under the leadership of former Governor Jeb Bush, the Volunteer USA Foundation sponsors A Celebration of Reading each year in Naples, FL to benefit the Florida Family Literacy Initiative.  Proceeds support grants to 12 literacy academies across the state as well as individual scholarships for vocational schools and community colleges.

Jeb Bush Jr: The next generation carrying the torch of literacy.

Vying for the spot of top literacy advocate in Florida, Jeb Bush Jr speaks on the importance of education and literacy.


Mark Your Calendar...
The 11th annual Florida Celebration of Reading will be held on February 11, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, FL. 


2010 Florida Celebration of Reading Authors

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, again will serve as hosts of Florida’s annual Celebration of Reading. Florida’s Celebration of Reading has raised more than  $14 million for family literacy programs in Florida and the southeastern U.S.   Gov. Bush’s parents - former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush - have been invited to join the Florida Celebration for the tenth consecutive year.

Additionally, national best-selling authors who have participated in the event since its inception in 2001 have been invited to return in celebration of the milestone year. To date, the following guest authors have confirmed:

 - Derrick Barnes, a bright new voice in children’s literature. Barnes says he always writes to convey positive messages to children. His books include the colorful Ruby and the Booker Boys Series.

 - James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers, Flyboys and the upcoming The Imperial Cruise;

 - Jill Conner Browne, the "Sweet Potato Queen" and author of numerous bestsellers including The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love;

 - Mary Higgins Clark, the top-selling suspense writer in the U.S. and author of 28 suspense novels including Just Take My Heart and (coming in April 2010) The Shadow Of Your Smile;

 - Carol Higgins Clark is the author of twelve bestselling Regan Reilly mysteries, including Cursed and (coming in April 2010) Wrecked;

 - Steve Doocy, the Emmy Award-winning co-host of the national "FOX & Friends" broadcast and bestselling author of Tales from the Dad Side andThe Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook;

 - Jeffrey Engle, teacher of history at the Bush School of Government & Public Service, director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs and author of The China Diary of George H.W. Bush;

 - Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling fiction author of The Book of Fate, The Tenth Justice and The Zero Game who is also the co-creator of the TV show, Jack & Bobby;

 - Sharon Robinson, director of educational programming for Major League Baseball whose books, including Jackie’s Nine and Promises to Keep, share the important life lessons learned from her father, Jackie; and

 - R.L. Stine, creator of the Goosebumps® Series with more than 300 million books sold, making him one the of best-selling children’s authors in U.S. history.

Learn more about this event HERE.

For information, please contact Ms. Tina Matte via email at tmatte@gravinasmith.com or by calling (239) 275.5758.