Get Caught Reading Month is not only a celebration of reading that takes place during the month of May, but it’s also a challenge to people of all ages to get caught reading! What does that mean? It means that children and adults should take every opportunity to incorporate reading into their daily schedule during this month.

This can be done by keeping eBooks on a phone, placing magazines on the coffee table, or even packing a comic book in a backpack. Throughout most days, people have the opportunity to pick up a book or magazine and read a bit—even if it’s only a few paragraphs at a time, it helps to reinforce the habit of reading and makes reading a fundamental part of life.

The History of National Get Caught Reading Month

Get Caught Reading Month was created by the Association of American Publishers in 1999. Over the years, other organizations have joined in on the fun of this month as well. The most recent is Every Child a Reader, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit that encourages and celebrates the power of books and the impact they have on children throughout their lives.

Important Facts About Reading

Below are some important facts about reading that we think everyone should know. We feel that these facts really highlight the importance of reading and the impact that reading can have on young children. With that being said, let’s all read the following facts together.

• People who are reading by the age of 8 have a lower chance of being incarcerated later in their lives.
• During the Middle Ages, libraries would often chain books to the shelves to prevent theft.
• People who read fiction regularly are more likely to volunteer their time and donate to charity.
• The three best-selling books in the world are the Holy Bible, Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung, and the Harry Potter series.
• Approximately 20% of the world’s population cannot read or write.
• Reading is to the brain as exercise is to the body.
• Reading helps build neural pathways and keeps the brain active and elastic.
• Several studies have shown that reading can lower a person’s heart rate and blood pressure.
• People who read generally sleep better than those who don’t.
• A person who reads for 20 minutes a day will end up reading over 1.7 million words over the course of a year.

Observing Get Caught Reading Month

As we’ve mentioned, observing this month is as easy as reading as much as you can for the next 31 days. And that objective is pretty easy to achieve if you surround yourself with magazines, books, and other reading materials.

People are also encouraged to spread the word about this month using the hashtag #GetCaughtReadingMonth on social media.