Once upon a time…
A library of their own.
The Marcella Foundation’s first project, BookMode helped South Lake Tahoe second graders discover the joy of reading with a Kindle, headphones and a year of books to call their own.
Three years of BookMode. The program has ended, and this page celebrates the children it reached. Today, the Marcella Foundation’s work continues through Reading Pals and the Atrium.
Chapter one
Three years at Sierra House Elementary
We started with second graders at one South Lake Tahoe school, and returned for three years of reading adventures.
Estimated three-year totals, using three times the previously reported figures.
Over half of the children in the 2025 group had no books at home.
On the day they got their Kindles, one class read in silence for 40 minutes straight.
Chapter two
Why we started
In 2022, reading scores for 9-year-olds had their biggest drop since 1990. BookMode was one way we helped local children find their confidence and enthusiasm for reading.
Access to books mattered especially for:
- low-income students
- English language learners
- kids with no books at home
Chapter three
How BookMode worked
A superhero kickoff
Retired educators put on a school assembly about the power to read. Each child went home with a Kindle, an Adventure Map and a cape.
A Kindle to keep
Children received a Kindle Paperwhite, made just for reading with no games or videos, plus headphones and a year of Amazon Kids+. They could switch between reading and listening, in English or Spanish.
Families and teachers in the loop
Parents received a welcome packet and text tips in English and Spanish. Schools had a dashboard showing how many books were opened and read.
Chapter four
What each child received
The program put a whole reading adventure in each child’s hands:
- A Kindle Paperwhite to keep
- Bluetooth headphones
- A year of Amazon Kids+, with thousands of books
- A cape, an Adventure Map and the kickoff day
- A year of reading support for their family
Chapter five
The people behind BookMode
BookMode was founded by two South Tahoe High School alumni and was run by the Marcella Foundation and Lift Literature, with support from the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund and local volunteers.
Lift Literature
Tahoe Women’s Community FundThe next chapter
Our work continues
BookMode is part of our story. Reading Pals and the Atrium are where we’re focused today.
Reading Pals
Local volunteers spend regular reading time with students, helping them build skills, confidence and a love of books.
Explore Reading PalsThe Atrium
A new community space for South Lake Tahoe, bringing together a makerspace, a teaching kitchen, events and Feed Tahoe’s food rescue work.
Discover the AtriumQuestions about BookMode or our work today? Contact the Marcella Foundation.