Reading Ambassadors

Introduction

Worlds of Words Center's Reading Ambassador program offers middle school and high school students a college experience within the University of Arizona College of Education. Reading Ambassadors learn about children’s and adolescent literature under the direction of faculty and staff with expertise in children’s literature, education, library science and marketing.

This program positions young people in grades 6 through 12 as ambassadors for reading in their own schools. Reading Ambassadors read on a theme or a book by an author they select, interact with published authors and share their experience with their peers and trusted adults to promote reading in their school communities. Copies of the books read by the ambassadors are also donated to the ambassadors’ school libraries.

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“Ambassadors bring their enthusiasm for reading to a larger audience by talking about books in their communities and inviting other students at their schools to meet authors,” says Kathy Short, Professor in Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies and Director of Worlds of Words. “Part of the value of young adult literature is its dynamic nature. The innovation and experimentation within the genre helps teens connect with the world through reading. In this way, teens involved with the initiative will be true ambassadors.”

How It Works

Reading Ambassadors have an opportunity to explore books in ways they rarely experience in other contexts. Each book cycle occurs over the course of two months. Ambassadors first discuss the book and create plans for how to share it with peers. The next month, they may host a public event with the author or engage in a project of their choice. Ambassadors receive a free copy of the books they discuss. Worlds of Words donates a second copy to the ambassadors’ schools. Students have created book displays, flyers, social media posts, podcasts, ‘zines and other engagements to encourage their peers to read.

“People who are interested in getting college experience or working with college professors should apply,” says Teen Reading Ambassador alumna George Ballenger. She enjoys the literature discussions and appreciates the freedom she experiences in organizing and planning the author events. She says, “I like that we’ve held more of the power…. We are encouraged to do a lot by ourselves.”

Apply to be an Ambassador

To become a Reading Ambassador, students must complete the online application. Applications will be accepted through the summer each year with start dates in the Fall. Meetings typically occur in 3-hour blocks in the morning or afternoon of one Saturday a month at Worlds of Words, 1430 E. Second St., Rm. 453. For more information on the Reading Ambassadors or general information about Worlds of Words, email wow@arizona.edu.

Reading Ambassador Application

2024/25 Applicaton PDF version:

High School Form:

Middle School Form:

University of Arizona Office of Youth Protection

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Worlds of Words follows University of Arizona policies regarding unenrolled minors. For more information about youth protection on the U of A campus, please visit the Office of Youth Protection website. All personnel overseeing the Reading Ambassadors have been through a background check through UAPD that includes fingerprint checks. Additionally, they have gone through youth protection training through the U of A. For questions about policies regarding unenrolled minors on the UArizona campus, please contact the Office of Youth Protection at 520.621.7286 or youthprotection@arizona.edu.

Guidelines and Helpful Information

Worlds of Words

Worlds of Words is committed to creating an international network of people who share the vision of bringing books and children together, thereby opening windows on the world. We encourage thoughtful dialogue around global literature so that children can reflect on their own cultural experiences and connect to the experiences of children across the globe.

Worlds of Words is a center within the University of Arizona College of Education. The collection holds 40,000 books and original art from published picturebooks. The space includes our main collection, the Mary J. Wong collection, classroom, studio and several private work areas. The space is typically open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. We follow the U of A vacation and holiday schedule and closures.

In addition to the literature discussions and author visits ambassadors participate in, Worlds of Words offers free programming for the public all year around. Please feel free to join us at any of our author/illustrator workshops for younger children, exhibits and other events. Worlds of Words also offers free tours and school field trips.

The center has extensive online content for preservice teachers, teachers, teachers educators and others who share our interest in global stories for young people. This includes three peer-reviewed academic journals, a blog with five distinct features, and a catalog of international books. All these online resources are available free to the public.

Sanctioned Activity

While ambassadors are encouraged to promote reading as part of their experience, the only sanctioned activities take place during scheduled meetings.

“Ambassadors bring their enthusiasm for reading to a larger audience by talking about books in their communities and inviting other students at their schools to meet authors,” says Short. “Part of the value of young adult literature is its dynamic nature. The innovation and experimentation within the genre helps teens connect with the world through reading. In this way, teens involved with the initiative will be true ambassadors.”

Reading List

Reading Ambassador literature discussions include whole group and small group work to explore books in depth. By participating in literature discussions students engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss and respond to books.

“The ambassadors experience a combination of book discussions and hands-on workshops to deepen their understandings and to learn ways to promote reading,” says Short. “Additionally, they learn about the writing and publishing process as they meet the authors. In many cases, these students are among the earliest readers of those books.”

Typically, Reading Ambassadors have a choice in the books they choose and so we can’t always give parents/guardians advance notice. For this reason, we encourage parents/guardians to stay engaged with their children regarding the program. In this way, parents/guardians can approve readings if they feel it necessary, but also this will allow Reading Ambassadors a chance to practice their advocacy for reading. Books are typically selected based on thematic connections, student interest and author availability. These selections will also be read by personnel overseeing the Reading Ambassador program. However, because some of the books may contain mature content, we want parents/guardians to be engaged.

To help you get to know the types of books selected by ambassadors and program coordinators, please see the following list of books/authors the ambassadors encountered in previous programming. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to do further research on these books and discuss book selections with their teen.

We have not scheduled authors or selected books for the 2026/27 cadre. Typically Worlds of Words selects the first author/theme and ambassadors select subsequent authors, illustrators or theme after a book browse.

“Joining the Reading Ambassadors gave me the chance to meet other teens who were truly excited to read, and allowed me to share and discuss books for fun. I was exposed to stories that I had never considered reading, and discussing the books lead to more questions, making me want read and reread books for my own benefit,” say Reading Ambassador alumna, Pilar Muller. “Being a Reading Ambassador helped me gain confidence when talking to my peers, telling them about all the amazing books I read.”

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2025/26 Schedule for Ambassadors