March 11, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET
To Sally Bradshaw, owner of Midtown Reader, the face of a child receiving their first door to the world of literature, a book, is a feeling you can’t recreate.
On Feb. 24 at Oakridge Elementary, there were a number of excited faces as they got to partake in the first of three free “Read and Rise” book fairs hitting different Title 1 schools throughout the county.
Students were given the chance to pick two free books. Some chose familiar titles like “To Give a Mouse a Cookie” and both the “Dork Diaries” and “Diary of Wimpy Kid” franchises, but there are new cult classics taking over like the “Dog Man” series.
“It is such a joy to introduce these children to the power of storytelling and the power of reading because we know it changes lives,” said Bradshaw in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “Allowing (the children) to begin to build a home library is just beyond what I can describe in terms of fulfilling our mission and vision for Midtown Reader.”
Two years ago, Midtown Reader was one of only a handful of bookstores across the country to receive an anonymous grant. Bradshaw said the money was dedicated to doing work in the literary space, which for her translated into Leon County and the region.
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This money went towards the “Lets Read!” program which is split into two subprograms: the book fair program and “One Book Tally,” a community-wide read.
“Many Title 1 schools don’t have access to book fairs because of the cost required and the commitment the publishers require to host book fairs,” said Bradshaw. She further explained that those events would not be profitable for these businesses, so they avoid the book fair entirely.
Free books is no easy feat, but Bradshaw says that the donations of locals and her partnerships with WCTV and Community Foundation of North Florida help in the mission. One donation of just $5 covers one book, so she says no donation is too small.
Bradshaw isn’t alone in getting the job done: general manager Caylee Wilson managed the Oakridge fair, ensuring the books had arrived the week before, setting up the system in order for the books to be checked out and decorating with balloons.
“You can literally see the kids like light up when they realize that the books are theirs, you know sometimes they’ll pull us aside and be like, can I really take two,” said Wilson. “Early literacy really builds the foundation for lifelong learning and having access to books and reading increases your confidence and academic skills.
The entire team partakes in the full day event, leaving them fulfilled but tired, for Wilson though, the feeling goes even deeper than that.
“I went to Title 1 schools my entire life when I was in elementary, middle and high school,” Wilson said. “So the books that I had access to were the only ones that were at the school. So for me coming into this environment and seeing that these kids get to take these books home and the choice to choose what they really want is really rewarding.”
Upcoming fairs
- Ruediger Elementary: March 24
- Hartsfield Elementary: April 7
Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
