The Mission

Promote, encourage and educate students by providing resources to develop a lifelong love of reading.

The Story

Over ten years ago, Jori’s Book Club was started by Susie Kostal, a Libertyville resident and teacher at Oakcrest Elementary in Beach Park, IL. Jori’s Book Club is named after her dear friend and coworker, Jori Weisenberg Gniadek, who sadly passed on too soon.

Susie wanted to keep Jori’s memory present in the school where they both worked and to make a difference in their community. At first, Susie would purchase books on her own dime for her students, but the idea grew quickly. Eventually Susie began posting on Facebook to ask for her friends and family to “sponsor” a child so every student in the class would get a new book monthly. She believed that new books are fun and important for students to build a foundation and love for reading!

Jori’s Book Club allows children in preschool and elementary school to choose new books every month and promotes a love of reading at home and in the community.

Unfortunately, Susie passed away recently, but wanted the program she created to continue in the communities she worked in and loved.

How to Help

All donations to the program go directly to purchasing books for kids in the classroom and at home. $20–$30 is enough for one student to get a new book every month of the school year, and $150–$200 is enough for an entire class for a month!

If you would like to know more about Jori’s Book Club or to make donations please reach out to James Huitt at (630) 306-9516 or jamesh@jorisbookclub.org

Follow Jori’s Book club on Instagram