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Ex-NFL Receiver Encourages Kids To Catch The Reading Bug

Senior Airman Ceaira Young
/
U.S. Air Force

If asked to name your favorite book, could you do it? It's probably easier for younger people who haven't read a lot yet.

But not for the main character in the children's book My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World. Henley hates reading, and will do anything he can to avoid it. The book tells the story of how he came to have a favorite book.

It's the work of Malcolm Mitchell, who leads several programs to encourage literacy. He also played in a Superbowl, but that's not in the book. We ask about it anyway, and about his post-NFL devotion to reading.

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Natalie Golay is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Mike Green hosts the show.