Literature for All of Us brings the rewards of reading and writing through book group discussions to teen mothers and other young people in underserved neighborhoods. We build communities of readers, poets, and critical thinkers. We develop family literacy by providing children’s literature and child development resources to teen parents. We open worlds by opening books.

Our History

Literature for All of Us is a nationally recognized and award-winning organization. Initiated in 1996 as a volunteer effort led by Executive Director Karen Thomson, Literature for All of Us has grown from a volunteer effort of one to a professional staff of 10.

Through collaborative relationships with the schools and community based organizations in Chicago and nearby Evanston, to date, Literature for All of Us has facilitated 138 book groups, reaching over 4000 young people.

In its short history, Literature for All of Us has been recognized as making a significant contribution to improving the lives of young people who have limited resources, opportunities, and exposure to the arts and humanities.

The agency received the 2005 Coming Up Taller award by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, which recognizes outstanding after-school programming for youth in the arts and humanities. Literature for All of Us was one of only 15 agencies nationwide to receive the award.

Board of Directors
Samia Amamoo
Kathy Bresler
Sue Brodarick
Bob Chrismer
Howard Dubin
Laura Jacobs
Susan Kaden, Secretary
Lissa Karron, President
Nancy Liebman
Iris Marreck
Casandra Melton
Denise Morton
Susan Munro, VP, Development
Michele Pockross, Treasurer
Debbie Smith
Susan Sneider
Karen Thomson, Ex Officio
Denise Winter, VP, Board Services

Advisory Board
Richard Carra
Marilynn Cason
Ann Christophersen
Linda W. Dillman
Randi Ettner
Nancy Figel
Tom Figel
Mildred Harris
Joy Harjo
N. Lynn Hiestand
Ann O. Johnson
Michael Kent
Ann Lagory
Judy Langford
Mary Marasa
Jo Moore
Helen Moshak
Bonnie Oberman
Sara Paretsky
Nicki Pearson
Sally Polasek
Bill Pritz
Jane Punwani
Roberta Rubin
Sandra Shane-Dubow
Dawn Turner Trice
Jan Valukas
Bernice Weissbourd

Staff
Karen Thomson, Founder and Executive Director
Erin Brown, Book Group Leader
Rebecca Brown, Book Group Leader II/Program Coordinator
Laura Friedlander, Children's Literature Specialist/Book Group Leader
Barbara Grier, Business Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Kira Harris, Book Group Leader
LaCoya Katoe, Book Group Leader II
Helene Simon, Administrative Coordinator
Deborah Steinkopf, Associate Director

Consultants and Visiting Artists
Lee Gregory, Evaluation Consultant
Beth Maschinot, PhD, Evaluation Consultant
Sally Polasek, Children's Literature Consultant
Jeniifer Wilms, Special Projects

"What reading is to me now is important. Before, I really never had any time to read — I worked all day and all I wanted to do is come home and sleep.

Now I read to my brother when I come home from school. I actually have time now. I read while I am in school, when I go home. It's just fun.

I love this book group...we are here to express and listen."

— LFAOU book group member