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Book Mobile Makes Its Much Anticipated Debut

Dane MizutaniWeb Editorial AssociateEmail / Twitter

As a result of tons of planning and prepping leading up the much anticipated launch event, the Timberwolves and Lynx Book Mobile made its debut this week at Sojourner Truth Academy in North Minneapolis. 

The Book Mobile offers students an incentive to read by giving them an opportunity to pick out a book to keep. It’s designed to make reading fun as kids have a chance to walk through the Book Mobile, look at the wide array of selection, and make a selection.

“It’s no secret that lots of kids know about the Timberwolves, go to Timbwerwolves games … and just one little thing could make a change where kids think because the Timberwolves are talking about reading that reading really is cool,” Sojourner Truth Academy representative Julie Guy said. “It’s exciting to know that one little thing can make a huge difference for a kid.”

A flock of 75 kids patiently sat on the blacktop and listened to a number of different speakers on Tuesday afternoon, namely Wolves President Chris Wright and FastBreak Foundation platinum partners Roger and Nancy McCabe. Crunch also made an appearance before kids had a chance to pick out the books.

“It’s about putting these books in the hands of kids that under normal circumstance might not get a book, might not get a book of their own,” Wright said, adding that he remembers bookmobiles from his childhood. “I’m an English guy so I can remember bookmobiles pulling up in my yard, my schoolyard when I was I kid. There was no library at the school I went to, so a bookmobile would pull up about once a month and we could check out books.”

Nancy McCabe said this idea has been a long time coming and to finally see it in action is truly special.

“It’s come full circle from an idea in our heads to something that’s materialized like this,” she said, “and just having the Wolves involved and having Crunch involved, we can see that the kids are so excited. It means everything to us.”

Wright said that while the event is linked to the Timberwolves organization, the Book Mobile, at its core, is about fostering education for young kids throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area.

“I think just the fact that we can pull up in a playground of a school, bring 75 kids out, show them the Book Mobile, and allow them to take something home with them tonight … will have a huge impact,” Wright said. “These kids will remember this day for the rest of their lives and to have that book … is really going to be very, very meaningful to the kids.”

This is only the beginning, though. Wright said the Book Mobile would travel from Sojourner Truth Academy to any school throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area that will take it.

“Were going to bring the Book Mobile to them,” he said, “and make sure that kids walk away with books in their hands.”