Picture of the week:

Reading books improves people’s lives. Reading can even act as medicine. Those who read and learn, improve, and become more educated. They interact with their surroundings in a better way. They speak better, too. But, most importantly, people who can read and write can pass along their knowledge to future generations. The benefits of reading are endless!

This picture and essay were submitted to the 2012 Reading Changed My Life Contest by Fatmasila Gökdere of Turkey.

Take a look at some of the nearly 1,000 photos and videos submitted to the Reading Changed My Life Photo and Video Contest and then get involved in helping children learn and grow.