According to California’s 2012 STAR test results, more than a quarter of San Diego County’s fourth grade students are not reading at a proficient level, and more than half of the county’s students are considered economically disadvantaged. To help boost the educational environment for low-income students at such a critical time in their lives, United Way of San Diego is hosting a virtual book drive from March 18 to 30 to collect funds to provide 48,000 books to low-income children who may otherwise not have books to read at home once the school year is over. “Without access to books during the summer months, many of these families would not have any reading material,” said Shaina Gross, vice president of United Way’s impact strategies and mobilization. Last year, the virtual book drive raised enough funds to purchase 21,500 bilingual books for dual-speaking low-income children throughout the county. This year, proceeds from the book drive will go to purchase five different books – “Are You My Mother,” “Gossie,” “A Birthday Box” for readers up to age three, and “Big, Big Wall” and “Daniel’s Mystery Egg” for children ages four to eight – all of which will be available in both English and Spanish. For every $20 donation, eight young readers will have their doors opened to a whole new realm of imagination to help occupy their time in a fruitful way during the summer months. The books, which will be distributed through United Way’s partners, will each come with its own bookmark, inspirational note and reading tips parents can use to inspire a love for reading in their children. To donate to the virtual book drive, visit www.UWSD.org or text “BOOKS” to 41444.