Become part of our Mission to make interactive reading a joyful and rewarding routine for all families. Our Events help raise essential sponsor support and are an important part of our efforts to equip parents to be their child’s first teacher. Come out and show your support!
Next Event

Thursday, May 11
6-9 PM
The Newbury Hotel, Boston
PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY!
Our Dinner with an Author Gala returns May 11, 2023!
More than two dozen celebrated authors from the worlds of mystery, romance, historical fiction, and other genres will join us as we come together to celebrate “Our First Teachers” and raise much-needed funds for Raising A Reader MA to close the literacy opportunity gap.
Beloved Boston icon, Candy O’Terry, will join auctioneer, Ian Lindsay, to shine a spotlight on the authors and the impact of their first teachers. You’ll also hear from families on the effect of Raising A Reader MA on their lives.
with authors
Julie Brown, Christy Cashman, Laura DeSisto, Emily Franklin, Allegra Goodman, Beth C. Greenberg, Lynne Reeves Griffin, Desmond Hall, Diane Hessan, Virginia Hume, Rachel Kadish, Henriette Lazaridis, William Landay, Helen Elaine Lee, William Martin, Claire Messud, Ben Mezrich, Tonya Mezrich, Michael Ponsor, Edward Lee Rocha, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Dan Shaughnessy, Katherine Sherbrooke, Nadia Liu Spellman, Ilyon Woo, James Wood, and more!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Visit our event website or click here to view sponsorship opportunities. Contact Christine Ward, Executive Director, at christine@raisingareaderma.org for conversation and questions.
Raising A Reader MA strives to create a welcoming and accessible event for everyone. For information about accommodations available at The Newbury Boston, please follow this link here. If you need special accommodations, please reach out to us at events@raisingareaderma.org.
Raising A Reader MA will continue to monitor and follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines as outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts state government. We ask that any registrants who feel ill prior to the event please remain at home. Additionally, we urge our guests to be mindful of their proximity to other guests and to consider completing a COVID-19 test ahead of time. Masks are encouraged, though not required, and will be available the night of the event.
Past Events

The 2022 Dinner With an Author Gala
Together with 27 esteemed authors, 17 generous sponsors, 26 gracious hosts, and a full room of 250 guests, we exceeded our goal by raising over $350,000 towards RAR-MA’s efforts to close the literacy opportunity gap among young children and their families in under-resourced communities across Massachusetts!


32nd Annual Rodman
Ride for Kids
Over the past 30 years, the The Rodman Ride for Kids has raised over $145 million and impacts tens of thousands of kids each year.
- 31st Annual Rodman Ride for Kids
- Better Together Winter Soirée 2020
- Beyond the Red Book Bag
- Dinner with an Author 2019
PNC’s Power Plays for Pre-K

LIVE! with an Author
Sponsored by PNC Bank
Our virtual author series: LIVE! with an Author sponsored by PNC Bank! was presented as a complement to our Dinner with an Author Gala on October 15, 2020. The series offered exciting, interactive chats with your favorite authors. and an opportunity to learn more about RAR-MA and support our mission to close the literacy opportunity gap.