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One 30-minute lesson
Produced 2000
School-use rights: one year
Grades 9-12 / language arts
Video Library

The Will to Read: Estel Sizemore’s Story presents one man’s inspirational efforts to overcome illiteracy and dyslexia. Estel Sizemore overcame incredible obstacles to become a nationally recognized ambassador for adult literacy.

Born in eastern Kentucky, Sizemore worked as a child to help his family survive on a hardscrabble farm during the Great Depression. School was a luxury. Unable to read or write, Sizemore left home at age 14 in search of factory jobs in Cincinnati. He hid his illiteracy from his family, friends and co-workers for 40 years until a workplace accident took away his ability to earn a living through manual labor.

At this time, Sizemore vowed to learn to read well enough to help his great granddaughter with her schoolwork. Today, he has fulfilled his personal promise and has become a national spokesman for literacy programs.

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