- Home
- It's All About Jay
- Who Is Jay Austin?
- In Jay's Words
- Our Book Live on Amazon
- Simply Cycling Stories
- NEW Posts To Jay's Blog
- Highlights Of Jay's Blog
- Calling All Cyclists ...
- Simply Cycling Blog Link
- History of Jay's Attack
- Jay & Tiny House Living
- Photo Gallery/Jay Austin
- News Releases
- Adages for the Grieving
- Only So Many Tomorrows
- Shop
The World Book Day Challenge 2020
~ The 2020 challenge expired April 23rd, 2020.
The World Book Day Challenge 2021 is canceled due to Covid.
Hope to see you here again in 2022 ~
The World Book Day Challenge 2020
Covid-19 Announcement
During these challenging times
with some of the country on stay-at-home orders,
fill a bit of your time by taking the
World Book Day challenge.
Since you may not have access to public libraries
due to closures,
we are waiving our suggestion that you read a book from our reading list and ask instead you read a book you have access to that is positive and/or with a powerful/enlightening message that has impacted you.
We only need 48 participants in order to award
three outdoor camping tents.
We're counting on you!
Submissions are due by midnight on April 23rd.
Submit your essays to submit@thejayaustinsimplybekindfoundation.com
Please read the details below for full instructions.
On behalf of The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation,
please be safe while doing your best to contain this virus!
Jay Austin,
the inspiration for our Foundation,
was a visionary.
Jay strived to live, as well as encouraged everyone to have,
a full and unencumbered life.
Tragically, Jay lost his life at the age of 29.
On July 29th, 2018, while traveling the world by bicycle,
Jay was intentionally and brutally murdered in a terrorist attack in Central Asia
simply because he was an American.
The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation
is created to keep Jay's philosophies, legacy and spirit alive.
This challenge, now open to the public,
is created in honor of Jay, an avid reader, writer and camper.
The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation World Book Day Challenge
This challenge is now open to the public.
Submissions’ Deadline April 23rd, 2020 by Midnight
CHALLENGING ALL 6 – 18 YEAR OLDS TO READ A BOOK IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD BOOK DAY
ENTER TO WIN AN OUTDOOR CAMPING TENT*
VALUED AT $80
In honor of World Book Day on April 23rd, 2020 and in honor of Jay Austin, The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation is asking all children and young adults ages 6 through 18 to read a book.
There will be three categories of participants: elementary school-aged students, middle school-aged students and high schoolers.
One winner will be chosen from each of the three categories and each winner will receive an outdoor camping tent,
valued at $80.
A total of three tents will be awarded.
(Waived ~ The Foundation is asking that you read a book from the list of reading material below based on your category.
Most reading material is suggested by UNESCO,
the organizers of World Book Day. )
After you’ve read your book,
write an essay on how this book has positively impacted your life,
in what way it has changed your perspective,
how have you become a better person as a result of reading this book,
and how can you inspire others by what you’ve learned.
~ To the parents of elementary school children, we encourage you assist your child with this challenge. ~
Email essays to submit@thejayaustinsimplybekindfoundation.com
in PDF format by midnight on April 23rd, 2020.
Please be sure to include your name and full mailing address, post office boxes are not acceptable.
The contact information you provide is required for tent delivery and will not be sold.
PARENTS, in addition to essay submission,
a voluntary donation of $5 to cover the cost of tents would be greatly appreciated,
designated to the World Book Day Challenge
at our 'support' page.
The Board of Directors of The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation will read all books on the reading lists and
review all essay submissions to choose a winning essay from each of the three categories.
Winners’ names will be published on the foundation site on
May 16th, 2020.
The outdoor camping tent will be delivered directly to the address you provided .. just in time for camping season!
Disclosure: A minimum of 48 participants is required in order to award prizes. If the minimum is not reached at time of submissions' deadline,
donations will be refunded and prizes will not be awarded.
According to World Literacy Foundation
(https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/),
‘reading is important because it helps to expand the mind and develops the imagination. A person who knows how to read can educate themselves in any area of life they see fit. People who don't read or are poor readers often have low opinions of themselves and their capabilities’.
Due to Covid-19 and subsequent library closures, you may not have access to these books. You may instead read a book you have access to that is positive and/or with a powerful/enlightening message that has impacted you.
Reading for Elementary School Students
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Sad Book by Michael Rosen
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Reading for Middle School Students
Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Holes by Louis Sachar
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran M Hargrave
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Tom’s Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pearce
Reading for High School Students
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
*Tent is a Night Cat waterproof camping tent for 1 to 4 persons with footprint tarp, easy instant pop-up tent,
automatic hydraulic rainproof tent with rain fly, in color of your choice in blue or green and will be delivered via Amazon,
sold by Better Catch.
If at time winners are announced, tent is out of stock, a similar tent with similar value will be awarded.
To donate to this challenge if you are participating or if supporting, click/tap the support button.
Smile Amazon (will be discontinued as of June 23, 2023): Log into your Amazon account at smile.amazon.com; available for all memberships including Prime. When making a purchase, if you are not already supporting a favorite charity through Amazon, please consider us, The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation®. There's no cost to you, not a penny out of pocket. On the Smile.Amazon website, which is identical to the Amazon website, at the left top of the page, to the right of 'All", at 'Supporting', key in The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation and our info will auto populate. Amazon will send us 0.5% of the amount of your purchase. The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We thank you for your support! 💙
Follow us:
on Instagram @ simplyjayaustin
on Threads @simplyjayaustin
on Twitter @ SimplyJayAustin
and on Facebook @ The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation
Visit our online store featuring our eco-friendly and life message pins with no-cost shipping. Purchases are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
Mention and/or photos of Lauren, the love of Jay's life, are intentionally excluded from this site, when possible, at the request of and out of respect for the privacy of her family. To learn about Jay and Lauren's amazing journey together, visit Jay's blog, 'Simply Cycling, Traveling The World By Bicycle' @ simplycycling.org.
Send comments/concerns/questions to Jea@SimplyJayAustin.com
Google Ads Terms and Conditions
The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation® is now also known as Simply Jay Austin
EIN 84-3852918
501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Status As Of 11/19/2019
US Registered Trademark 6,429,355 As of 07/20/2021
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2019 The Jay Austin Simply Be Kind Foundation, Inc.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder
Website created by Jay's Mom, Jea Santovasco
'I could die doing what I love, but I could also die never having really lived. To me, that would have been a far greater tragedy.' - Jay Austin
Jay really lived .. up until the very moment he was intentionally brutally murdered in a terrorist attack while cycling the world.
Jay lost his life simply because he was an American.
May 1st, 1989 - July 29th, 2018
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.