Scholastic Reads

As video games continue to captivate kids around the world, Scholastic AFK—or "Away From Keyboard"—books aim to harness that gaming passion, and convert it into a literacy tool. To learn more about this initiative, we sat down with Michael Petranek, an executive editor at Scholastic, and Matthew J. Kirby, the author of the Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants series. They tell us about what they love about gaming as well as some of the many benefits these books provide to growing readers: they encourage time away from screens, while also supporting reading and literacy by keeping fans engaged in the worlds they love. Additional resources: Learn more about AFK See all of our AFK books Learn more about Matthew J. Kirby Read more about the study around Assassin's Creed Discover Mode Guests: Michael Petranek is an executive editor at Scholastic Matthew J. Kirby is the author of Last Descendants: An Assassin's Creed Novel Series Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jor