BUFFALO, N.Y. — One of the families directly impacted by the Buffalo mass shooting has made it their mission to make positive changes following the tragedy. With Reading Across America week approaching next month, they want to get your family prepared.

They say it's all about being thoughtful and intentional with your choices. This way, you can diversify your library and open your mind to a world beyond your own.

Zeneta Everhart's son is a survivor of the shooting. Since the tragedy, together, they created Zeneta & Zaire’s Book Club. They’ve participated in events across Western New York, reading and donating books to kids. Their tagline is "our differences should make us curious, not angry." 

This is where books come in. Kids can learn about different places, people, cultures and religions. Everhart says breaking down barriers starts with them.

“And giving them what's right is the great equalizer," she said. "Like ice cream, right? Everybody loves a book, right? Especially kids. When we do these events, they light up. And so, yeah, it's it's so rewarding to see kids really break down those barriers for us.”

Everhart, on top of collecting 19,000 books and then distributing them at events, has been working with the White House to expand on education, gun violence reform, housing and more. 

They have a book club Amazon wish list if you’d like to help with their efforts.

The book club is hosting an event on Saturday. It's taking place at 11:30 a.m. at the Tops on Orchard Park Road in West Seneca.

The club has some suggestions for readers: 

• For younger kids — the Brad Meltzer series that focuses on biographies of historical Black Americans
• For middle schoolers — "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcias 
• For older kids — the graphic novel “March” by John Lewis and "Brilliant Brown Babies" by Buffalo educator and mother Desiree Williams

For the Zeneta & Zaire's Book Club Facebook page, click here.

For Zeneta and Zaire's Wishlist, click here.