Describes efforts by one rural elementary school to help children from poor families succeed in school, especially those aimed at improving their reading skills and making them more resilient. Also lists names, addresses, and telephone numbers of some reading programs that have been effective in helping children in rural schools. (PKP)

In 1999, things were dismal at Lebanon, Pennsylvania's Harding Elementary School. Many kids in this former coal town started at a disadvantage and never seemed to catch up. They were bored with books about "frogs on logs," says then-new principal Cheryl Champion. Since they were not engaged, they acted out. Harding's classroom…