A high school student’s impact
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When literacy advocate Ethan Minton was just a baby, he recalled listening to his father reading him stories from children’s books at 5 a.m. Page turn after page turn, every morning for a couple of hours.
At night, his mother, Meleasa, picked up where his dad left off and would end each day reading Minton stories before bed.
Surrounded by books from sunrise to sunset, Minton began reading at the age of two and never stopped.
Now, as a 15-year-old freshman in high school, he’s transformed that passion for books into a literacy initiative and a podcast where he reviews books and interviews authors called “E-Train Talks.”
“Books gave me some level of comfort, the consistency of knowing that they’ve always been in my life, and when I started reading them on my own, they can take you to new worlds,” Minton said. “And if you have a rough day at school, or if you just need a new perspective, books are a great tool.”
Through his E Train Talks literacy initiative, Minton has read books to children at hospitals, classes and school assemblies. He’s also donated books to children in need.
Talking about books
Minton said he created his podcast in the 5th grade, around the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He took a class on podcasting and broadcasting, which gave Minton the idea of creating a podcast reviewing his favorite books.
“The idea of creating a podcast and talking about a passion of mine, which is reading, really stood out to me,” he said. “It was something that I knew that I would want to do, both in that moment, and I saw it originally being a long-term thing, and eventually did become a long-term passion of mine.”
Minton discusses the plot of the books he reviews and how he connected with the story.
He has interviewed over 150 authors, including Alan Gratz, a historical fiction writer, and Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty.
“What’s been really cool about running a podcast and interviewing authors is that I have the opportunity to interview writers who I’ve been reading their books since I’ve grown up,” he said. “I had the opportunity to talk with them, build, I guess, some sort of friendship with them, and that’s been really meaningful to me.”
He also interviews other literacy advocates, but mainly authors, because his dream is to become an author himself.
“I still want to become a journalist when I’m older, so it’s always really interesting to hear from authors, and hear the insights that they have to share about writing,” he said. “So I really enjoy the conversations I have with them.”
You can listen to his podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Getting books to kids
Minton said he initially started the podcast because he just wanted to review his favorite books and interview authors, but then he thought deeper.
“Eventually, I interviewed authors, but it was around when I was 11 when I realized the true impact that I wanted to make,” he said. “Along with still talking about my favorite books and stuff like that, was getting books into the hands of kids who need them.
His mother, Meleasa, said her son found out about “book deserts,” which are places around the world where kids don’t have access to books. That struck him and he decided to do something about it.
“He started, I think it was a book drive on Twitter and Instagram, and started getting books sent to the house,” Meleasa said. “That was pretty incredible, because people were willing to do that for him.”
The realization of kids not having books to read led him to start a book drive and to found his nonprofit.
“I’ve given around 8,000 books to kids in need in the Sacramento area, which means the world to me that I’m able to make such a positive impact and hopefully help some kids out and inspire them to read,” Minton said.
Minton is able to donate thousands of books because publishing companies send them to him in bulk, he said.
Ethan Minton reads books to classes in Sacramento.Photo courtesy of Ethan Minton
“He hasn’t collected hundreds of thousands,” Meleasa said. “If he was collecting books that were not new, it’d be easier, but books are expensive, and the fact that he was able to get over 8,000 books into children’s hands is pretty phenomenal. As far as we’re concerned, we’re very proud of him.”
Besides donating books, schools and libraries can book Minton to read stories to kids’ classrooms all over Sacramento without cost.
For 2026, Minton said hopes to continue going to community events and donating books.
“A main goal is just to continue giving back to the Sacramento community and continue giving books to kids who need them,” he said. “Looking beyond just 2026 though, as I get older, I think I might pass the torch a little bit in terms of E Train Talks, because I know there are tons of passionate kids out there who love reading.”
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