The goal of the four- to eight-page weekly paper, which was distributed via the
classroom, was to bring awareness to children of what was happening in the
world, so that one day they might become daily newspaper readers.

The weekly was distributed on Friday afternoons, and must have offered a
welcome relief to teachers who were ready for something to fill the final
afternoon before the weekend. The first issue, published September 21, 1928

The idea of creating a newspaper for children has been largely attributed to
Eleanor M. Johnson, who had been an educator in York, PA. before taking
over as long-time editor in 1934.     
   

In 2007, Weekly Reader Corporation became part of The Readers Digest
Association. That company tried to create a viable online version but was
unsuccessful. In February of 2012, Weekly Reader was acquired by its
competitor, Scholastic. The publications have joined forces and are now
re-branded as Scholastic News/Weekly Reader.

   

Eleanor M. Johnson (1892-1987)