Fifth Grader Will Be Star Reporter at Super Bowl XLV

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Brayden Madden is only 11 years old, but that won't stop him from huddling up with some of the Super Bowl's biggest stars. The fifth grader from Sachse, Texas, will cover Super Bowl XLV for Weekly Reader, publisher of digital and print classroom magazines for students in preschool through high school. Brayden will interview top players from the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers and share his reports with millions of kids nationwide.

The young reporter was chosen because he is one of the best writers at Couch Elementary School in Garland, Texas, and an avid football fan. As part of his "super" Weekly Reader student reporter assignment, Brayden will interview players from both teams during a special media day on February 1. Five days later, he'll watch the big game unfold live from a press box in Cowboys Stadium. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance; this is awesome," says Brayden. His Super Bowl reports will be posted daily at www.weeklyreader.com/superbowl.

"Weekly Reader student reporters have covered the big game as members of the credentialed press for over a decade," noted Laura Anastasia, Senior Editor of Weekly Reader News. "They bring a kids'-eye-view and unique perspective to the coverage. They come up with questions that adult reporters might never ask, such as whether players have any lucky pre-game snacks or rituals." Over the years, Weekly Reader student reporters have interviewed some of football's biggest names, including Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes, and Super Bowl XLII MVP Eli Manning.

About Weekly Reader

Weekly Reader has been creating cutting-edge, curriculum-rich materials read by tens of millions of children since 1902. The company's unique digital products and 11 award-winning classroom magazines provide teachers with tools that help them achieve their goals while inspiring, informing, and engaging students. Weekly Reader publications today reach 200,000 teachers and 6 million students. All periodicals are available to subscribers in print and online in dynamic digital editions with interactive learning elements; many of the online publications are infused with original video and audio clips. In addition to grade-specific Weekly Reader elementary periodicals, the company publishes Current Events, Current Health, Current Science, and READ magazines for middle- and high-school students. Weekly Reader is part of the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. For more information, visit www.weeklyreader.com.

About The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.

RDA is a global media and direct marketing company that connects more than 130 million consumers around the world with products and services from trusted brands. With offices in 43 countries, it reaches customers in 78 countries. It publishes 91 magazines, including 50 editions of Reader's Digest, the world's largest-circulation magazine, operates 78 branded websites and sells 40 million books, music and video products across the world each year. Further information about the company can be found at www.rda.com.

Brayden is available for email, phone, and in-person interviews.

Weekly Reader airfare is provided by Continental Airlines.

SOURCE The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.