Nardagani Shares the Gift of Reading
Struggling to Read as a Kid
Most people assume that because I’ve written a book and now make my living as a writer, I must have always been a natural reader. But the truth is, I struggled with reading when I was young.
Like so many kids, I panicked whenever it was my turn to read aloud in class. Spelling bees? Pure torture. And when a teacher once told me, right in front of the entire class, that I was lucky I had my looks “because your brains are going to get you nowhere,” it stung.
I managed to scrape through high school and eventually college, but I was one of the lucky ones. For many kids, if the traditional system doesn’t “click,” they fall through the cracks. They grow up believing they’re dumb—when the reality is that the way we teach English is what’s failing them.
“Challenged readers are not dumb. Their brains just cannot grasp things in the ways we teach them,”
– Narda Pitkethly, founder of the Nardagani reading program
Why Nardagani Exists
Narda Pitkethly knows firsthand that reading doesn’t have to be so complicated. After college, she moved to Japan and discovered something surprising: learning to read Japanese was easier than learning English.
Japanese has thousands of characters, but with the Hiragana coding system, she could sound out and understand words within a week. That experience stuck with her. Why was it easier to learn Japanese—a language with so many characters—than English, with just 26 letters?
The answer lies in structure. Japanese provides a clear system. English, by contrast, is full of irregular rules, silent letters, and sounds that change depending on context. No wonder so many kids get left behind.
Today, one in four American children grows up functionally illiterate. The cycle doesn’t stop there—illiteracy is tied to higher dropout rates, limited job opportunities, and even incarceration.
How the Nardagani Reading Program Works
Over the past decade, Narda has refined her system into something simple, intuitive, and effective.
The Nardagani method breaks English down into two key parts:
The 12 letters that only make one sound.
A set of 12 symbols that represent the other sounds letters can make, whether alone or in combination.
By coding words with these symbols, English suddenly becomes more consistent. Learners don’t have to memorize endless exceptions—they just follow the symbols and sounds.
It’s a bridge to literacy that works for children, adults, and even those who’ve been failed repeatedly by the traditional system.
The program has been studied at Boise State University and has produced success stories across classrooms, prisons, and communities. Considering that 75% of prisoners nationwide are illiterate, the potential impact is huge.
Stories of Transformation
One of the most powerful parts of Nardagani isn’t just the system itself—it’s the stories.
Take Sven, an autistic elementary student. His teachers once believed he might never learn to read. Yet, after just eight lessons with Nardagani, Sven began reading. The joy on his face as he sounded out words is unforgettable. (You can watch the video at the top of this page—tissues recommended.)
Or consider the countless inmates who, for the first time in their lives, have unlocked the written word. For them, reading isn’t just about books—it’s about dignity, communication, and a second chance.
Then there are the children, just like I once was, who no longer have to feel the shame of stumbling through a sentence in class. Instead, they get to feel the pride of mastering something that once seemed impossible.
The Bigger Picture
When Narda compares the U.S. literacy rates to countries like Japan, the gap is glaring. Japan’s literacy rate is among the highest in the world. Meanwhile, millions of American kids leave school without the ability to read confidently.
It’s not about intelligence—it’s about teaching systems that work. Programs like Nardagani prove that with the right approach, literacy can be within reach for everyone.
Think of what could happen if Nardagani—or programs like it—were adopted nationwide:
Fewer children falling behind and believing they’re “dumb.”
More adults are able to pursue opportunities once blocked by low literacy.
A ripple effect across communities, families, and generations.
Why This Matters to Me
As someone who once struggled to read, I can tell you: words are more than just symbols on a page. They’re tools of confidence, connection, and creativity.
Had I not scraped by in school, I might never have become a writer. I might never have had the chance to tell stories like this one.
That’s why Nardagani matters. It doesn’t just teach reading—it gives people a gift that can change their entire lives.
So the next time someone tells you—or your child—that you’re not smart enough, don’t believe it. It’s not about being dumb. It’s about finding a system that works.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’d like to see how Nardagani works, you can:
Download the Nardagani app on iOS or Android.
Watch Sven’s story on the video linked above.
Share the program with a parent, teacher, or community leader who might need it.
Every child deserves the chance to feel the joy of reading. And thanks to innovators like Narda Pitkethly, that chance is now within reach.