Columbus, OH -- According to the ASPCA, 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters every years, but only about half get adopted.

It's even harder to get a cat a home if it's shy and afraid of people. 

A Columbus author may found a solution that's also educational for kids.

Wolfgang Parker penned the "Crime Cats" series, which is about a super hero boy who solves mysteries with his feline partners. 

Since he struggled to enjoy reading as a kid, he wanted to find a way to make it fun and impact the community.

Kids around seven- to 12-years-old get to practice reading out loud and to a pretty adorable audience. 

"My favorite animal is cats and also I like to read," explains Harper Pedigo, 7.

"They're shy and need to get used to human voices," says Molly Guldan, 8.  "Sometimes they come up closer than they would normally, probably because they see that I'm nice."

They can be pretty an intuitive species. 

"A lot of children get self-conscious when reading," Parker tells Spectrum News 1.  "Cat Welfare is providing an audience to them that isn't judgmental.  When these cats are read to, they interpret that as positive human verbal communication.  Learning that humans are safe to be around."

Parker says they consistently see academic improvement with their readers and the shelter saw a 300-percent increase in adoptions out of the shy cat room.

In October, the club was given a 2018 Literacy Leader Award from Ohio Educational Library Media Association.

Click here for more information on how your child can join.  Children are expected to come read at least once per week.  They can win prizes, plus the club throws pizza parties and ice cream socials.