A study implemented and evaluated the Book Buddies model using National Service volunteers as tutors for high-risk first-grade students in a high-poverty urban setting. Using a design with a randomly assigned control group, results show that tutoring sessions produced clear effects. Children who received 40 Book Buddies lessons significantly surpassed students in the control group in letter identification, word reading in isolation, and accurate reading in context. Results contribute to understanding of the constraints and conditions of implementing effective volunteer tutoring in challenging circumstances; as well as underscoring the importance of key components for ensuring quality tutoring for the America Reads Challenge. Contains 18 references, and a table and a figure of data. (EF)