When second language learners participate in Extensive Reading (ER) programs, they have many opportunities to be exposed to materials about social issues and the people who have contributed to our world through activism or just via the stories of their lives. There are many graded readers which address these topics and people, though it is relatively rare for learners to choose such books of their own accord. As part of Hokusei Junior College's ER course, the instructor will choose some short books to read to the students in class. Reading aloud to learners is said to be beneficial and presents the opportunity to expose the learners to various topics of the instructor's choosing. Suddenly introducing a topic without any particular justification beyond the instructor’s whim can seem unnatural, however relating it to a special day can be a convenient way to broach the topic and possibly generate further interest. Every year is full of special days, such as Earth Day, World Bee Day, Malala Day, and even World Chocolate Day. Finding books related to these days and sharing them with students contributes to global issue education, even in the context of a curriculum not necessarily designed to do so specifically.