COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Twelve students from Colorado Springs participated in a 500-student reading relay aiming to break the previous world record of 415 people reading a single book at one time.

The book, Sword of Darrow, is written by Hal Malchow and his son Alex, who also battles severe reading disabilities. It is a fantasy novel filled with stories and characters specifically written for those with dyslexia.

"It had a lot of action into it, I get into action, so it was really cool," Hillsprings Learning Center student Emma Henniger said.

All 12 students were at the Hillsprings Learning Center and ranged from 4th - 8th grade. 

The 500 dyslexic students participating nationwide ranged from Maryland to Hawaii. They read in front of classmates and relatives to raise awareness about the disease, as well as encourage others to read.

"Exciting to see them as struggling readers, to do something like this," the center's Director, Charlie Tye, said. "And they feel a bigger part of kids with dyslexia across the U.S."

Students said the spotlight day was good for them.

"It was really helpful to learn how to read in front of a group that was watching all over the U.S.," student Greg Schaw said.

They're also excited to be a part of history.

"I can't wait to buy the book," student Ryan Schwartz said. "My friends will be at my house, and I will be like 'that school is where I went.' When they say 'no way,' I will be like 'yay.'"