First Book Blog - Education News & Stories

How First Book Supports Reluctant Readers

Posted in: Impact Stories

Learning to read is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success, yet millions of children lack access to books that inspire them to read. With support from donors and corporate partners, First Book helps close that gap by ensuring educators can choose from a diverse collection of engaging, high-quality b...

Celebrating Five Years of Partnership with Library of America

Posted in: Our Partners

For the past five years, First Book and Library of America have partnered to bring powerful books and important conversations to under-resourced classrooms. Together, we've helped educators inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy skills, and model good citizenship by encouraging students to explore the words and ideas t...

Coming Together for Literacy: Inside KPMG’s Community Impact Day

Posted in: Impact Stories, Our Partners

For nearly 20 years, KPMG U.S. and the KPMG Friends & Family for Literacy (KFFL) have partnered with First Book to increase children’s access to books, support educators, and inspire a love of reading among children in low-income communities. As part of the firm’s 5 th annual Community Impact Day, KPMG mobilized 16,000...

Building Student Self-Confidence

Posted in: For Educators

At First Book, we often talk about the power of books to open doors to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. But just as importantly, books and classroom experiences can help students build confidence, something they carry with them in and out of the classroom. Research from First Book Research & Insight’s Studen...

General Motors, First Book, and DPSCD Foundation Partner to Deliver 43,000 Books to Detroit Students

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

The nearly $500,000 investment will place books in 77 DPSCD schools and support literacy, STEM enrichment, and summer learning for thousands of Detroit students FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DETROIT, MI (May 26, 2026) — It’s a gift that will keep on giving for generations to come. 43,000 books will soon be delivered to 77 DPSC...

Celebrating 13 Years of Partnership: Guru Krupa Foundation and First Book Continue Expanding Access to Educational Resources

Posted in: Our Partners

First Book is honored to build on our long-standing partnership with the Guru Krupa Foundation, whose generous support helps expand access to books and educational resources for children in under-resourced communities across the greater New York City and Nassau County areas. Since our partnership began in 2012, First B...

Supporting Student Well-Being

Posted in: For Educators

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to recognize that along with their academic needs, students bring their emotions, experiences, and challenges into the classroom. Feeling safe and supported is deeply connected to children’s ability to learn. At First Book, we work closely with educators serving chi...

Closing the Literacy Gap: How One Mississippi Educator Is Making a Difference

Posted in: First Book Communit Highlight, Impact Stories

In 2024, the average reading score for the nation at grade 4 was 2 points lower compared to 2022 and 5 points lower compared to 2019 (NAEP) . Mississippi, however, turned its reading scores around, now exceeding the national average—despite having the highest rate of poverty in the U.S. Behind that success are educator...

National Library Month: Library Spotlight

Posted in: First Book Communit Highlight, Impact Stories

For National Library Month, we’re celebrating libraries that go above and beyond to meet the needs of their communities. Meet Kim Angotti and Kelsey Bates of Kansas City Public Library (that’s Kansas City, Missouri – or as Kim and Kelsey informed us, “the COOL Kansas City”). Kim is the library’s Youth and Family Engage...

First Book and Blue Star Families to Distribute 35,000 Free Books During Big Book Giveaway on April 11 at National University in San Diego

Posted in: Our Partners, Press Room

The STEAM Book Family Festival is free and open to teachers from Title I schools and the families they serve, and to military families . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON (April 6) – The national nonprofit First Book and Blue Star Families are inviting military families, teachers from San Diego-area Title I schools and...