First Book Blog

Community Spotlight: Empowering Students Through Books and History 

Posted in: First Book Community Highlight, Impact Stories

In Valdosta, Georgia, where 100% of schools qualify for Title I funding, educators are finding creative ways to inspire students. Ra’Shuna, a dedicated 5th grade teacher and First Book member, is bringing engaging books into her classroom, starting discussions, and fostering a love for reading.   Challenges in the Community  With... Read more

First Book, Audemars Piguet, and Ashoka Announce 2025-2026 Community Changemaker Cohort

Posted in: Our Partners

We’re excited to announce the cohort of Community Changemakers—eight incredible teams from across the DC and Chicago metro areas who are turning bold ideas into real change for their schools and communities. Each team has been selected for their powerful vision, creativity, and deep commitment to youth-led impact. With $10,000... Read more

First Book Names Libby Doggett as Chairman of the Board; Sharon Price John Appointed to the First Book Board; Andrew Roberts Joins First Book Advisory Council

Posted in: Press Room

Pictured from left to right: Sharon Price John, Libby Doggett, Andrew Roberts. Washington, D.C. – July 14, 2025 – First Book, the national nonprofit dedicated to furthering educational opportunity for children in low-income communities, named early childhood education leader Libby Doggett as chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition,... Read more

Tata Sons North America and First Book Distribute 35,000+ books to New Jersey Communities

Posted in: Press Room

Bolstering classrooms with high-quality books, supporting local educators, and employee volunteerism on display at Jaguar Land Rover HQ MAHWAH, N.J. (June 6, 2025) — This week, Tata Sons North America and First Book will distribute more than 35,000 brand-new books to educators from New Jersey and surrounding areas. Nearly 500... Read more

SONIC Launches Sweet Topped Lemonades with the Help of Summer’s Favorite Authors

Posted in: Press Room

Available early in the SONIC App starting May 27 and at locations nationwide on June 2, every sip supports local schools and pairs perfectly with any summer read or adventure   This summer, SONIC is bringing main character energy with a refreshing new lemonade lineup, teaming up with three of the most talked-about... Read more

Announcing the 2024 Time for Change Youth Challenge Winners

Posted in: Impact Stories, Our Partners

We’re thrilled to introduce the 17 incredible youth challenge winners from this year’s Time for Change Youth Challenge, a national initiative from First Book and Ashoka that empowers K–12 students to become changemakers in their schools and communities. Across the country, young people stepped up with big ideas—and even bigger... Read more

Community Spotlight: Grandma’s Love Brings Books and Food to NYC Kids

Posted in: First Book Community Highlight, For Educators, Impact Stories

At First Book, we’re proud to shine a light on those making a difference in their communities through reading and education. One of these champions is Theresa, founder of Grandma’s Love, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood hunger and promoting a love for reading in New York City. Addressing Hunger... Read more

Guru Krupa Foundation Continues Decade-Long Commitment to Equitable Access to Education through Partnership with First Book 

Posted in: Press Room

Multi-Pronged Approach to Social Impact Supports Educators and Uplifts NYC and Nassau County students in low-income communities  New York City, N.Y. (February 20, 2025) – For more than 12 years, the Guru Krupa Foundation has been a vital partner in pursuing First Book’s mission of ensuring equal access to quality... Read more

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: Building Critical Thinking Skills

Posted in: For Educators, Our Partners

At First Book, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop the skills they need to thrive—both today and in the future. That’s why we partnered with General Motors (GM) to create the Critical Thinking Skills & Habits series. These resource guides emphasize critical thinking as one of the... Read more

Reflecting on 2024: How First Book Research & Insights Amplified Educator Voices and Drove Change 

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights, For Educators

As we welcome 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the strides made toward educational equity in 2024. Throughout the year, First Book’s educator community played a pivotal role in shaping key initiatives and expanding access to critical resources for students in need.  Through surveys, focus groups, and ongoing... Read more