Author Archives: First Book Staff

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A collage of books about the Holocaust
Our Bookshelf, Our Partners

Nine Historically Accurate and Relevant Holocaust Books for High School Students

In collaboration with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), we have curated a diverse collection of historically accurate and relevant books for educators to utilize in their classrooms. This collection, tailored for high school students, encompasses a variety of genres, themes, topics, and reading levels to meet a range… Read More
photo of a teacher with three students reading from a tablet
For Educators

Open eBooks: First Book’s Most Popular Digital Resource Gets an Upgrade 

First Book is a non-profit social enterprise that works to provide eligible educators with brand-new, high-quality books at affordable prices. As an organization, First Book truly values accessibility and adaptability. Books are an important resource, but we know many educators have limited (and sometimes zero) budget to provide physical books… Read More
elementary school teacher in a classroom of students
First Book Research & Insights

Research & Insights: 2022 Highlights & Network Impact

First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that strives to support students and educators in low-income communities by providing brand-new, high-quality books. We also strive to support these communities by providing additional resources that meet the needs of educators today. Our primary audience is our growing Network, which currently includes… Read More
headshot of Kari Kurjiaka
Press Room

Kari Kurjiaka Named Project Director for Diverse Books for All Coalition; Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Joins the Coalition

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 25, 2023) – Kari Kurjiaka has been named project director for the national Diverse Books for All Coalition. Most recently, Kurjiaka served as senior manager of literacy & external affairs for Reach Out and Read of Greater New York, a founding member of the coalition. In addition, the Society… Read More
smiling girl Dorothy costume halloween
Our Bookshelf

10 Scary (And Semi-Scary) Stories for Kids and Teens

Scary stories let readers explore their fears or indulge their cravings for high-stimulation content in a safe, controlled space – between the pages of a book. To help you get started, the wonderful team behind the curation of First Book’s Marketplace has selected 10 books that offer gentle seasonal content… Read More
banned books week graphic with drawings of open books
Focus on First Book, For Educators

Helpful Resources for Educators during Banned Books Week

As we go into Banned Books Week, the news about unprecedented efforts to unjustly ban books from schools and libraries has never felt more urgent. Here at First Book, we have an intentional commitment to providing diverse, honest, and affirming titles on the Marketplace. We… Read More
550,000 Member, close-up of Tamika in classroom
First Book Community Highlight, Focus on First Book, For Educators, Impact Stories

Meet First Book’s 550,000th member: NYC educator Tamika

This summer, Tamika made First Book history by becoming the 550,000th educator to join the First Book Network. A teacher at a middle school in the New York public school system, Tamika attended a Reading Opens the World book give-away held in the Bronx by the United Federation… Read More