Category Archive: Press Room

young boy reading a book

New First Book Study Tackles National Issue of Banned Books

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More than 1,500 educators report on book bans and the damaging impact they are having on teacher morale and student learning WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 3, 2023) – In a new study released by First Book Research & Insights, educators report that the national conversation around book challenges and bans is... Read more

headshot of Kari Kurjiaka

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

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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

boy reading with hearing aid

First Book and Education Researcher Susan Neuman Launch Groundbreaking Classroom Library Tool as Students Struggle to Access Literacy Rich Environments

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Educator Survey Spotlights Inequity and Financial Hurdles of Building an Engaging and Effective Classroom Library WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 17, 2022) – First Book, the largest online network of educators serving children in need, in partnership with literacy expert and education researcher Susan Neuman, is launching a new tool to assess... Read more

Graphic with a picture of a young girl holding up a Diary of A Wimpy Kid book. There is text on the right side that says, "Spring into Action: Reverse America’s literacy crisis! With 54% of American adults reading below a 6th-grade level, we’re in the midst of a literacy crisis. Let’s get more high-quality books to kids, improving their reading skills and setting them up for lifelong success. Help us reach 100 gifts of any size by March 31 during the Spring into Action Challenge!" There is a purple button beneath the text that says, "I’LL SPRING INTO ACTION". Along the bottom of the graphic is drawings of tulips.