First Book Blog

Stories of impact, the latest research, best practices, curated book lists, and more.

This is a Life He Never Imagined

Posted in: Impact Stories

When Antwon’s kids get a little older, he plans to tell them what he’s been through. A 25-year-old father of three, he’s working hard to give them all a better life. Today, he is employed as a plumber, studying to get his GED and has completed a leadership and empowerment... Read more

Author Kate DiCamillo Finds Summer Fun at The Local Library

Posted in: Author Voices

This summer, kids can access great books, go on adventures to faraway places and even win prizes – all at their local library. Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux and the recently released Raymie Nightingale, appreciates the importance of reading – especially during the summer.... Read more

770 Pounds of Dreams for His Students

Posted in: Impact Stories

It started with one spelling word. “Beach.” Malik Ray, a first-time second grade teacher in Atlanta, GA, taught his students their new spelling words by projecting a photo and having students guess the word before putting it in their notebooks. On this day, Malik displayed a photo of the sand,... Read more

Platform Features Increased Access to Best Books and Resources

Posted in: Press Room

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2016 – First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise, has launched the next phase of its innovative First Book Marketplace (fbmarketplace.org) and First Book Canada Marketplace (fbmpcanada.org), the award-winning e-commerce sites where educators can access high-quality, new books and learning materials specially-curated to address the needs of children... Read more

How Arts & Crafts Created a Space to Talk and Heal

Posted in: Impact Stories

Today’s guest blogger is Emily Townsend, an Elementary School Counselor at Lowrie Primary School in Wilsonville, Oregon. Last year I worked daily with a fourth grade student whose father passed away right before Christmas break. He grieved mostly internally, and became increasingly distant, disengaged, and behind in school. After feeling... Read more

An Educator’s Campaign to Revitalize Her Library

Posted in: Impact Stories

When Vanessa Cadena entered the library at Bret Harte Middle School this school year, she knew she had a big job ahead of her. It was Vanessa’s first year at the school and the library had not been updated in almost twenty years. Full of damaged and outdated books, Vanessa... Read more

Smiling young student wearing a backpack with text promoting the Back-to-School Challenge ending August 31, encouraging donations to help educators stock classrooms with essential supplies