First Book Blog

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

Teachers Holding Books at Fundraising Event

Five Great Ways to Find Funding for Books and More

Posted in: For Educators

This guest post was written by Haley Brown, a First Book marketing and Communications Intern. She is currently an undergraduate student at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  We know that many First Book members often buy books using money from their own pockets. Others have budgets that just... Read more

Teacher reads picture book to students in a classroom.

Mental Health Resources for Educators

Posted in: For Educators

This guest post was written by Joey Mathis, a First Book Marketing and Communication intern. She is currently an undergrad student at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.  In 2021, the U.S. surgeon general declared a youth mental health crisis. The rates of decline in the youths’ mental wellness have been... Read more

young child hugging parent or teacher

Back to School: How to Use Our Trauma Toolkit 

Posted in: For Educators

This guest post was written by Haley Brown, a First Book marketing and Communications Intern. She is currently an undergraduate student at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  Children can flourish and grow in happy, loving, and safe environments — its why educators work so hard to make classrooms... Read more

young female teacher showing a book to three young students, pointing at photos

Back to School: Revisiting Empowering Educators

Posted in: For Educators

This guest post was written by Haley Brown, a First Book marketing and Communications Intern. She is currently an undergraduate student at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. At First Book, we believe that to achieve educational equity, we must approach learning through a fact-based and truthful evaluation of... Read more

two dads with their child, pride month book list

16 Books to Learn About & Celebrate Pride Month

Posted in: Our Bookshelf

This guest post was written by Joey Mathis, a First Book Marketing and Communication intern. She is currently an undergrad student at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.  The Pride book list was curated by Lee Butler, First Book’s Senior Cataloging Manager. Every June, First Book celebrates Pride Month as part of... Read more

mom and daughter working on a pc at home, supporting their child

How Microsoft’s Literacy Tools Improve Reading Comprehension in Classrooms

Educators are continuously confronted with a growing and diverse range of student needs, necessitating a responsive and individualized approach to teaching. In recent years, the prevalence of literacy challenges, particularly among English language learners and students with learning differences, has increased significantly, particularly in underserved communities. To level the playing... Read more

four kids reading books on the grass together

Q&A with Marissa Meyer: Celebrating 10 Years of Cinder

Posted in: Author Voices

Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University. In... Read more