Celebrating Five Years of Partnership with Library of America

For the past five years, First Book and Library of America have partnered to bring powerful books and important conversations to under-resourced classrooms. Together, we've helped educators inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy skills, and model good citizenship by encouraging students to explore the words and ideas that have shaped our country.

Bringing History to Life for Today's Students

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we're excited to continue that work with The Living Declaration: A Biography of America’s Founding Text. Through Library of America's LOA in the Classroom program, 1,000 copies of The Living Declaration are being made available through the First Book Marketplace to educators serving Title I schools, military families, and other communities facing economic challenges.

The Living Declaration invites students to take a fresh look at the words that define our national ideals. What did phrases like "all men are created equal," "self-evident truths," and "the pursuit of happiness" mean when they were written? How have Americans interpreted those ideas over time? And what might they mean to young people today?

Edited by historian Ted Widmer, the book brings together more than sixty writings from a wide range of American voices—including presidents, civil rights leaders, philosophers, activists, and soldiers—to explore how generations of people have wrestled with these questions.

A Shared Commitment to Learning

As part of Library of America's longstanding commitment to making America's most important literary and historical works accessible to all readers, this partnership with First Book helps bring engaging, thought-provoking resources to classrooms with limited access to high quality curricular materials. Past Library of America volumes available through the First Book Marketplace include the collected works of Abraham Lincoln, Henry David Thoreau, Rachel Carson and James Baldwin as well as collections of African American and Latino poetry. These books have supported meaningful classroom discussions, encouraged critical thinking, and helped students connect historical events to the world around them. By opening the door to new perspectives and deeper exploration of America's founding ideals, The Living Declaration will help students build the knowledge, confidence, and curiosity to engage with history—and their role in shaping the future.

Looking Ahead

We're grateful to Library of America for five years of partnership and for their ongoing commitment to educators and students across the country.

As our nation marks this historic milestone, The Living Declaration reminds us that the story of America is still being written—and that today's students will help write the next chapter.

Join the Network

Educators can join First Book's Network —the largest online community of educators, professionals, and volunteers dedicated to supporting children in need— to access affordable books, educational resources, classroom supplies, and special opportunities designed to help kids learn and thrive.