First Book Blog

David J. Johns: The Importance of Literacy Among African American Youth

Posted in: Archive

Welcome to First Book’s celebrity blog series. Each month we will be connecting with influential voices who share a belief in the power of literacy, and who have worked with First Book to curate a unique collection that inspires a love of reading and learning. All recommended books are available... Read more

In a Haitian School: Only 50 Books for 250 Students

Posted in: Archive

Four years ago this week, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The tragedy left 1.5 million citizens displaced from their homes, hundreds of thousands dead and devastated an already depressed economy. Today, Haiti remains the poorest country in the Americas. And while much has been done... Read more

Best-Sellers From the First Book Gift Catalog

Posted in: Archive

The feeling you get when you help a child in need isn’t something that can be wrapped in a box or tied with a bow. Experience the magic and honor the loved ones in your life with these top-sellers from the First Book Gift Catalog. 1) Beloved picture books that... Read more

Your Tweets, Pins and Signatures brought 10,000 Books to Kids for the Holidays!

Posted in: Archive

Chronicle Books’ #GiveBooks campaign donated 10,000 books to kids in need through First Book. Every pin, tweet and signature of the #GiveBooks pledge generated one new book for a child in need. More than 10,000 people have pinned, signed, tweeted and mentioned the #GiveBooks campaign, since it began on November... Read more

Alison's Teen Titles of the Week! Today's topic: NONFICTION

Posted in: Archive, Our Bookshelf

Many of you have told us you’d like help finding recommendations of great books that will engage your teen readers. As usual, we want to help! Meet Alison Morris, our new Senior Director of Publisher and Author Relations! She’s a veteran bookseller with 15 years’ experience matching books to readers... Read more

Hunger ‘For Books’ Games

Posted in: Archive

The creative minds in Memphis took advantage of one of the most teen popular book collections to create a fundraising event so good we had to share it!             First Book volunteers in Memphis recently held a fundraiser at the Autozone Challenge Center, located within the Salvation Army Kroc Center,... Read more

How STEM Books Make a Difference to Girls in One Dallas Afterschool Program

Posted in: Archive, Impact Stories

One afternoon last week, a big box of books arrived in Miss Vicky’s classroom. After she explained to her students, who devote each Wednesday to studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), that the books were about “why things work and how they work”, the girls “shot up from their... Read more

[INFOGRAPHIC] STEM Education Makes a Difference in Children's Lives

Posted in: Archive

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE A BIGGER VERSION. Thanks to partners like Lockheed Martin, First Book is helping thousands of kids in need get the books and resources they need. If you work with children from low-income families, sign up with First Book today to get brand-new, high-quality STEM books. Read more

Unique Holiday Gift Options from the First Book Gift Catalog

Posted in: Archive

You can honor a loved one with a meaningful holiday gift and make the holidays merry and bright for children in need with the First Book Gift Catalog. Here’s how: Pick a gift that inspires.  From a collection of books that is just for giggles to a truckload of books... Read more

Does Soman Chainani, Author of The School For Good And Evil, Consider himself good?… or evil?

Posted in: Archive, Author Voices

“Sophie had waited all her life to be kidnapped.” Does that quote seem familiar to you? It’s the widely recognized first line of the book, The School For Good And Evil. Soman Chainani is the author behind the book, which is available through First Book. If you missed out on our video... Read more