First Book

First Book Eliminating barriers. Inspiring young minds. Education transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education.

We work to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of our work are the 600,000+ members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children living in low-income communities across North America. This Network is the key to creating lasting change. Through our re

search arm, First Book Research & Insights, we conduct studies that aggregate their voices to identify challenges, needs, and solutions. To address their needs, we provide free and low-cost books, resources and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support their work. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at firstbook.org and visit our award-winning eCommerce website at fbmarketplace.org.

📚🎉 Get ready for Story Showdown, a new three-part virtual series from First Book and One Word at a Time—featuring hosts ...
08/28/2026

📚🎉 Get ready for Story Showdown, a new three-part virtual series from First Book and One Word at a Time—featuring hosts Kwame Alexander and Erin Entrada Kelly!

Our first Showdown kicks off on September 22nd, hosted by best-selling author Kwame Alexander with special guests Jerry Craft, Jennifer L. Holm, and Tiffany D. Jackson.

Students will meet the people behind their favorite books, laugh as acclaimed authors compete in creative challenges, and leave inspired to read, create, and share their own voices.

Throughout the series, participating First Book members will have a chance to win books, a free registration to One Word at a Time’s Author Study program, a virtual author visit, and even an in-person visit from Kwame!

đź“… September 22 | 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET

đź‘Ą Designed for students ages 9-14

📍 Available for FREE—exclusively on the First Book Community Platform

👉 RSVP today: https://tinyurl.com/2h52vr7x

What happens when libraries become places to play, explore, and create?Join David Pallash, Director of Learning Through ...
08/25/2026

What happens when libraries become places to play, explore, and create?

Join David Pallash, Director of Learning Through Play at the LEGO Group for The Future Library - Powered by Play, a free virtual event designed for both students and educators. Explore how playful experiences can transform libraries into spaces where curiosity and creativity thrive!

Featuring special guests:

✨ Mychal Threets – PBS KIDS Resident Librarian, host of Reading Rainbow, author, and mental health advocate

✨Jennifer LaGarde (“Library Girl”) - librarian, author, educator, and social media personality

đź“… September 24, 2026
⏰ 1–2 PM EDT

You don’t want to miss this! Bring your students for inspiration, an author read-aloud, and hands-on fun!

🎒 Looking for even more back-to-school inspiration? Explore our full lineup of LEGO-powered resources, events, and learning opportunities designed to support learning through play all school year long.

👉 Register today: https://tinyurl.com/4pdw9xfh

Help put new books into the hands of kids who need them most! đź“–Through the dd's DISCOUNTS First Book Fundraiser, dd's st...
08/20/2026

Help put new books into the hands of kids who need them most! đź“–

Through the dd's DISCOUNTS First Book Fundraiser, dd's stores nationwide are raising funds to provide new books to local schools and programs!

Stop by your neigborhood dd's DISCOUNTS and make a donation through August 30th!

➡️ No local dd's near you? Donate online: https://bit.ly/4cPpz1S

Together, we can help inspire young readers and support brighter futures. ❤️

08/19/2026

đź“ŁEducators: Join the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for a free online professional learning opportunity on October 29 at 7 p.m. ET

Investigating Artifacts: Uncovering Personal Stories from the Holocaust will explore how historians use letters, photographs, documents, and other artifacts to reconstruct and preserve personal experiences, as well as strategies for teaching with primary sources. What to expect:

âś… Strategies for analyzing primary sources to build literacy skills
âś… Access to classroom-ready resources from the Museum
âś… A free book by mail (for eligible educators)

👉 Register today: ushmm.org/2026falleventfb

08/11/2026

Educators like Kyle are doing everything they can to help their students succeed. Too often, limited budgets stand in the way of access to books and educational resources.

Your donation helps educators serving children from low-income communities access the books and resources they need, regardless of budget constraints.

👉 Help us reach more classrooms and communities: https://bit.ly/460s6T3

📚💛 Happy National Book Lovers Day! Today, we’re celebrating the stories that entertain, inspire, challenge, and connect ...
08/09/2026

đź“šđź’› Happy National Book Lovers Day!

Today, we’re celebrating the stories that entertain, inspire, challenge, and connect us to new ideas and experiences.

👇 What is one book you think everyone should read? We want to hear your recommendations!

08/06/2026

Educators like Kayla already give so much to their students, often spending out of their own pockets to make learning possible.

Because of First Book, her goal of helping every student read at least one book in her classroom became a reality.

👉 Join the First Book Network to access affordable, high-quality books for your classroom or program: https://tinyurl.com/ykwk2wcv

📣 Educators, it’s Back-to-School Bingo time! How many of these squares can you complete before the school year begins? S...
08/05/2026

📣 Educators, it’s Back-to-School Bingo time!

How many of these squares can you complete before the school year begins? Share this with a fellow educator and compare notes!

đź’¬ Tell us in the comments: Which square do you always check off first?

Here's to a great start to the school year!

A new school year = a new opportunity for students to discover the joy of reading. For many educators, one of the bigges...
08/03/2026

A new school year = a new opportunity for students to discover the joy of reading.

For many educators, one of the biggest back-to-school challenges is engaging reluctant readers. The good news is that the right book can make all the difference.

From graphic novels and mysteries to stories that reflect students’ own experiences, First Book helps educators access the books that keep kids turning the page.

đź’› Tell us: What book has helped hook a reluctant reader in your classroom?

👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4gbcXEo

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of disabled and neurodive...
07/21/2026

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of disabled and neurodivergent communities.

Books can help students see themselves represented, learn about experiences different from their own, and build empathy and understanding for the people around them.

đź“š Explore our Neurodivergent and Disabled Characters and Cultures collection and celebrate the stories and voices of disabled and neurodivergent characters: https://bit.ly/4wdKYJZ

Address

1319 F Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20004

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

(202) 393-1222

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