Owning Books Changes a Child's Life

Studies show that literacy nearly doubles if a child owns books they have chosen for themselves.

Who We Are

My Own Books works with 3rd graders in Title I schools across NYC to enhance child literacy by empowering students to select and own books.

What We Do

Step

1

Volunteers meet with students and teachers in their classrooms. The students learn they can choose up to $60 worth of books to select and own.

Step

2

Following the classroom visit, volunteers meet the students at the bookstore to help them choose a variety of books they will want to read…over and over again.

Step

3

Volunteers follow up with visits in the classroom. The excitement is palpable as the students talk about their favorite books.

We Deliver Results

Owning a book provides students with essential academic and life skills.

What Kids Say

Volunteers in Action

Helping students build their own home libraries

Joan Dichter, a volunteer with “My Own Books,” talks to kids at P.S. 1 in Chinatown about books they’ve recently purchased.

“The love of reading, the love of books, it’s just wonderful,” Dichter told the children. “And this is something you’re going to have with you the rest of your lives.”