Behind The Book

Behind The Book Innovative Literacy Programs for NYC Students
www.behindthebook.org

Behind the Book serves New York City public schools - exclusively those at which 75% or more of the student population is low-income. Our programs are designed to strengthen reading engagement, which literacy professionals identify as a key criteria needed to develop reading, writing and communication skills. All Behind the Book programs are incorporated into class curricula and meet Common Core Learning Standards. We work closely with each classroom’s teacher to select an author whose book will resonate with students, reflect the classroom’s diversity, and match the students’ capabilities. We develop a custom program centered on the book, and transition the reading material into writing projects. Programs incorporate more than author visits – there are writing coaches and research aides; arts projects and field trips. Many culminate with Behind the Book designing and publishing an anthology of the students’ work and providing copies for each student to keep. We gift books to the students and donate additional books to the classroom and school libraries. This school year, we are working with nearly 2,000 students, and have committed to distributing over 10,000 books.

📚 A new book can be the start of something.At Book Bash, children and families get to choose books that speak to their i...
09/22/2026

📚 A new book can be the start of something.

At Book Bash, children and families get to choose books that speak to their interests, experiences, and imaginations, and take them home to keep.

For many families, free books mean having more stories to choose from at home and more opportunities to read together.

Book Bash brings books, stories, and community together right here in Harlem.

On Thursday, October 8, we’ll be giving away 5,000+ free books and school supplies to roughly 1,500 NYC children and families right outside our Harlem headquarters.

We’d love to celebrate with you! Stop by anytime from 1–6 PM at 216 W 135th Street.

🔗 You can help us to reach our goal with a donation to our Back-to-School campaign here:

https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/833335/donate

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana y/o Latine! 📚This month, we’re celebrating the many cultures, communities, and stories...
09/15/2026

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana y/o Latine! 📚
This month, we’re celebrating the many cultures, communities, and stories represented in the books we share with students.

One title we’re highlighting is Churro Stand by Karina N. González, a story about a mother and her children selling churros on the streets of New York City. Last spring, our students explored the book while learning about family, community, cultural pride, and the important role street vendors play in NYC.

Swipe through for a closer look at Churro Stand and some of the other Hispanic and Latine stories in our book catalogue!

Happy first day of school, NYC! 📚A new school year is here, and we can’t wait to get back into classrooms and share lots...
09/10/2026

Happy first day of school, NYC! 📚

A new school year is here, and we can’t wait to get back into classrooms and share lots of books, stories, creativity, and learning with our school communities.

This year, we’re excited to continue bringing culturally affirming literacy programming to students from Pre-K through 12th grade, while also including literacy engagement workshops for adults who work directly with young people.

Some of our friends have already headed back to school, but today marks the first day for NYC public schools. To all the students, teachers, families, and educators starting a new year: we’re wishing you a year full of curiosity, connection, and beautiful stories.

Here’s to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year! 📖

📚 Save the date: Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose is coming to Harlem!Thursday, October 8 · 1–6 PM · on the block out...
08/25/2026

📚 Save the date: Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose is coming to Harlem!

Thursday, October 8 · 1–6 PM · on the block outside 216 W 135th St [between Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.]

It's free, it's outside, and it's for everyone. We're putting 5,000+ brand-new books and school supply kits directly into the hands of NYC kids and families. Every child gets to choose books that are theirs to keep—with something for every age, from infants to young adults!

Come pick out some great books. Leave with a whole new stack of stories to love.

🙌 Want to help each child take home an armful of books to love? Volunteer sign-ups are open: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIioaRbNl2IGwGa_gVsaRVl9dJJmeJKrkkuY6LIe-6pocdcQ/viewform

Behind the Book was proud to take part in National Night Out, bringing books and literacy into the heart of the Harlem c...
08/06/2026

Behind the Book was proud to take part in National Night Out, bringing books and literacy into the heart of the Harlem community! 📚

This event was planned and led by our incredible Bloomberg Arts Initiative (BAI) and Oyate interns as part of their Service Learning Project. From organizing our table to engaging with families throughout the evening, they demonstrated outstanding leadership, teamwork, and dedication.

Together, our interns helped distribute 300 free books to children, teens, and families, creating meaningful connections and helping ensure more readers left with a book to call their own.

We’re so proud of everything our interns accomplished through this project and grateful to everyone who stopped by to celebrate the joy of reading with us. 📖💙

The most rewarding part of our programs is the joy that students feel from the connections they make. They learn to shar...
07/27/2026

The most rewarding part of our programs is the joy that students feel from the connections they make. They learn to share their thoughts and emotions, relate to the text and their peers, and meet amazing authors who bring the books to life.

Just 10 minutes a day can shape a lifelong reader.Today, Behind the Book is proud to join and 50+ partners nationwide t...
07/22/2026

Just 10 minutes a day can shape a lifelong reader.

Today, Behind the Book is proud to join and 50+ partners nationwide to launch the Raising Readers PSA — a shared call for every adult to read with the children in their lives for just 10 minutes a day.

At Behind the Book, we see it every day in NYC classrooms: when kids fall in love with reading for joy, it changes everything. That love is a shared responsibility, and it starts with us.

Watch and share the PSA (link in bio).
Take the pledge at JoinRaisingReaders.com

Thank you, , for leading this movement.

For a child to develop a long-term love and joy for reading, they need to be intrinsically motivated to do so! Here are ...
07/13/2026

For a child to develop a long-term love and joy for reading, they need to be intrinsically motivated to do so! Here are some researched ways of fostering intrinsic motivation this summer.

Students who participated in a book club reported an increased sense of empathy!While you continue to have fun this summ...
07/08/2026

Students who participated in a book club reported an increased sense of empathy!
While you continue to have fun this summer, remember that reading changes people’s lives for the better.

Competency is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. These are some ways to foster a sense of competen...
07/06/2026

Competency is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. These are some ways to foster a sense of competence in children regarding reading!

Address

216 West 135th Street
New York, NY
10027

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12122223627

Website

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