Penguin and Books A Million Launch Campaign to Donate Books to Children in Need
New York, NY – Penguin Young Readers and Books-A-Million are pleased to announce the launch of a nationwide campaign in support of First Book, a nonprofit that transforms the lives of children in need through access to books and educational resources. The campaign will coincide with the release of I AM HELEN KELLER, the latest book in bestselling author Brad Meltzer’s picture book biography series Ordinary People Change the World.
For every book in the Ordinary People Change the World series purchased at a Books-A-Million store, from September 15th through October 30th, Penguin and Books-A-Million will donate a book to First Book. Through its community of nearly 200,000 educators and program leaders nationwide, First Book will ensure the donated books reach the hands of children from low-income families.
“From my very first book, Books-A-Million has looked out for me. Today, with I AM HELEN KELLER, they’re also looking out for thousands of kids across the country. I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of what BAM, Penguin, and First Book are doing. Together, they’re MY heroes,” said Brad Meltzer, bestselling author of the Ordinary People Change the World series.
“Books-A-Million has been a longtime supporter of Brad Meltzer, most recently with his children’s series Ordinary People Change the World. We are excited to partner with Brad Meltzer and Penguin Random House in getting books to children in need through First Book,” said Jordan Weinmann, Buyer, Books-A-Million.
“First Book supports educators who demonstrate the everyday heroism that Brad’s series celebrates. We’re thrilled to join him, Penguin Random House and Books-A-Million in a partnership that enables consumers to do the same – improving the lives and changing the world for children in need,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book.
A “child-sized view of history” (Detroit Free Press), Ordinary People Change the World launched in 2014 and immediately hit the New York Times bestsellers list. Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, each book in the series is a biography of a real historical icon, told in a simple, conversational, and vivacious way, and puts “a fresh spin on famous Americans” (Entertainment Weekly). Meltzer wanted children to see that our nation’s heroes – people like Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart or Rosa Parks – were real people just like them. “Once children hear about these ordinary people who have changed the world, they react the same way we all do. They’re inspired. They dream bigger. They work harder.”
ABOUT PENGUIN YOUNG READERS
Penguin Young Readers is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times-bestselling authors as Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Ally Condie, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, Anna Dewdney, John Flanagan, Gayle Forman John Green, Oliver Jeffers, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, B.J. Novak, Richard Peck, Judy Schachner, Jacqueline Woodson and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group LLC, a Penguin Random House company.
ABOUT BOOKS-A-MILLION, INC.
Books-A-Million, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading book retailers and sells on the Internet at www.booksamillion.com. The Company presently operates 255 stores in 32 states. The Company operates large superstores under the names Books-A-Million (BAM!), Books & Co. and 2nd & Charles and traditional bookstores operating under the names Bookland and Books-A-Million. Also included in the Company’s retail operations is the operation of Yogurt Mountain Holding, LLC, a retailer and franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt stores with 42 locations. The Company also develops and manages commercial real estate investments through its subsidiary, Preferred Growth Properties, which presently include four retail shopping centers. The common stock of Books-A-Million, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BAMM. For more information, visit the Company’s corporate website at www.booksamillioninc.com. Follow Books-A-Million on Twitter (http://twitter.com/
ABOUT FIRST BOOK
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 130 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
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