Holiday Book Drive Chi is back for year FIVE, woohoo! And I have the best news: We get to deliver book joy to young readers in person again! In 2020, in partnership with Pastor Michael Neal of Leading with Literacy in Chicago and literacy supporters across the country, we collected and donated more books than ever before - 728 titles!
But we really missed being able to talk to students and bring stories directly into classrooms. This December, we will be able to make deliveries face-to-face, in accordance with all district social distancing and masking rules, of course!
When Pastor Neal and I met this week to talk through the details for Delivery Day 2021, I also got to pass along our first book joy bundle of the season! An incredible gift of an entire classroom donation of BE STRONG from New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller. Thank you, Pat!!
BE STRONG by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill (Roaring Brook Press) is a follow-up picture book to the international sensation BE KIND. The book released this August and is just as fabulous as the story that came before it. I’m so excited that the readers served by Leading with Literacy will be getting BE STRONG for their home libraries!
What will Holiday Book Drive 2021 bring? It’s hard to say, but I’ve learned over the past four years that our hopes and dreams for what we might be able to accomplish together are never as big and beautiful as what springs forth from the simple goal of placing new books into children’s hands. I asked Pastor Neal a bit about the impact of Holiday Book Drive 2020, in the height of covid. Here’s what he had to share!
Like the rest of the world, 2020 brought about so many challenges and at times feelings of being overwhelmed. While we all grappled with the pandemic and its effects, I felt especially concerned for our young scholars. Not only were they forced to navigate virtual learning, they missed out on being in class with other students .
As usual and especially last year, the literary heroes from our Holiday Book Drive came through, and each donation lifted our spirits and allowed love to overshadow covid -19. At times, the delivery had to be creative… meeting teachers in parking lots, driving by in front of homes for contactless delivery, and leaving boxes with security in student-less schools. We are grateful and looking forward to serving students in person by delivering awesome love from our heroes directly to them.
Starting on October 1, we are officially open for donations for Holiday Book Drive 2021! Here’s how you can be part of this year’s effort - we so hope you join us!
Books, Please! We are excited to receive any book written for children. We do ask that the books are new, not used. Picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade and young adult titles - are all welcome, and very appreciated!
The Magic Number: Any single book donation is celebrated. But if you have the ability to join forces with a friend (or friends) and donate 30 copies of the same book, you’ll be able to give an entire classroom the SAME book, which is a truly amazing gift.
Pssst! Authors… If you think your publisher might be able to provide a complete classroom donation of 30 books, please let me know!
Book-Skype Combo: Also, authors! If you’d like to donate a copy/copies of your book to a class, and offer a free virtual visit alongside it, that would be terrific! I’d be happy to help make those arrangements.
Shouting It Out! I celebrate all book donations as I receive them, on social media and on my website, too. Sharing these special deliveries is one of my favorite things to do!
Special Collections: If you are planning a local giving initiative this holiday season, consider asking friends and family to donate a book for a Bronzeville scholar. If you’re interested in organizing something like this, let me know and we can chat logistics.
Title Ideas: I’m happy to share book recommendations at any time, if you’re not sure which book or books to give. (Diverse books are always greatly appreciated by Leading with Literacy.)
Or… If You’d Rather: Financial donations are most welcome, too. Whatever works best for you!
Follow Along: Want to know what’s going on with the drive? Visit Twitter and search the hashtag #HolidayBookDriveChi for the latest!
Donations will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2021. On Delivery Day, we will bring your donations to schools all over Bronzeville and in other nearby Chicago neighborhoods to share the gift of literacy. Thank you for your friendship and partnership. Let’s make this a holiday full of JOY again in 2021!
Below, you’ll find all of the books donated for Holiday Book Drive 2021, so far!
Thank you Pat Zietlow Miller for kicking off the drive with an entire classroom donation of…
BE STRONG
(By Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Jen Hill, Roaring Brook Press)
Thank you Beth Anderson for donating an entire classroom set of…
TAD LINCOLN’S RESTLESS WRIGGLE
(By Beth Anderson, Illustrated by S. D. Schindler, Calkins Creek)
Thank you Jarrett Lerner for donating an entire classroom set of…
GEEGER THE ROBOT TO THE RESCUE
(By Jarrett Lerner, Illustrated by Serge Seidlitz, Aladdin Quix)
Thank you Lisa Katzenberger for donating an entire classroom set of…
IT WILL BE OK
(By Lisa Katzenberger, Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, Sourcebooks)
Thank you Bradley family for donating an entire classroom set of…
BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA
(by Lauren Wolk, Dutton Books for Young Readers)
Thank you Jody Jensen Shaffer for donating an entire classroom set of…
A SCARF FOR SQUIRREL
(By Jody Jensen Shaffer, Illustrated by Clair Rossiter, Highlights Puzzle Readers)
Thank you Two Lions for donating an entire classroom set of my debut picture book…
DANCING WITH DADDY
(By Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, Two Lions)
Thank you Two Lions for donating 30 copies of your books…
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT
(by Lauren H. Kerstein, illustrated by Nate Wragg)
HUDSON AND TALLULAH TAKE SIDES
(by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant)
BETWEEN THE LINES
(by Lindsay Ward)
JULIUS AND MACY
(by Annelouise Mahoney)
COMET THE UNSTOPPABLE REINDEER
(by Jim Benton)
… and A SARI FOR AMMI
(by Mamta Nainy, Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat)
Thank you Norene Paulson and Albert Whitman for donating an entire classroom set of…
WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?
(By Norene Paulson, Illustrated by Camila Carrossine, Albert Whitman)
Thank you Laura Renauld and Beaming Books for donating an entire classroom set of…
SQUIRREL’S SWEATER
(By Laura Renauld, Illustrated by Jennie Poh, Beaming Books)
Thank you Raven Howell for donating an entire classroom set of…
EEK! MY INK!
(By Raven Howell, Illustrated by Anke Rappen, AcuteByDesign)
Thank you Amber Hendricks and Beaming Books for donating an entire classroom set of…
SUPERHEROES DON’T BABYSIT
(By Amber Hendricks, Illustrated by Kyle Reed, Beaming Books)
Thank you Michal Babay for donating an entire classroom set of…
I’M A GLUTEN-SNIFFING SERVICE DOG
(By Michal Babay, Illustrated by Ela ´Smietanka, Albert Whitman)
Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating an entire classroom set of…
HIDE AND DON’T SEEK: AND OTHER VERY SCARY STORIES
(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Quill Tree Books)
Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating an entire classroom set of…
ANNA, BANANA, AND THE FRIENDSHIP SPLIT
(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Illustrated by Meg Park, Simon & Schuster)
Thank you Dows, Rowes, and Schapers for donating an entire classroom set of…
TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A WHOLE IN THE SKY
(By Kwame Mbalia, Rick Riordan Presents)
Thank you Moran Family for donating an entire classroom set of…
CHANGE SINGS: A CHILDREN’S ANTHEM
(By Amanda Gorman, Illustrated by Loren Long, Viking)
Thank you Dinslage Family for donating an entire classroom set of…
JADA JONES: CLASS ACT
(By Kelly Starling Lyons, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton, Penguin Workshop)
Thank you Annelouise Mahoney for donating 25 copies to create an entire classroom set of…
JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT
(By Annelouise Mahoney, Two Lions)
Thank you Lindsay Ward for donating 25 copies to create an entire classroom set of…
BETWEEN THE LINES
(By Lindsay Ward, Two Lions)
Thank you Norene Paulson and Imprint | Macmillan for donating 24 copies of…
BENNY’S TRUE COLORS
(By Norene Paulson, Illustrated by Anne Passchier, Imprint | Macmillian)
Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, Page Street Kids and Harper Kids
for donating a total of 20 copies of the books…
BESS THE BARN STANDS STRONG
(By Elizabeth Gilbert Media, Illustrated by Katie Hickey, Page Street Kids) and
BALOONS FOR PAPA
(By Elizabeth Gilbert Media, Illustrated by Erika Meza, Harper Kids)
Thank you Sue Lowell Gallion for donating a total of 20 copies of your books…
PIG & PUG AND FRIENDS
(By Sue Lowell Gallion, Illustrated by Joyce Wan, Beach Lane Books) and
OUR WORLD: A FIRST BOOK OF GEOGRAPHY
(By Sue Lowell Gallion, Illustrated by Lisk Feng, Phaidon)
Thank you Jodi McKay for donating a total of 20 copies of your book…
PENCIL’S PERFECT PICTURE
(By Jodi McKay, Illustrated by Juliana Motzko, Albert Whitman)
Thank you Lauren H. Kerstein for donating a total of 20 copies of your books…
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES
(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Nate Wragg, Two Lions
HOME FOR A WHILE
(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Natalia Moore, Magination Press)
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT
(By Lauren H. Kerstein, Illustrated by Nate Wragg, Two Lions
Thank you Anica Mrose Rissi for donating 15 copies of your book…
ALWAYS FOREVER MAYBE
(By Anica Mrose Rissi, Quill Tree Books)
Thank you Laura Gehl for donating 14 copies of your books…
BRILLIANT BABY: Does Math, Explores Science, Plays Music and Fights Germs
(By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Jean Claude, little bee books)
BASEBALL BABY and SOCCER BABY (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Reggie Brown, Little Simon)
PEEP AND EGG: I’m Not Hatching (By Laura Gehl, Illustrated by Joyce Wan, FSG)
Thank you Michelle Schaub and Cardinal Rule Press for donating 12 copies of your book…
KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING
(By Michelle Schaub, Illustrated by Claire LaForte, Cardinal Rule Press)
Thank you Richard Ho for donating 10 copies of your book…
THE LOST PACKAGE
(By Richard Ho, Illustrated by Jessica Lanan, Roaring Brook Press)
Thank you Kira Bigwood for donating 10 copies of your book…
SECRET, SECRET AGENT GUY
(By Kira Bigwood, Illustrated by Celia Krampien, Atheneum)
Thank you Mikuta Family for donating 10 copies of…
STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME
(By Jason Reynolds, Illustrated by Raúl the Third, A Caitlyn Dloughy Book / Atheneum)
Thank you Bea Birdsong for donating 9 copies of your books…
SAM’S FIRST WORD (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Holly Hatam, Little, Brown)
HOW TO SPOT A BEST FRIEND (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Lucy Fleming, Rodale Kids) and
I WILL BE FIERCE! (By Bea Birdsong, Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, Roaring Brook Press)
Thank you NoNieqa Ramos for donating 8 copies of your books…
HAIR STORY (By NoNieqa Ramos, Illustrated by Keisha Morris, Carolrhoda) and
THE TRUTH IS (By NoNieqa Ramos, Carolrhoda)
Thank you Nalini Raghunandan for donating 8 copies of your books…
FANNY THE CHAMP and FANNY SAVED THE DAY
Thank you Mike Wu for donating 6 copies of your books…
ELLIE MAKES A FRIEND (By Mike Wu, Disney-Hyperion)
HENRI’S HATS (By Mike Wu, Disney Press) and
ELLIE (By Mike Wu, Disney-Hyperion)
Thank you to an anonymous donor for giving 6 copies of…
WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE
(By Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, Little, Brown)
Thank you Robin Newman for donating 5 copies of your book…
DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT!
(By Robin Newman, Illustrated by Susan Batori, Sleeping Bear Press)
Thank you Andrea Hall for donating 5 copies of your book…
SHE’S ON THE MONEY
(By Andrea Hall, Illustrated by Li Zhang, Albert Whitman)
Thank you Alastair Heim for donating 5 copies of your book…
QUIET DOWN, LOUD TOWN!
(By Alastair Heim, Illustrated by Matt Hunt, Clarion Books)
Thank you Christine Van Zandt for donating three copies of…
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS
(By Christine Van Zandt, Illustrated by Harry Briggs, becker & meyer kids!)
Thank you Gabi Snyder for donating two copies of…
LISTEN
(By Gabi Snyder, Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, Paula Wiseman)
Thank you Debra Kempf Shumaker for donating two of your books…
TELL SOMEONE
(By Debra Kempf Shumaker, Illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco, Albert Whitman)
FREAKY, FUNKY FISH
(By Debra Kempf Shumaker, Illustrated by Claire Powell, Running Press Kids)
Thank you Kristy Everington for donating a copy of…
ISOBEL ADDS IT UP
(By Kristy Everington, Illustrated by AG Ford, Random House Studio)
Thank you Leah Rose Kessler for donating a copy of…
RAT FAIR
(By Leah Rose Kessler, Illustrated by Cleonique Hilsaca, POW! Kids Books)
Thank you Melissa Stoller for donating a copy of…
PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM
(By Callie Metler, Shirin Rahman and Melissa Stoller, Illustrated by Kate Talbot, Clear Fork)
Thank you Anna Lazowski for donating a copy of…
T. REXES CAN’T TIE THEIR SHOES
(By Anna Lazowski, Illustrated by Steph Laberis, Doubleday Books for Young Readers)
CURRENT TOTAL:
828 BOOKS
Thank you for coming along on this journey and being a part of delivering book joy to young scholars!
I can’t wait to see what we do together this holiday season!
