Back-to-School with Behind the Book:
Your gift today means books, supplies, and transformative literacy programs for students across NYC.
Behind the Book:
Where Books Become Beginnings.
Please come see - or join! - our work in action.
On Thursday, October 8th, from 1-6PM, Behind the Book is taking over the block in front of our Harlem headquarters at 216 West 135th Street for Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose, a free outdoor celebration of reading.
We're aiming to put more than 5,000 brand-new books and school-supplies (while supplies last) into the hands of roughly 1,500 Harlem and NYC kids and family members. Every child chooses books that are theirs to keep, because owning books — not just borrowing them — is foundational to becoming a reader.
Contact Lila Jane [lilajane@behindthebook.org] if you or your company would be interested in sponsoring or volunteering.
Together, we can help every child begin the year
ready to read, learn, and thrive.
Behind the Book's Impact
27,000
Students
Served
Since our founding, we have served 27,000 students across New York City.
126,000
Free Books
Distributed
Students receive free books in our programs and at our annual Book Bash event in Harlem.
5,626
Published Student Authors & Illustrators
Students became published authors in Behind the Book student anthologies