Behind The Book

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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.

Meet the team at Behind the Book! 📚We spend our days helping bring books and literacy experiences to NYC students and co...
10/23/2026

Meet the team at Behind the Book! 📚

We spend our days helping bring books and literacy experiences to NYC students and communities, but we’re also readers with stories of our own.

So, we decided to share a little more about the people behind the work. Over the next few slides, you’ll meet our team, learn a little about what they do at Behind the Book, and see some of the books that have been part of their reading lives, from childhood favorites to books they’re loving now.

Some of our team members also highlighted favorite books from the Behind the Book catalog to give you a glimpse into the stories they’re reading and recommending.

Swipe through to meet us and discover the stories that make up our team. 📖

This is Mayra Hernández! 📚

Mayra is our Director of Programs, where she leads Behind the Book’s literacy programming and works to create meaningful reading experiences for NYC students.

And, of course, we had to find out what books make up Mayra! For her current reads, Mayra highlighted a few of her favorite books from the Behind the Book catalog.

But this is where it started... 📖

Before she was the Director of Programs at Behind the Book, Mayra was a young reader discovering stories filled with magic, imagination, adventure, and memorable characters.

The stories we grow up with can stay with us long after we’ve turned the last page.

What book from your childhood will you never forget?

This is Shirly Hernández! 📚

Shirly is a Program Facilitator at Behind the Book, helping bring our literacy programs to life with NYC students in and out the classroom.

And, of course, we had to find out which books Shirly would recommend to others! She picked a few titles that reflect her current reading interests and the stories she thinks are worth sharing with our community.

Stories worth sharing... 📖

Shirly selected a few of her favorites from the Behind the Book catalog, highlighting stories she’d love to put into the hands of her younger self!

What book would you recommend to a young reader or even a little you?

This is Lila Jane Mabe (LJ)! 📚

LJ is our Director of Strategy and Impact, where she helps guide Behind the Book’s strategy, partnerships,

Our fall programming is officially underway! 🍂In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re spotlighting Ms. Laroche’s 4th ...
10/14/2026

Our fall programming is officially underway! 🍂

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re spotlighting Ms. Laroche’s 4th graders, who are learning about Autumn Peltier, an Anishinaabe water protector and Indigenous rights advocate from Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Inspired by Autumn’s advocacy for protecting Earth’s water, students are reflecting on what matters to them and how they can use their voices to make a difference.

What kind of warrior are you? What’s something you care about and will use your voice to fight for?

Thank you for packing this day with purpose and our kids’ arms with books. 🧡Book Bash 2026 doesn’t happen without our sp...
10/09/2026

Thank you for packing this day with purpose and our kids’ arms with books. 🧡

Book Bash 2026 doesn’t happen without our sponsors. Because of you, we gave away over 5,000 brand-new books and school supplies and sent NYC kids home as the owners of books they chose themselves.

To our sponsors: you didn’t just support an event. You gave kids across Harlem and beyond a stack of stories with their names on them. We’re so grateful.

📚 With thanks to:
KPMG
Ponce Bank
Macmillan Publishers
Hachette Book Group
HarperCollins Publishers
Penguin Random House
Sign Expo

Book Bash 2026 was a tremendous success! ♥️Yesterday, over 5,000 brand-new books and school supplies went home with NYC ...
10/09/2026

Book Bash 2026 was a tremendous success! ♥️

Yesterday, over 5,000 brand-new books and school supplies went home with NYC kids in a single afternoon. For a few joyful hours, the block outside our Harlem headquarters was an open-air bookstore where everything was free and every child walked away as the owner of books they chose themselves.

To everyone who donated: that’s what your generosity looks like. A kid holding a stack of stories with their name on it.

Thank you for making Book Bash the best day of our year.

TODAY. 📚It’s happening: from 1–6PM, the block at 216 West 135th Street is packed with 5,000+ brand-new books and school ...
10/08/2026

TODAY. 📚
It’s happening: from 1–6PM, the block at 216 West 135th Street is packed with 5,000+ brand-new books and school supplies — all free, all for NYC’s kids, every book theirs to keep.

Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose
🗓 TODAY · 1–6PM
📍 216 West 135th Street, Harlem

No tickets, no RSVP. Just come — and bring your family and friends. 🧡

Can’t be here? There’s still time to make a difference for a child — $25 puts a new book and school supplies in a student’s hands. 🔗 Link in bio.

One more day. 📚Tomorrow from 1–6PM, the block outside our Harlem headquarters becomes a giant open-air bookstore where e...
10/07/2026

One more day. 📚

Tomorrow from 1–6PM, the block outside our Harlem headquarters becomes a giant open-air bookstore where everything is free — 5,000+ brand-new books and school supplies, and every kid leaves with books that are theirs to keep.

Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose
🗓 Tomorrow, Thursday, October 8 · 1–6PM
📍 216 West 135th Street, Harlem

No tickets, no RSVP — just come, and bring everyone. 🧡

Can't make it? There's still time to make a difference for a child — $25 puts a new book and school supplies in a student's hands. 🔗 https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/833335/donate

We're still closing the gap and we have one week. 📚Next Thursday, October 8, the block outside our Harlem headquarters b...
10/01/2026

We're still closing the gap and we have one week. 📚

Next Thursday, October 8, the block outside our Harlem headquarters becomes a giant open-air bookstore where everything is free: 5,000+ brand-new books and school supplies for roughly 1,500 NYC kids, every book theirs to keep. Just $25 puts a new book and school supplies in a student's hands $500 equips nearly a full classroom.

Book Bash 2026: Packed with Purpose
🗓 Thursday, October 8 · 1–6PM
📍 216 West 135th Street, Harlem

Can't make it to the block? Your gift can. Donate here: https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/833335/donate

📚 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! 📖

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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