SEND A KID A BOOK!

I will be giving each student their own book (or more, depending on how many we get) to take home. So this is NOT for a class library or me to keep--the kids will get the book of their choice.

What a fantastic idea. I'm a fourth grade teacher, too. I teach in a private school and my kids have more access to books than yours do, although a couple are English language learners. Not only that, I'm only about and hour and a half south of you! Go figure. Count me in.

Aw, what a great idea. I am sure I have a few that we could spare. I may be writing you to check for what is appropriate, because my son is only 3 and I work in a college library so 4th grade is completely foreign to me at this point :)

Any way that we could send our partner an email instead of a postcard? Perhaps with a photo of the book or package we are sending? Id like to join and might even be able to send 2 books or more but I don't want to 'waste' valuable postage on mailing a postcard too(no cheaper rate for PCs here in Canada) when I could send more books for that $. I have quite a few books I loved as a girl I could send. I have 3 boys and they aren't so interested in babysitter and other girly themed novels. this is a great thing you are doing.

What a great idea. I am a future teacher and my minor is in literacy.

Book is packaged and ready to go - LOVE this swap.

i can't pass this one by. I used to teach in primary schools in underprivilaged areas and I had the same problem. I bought loads of books for my various classes because I firmly believe if you can read well and enjoy it you can learn anything so something will be on it's way from Scotland. I'm pleased the children will get to take them home. I remember the very first book I owned as a child.

Just realised it's u.S. and Canada so I won't join the swap but I'll send something anyway.

I am ok with an email instead of a PC - doesn't matter to me. I just bought 3 books from my library's sale shelf for you and will find a few more at home, I am sure.

Yay! I know postage costs are high, so don't overextend yourself but I really appreciate it!

If you send with "media mail" on package the cost will be somewhat cheaper.

How would you all feel about this becoming an e-mail to your partner swap instead of a postcard? Let me know.

What a lovely idea! Now to find a book! I dont have kids but I am sure to find a decent book!

My favorites when I was a child was Pokey Little Puppy and The Bunny Book. I was lucky to find Pokey Little Puppy for .75 cents at goodwill..and a Richard Scarry collection book for 2.00 at a second hand store with The Bunny Book in it..i'm passing on my love of reading to my girls. And Pokey Little Puppy is at the top of their list too.

I have the Bunny Book, too! I can't really get my kids to care about it, but I'll never give it up!! Vixen, have you ever read "Pig Will and Pig Won't"? That one is our favorite Richard Scarry!

I, too, love reading and always have. My daughter is an excellent reader and my son is in 4th grade right now and loves to read, but is slightly struggling due to his ADHD. I love the idea of this swap and I'm sure I have some books lying around that my daughter has long since outgrown and my son won't read... Too girly for him, I guess!

What type books are on a 4th/5th grade reading level? My kids are still picture book/ beginner readers. Don't want to send anything to "baby" or to hard.

Well, you can ask at a bookstore or library if you happen to be there. You should probably err on the side of too easy, although, like I said, my kids enjoy stories on a 9 to 10 year old maturity level. It's just that reading some of them at home (especially without parental help) would be hard. Every child on the planet loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, which are 5th grade level, but also easier to read because of the format. There are good picture books out there that are challenging enough but still interesting. Um..just think: longer story and plot line but what you'd give a person who isn't used to reading by themselves for fun. And of course, joke books and trivia books are always a hit. Thank you for asking!

Can we send the books now, the postcard later?

@lettergirl I have never read Pig Will, pig Won't. I'll have to be on the lookout for a copy.

You can surely send the book now..the kids are excited! :)

I'm going to send the book directly from Amazon.com I have free 2-day shipping so no need to pay extra shipping when it's free!

Two packages on the way: One priority and one parcel post. Also included are some 'baby' books that the kids can take home to read to younger siblings.
My 11 year old granddaughter reads chapter books like Hunger Games and Twilight, so I picked up books at the thrift store to send. Hope the kids like them.

I went shopping at Goodwill with my son, which is where I pick up books for us. I sent 3 books today and will send the postcard when partners are assigned.

I have some of the Boxcar Children Books and so on. Can you use those? I am going to put an assortment for you. Anything you can't use for your class, just pass on to another one. This is a great idea and I am glad to be a part of it.

What a great swap! My daughter taught school in a low income area and was surprised at the number of her students who didn't have books at home either!! Reading is so important and every child should have access to books ... I'm on this one like fly to fly paper!! I hope you get hundreds of books for the kids!!

What an awesome idea!!!!!!! I sent 5 books. I used AMAZON. What I would have spent on shipping I spent on books.
YAY TEACHER!!!!!!!

Thank you so much everybody! :) I really appreciate your interest! If you have any boy books, it seems as though we may be low on those. And Boxcar Children are great! The kids are interested in Diary of a Wimpy Kid if you can find any of those used. (I doubt it! haha!) Remember, their reading levels are lower than average (no doubt because they don't have books!) so if you can keep that in mind that'd be great! You are all too kind! Thanks again!

As a librarian and someone who works with disadvantaged youth - this is a great idea! I am fortunate enough to live in an area where used books are plentiful and cheap. I can't imagine living without books and hate to think of any child having to.

I live in Phoenix, I can't tell you what a wonderful idea this is. Some of our schools don't even have 'library' time anymore. I'm convinced kids would do more reading if they would just be able to get their hands on BOOKS. I'll see what I can do. (my kiddo is homeschooled and we have tons of books)

You suppose I could slip a couple Beanie Babies in my box with the books??? ( Son won't take them to college with him.) :(

OK, I am taking this up a level with my daycare kids and turning it into service project. Books are a huge thing here we all read and we read to everybody. The kids know not having things, shopping at goodwill etc. but they also know how to share with those less fortunate. I don't have a ton of kids here but I'm sure that whatever they can do will help. The families will also know so maybe they can add books they have outgrown, etc. Base age here is 2nd to 5th grade and baby/toddler. There should be more swaps like this where there isn't a material gratification for the sender/receiver but a deeper personal inner gratification. What a great option also for a class of students in school, sunday school class, etc. Drop off box at a library, etc. Parents could help with postage costs.

Wow-wee! You guys are amazing! The kids will be thrilled!

Hey! We are on the TOP SWAPS list! Yay! I'm tearing up! I am sooo excited!

I bought my daughter all the Junie B Jones books and she went though them in 2 weeks. Can you use these? Are they age appropriate?

Here is a link to a list of books appropriate for 9 year olds - it might help give people ideas.

We've already got a few coming in, and I want to say "thank you" so much...it's generated a LOT of interest in books and reading. The kids are seeing that it's fun to be surrounded with new books--rather than merely going to the same school library they've seen forever. The kids are literally begging me to get to be the one to get the book I'm holding up--so thank you again and you'll be hearing from us soon! :)

Where's your package?

9102901001330116791554 Delivery Date:April-16-12 Status:Delivered (MESA, AZ 85204) View Details

Arived on Monday April 16th

Books mailed! I sent several older books... Pollyanna, Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind, etc. If they are a little above the kids' levels right now, they should be there soon. Anything you can't use for your kids, please pass on. Would it be alright to email our partner instead of sending a postcard? I don't have any postcards handy... and I can't exactly remember what I put in the box. :)

Sent my last package of about 25 books. Are we going to see pictures of the kids and their new books?

I forgot to mark mine sent on the 20th. Postcard & book are on their way! What a great swap idea!

Hi everybody! Again, just want to tell you how much we appreciate the books. It looks like we've just gotten the last of them, and I think it is probably about 150 of them or so. It's really hard to tell, because some people sent one that they bought, and some people passed on whole boxes they had to share. We got challenging reading, to books suitable for younger brothers and sisters, so there was something for everyone! The best part is that everyone got something special, we've got tons of books that are being passed around, lots of interest in mail, and students starting to want to buy their own books when they get the chance. Thank you again! I can't send any pictures because my principal won't allow it, but we've started to mail out thank yous, so look for yours!

I just got my thank you note. Young Jose sounds like a very nice boy and I am so glad he loves to read now. Maybe you could do another Books for Kids at the beginning of the school year. Get them off to a really good start!

Rec'd my thank you note today - I am so glad you received so much!! It's great for kids to have books but it's even better for them to be able to choose something that interests them, and share them when they are done! I am sure I am not the only kid who made it through some rough times by burying my nose in books. It was more than a hobby or recreation...it saved my sanity. I am thrilled to be able to somehow pay that back!

I received my thank you note several weeks ago. Sorry I forgot to post here that I received the thank you. I am SO sorry I forgot to send the postcard. I will have it in the mail by Monday.