Teachers and Schools

How to Get Your School Involved

My Own Book works with teachers and students in Title I high needs schools all over New York City to help third grade students develop a list of books — up to $50 — they would like to buy and read and to keep in their own home collection.

Teachers in My Own Book participating schools are our greatest assets. Classroom teachers best know their students, know their students’ reading interests, their strengths and areas where students need more exposure to reading. Teachers’ expert experience and knowledge guide their students to choose appropriate books on reading levels their kids can easily access.

My Own Book volunteers work with teachers to visit participating third grade classrooms to present My Own Book to their students, to brainstorm kids’ favorite book titles and series, to talk about different types of books so that students are prepared for their $50 book shopping trip to a bookstore. My Own Book volunteers will meet classes at a bookstore to be with students as they select their books; then the volunteers will meet with each class to debrief and ask students to share their thoughts on their book shopping experiences.

Would you like the third grade students at your school to participate in My Own Book? Here’s how to get your third grade students involved:

Contact My Own Book Fund

In your note be sure to include

Name, address and location of your school
Name of the Principal and third grade contact information
Percentage of your students who are eligible to receive free or reduced cost meals
Number of third grade students in your school
Number of third grade classes in your school
Preferred time of year to plan for your students’ book buying trip to a bookstore, e.g. the beginning of the year, mid-year or at the end of the year. You may choose a month you would like to schedule the trip and we will try our best to accommodate you

We want to expand My Own Book to offer third grade students in more schools the opportunity to spend up to $50 for books of their very own, to keep forever.

We would love to talk to you about bringing My Own Book to your school. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Our journey with My Own Book Fund began with Joel Apelbaum and his wife in 2007. I remember Joel and his wife coming in and proposing this wonderful program for our third graders. For the last thirteen years, we have been so blessed to have over 1,500 students receive free books from Barnes and Noble to read, take home and create or add to their home libraries. There are very few book stores for families to access in our vicinity. My Own Book Fund provides the opportunity for our students to visit Barnes and Nobles and open a world of reading and turning pages of exciting books of their own choice. Their favorite books were read at home and in school and they wrote incredible stories about their experience in the My Own Book Fund program. We are grateful to continue our partnership with the My Own Book program and look forward to many years together for the benefit of our great and “Bronx Strong” students.
Graciela NavarroPrincipal, PS 35X

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I have been on many trips with my class over the years as a third grade Teacher. Each Trip was
well organized and exciting for the students. Thank you for your dedication to the children and
your love of books. You have helped to increase the students’ desire to explore new books.
Again, your philanthropy is greatly appreciated.
Ms. EadyGrade 3-337

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Our students have been very lucky to have the opportunity to participate in this program. This is a fabulous experience for them. For some of them, it is the first time they’ve ever been to a bookstore. By letting students have their own shopping experience, My Own Book Fund is a wonderful program that encourages and implements the love of reading.
Georgia KotsogiannisThird Grade Teacher, PS 166Q

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I would to take this moment to thanks Mrs. Davenel for allowing me to chaperoned the trip to Barnes and Nobles. It was an amazing experience, the kids were extremely happy and super excited that they have $50 dollars each to spend for their favorite books. Thank you so much for putting a beautiful smile to each of the kids.
Johanna Segura-ArenasParent

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I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for organizing the school trip to Barnes and Noble bookstore in November last year. I had a pleasure to chaperone my twin daughters third grade classes, one led by you and another one led by Mrs. K. In my opinion the trip was a great success.
Mrs. AguillarParent

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Dear My Own Book Fund, On November 6, 2019, Class 3-311 from P. S. 166Q had the pleasure of going to Barnes and Noble Bookstore to select $50 worth of free books. The students were so excited. We prepared for this special event by learning about different genres, how to select books based on Just Right Levels, and how to estimate the value of a book to the nearest dollar. Students also learned the difference between hard and soft -covered books. They learned about the great bargain table, too. They had a grand time selecting their own books with help from all the volunteers. The students were so proud of their selections. The bus ride back to school was so quiet. Each child was so immersed in their books. The trip really inspired the children to read. I highly recommend this trip, and I have been part of this great experience since it began at our school. Mr. Freeman has definitely enhanced child literacy by giving students this opportunity to participate in this program. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Annmarie DavenelTeacher of Class 3-311

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Thank you for reaching out about highlighting some of our students and their experiences with My Own Book Fund on your website. It has always been an absolute favorite trip of ours and our relationship with you all has meant a lot to us over the years.
Lambrini MatsasAssistant Principal, PS 166 Queens

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Every year the volunteers and My Own Book Fund support our school, our third graders, with the greatest gift – books! And every year our third graders look forward to the day when they get to take the special field trip and choose books of their own from Barnes & Noble and add to their at home personal libraries. I am filled with gratitude on behalf of my students and their families. I love watching happy third graders return from their amazing day. They run up the stairs, beaming with excitement about their newest treasures. THANK YOU MY OWN BOOK FUND for fostering a love of reading in children and supporting a very appreciative community!!
Robin BergAssistant Principal, PS 126/MAT

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When I was asked to express how My Own Book Fund has impacted the lives of our children at P.S. 1 I can only be reminded of the poem one of our fourth graders wrote for A Poem in My Pocket Day this past April. These experiences and adventures with books have opened up opportunities for our children that are endless for their imaginations and their creative growth. As they come to understand their current world, your gift of books have given them a moment of inspiration and peace through a character's actions and stories. Certainly through books and the stories they've read, it will support them in deciding what matters in their lives for the future.

Thank you and I'm so grateful for your vision and a passion to ensure a library of our children at P.S. 1.
Amy HomPrincipal, PS 1

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My Own Book has been a saving grace for my students. Many of my students do not have access to brand new books often. Most of my students live with several siblings and cousins, so for them to have their own books just for them, is something that doesn't happen for them nearly as often as it should. Seeing the looks on my students' faces as we enter Barnes and Noble and as they search for their books is completely priceless. Thank you to My Own Book for providing these students with brand new books. These books help them to really truly enjoy reading.
Allison Reich3rd Grade teacher, PS 126M