Book Em

Imagine a home without books. For thousands of young people in Davidson County, TN, that’s not something they have to imagine. It’s their reality. With help from our community, Book'em makes kids and teens proud owners of books that they want to read and introduces preschool and elementary students to amazing reading role models, who inspire them to develop strong literacy skills. The ability to read is the foundation for success and Book'em meets a vital need in the lives of kids to build that foundation. 

Book'em is a non-profit organization that brings free books and reading volunteers to kids in Nashville, TN. Our mission is to create a more literate Nashville and ignite children's passion for reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers. We serve disadvantaged youth ages 0-18 through three main programs: Books For Nashville's Kids, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), and Ready For Reading. We have also acquired a new Book Bus that will travel to communities, schools, and organizations across Davidson County to deliver books directly to areas that have previously been harder to reach. We are the largest not-for-profit provider of free books for children of all ages in Nashville and we are rapidly growing to meet the increasing need.

In 2021, Book’em distributed more than 190,000 books to 180+ community partners in Davidson County and provided 150 reading role models in fifteen Title I elementary schools. 

Even though Book’em had a record-breaking year there is still a great need to get more books out to Nashville’s kids. Not just any books, but ones that reflect Nashville’s diversity. Books that represent kids from different ethnic, socioeconomic, physical, and cognitive backgrounds. Unfortunately, these types of books are harder to find and more expensive than classical ones. We are dedicated to raising the funds needed to get more diverse books to Nashville’s youth so that every child can see themselves in the pages of a book and develop a passion for reading.  

Every $2.50 provides an amazing book to a child in need. Any donation from $5 to $50,000 makes a difference and gets us closer to our goal of getting more diverse books out to children across Nashville. 

Please make a personal donation and share this page with your colleagues, family, and friends. 

We believe in a future where all children in Nashville own books and know first-hand the joy and value of reading. Will you help us turn this dream into a reality?

Please visit our website and check out our Facebook page to learn more about how we are bringing the magic of books to Nashville's kids!