My Own Books

My Own Books distributes children's books to educationally and fiscally disadvantaged families, through local public schools in the Greater Phoenix area having the largest percentage of children in need.

My Own Books goal is simple: get books into the homes of Arizona families for whom books are an unaffordable luxury.
70% of Arizona 4th graders cannot read proficiently,* (Annie E Casey Foundation)
Lack of books and educational material in the home is the biggest barrier in literacy development. If we can solve the problem of access, we will be well on the road to realizing educational parity. More than any other single skill, the ability to read-and read well- allows a child to succeed in school, learn about the world, function in society and be more prepared for future opportunities. In 2015, AZ students who were eligible for free/reduced-priced school lunch (Title 1) an indicator of family income, had an average assessment score that was 33 points lower that for students who were not eligible based on income.*

Ready to radically transform a child's life?
Help us get more books and resources into the hands of local children who need them most.

Testimonials

Dear My Own Books,
On behalf of Hartford Elementary in Chandler, Arizona, thank you for your generous donation of books for our preschoolers! They were thrilled at the prospect of choosing and taking home 10 books because of your program. As a Literacy Specialist in a Title 1 school, I know that many of our students lack access to quality books in the home. And the research is clear on the impact that books in the home can have on reading development and later reading achievement. Thanks to you and your colleagues, our preschoolers now have a start on a home library that they can enjoy with their families!

Regards,
Patty Chan
Literacy Coach/Reading Specialist
Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary
March 7, 2018