Behind the Book Email Format
Primary and Secondary EducationNew York, United States11-50 Employees
Behind the Book is an education organization focused on strengthening literacy among students from low-income communities by bringing books to life in the classroom. Based in New York City, it serves New York City public schools where 75% or more of students live at or below the federal poverty line, collaborating with teachers to select a contemporary urban book and its author to shape a customized program. Its approach centers on a sequence of workshops that connect reading to writing and other creative processes, turning the chosen book into hands-on projects and helping students author and illustrate their own stories. Beyond author visits, the program provides writing coaches, research aides, arts activities, and field trips, with many efforts culminating in an anthology of student work and copies donated to each student as well as to classroom and school libraries. The programs are integrated into curricula and align with Common Core Learning Standards. This school year, Behind the Book is partnering with nearly 2,000 students and has committed to distributing more than 10,000 books.