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Sussex County

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, each year First Book distributes millions of free and low-cost books to disadvantaged children and the programs that serve them.

We are the Sussex County Chapter of the non-profit, First Book. We provide brand-new, high quality children's books — free of charge — to local literacy, education and anti-poverty programs.

The staff members of the recipient organizations then use these titles with children in their structured activities. Additionally, they work with parents to educate them on how to use books with their children and make reading an important part of family life. Finally, the books become the property of the children to take home and build their own home library. Each one comes with a “This Book Belongs To” sticker, contributing to the sense of true ownership for the child. Illiteracy and low literacy are closely linked to lack of books in a child's home.

Every child needs to own books. Together, First Book-Sussex County and the local organizations we work with show children who live in poverty the magic that is hidden inside a book

Book Grant Recipients

First Book-Sussex County, NJ has given book grants to many programs in Sussex County. A typical book grant lasts for a six month period and offers each child in the program a steady diet of books (usually one book per month), all at no cost to the program. Because program administrators select the titles from the First Book Marketplace, our book grants enable programs — often for the first time — to select books to integrate into curriculum.

The following are some of the organizations that have received book grants from First Book-Sussex County, NJ.

• DASI
• NORWESCAP Hopatcong Head Start
• NORWESCAP Branchville Head Start
• NORWESCAP Early Head Start
• Sussex County Public Health Nursing
• Sussex County Community College Reading Buddies
• Newton Even Start

Find out how to Receive Books for your organization.

Local Sponsors and Donors

We are able to provide brand-new, high-quality books to children in our community thanks to the generous financial contributions of local businesses and individuals like:

• Borders
• Newton Memorial Hospital
• Sparta Woman’s Club
• Sussex Wantage Regional School District
• SunTrust Mortgage
• Sussex County Charter School for technology
• Sussex County Community College
• Frankford Township Kindergarden Class
• Lenape Valley regional High School
• Northwest New Jersey reading Council

First Book Wants You!  

We are looking for passionate, entrepreneurial people who want to make a difference in their community. Help us get books to kids who need them most.

Contact Us

You can contact us by sending an email.