BookSmiles.org
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A Message From Our Founder

I am a high school English teacher, and I believe that all children in America should have their own personal library.  Kids who grow up with books come to my classroom reading at or beyond grade level. Kids who lack books struggle with fundamentals. I see it first-hand every day.

Why do some kids grow up with books everywhere, and other kids own few or none?  There are lots of reasons, but there is one great solution: relentlessly distribute book-wealth into book deserts.

Over the last few years, my fellow teachers in Philadelphia and New Jersey have given to their students over 500,000 gently used books culled from BookSmiles.  We also rely on social workers and all types of literacy warriors to take as many books as they can distribute.

Most books flowing into the BookSmiles Book Bank come from kids doing book drives, as well as families clearing off the shelves before the books get too yellow and dated.  And generous people have augmented what we provide by donating funds for Spanish/bilingual books and books featuring diverse characters, as well as graphic novels.

Thank you for supporting our mission, and working to end book deserts in the Delaware Valley.

Larry Abrams
Founder and High School English Teacher
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Larry, a veteran high school English teacher at Lindenwold High School, started BookSmiles in September 2017.  Always an avid reader, he graduated from the University of Rochester with a BA in English and a day later received a commission as an officer in the US Navy. 

After his discharge, he became a Kinko's manager while completing his Masters in Teaching at The College of New Jersey. He has taught high school English for twenty years.

​He believes that all children can have a personal library and he knows that an alliance of educators, parents, and literacy warriors can make it happen.  His children are grown, and he lives in South Jersey with his wife and two cats
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  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Founder
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Testimonials
    • Blog >
      • Newsletters
  • Register for Books
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Start A Drive
  • Donate
    • Donation Stations
    • Become a Partner
    • Tribute Page
    • Birthday Party Fundraiser
    • Amazon Smile
    • Book Wish List
  • Press/Media
  • Contact/Location