About Book Trust

In collaboration with Scholastic, every student in a Book Trust classroom has access to a rich selection of culturally relevant, reading-level appropriate titles. Students choose books from Book Trust’s customized catalog throughout the year—at no cost to their families. Having the agency to make their own choices about what they read, and having books in the home, are critical to motivating young readers. 

Book Trust acts as an equity game changer, ensuring that all students have access to books and the agency to make their own choices about what they read.

Book Trust aims to increase book choice and ownership, inspire a love of reading, and promote a culture of literacy in communities. Our program model is rooted in research findings that document the negative effects of poverty on students’ foundational academic skills, like reading.

Why We’re Here

Book access is the single biggest barrier to literacy and in low-income areas, the ratio of books-to-children is 1 book to 300 kids, compared to an average of 13 books for every child from a middle-income background.

Book Trust acts as an equity game changer, ensuring that students who need them most have access to books and the agency to make their own choices about what they read.

How We Work

Our goal is to create a culture of literacy in the classroom and the living room.

Book Trust provides low-income students a unique opportunity to choose and own their own books, which leads to the development of positive attitudes about reading, improved reading habits, and the creation of home libraries.

Our model is straightforward, powerful, and centered on five important concepts drawn from the research: consistency, choice, celebration, engaged reading, and family engagement.

Throughout the school year, students choose books from the Scholastic Book Clubs flyer. These free books then become cherished additions to the students’ home libraries – libraries that are enjoyed by siblings, family, and friends.

Book Trust also helps teachers and families create a positive culture of literacy in school and at home.

Our History

In 2001, Book Trust’s founder Adrienne Schatz recognized that many children did not have books at home. Adrienne decided to launch Book Trust, and she made a commitment more than twenty years ago to ensure all children have the opportunity to choose and own books from the Scholastic Book Clubs flyer throughout the school year.

Book Trust remains guided by these roots—that all children, regardless of where they live, can discover the joy and power of reading.

Adrienne piloted the Book Trust program with 170 students in Larimer County, Colorado, under the auspices of the Serimus Foundation. Book Trust was spun off as its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2006. Since then, we’ve served over 600,000 students.

In 2001, Book Trust’s founder Adrienne Schatz recognized that many children did not have books at home. Adrienne decided to launch Book Trust, and she made a commitment more than twenty years ago to ensure all children have the opportunity to choose and own books from the Scholastic Book Clubs flyer throughout the school year.

Book Trust remains guided by these roots – that all children, regardless of where they live, can discover the joy and power of reading.

Adrienne piloted the Book Trust program with 170 students in Larimer County, Colorado, under the auspices of the Serimus Foundation. Book Trust was spun off as its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2006. Since then, we’ve served more than 600,000 students.

Want to learn more?

Want to Inspire the Joy and Power of Reading?

Join us in celebrating more than 20 years of creating literacy-rich communities across the country. Together, we can inspire the joy and power of reading for every Book Trust student and school.

Resources for Teachers and Families

We're committed to supporting our Book Trust teachers and families with the tools and resources they need to successfully implement our program and support literacy at home.

Our Team

Patience Peabody

President & CEO

One of my favorite books is A Wrinkle in Time. I loved how the characters are unique and how the plot transported you to another time."

Maire Daly

Vice President of Development

"Growing up, I had a dual fascination with all-things HG Wells, and at the same time, collected the entirety of the Babysitters Club series."

Allison Lee

Vice President of Programs

Rachelle Ferrelli

Vice President of Communications

Deven Jatkar

Senior Director of Systems

"My favorite books in elementary school were the Babysitter's Club Super Specials that came out every fall or summer."

Lisa Franko

Director of Development

“The Secret Garden has always been one of my favorites!"

Catherine Heatley

Director of Programs

"Little Women was one of my favorites to read and reread."

Sherryl Mestejanot

Executive Assistant & Operations Manager

Brelynn Hess

Communications Manager

Keri Browne

Events Manager

“The Nancy Drew mystery books were some of my favorites growing up.”

Kendra Jennings

Program Manager

"I loved reading the Nancy Drew series because she taught me that being a little curious can help make the world a better place."

Brylyn Powers

Development Manager

"I loved reading Junie B. Jones growing up. It was fun to be able to read a chapter book as a young student. I loved her spunk."

Sydney Elder

Program Manager

"As a child, I especially loved the Beezus and Ramona books along with everything by Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume."

Ellyn Mortimer

Hawaii Development Officer

National Board

Darin Atteberry

Elevations Credit Union

David Diehl

OneSeven Advisors, LLC

Swati Gokhale

ZS Associates

Stacey Kirkland

David Perez

Lone Rock Ventures

Nicole Riehl

EPIC Colorado

Dharmendra Sahay

ZS Associates

Adrienne Schatz

Book Trust Founder

Cheryl Zimlich

Bohemian Foundation

Academic Advisory Board

Ana Taboada Barber

University of Maryland

KaiLonnie Dunsmore

Consortium for Educational Change

Ernest Morrell

University of Notre Dame

D. Ray Reutzel

University of Wyoming

Regional Boards

Denver
Philip McDermott
Lauryn Meyer
Charlotte Robinson
Ella van Wyk
Northern Colorado
Tonya Barber
Mike Clark
Tommi Sue Cox
John Hintzman
Amy Kolczak
Ronda Chadwick
Beth Tatarko
Nicole Walusis
★ Board Chair
Hawaii
Tim Garcia
Debbie King Ford

Join us at an upcoming event!

Book Trust events are wonderful ways to engage with our work, support our mission and enjoy the company of fellow Book Trust Champions.