Book Trust: Free Books for Eligible U.S. Title I Schools
Book Trust helps eligible U.S. Title I elementary schools provide FREE books for students to choose and keep forever. Teachers or school administrators can apply. Students select their own books, teachers place a simple Scholastic order, and books are delivered directly to the classroom.
- Free Books
- Literacy
- Reading
- Elementary
- Title I
- Classroom Library
- Student Resources
- Book Donations
How the program works
A school applies
A teacher or school administrator submits an application on the Book Trust website. Applications are reviewed against Title I and free-and-reduced-lunch eligibility.
The school is matched with funding
Approved schools are paired with donor funding that covers a monthly book allowance for participating classrooms.
Students choose their own books
Each month students browse age-appropriate Scholastic book flyers and pick the titles they actually want to read — choice is the heart of the program.
The teacher places one order
The teacher submits a single consolidated Scholastic order for the class. No teacher money is spent and no reimbursement paperwork is required.
Books ship to the classroom
Books arrive in a box at school. Teachers hand them out, and every book belongs to the student who chose it.
Students build a home library
Over a school year students take home a stack of self-selected books, building the home library that research links to stronger reading outcomes.
Eligibility requirements
- U.S. public elementary schools (roughly grades K-5).
- Title I schools, or schools with a high free-and-reduced-price lunch percentage.
- Applications are submitted by a teacher or a school administrator, not by families.
- School leadership must support participation — principal sign-off is typically requested.
- Availability depends on donor funding in your state or region, so some areas have waitlists.
- Participating classrooms commit to running the monthly book-choice routine with students.
Who can apply
Applications come from inside the school. A classroom teacher, reading specialist, librarian, or school administrator can start the application on behalf of an eligible Title I elementary school. Principals are usually asked to confirm participation because the program runs schoolwide or across a group of classrooms. Parents, students, and outside volunteers cannot apply directly, though they can absolutely point a school's staff to the program.
Frequently asked questions
Is Book Trust really free for teachers and students?
Yes. Book Trust is funded by donors. Participating classrooms receive a monthly book allowance, students choose their books, and there is no cost to the teacher, the student, or the family.
Who can apply to Book Trust?
A teacher or a school administrator at an eligible U.S. Title I elementary school applies on behalf of the school. Parents and students cannot apply directly.
Do students keep the books?
Yes. Every book a student selects is theirs to keep forever. The goal is to build a personal home library, not a lending collection.
How do students pick the books?
Students browse grade-appropriate Scholastic book flyers each month and choose titles themselves. Student choice is central to the program's design.
What does the teacher have to do?
Run the monthly book-choice routine with students and submit one consolidated Scholastic order. There is no fundraising and no out-of-pocket spending.
Is my school eligible if it is not officially Title I?
Schools with a high free-and-reduced-price lunch percentage are often considered even without formal Title I designation. Apply and let Book Trust confirm eligibility.
How long does approval take?
It depends on donor funding available for your region. Some schools are matched within weeks, others are placed on a waitlist until funding is secured.
What if Book Trust is not available in my area?
Register with First Book, which gives educators at schools serving kids in need access to free and deeply discounted books through the First Book Marketplace.
Related free resources
First Book
Free and low-cost books through the First Book Marketplace for educators serving kids in need.
Free classroom supplies
Programs that ship classroom supplies to teachers at no cost.
Free school supplies
National and local programs giving away school supplies for students.
Free literacy resources
Free digital reading platforms, leveled texts, and comprehension tools.
Free reading materials
Public-domain libraries, decodables, and free leveled reading collections.
Book donation programs
Nonprofits and publishers that donate books to classrooms and libraries.
Also worth reading: Free books and literacy resources for classrooms.
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