This past March, James Patterson announced a pledge of $2 million to help teachers build their classroom libraries, this is the fourth year of his School Library Campaign.
Four thousand teachers around the country are receiving individual grants of $500 in addition to a match of 500 Bonus Points from Scholastic Book Clubs to support educators in purchasing books and other materials they need for their classrooms. This year the pledge received a record 127,000 applications—a substantial increase over last year’s 82,622 applicants, and more than four times the number seen in 2015 and 2016 combined.
To see the full list of grant recipients, visit: scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership
Applicants were asked to share in 50 characters or less how they planned on using $500 dollars and 500 Bonus Points to help build their classroom libraries. The significant number of submissions illustrates educators’ needs for assistance in funding supplies for their classrooms. The Scholastic Teacher & Principal School Report: Equity in Education reveals that regardless of school poverty level, 31% of teachers have fewer than 50 books in their classroom libraries and more than half of teachers (56%) use their own money to purchase books.
Over the course of the initiative, James Patterson has now given a total of $7.25 million to schools through his Scholastic Book Clubs campaign. Patterson hopes that teachers and students will share their experiences in their communities using #pattersonpledge.
James Patterson said, “Since we launched the Patterson Pledge in 2015, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of applications each year, with a record number of 127,000 in 2018. I was humbled to see this overwhelming response and am thrilled to be able to reach even more deserving teachers this year. I can’t emphasize enough how important books and reading are to our children’s development—better readers make better people, and I’m grateful for the teachers who are working tirelessly to get books into the hands of their students. These grants are my way of acknowledging their extraordinary efforts.”
“Thanks to James Patterson’s unwavering commitment to helping teachers and students, and his generosity in contributing his own money for the cause, we’ve been able to generate incredible momentum with the Patterson Partnership giveaway,” said Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Book Clubs. “And this year, we’ve taken the number of teachers we’re able to help to a whole new level! The more than 127,000 entries in this year’s giveaway is a testament to the critical need and urgency for teachers to get some support—teachers who, in their tireless work and commitment to providing for their students’ needs, often pay out of their own pockets for books and resources. Scholastic Book Clubs is honored to partner with James Patterson—whose mom was a teacher, so he understands firsthand the importance of the work teachers do every day—in making sure every child in every classroom has access to quality books they will love to read.”
Congratulations to all of the grant recipients!
