“What Book Got You Hooked?” invites readers everywhere to celebrate the power of unforgettable books from childhood by providing new books to the children who need them most.  For the last two years, First Book has asked visitors to the website to share the memory of the books that made them readers, then help get more kids hooked by voting for the state to receive 50,000 new books from First Book.

The 2008 Campaign

The votes are in!  In 2008, more than 250,000 votes were cast for to decide the winning state.  After a hotly contested race with West Virginia and Nebraska, Kentucky won, claiming nearly 94,000 votes.

The books will be distributed in 2009 through the First Book National Book Bank to programs in Kentucky registered with First Book. Eligible programs must serve predominantly low-income children and meet First Book’s eligibility requirements When the books are made available, registered Recipient Groups in Kentucky will receive email notification inviting them to apply.

Though the “What Book Got You Hooked?” distribution is limited to programs in Kentucky, First Book holds 25-30 distributions a year all over the country. Once registered, programs will receive email notifications from First Book about when these distributions are open for application.

1. Register your program to receive books from First Book now. Registration is free and takes only minutes. 


2. If you have any questions about registering, please contact our Help Team at help@firstbook.org.


3. First Book is looking for donated warehouse space in Kentucky to temporarily store the 50,000 books.  Please contact Tabitha Blackwell at tblackwell@firstbook.org if you know of possible warehouse space.

The 2007 Campaign

In 2007, more than 130,000 votes were cast for the state to receive the special book distribution and detailing the books that made them readers.  Oklahoma won, with over 34,000 votes in its favor.

“It is hard to imagine what 50,000 books look like until you stand among pallet after pallet of boxes of books stacked 8 feet tall. That was the scene at the book distribution site after Oklahoma won last year. While everyone felt a sense of victory when we learned we had won, it was the thousands of children who received books who were the real winners.”

- Leslie Gelders, Literacy Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

In September First Book delivered on its promise, bringing 50,000 books courtesy of DK Publishing to Oklahoma in conjunction with a celebratory press event held at the Omniplex Science Museum. Special guests included Oklahoma’s First Lady Kim Henry; Miss Oklahoma 2007, Mackenna Smith; Mrs. Oklahoma International Brooke Good; children’s book illustrator, Mike Wimmer; NOGGIN’s Moose and Zee; and representatives from corporate sponsor Idearc Media.

Join us this year in sharing the joy of great books with kids who need them most.