Books for Change USA is excited to begin its seventh year of promoting literacy initiatives both locally and globally. Our mission is to provide book access to all children and to increase the use of high-quality and diverse children’s literature in today’s classrooms.

In 2023, Books for Change USA sponsored the following educators and their literacy initiatives both locally and across the globe.

Promoting Literacy in the Dalton- Whitfield Community

Books for Change USA promoted literacy in the Dalton-Whitfield Georgia area by awarding $2000.00 in teacher mini-grants to the following local educators:

  • JJ Trowell at Westwood Elementary School in Dalton Public Schools

  • Briana Cloud at City Park Elementary School in Dalton Public Schools

  • Rachel Mantooth at Beaverdale Elementary School in Whitfield County Schools

  • Nora Gutierrez at Antioch Elementary School in Whitfield County Schools

The purpose of these grants is to help educators build classroom libraries to promote a love of reading and skills in independent reading.

Our organization also supported the following local literacy initiatives through donations of books:

  • Dalton-Whitfield NAACP Community Awareness Day

  • Slide into Summer at Burr Park Summer Concert Series

  • Civitan Club Fall Festival

  • The Book Spot at Park Creek Elementary School

  • Silver Sponsor of Clila-Coalición De Lideres Latinos

  • Little Free Libraries throughout the community



Supporting Teachers Across the Country

Books for Change USA teacher mini-grant program continues to grow. In 2023, 307 applications were received from across the country. In addition to the 4 local winners, $3500.00 was distributed to 7 other grant recipients:

  • Kattie Lesperance- Georgia

  • Jessica Graham- Oklahoma

  • Kristi Burgess-Texas

  • Calla Gregg-Texas

  • Esmeralda Rodriguez- California

  • Ashley Brady- South Carolina

  • Hadeel Salcedo- Louisiana

Investing in Future Educators

Pre-service teachers at Kennesaw State University participated in a professional learning opportunity sponsored by Books for Change USA. Teachers learned about the value of Interactive Read Aloud for building community, oral language skills, and literary analysis. This opportunity was led by board members Alice Ensley and Sanjuana Rodriguez. A video call was held with Luis Soriano as the students learned about the Biblioburro library. Each participant was given a set of read alouds for their future classroom. 

Partnering with the Biblioburro in La Gloria, Columbia

Through generous donations and grants, Books for Change USA continued to support Luis Soriano and his Biblioburro Library in La Gloria, Colombia. This year, $5000.00 was given to Luis to continue the work that he does providing books and educational activities for the children.