Latest news with #FirstBook
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
LGBTQ+ prize cancelled after backlash over Irish author's views
The organisers of the 2025 Polari Prize, a prominent literary award celebrating LGBTQ+ literature from writers born or based in the UK and Ireland, have paused this year's competition following widespread backlash over the inclusion of author John Boyne on the longlist. Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, was longlisted for his novella Earth. However, his inclusion sparked intense controversy due to a recent article he penned in the Irish Independent on 27th July 2025, where he referred to himself as a "fellow TERF" (trans‑exclusionary radical feminist) in a tribute to Harry Potter author JK Rowling. In it, he defended Rowling's gender‑critical views and criticised those who oppose them. Following the longlist's release on 1 August 2025, backlash escalated rapidly. Ten authors and two judges withdrew in protest, opposing Boyne's inclusion on principle. Notable names included Sacha Coward, Mae Diansangu, Jason Okundaye, and former First Book prizewinner and judge Nicola Dinan. An open letter organised by authors Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Emma van Straaten, signed by over 800 writers and publishing industry professionals, condemned the decision to include Boyne, calling it "inappropriate and hurtful", citing a climate of rising anti‑trans sentiment. Dr Avi Ben‑Zeev, the only trans author on the longlist, opted to remain in the competition, stating that withdrawal would silence his unique trans perspective and narrative, according to the BBC. Boyne responded publicly, stating that the backlash had brought him "very close to the edge" and that he had endured "endless harassment" from both strangers and fellow writers. He later offered to remain on the longlist, but asked that his book not be considered for the shortlist if other authors rejoined, though they did not return. On 18 August 2025, the Polari Prize organisers announced that the award would not proceed this year. In a statement they issued apologies, emphasised that "Polari is not and has never been a trans‑exclusionary organisation," and committed to a governance and management review. They also pledged to increase representation of trans and gender non‑conforming individuals on judging panels. Founded in 2011, the Polari prize has honoured a wide range of LGBTQ+ voices and genres. It is expected to return in 2026.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beach Reads Meet Beach Drinks: SONIC Launches Sweet Topped Lemonades with the Help of Summer's Favorite Authors
Available early in the SONIC App starting May 27 and at locations nationwide on June 2, every sip supports local schools and pairs perfectly with any summer read or adventure ATLANTA, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, SONIC® Drive-In is bringing the main character energy with a refreshing new lemonade lineup and by teaming up with three of the most talked-about authors in pop culture – Christina Lauren, Abby Jimenez and Ashley Poston – to help launch the collection. The new Sweet Topped Lemonades are a craveable lineup of drinks that make it more delicious than ever to kick back, open a beach read, and take a sip of something exciting – all while giving back to local schools. The ultimate sidekick for beach bags, book clubs and pool-side page turners, Sweet Topped Lemonades combine tart, all-natural lemonade with velvety smooth cold foam on top for a craveable twist. Available in three delicious flavors, Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, these sips are as hard to put down as a summer bestseller. To celebrate the launch, SONIC has partnered with Christina Lauren, Abby Jimenez and Ashley Poston – authors long celebrated for sparking joy, swoons and happy tears – to share with fans just how easy and delicious it is to support public education in their own communities. The trio is helping SONIC turn this summer into something more meaningful by ensuring more students have access to the books and resources they need. "Summer has always been synonymous with books in my head – required reading, midnight releases and audiobooks on long road trips. To me, there is nothing more quintessentially summer than a Sweet Topped Classic Lemonade and a steamy read," said Ashley Poston, best-selling author of Sounds Like Love. "Now excuse me while I go kick back in my hammock and sink into a romance to quench my thirst for refreshing meet-cutes and sugar-sweet Happily Ever Afters." Abby Jimenez, best-selling author of Say You'll Remember Me, reflected: "I write stories that make you laugh, cry, and maybe believe in love again – Sweet Topped Lemonades may make you feel that way too. Blueberry Lavender is sweet, a bit unexpected and completely swoon-worthy. Whether you're reading on the beach or just need a little moment of joy in your day, this flavor is the perfect escape." Bestselling author duo Christina Lauren of The Paradise Problem added, "As lifelong book lovers, we'll always jump at the opportunity to foster a love of reading! Some of our best memories are from hot summer days spent getting lost in a book. What better way to spend the summer this year than reading with a Sweet Topped Strawberry Lemonade and supporting public education all at the same time?" As part of the program, SONIC is partnering with First Book – a nonprofit working to remove barriers to a quality education for children in low-income communities – to distribute 100,000 books in the communities SONIC serves. First Book and the SONIC Foundation share a deep commitment to ensuring every child has access to a quality education. By combining First Book's expertise in building a world where every child has access to a quality education with the SONIC brand's investment in public schools, the partnership fosters a love of reading and lays the foundation for lifelong success. First Book's growing Network of more than 600,000 educators and professionals serves children in need across the country. By providing high-quality, affordable resources to classrooms and programs, First Book helps level the playing field – because education transforms lives. "This partnership isn't just about the ultimate summer sip; it's about fueling a lifelong love of reading," said Stuart Brown, Executive Director of the Inspire Brands Foundation. "SONIC donates a portion of every drink purchase back to support local schools, each Sweet Topped Lemonade helps get local students the resources they need through the SONIC Foundation's Limeades for Learning® initiative. Together with these celebrated authors, we're making it easier for students across the country to turn the page toward a brighter future." Through the Limeades for Learning initiative, SONIC donates a portion of all Drink, Slush, Blast, and Shake sales to support public education.* Powered by the SONIC® Foundation, SONIC has donated more than $30 million since 2009 to fund local classrooms, making it one of the largest programs supporting public education in the U.S. Sweet Topped Lemonades are available early in the SONIC App beginning May 27, and at SONIC locations nationwide starting on June 2. *SONIC donates a portion of every Drink, Slush, Blast, or Shake purchase to the SONIC Foundation, which is used to support local schools across the communities SONIC serves through partners like DonorsChoose. The SONIC Foundation is a division of the Inspire Brands Foundation. For more information about the SONIC Foundation, visit View source version on Contacts Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Exclusive: Jeff Kinney donates 20,000 books a month ahead of 20th 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'
Exclusive: Jeff Kinney donates 20,000 books a month ahead of 20th 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' Show Caption Hide Caption Jeff Kinney plays Wimpy Kid trivia with USA TODAY's Clare Mulroy. Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, faces off in a trivia challenge with USA TODAY's Clare Mulroy. See how well he knows his series. A lot has happened in the 18 years since the first 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.' There's been a pandemic, huge jumps in advanced technology and new even popes. Through it all, "Wimpy Kid" main character Greg Heffley has remained perpetually sardonic, perpetually a middle schooler. Readers have had a new "Wimpy Kid" book (sometimes two) to look forward to every year since the original published in 2007. Now, in the months leading up to 'Partypooper,' the series' 20th installment, author Jeff Kinney has something up his sleeve. Kinney shared exclusively with USA TODAY that he's gifting 20,000 books a month until he hits 160,000 total to kids across the country in partnership with nonprofit First Book. Jeff Kinney and First Book to donate 160,000 books It's a big year for Kinney and Abrams Books, which publishes 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid.' Not only is book 20 on the horizon, but they're also approaching 300 million copies sold. To celebrate, 160,000 total copies will go to underserved communities through First Book, an organization Kinney has worked with throughout his career. The nonprofit is dedicated to breaking educational barriers in low-income communities, particularly through access to literature. Kinney grew up in 'a house full of books,' and said he didn't realize how privileged he was at the time. "I love their mission and their philosophy," Kinney says, pointing out that First Book takes care to provide diverse books so many kids are represented on the page. "A lot of kids who they serve have never owned a book of their own. You can see it when a kid is given a book that might not have a book in their house, they can't believe that they get to keep this book and that it's theirs. Sometimes, they'll sort of reflexively hug it to their chest because they treasure it." Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book, remembers "my own sons laughing out loud when they read Jeff's books," she told USA TODAY in a statement. "That's the kind of joy and love of books that we want every child to experience," she continued. "We're thrilled to hold hands with Jeff and Amulet/Abrams Books and build on our longstanding partnership.' Zimmer hopes that as kids share books with their siblings and friends, it'll 'build a nation of readers and the literate workforce employers need.' 'This is critically important because boosting our nation's reading scores starts with boosting kids' access to terrific books with stories that spark their interest in reading,' Zimmer said. Educators and volunteers who work at schools, early childhood programs, afterschool programs, health clinics, faith-based programs or community organizations where at least 70 percent of kids come from low-income families are eligible to become First Book members and can sign up at More 'Wimpy Kid' celebrations are coming in 2025 'Partypooper' centers on Greg's birthday, a very ''Wimpy Kid' version' of a birthday, Kinney says. Greg thinks his family is preparing for a surprise party, but they've actually forgotten it altogether. After the story goes viral and Greg's parents get 'shamed" on social media, Greg decides it's his opportunity to cash in and leverage the best birthday ever. In addition to touring, Kinney is planning a special surprise school assembly for select schools around the country. It'll start 'really dry,' with an actor pretending to educate kids about proper care of library books, Kinney says. They'll hold up damaged copies of 'Wimpy Kid' books, brushing them off as 'worthless, anyway.' And just when the kids start to squirm (or maybe riot), Kinney will pop onstage armed with a giant cake and books for an impromptu 'Wimpy Kid' party. 'I hope it doesn't backfire, the kids don't rebel and I hope that it's a good surprise that I'm there,' Kinney says, laughing. New graphic novels for kids: 'Cartoonists Club' by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
First Book and Ashoka Announce 17 Youth Challenge Winners in Time for Change Nationwide Initiative
$5,000 grand prize winners and $1,000 grants spotlight student action to implement community-based solutions and embrace changemaking WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Book and Ashoka, leading organizations in education and social entrepreneurship, have announced the 17 winners of the Time for Change Youth Challenge. Two Grand Prize Winners will receive $5,000 grants to support the implementation of their innovative solutions and an additional 15 young changemakers from across the country will receive $1,000 grants for student-led solutions to improve their classrooms, schools, and communities. The Time for Change Youth Challenge is designed to spark transformative changemaking journeys in young people, with submissions ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade students looking to bring their innovative solution to life or expand an existing student-led initiative. The Time for Change Youth Challenge generated applications of local, student-led initiatives in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and will ultimately deliver prizes to 217 students in Title I-eligible, tribal, or military base schools who are taking action in their community. The Youth Challenge builds on the success of the Time for Change: Dream, Act, Change our World campaign, first launched by First Book and Ashoka in 2022, grounded in the belief that every young person, particularly those from low-income and historically excluded communities, grow up with the support and resources to thrive as lifelong, dynamic changemakers. The initiative has since expanded internationally. 'We are thrilled to celebrate these young leaders who are poised to tackle problems they identify in their community with innovative thinking and a vision for positive change,' said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. 'Changemaking is more than a moment of action. It is a mindset that empowers our youth to make a positive impact in their world, no matter how complex or precise a solution. These young people bring to life the powerful idea of collective, community-based action and inspire all of us with the dedication to spark change.' First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids living in low-income communities, and Ashoka, the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs, have dedicated more than $47,000 in grant money to fuel localized, community projects and help young people embrace their power and ability to effect change. The Youth Challenge spotlights the incredible initiative and collective power of young people, while providing educators with the resources to effectively introduce changemaking and inspire young people to work towards a common goal. Time for Change works directly with educators serving students in Title I or Title I-eligible schools to develop and distribute evidence-based best practices and informative changemaker stories that reflect the challenges experienced by educators and students across the country, along with their innovative student-led solutions. 'Once a young person has had a dream, built a team, and changed his or her world, he or she knows deep down that (s)he is a changemaker for life, with the most important power, the power to give,' said Bill Drayton, Founder and CEO of Ashoka. 'This power is critical in the new everything changing reality. Value now requires changemaking and not, as it has for millennia, from efficiency in repetition. These young people will have good lives and contribute a lot to society. Together with First Book, we welcome these young people into the world's growing global community of changemakers.' Time for Change seeks to nurture an environment where students believe they can be changemakers, are empowered to take initiative, and supported to realize their goals of positive impact. The Youth Challenge demonstrates the eagerness of young people to make lasting change in their schools and classrooms. Below are this year's prize winners. Grand Prize Winners Assistive Technology MakerSpace: Our Disabilities Can't Slow Us Down! Sid's Changemakers - 5th, 6th, and 7th graders - in Brooklyn, New York, want to establish a Maker Space to create tools that support learners with Individualized Education Programs, creating items like sensory fidgets for self-regulation and adaptive writing tools for non-verbal students. The Inkstone Project Kethan and Ethan, 11th graders from Huntington, West Virginia, established The Inkstone Project, a program designed to foster intergenerational bonds through storytelling and outreach initiatives that address feelings of loneliness and isolation. Kindergarten – 7th Grade Winners Snack Shack for Super Cool Students Peyton, a kindergartener from Toledo, Ohio, aims to install a cabinet at her school that's stocked with snacks and lunch items for students experiencing food insecurity. Let's Keep Baton Rouge Litter Free River, a 2nd grader from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is hosting litter clean-ups around his school and in the community, with the goal of getting as many young people involved in cleaning up the city as possible. Fresh & Fit: A Healthy Eating Revolution A class of 2nd graders in Ms. Thomas's class in Bloomington, Minnesota, wants to raise awareness about the benefits of making healthy eating choices through engaging events and campaigns. Be a Hero, Keep Litters at Zero A group of 4th graders in Ms. Williams's class in Malvern, Arkansas, are raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering stray dogs and cats in their community through creative events and programming. We're Glad You're Here! Alina, a 5th grader from Anchorage, Alaska, is redesigning tardy slips at her school by creating slips featuring art and welcoming, encouraging messages to decrease feelings of discomfort for young students who are late to school. NYO Games for Recess and Boom Whoopers Paxxon and J-von, two 5th graders in Anchorage, Alaska, are reimagining their recess time by introducing cultural games and activities that are important to their Indigenous and Filipino heritages, respectively. Cow, Chicken, Goat Food Forest 6th and 7th graders in Mr. Curtiss's classes in Casa Grande, Arizona, want to start a regenerative farm, complete with livestock, on their school campus to improve community health, increase profit for farmers, and heal the earth. Supporting Small Businesses Yaretzi, a 7th grader from Los Angeles, California, is advocating for policy changes at her school, which currently does not allow students to sell items they make or to start their own small businesses; she argues that small businesses provide students with valuable skills like marketing, communication, finance, and more. The Big Transition: Social Emotional Transition to Middle School 7th graders in Ms. Beckham's class in Kannapolis, North Carolina, are supporting 5th graders who will be transitioning to middle school through community building activities. KNOW Suicide A group of 7th graders in Ms. Chavez Romo's class in Fullerton, California, are working to create a school-wide movement to raise awareness about suicide among young people, to educate on prevention, and to provide support systems so that everyone has a place to turn to and no one feels alone. 8th-12th Grade Winners Lisowe's Lights Shine Bright Project Amelia, an 8th grader from Bryant, Arkansas, founded and grew 'Lisowe's Lights,' an organization that has donated 30,000+ night lights to offer comfort to children entering the foster system and to raise awareness about the experience that these youth endure in being removed from their homes at night or in otherwise frightening situations. Climate Cardinals Robert, a 9th grader from Lititz, Pennsylvania, is tackling climate misinformation and education, specifically in non-English-speaking countries, through translating important climate news into different languages. Connected Hearts - Women and Girls Empowerment Book Club Deliya, a 10th grader from Nolanville, Texas, is supporting girls aged 7-18 who are navigating low self-esteem, trust challenges, and feelings of isolation by building supportive, open communities that can foster important relationships. ReGen Designs: Turning Waste into a Wardrobe Sarah, an 11th grader from Immokalee, Florida, is creating ReGen Designs, an upcycling program for clothes that will engage teenagers in creating upcycled accessories and clothes and spread awareness about the harms of fast fashion. Empowering Youth Boys Through Mental Wellness and Hygiene Care Packages Donte, a 12th grader from Nolanville, Texas, is addressing hygiene poverty among boys aged 8-18 by distributing hygiene packs with items like toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, and more. About First Book Education transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education. We work to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of our work are the 600,000+ members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children living in low-income communities across North America. This Network is the key to creating lasting change. Through our research arm, First Book Research & Insights, we conduct studies that aggregate their voices to identify challenges, needs, and solutions. To address their needs, we provide free and low-cost books, resources and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support their work. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at and visit our award-winning eCommerce website at About Ashoka Ashoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world's biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into social impact. For over 40 years, Ashoka has supported more than 4,000 social entrepreneurs in more than 95 countries with solutions addressing society's most pressing issues. Ashoka's vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where each person has the freedom, confidence, and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit Media Contact:
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First Book and Ashoka Announce 17 Youth Challenge Winners in Time for Change Nationwide Initiative
$5,000 grand prize winners and $1,000 grants spotlight student action to implement community-based solutions and embrace changemaking WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Book and Ashoka, leading organizations in education and social entrepreneurship, have announced the 17 winners of the Time for Change Youth Challenge. Two Grand Prize Winners will receive $5,000 grants to support the implementation of their innovative solutions and an additional 15 young changemakers from across the country will receive $1,000 grants for student-led solutions to improve their classrooms, schools, and communities. The Time for Change Youth Challenge is designed to spark transformative changemaking journeys in young people, with submissions ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade students looking to bring their innovative solution to life or expand an existing student-led initiative. The Time for Change Youth Challenge generated applications of local, student-led initiatives in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and will ultimately deliver prizes to 217 students in Title I-eligible, tribal, or military base schools who are taking action in their community. The Youth Challenge builds on the success of the Time for Change: Dream, Act, Change our World campaign, first launched by First Book and Ashoka in 2022, grounded in the belief that every young person, particularly those from low-income and historically excluded communities, grow up with the support and resources to thrive as lifelong, dynamic changemakers. The initiative has since expanded internationally. "We are thrilled to celebrate these young leaders who are poised to tackle problems they identify in their community with innovative thinking and a vision for positive change," said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. "Changemaking is more than a moment of action. It is a mindset that empowers our youth to make a positive impact in their world, no matter how complex or precise a solution. These young people bring to life the powerful idea of collective, community-based action and inspire all of us with the dedication to spark change." First Book, the largest online community of educators serving kids living in low-income communities, and Ashoka, the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs, have dedicated more than $47,000 in grant money to fuel localized, community projects and help young people embrace their power and ability to effect change. The Youth Challenge spotlights the incredible initiative and collective power of young people, while providing educators with the resources to effectively introduce changemaking and inspire young people to work towards a common goal. Time for Change works directly with educators serving students in Title I or Title I-eligible schools to develop and distribute evidence-based best practices and informative changemaker stories that reflect the challenges experienced by educators and students across the country, along with their innovative student-led solutions. "Once a young person has had a dream, built a team, and changed his or her world, he or she knows deep down that (s)he is a changemaker for life, with the most important power, the power to give," said Bill Drayton, Founder and CEO of Ashoka. "This power is critical in the new everything changing reality. Value now requires changemaking and not, as it has for millennia, from efficiency in repetition. These young people will have good lives and contribute a lot to society. Together with First Book, we welcome these young people into the world's growing global community of changemakers." Time for Change seeks to nurture an environment where students believe they can be changemakers, are empowered to take initiative, and supported to realize their goals of positive impact. The Youth Challenge demonstrates the eagerness of young people to make lasting change in their schools and classrooms. Below are this year's prize winners. Time for Change Youth Challenge Winners Grand Prize Winners Assistive Technology MakerSpace: Our Disabilities Can't Slow Us Down!Sid's Changemakers - 5th, 6th, and 7th graders - in Brooklyn, New York, want to establish a Maker Space to create tools that support learners with Individualized Education Programs, creating items like sensory fidgets for self-regulation and adaptive writing tools for non-verbal students. The Inkstone ProjectKethan and Ethan, 11th graders from Huntington, West Virginia, established The Inkstone Project, a program designed to foster intergenerational bonds through storytelling and outreach initiatives that address feelings of loneliness and isolation. Kindergarten – 7th Grade Winners Snack Shack for Super Cool StudentsPeyton, a kindergartener from Toledo, Ohio, aims to install a cabinet at her school that's stocked with snacks and lunch items for students experiencing food insecurity. Let's Keep Baton Rouge Litter FreeRiver, a 2nd grader from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is hosting litter clean-ups around his school and in the community, with the goal of getting as many young people involved in cleaning up the city as possible. Fresh & Fit: A Healthy Eating RevolutionA class of 2nd graders in Ms. Thomas's class in Bloomington, Minnesota, wants to raise awareness about the benefits of making healthy eating choices through engaging events and campaigns. Be a Hero, Keep Litters at ZeroA group of 4th graders in Ms. Williams's class in Malvern, Arkansas, are raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering stray dogs and cats in their community through creative events and programming. We're Glad You're Here!Alina, a 5th grader from Anchorage, Alaska, is redesigning tardy slips at her school by creating slips featuring art and welcoming, encouraging messages to decrease feelings of discomfort for young students who are late to school. NYO Games for Recess and Boom WhoopersPaxxon and J-von, two 5th graders in Anchorage, Alaska, are reimagining their recess time by introducing cultural games and activities that are important to their Indigenous and Filipino heritages, respectively. Cow, Chicken, Goat Food Forest6th and 7th graders in Mr. Curtiss's classes in Casa Grande, Arizona, want to start a regenerative farm, complete with livestock, on their school campus to improve community health, increase profit for farmers, and heal the earth. Supporting Small BusinessesYaretzi, a 7th grader from Los Angeles, California, is advocating for policy changes at her school, which currently does not allow students to sell items they make or to start their own small businesses; she argues that small businesses provide students with valuable skills like marketing, communication, finance, and more. The Big Transition: Social Emotional Transition to Middle School7th graders in Ms. Beckham's class in Kannapolis, North Carolina, are supporting 5th graders who will be transitioning to middle school through community building activities. KNOW SuicideA group of 7th graders in Ms. Chavez Romo's class in Fullerton, California, are working to create a school-wide movement to raise awareness about suicide among young people, to educate on prevention, and to provide support systems so that everyone has a place to turn to and no one feels alone. 8th-12th Grade Winners Lisowe's Lights Shine Bright ProjectAmelia, an 8th grader from Bryant, Arkansas, founded and grew "Lisowe's Lights," an organization that has donated 30,000+ night lights to offer comfort to children entering the foster system and to raise awareness about the experience that these youth endure in being removed from their homes at night or in otherwise frightening situations. Climate CardinalsRobert, a 9th grader from Lititz, Pennsylvania, is tackling climate misinformation and education, specifically in non-English-speaking countries, through translating important climate news into different languages. Connected Hearts - Women and Girls Empowerment Book ClubDeliya, a 10th grader from Nolanville, Texas, is supporting girls aged 7-18 who are navigating low self-esteem, trust challenges, and feelings of isolation by building supportive, open communities that can foster important relationships. ReGen Designs: Turning Waste into a WardrobeSarah, an 11th grader from Immokalee, Florida, is creating ReGen Designs, an upcycling program for clothes that will engage teenagers in creating upcycled accessories and clothes and spread awareness about the harms of fast fashion. Empowering Youth Boys Through Mental Wellness and Hygiene Care PackagesDonte, a 12th grader from Nolanville, Texas, is addressing hygiene poverty among boys aged 8-18 by distributing hygiene packs with items like toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, and more. About First BookEducation transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education. We work to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of our work are the 600,000+ members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children living in low-income communities across North America. This Network is the key to creating lasting change. Through our research arm, First Book Research & Insights, we conduct studies that aggregate their voices to identify challenges, needs, and solutions. To address their needs, we provide free and low-cost books, resources and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support their work. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at and visit our award-winning eCommerce website at About AshokaAshoka is the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with new ideas to systemically address the world's biggest challenges and the entrepreneurial skill to transform those ideas into social impact. For over 40 years, Ashoka has supported more than 4,000 social entrepreneurs in more than 95 countries with solutions addressing society's most pressing issues. Ashoka's vision is a world in which Everyone is a Changemaker—a society that responds quickly and effectively to challenges, and where each person has the freedom, confidence, and societal support to address any social problem. For more information, visit Media Contact:Staci Harrissharris@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE First Book Sign in to access your portfolio
