From a Single Shelf to a Nationwide Movement
Turning the Page began with one student’s question: What if every child could grow up surrounded by stories?
What started as a small book drive in Brooklyn is now a youth-led movement rewriting the story of literacy access—one chapter, one classroom, one community at a time.
A Story of Our Own
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Bookworms Turned Changemakers
Turning the Page was founded by a student at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, New York, who wanted to share the joy of reading with kids who didn’t have shelves of their own. During the pandemic, connections made through online writing programs helped spread the mission to students in cities across the country—and the world. Today, Turning the Page is powered by a growing team of high school and college students working to make community literacy a global priority.
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Sparking Change with Stories
We believe that books can do more than entertain—they can spark curiosity, build empathy, and open doors. Our mission is simple: to ensure every child has access to the stories that shape a meaningful, imaginative life. By turning our passion for reading into service, our youth-led team is building a more connected, book-filled world—starting with under-resourced elementary schools around the corner and across the country, one donated book at a time.
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Our Story, Your Chapter
From ninth graders running school-wide book drives to college students managing regional initiatives, Turning the Page is led entirely by youth. We’re writers, leaders, organizers, and (always) readers. Whether you want to launch a chapter, donate books, or volunteer at a delivery day, there’s a way for you to be part of the story. Simply contact us if you wish to make a donation or apply online if you’re a student looking to get involved as a Chapter Head or a Chapter Member!
How We Power Community Literacy
Chapters
Our chapters are student-led teams at schools across the globe. Each chapter runs book drives, builds school partnerships, and delivers books to kids who need them most.
Chapter Heads
Older student leaders (usually high school or college) mentor and support multiple chapters in their area, helping to coordinate local book drives while helping their chapters grow and thrive.
BOOK DRIVES & DISTRIBUTION
We collect gently-used and new books for K–5 readers, ensuring that each donated book goes directly to a child, classroom, or community center where it’s needed most.
SCHOOL & LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPS
Each chapter works closely with educators and librarians in their local communities to get books into the hands—and homes—of kids who need them.