For many students, owning a book isn’t a given. Access to reading outside of school can be limited, making it harder to develop a love for books. That’s where The Little Bit Foundation comes in. Dedicated to breaking down barriers to learning for under resourced students, the foundation provides important services, educational experiences, and resources like free books to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

That mission was recently in action at Hancock Place High School, where The Little Bit Foundation hosted a book giveaway event to build students’ in home libraries and encourage a love of reading.

HHS Librarian Krista Dunn saw how putting books directly into students’ hands made a positive difference.

“For me, getting a new book is like stepping into a brand-new adventure,” Dunn said. “There’s just something magical about holding it in your hands, knowing all the stories and ideas waiting to be discovered. And after talking to students at the event, I know they felt that same excitement. Their eyes lit up as they picked out books they couldn’t wait to dive into. That anticipation, that eagerness, is exactly what we want to ignite in students.”

That excitement was shared by students, including Sophia Nunez (10), who was eager to explore the selection of books available.

“I was virtuous to see the different kinds of books they’d offer and see different stories and things I’d be interested in,” Nunez said. “I was very grateful for the opportunity regardless if I’d find any or not.”

For Nunez, the event was a chance to pick up books she had been wanting to read for a long time

“I chose five different books, the two main ones I was most excited for were Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton,” Nunez said. “I chose Animal Farm because I love dystopian books and I’ve been wanting to buy it for a while now. I picked out The Sun Does Shine because it seems to have an interesting story about a wrongly convicted man and the way the plot was headed.”

Nunez also recognized the importance of having access to free books and the opportunities events like this provide.

“I think it’s important because it offers opportunities for students who may not be able to access books for themselves and rely on free sources like this,” Nunez said. “As well as just opening horizons for students who may want to journey down a path where they may enjoy reading.”

Sariah Hunter (10) was another student who picked up a few books and hopes events like this continue in the future.

“I picked out a few murder/crime books and I really appreciate this event because others don’t have opportunities to get free books,” Hunter said. “I appreciate everything I’m given, and I think even if others don’t pick up the book, other opportunities may come where they pick the item up and are happy to receive it.”

Dunn emphasized that making books easier to access has a large and positive impact beyond just the excitement.

“Giving away free books levels the playing field. Some students might not have easy access to books at home, and this helps change that,” she said. “For others, it might be the spark that ignites a love of reading within their entire family, turning their home into a mini-library.”

The success of the event wasn’t just in the number of books distributed, it was in the enthusiasm it brought among students.

“It was incredible to see so many students grabbing books!” Dunn said. “I was honestly overwhelmed, in the best way. The conversations were the highlight—hearing about what sparked their interest, what they loved or hated about certain titles. Even students who normally aren’t big readers were excited to find books for younger siblings or family. And hey, maybe even for themselves!”

For Dunn, the event was more than just handing out books, it was about fostering a culture of reading and connection.

“The whole event was fantastic! Working with The Little Bit Foundation was a real highlight, they were incredibly friendly and knew their stuff,” she said. “Honestly, spending the day helping students find the perfect book was just fun. I loved connecting with everyone, digging through boxes to find those ‘just right’ titles, and just chatting about books. I’m already looking forward to having them back next year!”