For every $7 you give, we'll donate a book to a reader in need.

UPDATE: Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we hit our original goal of $700, which will allow us to donate 100 books! We're doubling our original goal. Will you give today so we can donate 200 books to readers in need this month?

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We were supposed to celebrate our birthday in-person, but it’s no longer a day for a party. Instead, we’re celebrating the best way we know how: sharing our authors’ stories with young readers in need.

We know most of you are at home social distancing, many with young children. While virtual classrooms and media are a blessing, we also know many children are spending more time than usual sitting in front of a screen.

We believe in physical books and their power to engage young minds and bring parents and children together -- and would love to donate as many books as possible to young readers in need.

There are two ways to support Shout Mouse and our young readers:

1) Give a book to young readers most isolated during this crisis: those without internet access.The Chancellor of DC Public Schools estimates that about 30% of the school system’s 52,000 students lack technology devices and reliable internet. That means that no matter how valiant the efforts to move learning online, not all DC kids will be reached. That’s why we want to get actual books into their hands ASAP — and who better to inspire DC young readers than DC young writers who published their own books? Our goal is to donate at least 100 books!

2) Give a book to a home-bound child you know and love. Every child loves receiving surprises in the mail — now more than ever. And many young people are in need of new books and a break from screen-time. Check out our award-winning YA titles, newest releases, sets, and more. We’re offering our full collection at 30% off using Discount Code INTHISTOGETHER at check-out.

For every $7 gift made here today, we will give one of following Shout Mouse Press books selected specifically for donation partners:

Adventures in Ana Park: Where can you go to grill half-smokes, captain pirate ships, shoot hoops, feed ducks, and watch the sun set magnificently over the river? Welcome to historic Anacostia Park, in Southeast Washington, D.C. Join us on an adventure through this local landmark through the eyes of D.C.’s youngest residents, and feel the ordinary become extraordinary.

A to Z: The Real DC: Washington DC teens take the reader on an exciting alphabet tour of their city using both photographs and words. It's DC like you've never seen it before. D is for Duke Ellington, G is for Go-Go, P is for the Potomac River, and Q is for Quadrants. The reader will learn the alphabet while learning about the city through the eyes of kids just like them! Made in collaboration with Shootback, an organization that empowers young people to tell their own stories through photography and writing.

Ballou Story Project Titles: The Ballou Story Project works with Ballou students to share their stories in many forms, which have resulted in four Shout Mouse Press titles. Friends of Ballou is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization that raises funds to support scholarships and related college-preparatory programming for Ballou High School students who are pursuing higher education. Ballou High School is a DC public school with a proud history located in the Congress Heights neighborhood in Southeast DC. Ballou is a Title 1 school where 99% of the student body receives free or reduced lunch.

The Day Tajon Got Shot: Tajon is sixteen and black. He's tall and skinny, and he has dreadlocks. Tajon works hard and tries his best to be good. He does O.K. in school. He has plans. He's determined. Tajon is the kind of son who cares about his family. He's the kind of brother who stands up for his sister. He's the kind of kid who dreams big dreams to get himself and those he loves up and out of the hood. Tajon is the one who gets shot.

Finding Mumbo: Rahim loves his dog Mumbo, and Mumbo loves himself some Mumbo sauce. :-) The two are best friends, but lately Rahim has been getting frustrated by all the chores that come along with taking care of a dog -- especially the ones that get in the way of him playing basketball. On the day before his big tournament, Rahim’s dad makes him take Mumbo out, but he’s running late for practice, so he tries to multi-task… and when practice is over, Mumbo is gone. Can Rahim figure out how to find his beloved dog AND play in the big game?

Man Up!: Aaron is outgoing and funny and a whiz at kickball. He’s also compassionate and kind, reading books at the old folks home down H street. Basically, he’s pretty great. But he’s got a problem: everyone calls him a Crybaby. How can Aaron learn to value his feelings and nurture his sensitivity in a world telling him to “Man up”?

One Lonely Camel: How often do our stories for children explore sadness, loneliness, and disruption? While these children's books are rare, the reality is all too present for many of our young people. Teen authors Rashaan, Sejal, DaQuan, and Zorita took on this challenging topic through the eyes of Larry, the lonely (rapping) camel.

Tyrell's Big Move: Tyrell loves his neighborhood -- the park with the swing set, the library with the puppet shows, the restaurant with the star-shaped spaghetti. But the neighborhood has been changing a lot lately, and one day Tyrell comes home to learn that his building has been bought and everyone must move. It seems like the worst news ever, but Tyrell’s cousin Breonna has a plan for making the most of it. How can Tyrell learn how to move on and be OK?

Voces Sin Fronteras: During a time of heated immigration debate and unrest, this book is an opportunity to hear directly from youth who are often in the headlines but whose stories don’t get told in full. Sixteen young people from the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) in Washington, D.C. came together to tell their own stories of immigration and transformation in comics form. The result is this side-by-side bilingual collection of graphic memoirs that not only builds connections across language, but also breaks down barriers and expands hope.

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En tiempos de inquietud y acalorados debates sobre la inmigración, este libro representa una oportunidad para escuchar directamente a los jóvenes quienes suelen ocupar los titulares en la prensa, pero cuyas historias no se alcanzan a narrar por completo. Dieciséis jóvenes del Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) en Washington, D.C. se unieron para contar sus propias historias de inmigración y de transformación en formato de cómic. El resultado es esta colección de memorias gráficas bilingüe, que no sólo construye conexiones entre los idiomas, sino que también elimina barreras y abre un espacio a la esperanza.