Kids are reading less today than in previous years...
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In the NAEP’s most recent survey, only 14% of 13-year-olds reported reading for fun almost every day, a significant drop from 27% in 2012.
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In 2023, nearly a third of all 13-year-olds reported they “never or hardly ever” read for fun.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). NAEP long-term trend assessment results: Reading and mathematics [Data set]. Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/ltt/2023/
...and it's showing in the data.
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In 2024, 33% of 8th grade students tested below the Basic NAEP reading achievement level, which has increased from 27% in 2019.
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Average reading scores for 9-year-olds in 2022 declined 5 points compared to 2020. This is the largest average score decline in reading since 1990.
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In 2024, 40% of 4th grade students tested below the Basic NAEP reading achievement level, which is a significant increase compared to 34% in 2019.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). 2024 NAEP reading assessment: Report card for the nation, grades 4 and 8. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/reading/2024/g4_8/
Access to print reading material is a challenge for many kids.
Economic
61% of U.S. kids who live at or below the poverty line don't have books at home, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.
Geographic
45% of U.S. children live in neighborhoods that lack public libraries and bookstores, or in houses where buying books is something that can't be afforded.
School Access
~67% of schools and programs located within the nation's lowest-income neighborhoods can't afford to buy print reading materials at regular retail prices.
Reading Is Fundamental. (n.d.). Why reading matters. RIF. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from https://www.rif.org/why-reading-matters; Haas, M. (2024, January 22). How books are reaching kids in 'book deserts'. Reasons to Be Cheerful. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/book-banks-for-children/; US Department of Education; National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). NAEP report card: Reading, 2024. The Nation's Report Card. Retrieved August 10, 2026, from https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/?grade=4
What can YOU do?
There are so many opportunities to support young readers in our communities. One of the easiest is to donate gently used or new children’s books to local organizations that are able to get the books in the hands of the kids who need them the most.
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Better yet, organize a book drive in your community, school or neighborhood to make an even bigger impact.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you!
Email us at info [at] hopeforbooks [dot] com with questions or to submit a book bank or book donation organization to be considered for the directory.
Thank you for visiting!
Hope for Books
A state-by-state directory of book banks and book donation organizations.
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect people directly to resources that help close
the childhood literacy gap in communities across the country.
We hope you’ll help foster a love of reading for kids in need by donating books today or organizing a school or neighborhood book drive in your community.