This Back-to-School Season, Let’s Put More Books in More Classrooms!

Recently I was shopping with one of my daughters in a mass merchandise store, picking up some college necessities for her coming year. The woman behind me was unloading her basket onto the register’s conveyor belt and I couldn’t help but notice the packages of diapers and many jars of baby food she was purchasing.  I motioned to my pile of college-related items (with a nod to my daughter standing by) and joked with the woman how she and I are in very different life stages right now.  She agreed with a comment that the costs just never seem to stop.    

In that moment, I realized how universal the challenge of “never-ending costs” really is. The truth is, no matter our stage of life, the costs of caring for others—children, students, families—never really stops.   

This time of year, for many teachers, those costs show up in the form of classroom wish lists—books and supplies they know their students need but that school budgets rarely cover. Too often, teachers quietly carry this burden themselves, spending out of their own pockets to create classrooms that inspire and nurture their students. Various studies state teachers can spend an average of $600–$850 every year out-of-pocket for their classroom supplies. That adds up to billions nationwide, just to keep classrooms stocked and inspiring.  

At ThriftBooks, we believe every student deserves access to books that spark imagination, fuel curiosity, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. We support educators year-round through our ThriftBooks 4 Teachers program, and with our vast selection of affordably priced books. This year, we are proud to add to our support with the launch of our #ClearTheReadingList program—an initiative designed to help teachers and educators stock their classrooms with the books their students need most.  We invite everyone to join in and help put more books into classrooms and the hands of students across the country.   

How #ClearTheReadingList Works 

Teachers create a reading wish list on ThriftBooks.com and share their lists with their communities using the hashtag #ClearTheReadingList. Anyone with their link can shop from these lists, helping educators fill their classroom bookshelves.  Additionally, ThriftBooks will randomly select 10 participating educators and clear their lists—buying up to 25 books on their lists. 

Let’s get started! 

Teachers and Educators:  Create a ThriftBooks Reading Wish List 
Build a wish list filled with the books you want for your students—whether it’s timeless classics, classroom favorites, or new releases that connect with young readers.   

1. Log in to your account.  
   
   
2. Click on “My List” next to your name in the upper right corner of the page
   
   
3. In “My List”, select “Create a New List” on the left side  
   
   
   
   
4. Name your list “ClearTheReadingList” and select “Create List”  
   
   
   
   
5. Go to “List Settings” and under Privacy, select “Shared”.   
   Then select your designated Shipping Address. 
   This will allow anyone you share your list with to be able to purchase books from your list and those books will ship directly to the address you selected.
   
   Pro Tip: Enter your school address to have the books shipped directly to your school. 
   
   
   
6. Add books to your list.  Be sure to browse our Best Sellers, ThriftBooks Deals, and Educational resources page for additional suggestions.
   
   Pro Tip: You can designate a need for multiple copies of the same book if desired. 
   
   
7. Share your list with #ClearTheReadingList 
   Teachers and Educators: Share your wish list with friends, family, and your community, using the hashtag #ClearTheReadingList to spread the word.  
   
   
   
   If you’re not an educator, you can still join in! Search for the hashtag on social media and support a classroom by purchasing books directly from a teacher’s wish list.  
   
   
8. ThriftBooks Gives Back 
   To show our appreciation for all that educators do, ThriftBooks will randomly select 10 teacher lists and purchase the books on their wish lists.  All it takes to enter is to share your list on social media with #ClearTheReadingList and #ThriftBooks. 

Join in!  Together we can #ClearTheReadingList 

Classroom libraries do more than fill shelves—they fuel curiosity, build empathy, and open doors for young readers. They introduce students to new worlds and provide the tools they need to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. The right book at the right time can change a student’s path. 

Unlike diapers or college supplies, classroom reading wish lists are something we can all help with. So join in, be part of our #ClearTheReadingList initiative, and together we’ll support our educators put more books into the hands of students everywhere, one classroom at a time. 

Read more by Barbara Hagen