Overall, it was a meaningful experience. We saw how something as simple as a book or a snack can make a real difference, and it reminded us that small actions, done with care, really do matter.
Today, the group went to BookSmiles, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing areas with less access to books (Book Deserts) for all age groups. We talked to the founder, Larry Abrams, and learned that when kids don’t read from an early age, even before beginning school, it affects their ability to read even until high school.
— Bodhi V-H
I liked interacting with the staff at BookSmiles because it showed me an example of what a person should be, doing the work that no one else is willing to do.
–Brandon S.
When we arrived, we were greeted by founder Larry Abrams, who shared his story with us. He used to teach at Moorestown High School and later at Lindenwold High School. After years of teaching and seeing firsthand how many of his students didn’t have books of their own growing up, he was inspired to create BookSmiles. He officially retired from teaching in 2022, but his passion for education and literacy clearly lives on through the work he does now. One thing that stuck with me was how he explained the impact of not reading early on. Kids who don’t have access to books before school often struggle to catch up, and some never do, even into high school. It really opened our eyes to how serious and long-term the effects of book deserts can be.
After the intro, we got to work. Our first task was sorting donated books, first by quality. Books that were torn, stained, or too worn-out were placed in the “overflow” bin. Then, we organized the good books by grade level, making it easier for the team to match them to the right age groups later on.
Once we returned to school after lunch, we did another act of service: packing snacks. We filled paper bags with granola bars, juice boxes, chips, and other goodies. But what made it special was that we each wrote a personal note to go inside the bags, just a few kind words to brighten someone’s day.
Overall, it was a meaningful experience. We saw how something as simple as a book or a snack can make a real difference, and it reminded us that small actions, done with care, really do matter.
–Adrian L.
