December 15, 2015, New York, NY—James Patterson is kicking off the holiday season with a thank-you gift to independent bookstore employees and school libraries: $2 million in grants and bonuses.

This year, Patterson pledged $1.75 million in grants to school libraries in partnership with Scholastic Reading Club, which was immediately inundated with 27,924 grant requests. Today Patterson announced 340 more grant recipients, bringing the total to 467 school libraries that have received from $1,000 to $10,000. The full list is available at scholastic.com/pattersonpartnership.

In October, Patterson launched a $250,000 holiday bonus program for independent bookstore employees in partnership with the American Booksellers Association. The ABA received 2,848 nominations, and Patterson personally selected the recipients. Today he announced the names of the 87 independent bookstore employees who will receive bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The full list of the recipients is available at bookweb.org/bonus.

Patterson recently launched a pro bono children’s book imprint called JIMMY Patterson, and in 2014 he gave over $1 million in grants to 178 independent bookstores. He believes that independent bookstores and school libraries are saving literature and that their work is critical for building a more literate America. In 2016, he will continue to support the work of school libraries and independent bookstores in new ways.

The CEO of the American Booksellers Association, Oren Teicher, says, “Once again, we are enormously grateful for James Patterson’s wonderful generosity. Nobody puts their money where their mouth is more than Jim. Providing extra financial support to individuals who spend their entire day putting books into the hands of customers and spreading the joy of reading is an extraordinary gesture. Thank you!”

“It continues to be inspiring and motivating to work with James Patterson to support school libraries across the country,” said Judy Newman, president of Scholastic Reading Club, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company. “Jim’s unwavering commitment to helping children lead better lives rich with books is transformative. Scholastic is thrilled to be working in such an effective partnership.”

“These grants and bonuses are my humble acknowledgment of some of the terrific work taking place in libraries and bookstores,” says Patterson. “Here’s to communities supporting their bookstores and libraries. Here’s to a country that makes reading a priority. Here’s to flourishing libraries and booksellers, and to a joyful holiday season!”

Over the past decade, James Patterson has given away over a million books to students all over the United States. He is a tireless champion of the power of books and reading. His new children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, has a simple mission: “We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say, ‘PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.’” Patterson will devote his proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books to funding pro-reading initiatives like the school library grants and independent bookseller bonus program.

JIMMY Patterson Books
We believe a kid who reads is a kid who can succeed.
We believe it’s every adult’s responsibility to get books into kids’ hands and into kids’ lives.
We want to make reading fun for kids—through stories and voices that speak to them and expand their world.
We want to make books available to kids—through teacher scholarships, bookstore funding, school library support, and book donations.
We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY book to say,
“PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.”

American Booksellers Association
Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a national not-for-profit trade organization that works to help independently owned bookstores grow and succeed. ABA’s core members are key participants in their communities’ local economy and culture, and to assist them ABA creates relevant programs; provides education, information, business products, and services; and engages in public policy and industry advocacy. The Association actively supports and defends free speech and the First Amendment rights of all Americans. A volunteer board of 10 booksellers governs the Association. ABA is headquartered in White Plains, NY.

Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 95 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

Media Contact:
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Scholastic
Sara Sinek
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Scholastic
Michael Barrett
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