Jeffrey Bennett - Astronomer, Teacher, & Writer

ABOUT JEFFREY BENNETT - DONATION PROGRAM

Max Goes to Schools: Elementary School Donation Program

Through Fall 2010, I have donated more than 15,000 Max Science Adventure Books to more than 10,000 public elementary school libraries around the nation (scroll down for list). Future Donations: I hope to continue the donation program in the future, though my ability to do so will depend on selling enough books so that I can afford the donations. If your school district would like to be considered for future donations, please read the FAQ below and contact me so I'll have you on the list. Meanwhile, I always make Max Science Adventure books available at a bulk (10 or more copies) educational discount of $10 per copy (plus shipping), provided the books are for classroom/school use only — e-mail me for details.

*** DONATION PROGRAM FAQ ***

Q: Why have you donated so many books?

A: Two reasons: (1) My main goal in writing children's books is to inspire kids about both space and science more generally. Clearly, having books in school libraries, where they can be used by both teachers and students, is a great way to achieve my goal. (2) Public school libraries generally have very limited budgets for new books, so getting a science book for free is something they'll usually appreciate. Between the two reasons, it's "win-win" all around.

Q: Who is eligible to receive donated books?

A: The donated books are exclusively for public elementary school libraries, one book per school. For logistical reasons, I donate the books only through school districts or larger regional entities, which receive the books centrally and take responsibility for distributing them to their individual schools.

Q: What must a school system do to get the books?

A: I take requests primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, but with preference to districts that have plans to incorporate the books into science or literacy curricula. The only requirements are: (1) The school system agrees to distribute one book to each elementary school library in the system. (2) Prior to distribution, someone affixes a sticker to the inside cover of each book to indicate that the book was donated by the author. (3) The books are sent to the libraries with a postcard or brief letter or flyer that will let the librarians know how they came to receive a copy of the book and how they can use the book effectively.

Q: Is there any cost to the school systems?

A: No. I pay for the books and all shipping costs. And to answer another common question: No, I do not receive any tax break for these donations.

Q: What schools have received your donated books to date?

A: To date, I have donated more than 14,000 books. Assuming that the school systems have successfully distributed the books from the central locations where I ship them to the individual schools, the books should now be distributed as follows:

All three Max Science Adventure books to:

  • Each of the more than 400 public elementary schools in San Diego County.
  • Each of the 240 schools in the Denver, Littleton, Jeffco, and Boulder Public Schools systems.
  • Each of the 80 schools in the Austin, TX public school system.
  • Schools and community centers of the Harlem Children's Zone (300 books total).
  • Shriners Hospitals/Lullalee events (72 books).
  • Heart of America Foundation (105 books).

Both Max Goes to the Moon and Max Goes to Mars to:

  • Each of the nearly 1,000 public elementary school in the State of Colorado.
  • Each of the 800 public elementary schools in New York City.
  • Every public elementary school in Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Every public elementary school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Max Goes to Mars to EVERY public elementary school in the following systems, organized alphabetically by state, with number of donation copies in parentheses:

  • Alaska
    • Anchorage (65)
    • Iditarod (9)
    • Kenai Peninsula (35)
  • Alabama
    • Huntsville (3)
    • Phenix City (7)
  • Arkansas
    • Batesville (4)
    • Bentonville (7)
    • Branch (1)
    • Bryant (7)
    • Cherry Valley (2)
    • Fayetteville (10)
    • Gentry (2)
    • Harrison (5)
    • Helena (4)
    • Hot Springs (4)
    • Jonesboro/Nettelton (11)
    • North Little Rock (14)
    • Rogers (14)
    • Springdale (1)
    • Walnut Ridge (14)
  • Arizona
    • Tucson (80)
    • Indian Reservations in AZ and NM (216)
  • Calilfornia
    • Culver City (5)
    • Folsom Cordova (19)
    • Fullerton (17)
    • Humboldt County (80)
    • Los Angeles Unified (450)
    • Manchester 1)
    • Manteca (23)
    • Mariposa County (7)
    • McKinleyville (2)
    • Mendocino County (8)
    • Point Arena (2)
    • Poway (22)
    • Round Valley (2)
    • San Bernardino (40)
    • San Diego City and County (216)
    • San Francisco Unified (80)
    • Santa Clara County (255)
    • Sonoma County (122)
    • Stockton (10)
    • Sunnyvale (10)
    • Tulare County (150)
    • Upper Lake (2)
    • Ventura County (131)
  • Colorado: The entire state (935)
  • Connecticut
    • New Canaan (3)
  • District of Columbia Metro area (600), including:
    • DC City
    • Prince Georges County
    • Montgomery County
    • Charles County
    • Calvert County
    • Fairfax County
    • Arlington
    • Alexandria
    • Falls church
  • Florida
    • Brevard County (55)
    • Orange County (115)
  • Georgia
    • Atlanta metro region (456)
    • Springfield (7)
  • Hawaii: The entire state (225)
  • Illinois
    • Chicago (552)
    • Dolton -Riverdale District (6)
    • Girard (1)
    • Kaneland (4)
    • Sycamore (4)
  • Indiana
    • Bedford (11)
    • Zionsville (7)
  • Kentucky
    • Green River Educational Cooperative (192)
  • Louisiana
    • Caddo Parish (45)
  • Maryland
    • see "District of Columbia Metro area"
  • Massachusetts
    • Arlington (6)
    • Danvers (7)
  • Michigan:
    • Ann Arbor (21)
    • Rest of state; selected schools (750)
  • Minnesota
    • Inver Grove Heights (4)
    • St. Paul (52)
  • Mississippi: The entire state (960)
  • Nevada
    • Clark County (195)
  • New Mexico
    • Indian Reservations in AZ and NM (216)
  • New York
    • New York City (800)
  • North Dakota
    • Fargo (15)
  • Ohio
    • St. Paris (3)
  • Oregon
    • Estacada (3)
    • Fern Ridge (3)
    • Forest Grove (10)
    • Hood River (6)
    • Medford (14)
    • Newport (6)
    • Oregon Trail (5)
    • Salem-Keizer (45)
    • Sheridan (2)
  • Pennsylvania
    • Delaware County (72)
    • Lower Merion (8)
    • Saxonburg (3)
    • Sharon Hill (4)
  • Rhode Island
    • East Bay Educational Collaborative (240)
  • Texas
    • Bastrop (6)
    • Dallas , selected districts (54)
    • Grand Prairie (23)
    • Houston (196)
    • McKinney ISD (17)
    • Nacogdoches (6)
    • Refugio ISD (1)
    • Spring Branch ISD (25)
    • Vanderbilt (2)
    • Waco (36; all 3 books mixed)
  • Vermont: The entire state (270)
  • Virginia
    • Charlottesville/ Albemarle County (34)
    • see also "District of Columbia Metro area"
  • Washington, DC: see "District of Columbia Metro area"
  • Washington State
    • Eastern region, selected districts (360)
  • Wisconsin
    • Beloit Turner (2)
    • Madison (32)
    • Sun Prarie (6)
  • West Virginia (90), including
    • Berkeley County
    • Grant County
    • Hampshire County
    • Hardy County
    • Jefferson County
    • Mineral County
    • Morgan County
    • Ohio County
    • Pendleton County
    • Tucker County
  • Wyoming
    • Cody (4)
    • Laramie/Cheyenne (26)
  • CANADA
    • Ontario, selected schools (216)

And Max Goes to the Moon to:

  • 1,000+ educators through the NASA CORE network.