Max Goes to Schools: Elementary School Donation Program

Through Spring 2007, I have donated one or both of Max Goes to Mars and Max Goes to the Moon to more than 10,000 public elementary school libaries around the nation (scroll down for list). I hope to expand the program further in the future.

*** 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 elegible to receive donated books?

A: The donated books are exclusively for public elementary school libararies, 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 3,000 copies of Max Goes to the Moon and more than 10,000 copies of Max Goes to Mars. 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:

Both books to:

• Each of the nearly 1,000 public elementaryschools 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.

In addition, Max Goes to the Moon to:

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

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

• 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)
• 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 Virgina (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)