Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Teams Up With Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids to Launch the "Batting for Books" Campaign to Benefit the Boston Public School System

Business Wire, June 24, 2009

Partners committed to collecting more than 100,000 new books in just two days

BOSTON -- Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced its partnership with Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids to launch the first “Batting for Books” campaign to benefit the Boston Public School system. The drive aims to collect new or gently used books to donate to Boston public school libraries. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will match donations with the goal of reaching 100,000 books. Book donations will be collected at each of Fenway Park's five gates during the Red Sox weekend series against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.

"We are excited to launch this program because of the immediate positive impact on the public school libraries throughout Greater Boston," said Enza Sambataro-Youkilis, cofounder and president of Youk's Kids. "Our school's libraries are in desperate need of new books, and without spending a dime, contributors to the book drive will be able to directly support the reading skills and overall education of our city’s children."

Across the nation, recent studies show a substantial link between strong library programs and student achievement. According to a 2002 Massachusetts study,1 students who attend schools with library programs had higher Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores than those who did not. However, the average age of a book on the shelf at a public school library is more than 12 years.

"As a recognized leader in K–12 education, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt truly understands the link between a well-stocked school library and high student achievement," said Michael Muldowney, chief financial officer, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "Together with Kevin Youkilis and the Fenway faithful, we have an opportunity to stock library shelves and meet a significant need in our public schools."

While all children's book titles are welcome during the drive, Boston Public Schools has compiled a list of recommended titles for the libraries. Each of these titles is available at a 20-percent discount at the New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton, and online at www.ecookbooks.com/battingforbooks.

For more information, please visit http://www.youkskids.org/index.html.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K–12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards — based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.

About Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids

Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids is a charitable organization focused on raising support and awareness for the health, advocacy, safety, and well-being of children. Rallying the support of individuals and businesses, Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids teams up with existing community-based children's charities and medical research efforts, which currently lack sufficient funding. Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids also identifies and partners with businesses that can deliver products and services to children in need, on behalf of Youk's Kids. To learn more about Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids, or to make a donation, please visit www.youkskids.org.

1 Baughman, James. (2002). School Libraries and MCAS Scores, (Preliminary Edition). A Paper Presented at a Symposium Sponsored by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College. Boston, Mass.

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