Programs
Programs are the heart of Open Books. From one-on-one reading practice with young students and book grants to school classrooms all the way through intensive novel-writing sessions and celebrations of our newly published authors, we transform thousands of lives each year through reading, writing, and the power of used books.
Storytime
Participatory read-aloud stories, songs, and book-based activities for pre-readers.
- Pre-K children and their caregivers
- Meets Thursdays and Saturdays at 10am at Open Books West Loop
- No registration necessary
- Led by the Open Books team of storytellers
Reading Buddies
One-on-one reading support for elementary students
- 2nd–3rd grade students
- Meets twice weekly at selected schools
- Volunteers serve as Big Buddy coaches
- Includes book giveaways
Learn more about Reading Buddies!
Creative Writing Field Trips
Guided workshops for young storytellers and poets.
- 3rd–12th grade students
- Meets weekdays year-round at Open Books West Loop
- Volunteers serve as writing coaches
- Includes instruction, published anthologies of class writing, and a free book from our store
Learn more about Creative Writing Field Trips!
Creative Writing Club
A free drop-in writing experience for aspiring authors.
- 4th–12th grade students
- Weekly after-school sessions at Open Books West Loop
- Led by the Open Books team
- Includes writing games, prompts, prizes, and more
- No advance registration required
Learn more about Creative Writing Club!
ReadThenWrite
An immersive reading, writing, and publishing experience for teenage authors.
- 5th–12th grade students
- Meets for 8–week sessions at selected schools
- Volunteers serve as writing coaches
- Ends with a gala Author Launch at the Open Books store
- Includes a professionally published anthology of the class’s writing
Learn more about ReadThenWrite!
Publishing Academy
A year-long writing and publishing experience for young novelists.
- 7th–12th grade students
- 5-week summer bootcamp followed by monthly weekend workshops at Open Books West Loop
- Volunteers serve as writing coaches
- Ends with a gala Author Launch at the Open Books store
- Includes a professionally published copy of the student’s novel
Learn more about Publishing Academy!
Book Grants
Free books for educators and nonprofit partners.
- Customizable for all ages, from pre-readers through adults
- High-quality and engaging books
- Hand-selected by the Open Books team, or come pick your own at Open Books Pilsen