The KC Book Drive
Donate books to help local children while supporting your favorite independent bookstore!
WHEN: August 17-23, 2026
WHERE: See map and location list below
In honor of our 15-year anniversary, Lead to Read KC has banded together with 15 independent bookstores across the KC Metro to host The KC Book Drive, benefiting the Reading Is Everywhere program and improving book access in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Prepare by reading about our donation preferences and view a list of books currently on our wish list.
Afterword Tavern & Shelves
Basement Books KC
Bliss Books & Wine
KD's Books
Little Ladybug Library*
Monarch Books and Gifts
Monstera's Books
New Material Books
Rainy Day Books
Read & Rooted
The Book Club
Trailhead Books
Turnsol Books
Typo's Bookstore
Afterword Tavern & Shelves
3105 Gillham Rd, KCMO 64109
Basement Books KC
13 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO 64068
Bliss Books & Wine
3502 Gillham Rd, KCMO 64111
Helianthus Books
Pop-up bookshop; see website for details
KD’s Books
207 SE Third St, Suite 102, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Little Ladybug Library*
2108 NE Concord St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
*Drop-off only; no book sales
Monarch Books and Gifts
7733 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223
Monstera’s Books
7930 Floyd St, Overland Park, KS 66204
New Material Books
Livestock Exchange Building, 1600 Genessee St, Unit 750 (7th Floor), KCMO 64102
Rainy Day Books
2706 W 53rd St, Fairway, KS 66205
Read & Rooted
1124 W Main St, Blue Springs, MO 64015
The Book Club
5735 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS 66202
Trailhead Books
10009 E 63rd St, Raytown, MO 64133
Turnsol Books
1664 Broadway Blvd, KCMO 64108
Typo’s Bookstore
109 Main St, Parkville, MO 64152
About Lead to Read KC
Did you know that just 23% of Kansas City’s third graders in public and charter schools are reading at grade level? This milestone is critical for their academic future and the future of our city. Lead to Read KC is Kansas City’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, dedicated to transforming our community into one where all students thrive academically and personally through unparalleled access to reading resources, mentorship and support.
Transformative Reach
Each week, more than 2,000 Reading Mentors volunteer in 33 schools across the Kansas City metropolitan area, making meaningful connections with students.
Targeted Tutoring
Our tutoring program uses a Science of Reading-based approach to provide more than 650 students with high-dosage, individualized support to boost reading skills.
Equitable Book Access
We distribute more than 4,500 books each month, ensuring local children have the opportunity to build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Community Engagement
We bring local children’s authors into schools to share books highlighting mental health and wellness, providing them with coping strategies and tools to build self esteem.