Sophia Parekh, age 12, from Westfield, New Jersey, has handed out thousands of books nationwide since she began collecting during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The project, called Sophia’s Book Stand, uses an online request form that lets parents and teachers submit ages, interests and addresses. Parekh said the form helps match books to children’s preferences and reduces waste.
Parekh’s book stand now collaborates with the Moms Helping Moms Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and Franklin Elementary, which hosts annual book drives. Author Mary Pope Osborne and Disney have donated hundreds of titles after her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. She was named a 2026 Gloria Barron Prize runner‑up for her service to children.
Despite the reach, the online system excludes low‑income families lacking reliable internet. Parekh plans to open a physical drop‑off location and to solicit bilingual and Spanish‑language titles. She also aims to extend the program beyond U.S. borders, targeting underserved communities worldwide.
The next phase will involve securing a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to cover shipping costs and expand the initiative’s national footprint.