Hachette Book Group US Distribution Hosts 25th Annual Sale & Free Raising Readers Children’s Book Giveaway
Lebanon, Indiana (June 15, 2026) — Hachette Book Group (HBG) US Distribution held its 25th Annual $1 Book Sale at our distribution facility in Lebanon, Indiana, on June 13, 2026, with emphasis on the global Raising Readers campaign, and with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Indy Book Project, an organization ensuring children in the Indianapolis area have access to books. The event made history as the largest sale to date, with over 6,000 book fans in attendance and more than 10,000 books donated to the local community following the sale.
“It’s Hachette’s 200th birthday this year, and as part of that we want to use the year to engage as many people as possible in the joy and magic of reading. I’m so pleased that the $1 Book Sale was such a success and I hope people will love reading the books they bought – and that the donation we were able to make to the Indy Book Project will ensure that thousands of kids have access to books,” CEO of Hachette Book Group David Shelley said.
The highly anticipated annual event brought together people from across the country for a free Raising Readers giveaway for children of all ages and for parents and caretakers to purchase books of all genres for $1. The giveaway was one of the many activities advancing the mission of the Raising Readers campaign, Hachette’s global social impact campaign to combat the decline of reading for fun and entertainment. The event featured Union Square & Co.’s beloved Pigeon character, created by Mo Willems. The latest Pigeon book, #1 New York Times bestseller It’s My Bird-Day! was one of the many free children’s titles provided.
Research indicates that reading for pleasure and entertainment has a significant impact on a child’s future happiness and success. Even more than family circumstances, parents’ educational background, or income,reading impacts academic results, emotional well-being, economic security, communication skills, and ambition.
“Our $1 Book Sale has grown bigger and bigger each year, and it’s incredible to see thousands of people come together for this event. We were especially excited to incorporate the Raising Readers children’s book giveaway this year, helping us make an even greater impact in the Indianapolis community,” said Mike Shoults, Hachette US Distribution CEO. “This sale has become a true community staple, and it’s rewarding to see so many families attend and share a love of reading,”
In the last several months Raising Reading has achieved many successes, including Little Free Libraries largest-ever publishing collaboration: the installation of 200 library boxes in book deserts across the United States and Canada. Nearly 50 partners across industries are working closely with HBG to spread the joy of reading with kids around the world. Looking ahead, Hachette English Language employees will participate in a global Raising Readers Volunteer Day on July 9, 2026. On July 21, Raising Readers partners will join Hachette to release a PSA outlining the current reading crisis and how they can encourage children around them to pick up a book and read!
About Hachette Book Group:
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit; Workman Publishing; and Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to several publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize, James Beard Award, and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world’s third-largest trade and educational publisher.
Visit hachettebookgroup.com to learn more about HBG imprints. For updated news follow HBG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X.com, Snapchat, and YouTube.
About Hachette Book Group US Distribution
Hachette Book Group US Distribution is a division of Hachette Book Group. We are a global business and one of the largest publishing groups in the USA, delivering books and other media worldwide to customers from our facilities in Lebanon, Indiana.
Union Square & Co publishes books and gift products with a point of view. What distinguishes us is our independent, entrepreneurial spirit. We collaborate with bestselling, award-winning, and debut authors and creatives to publish at the highest quality across categories. We strive to bring you entertainment, discovery, and fun through objects you can cherish.
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Contact: Gabrielle Gambrell, Gabrielle.Gambrell@hbgusa.com