About BookBaton.com

Every fall, families buy the same assigned books that are already sitting on shelves in other homes at the same school. BookBaton.com keeps those books moving to the next student, for free.

What we do

Students give away the books they're done with and get the ones their teachers assign from other students at their own school. Every hand-over is a Book Drop at the school library, so students never have to meet strangers, share contact details or arrange anything themselves. Middle schools can run it entirely from the library desk, with no student accounts at all.

Why "BookBaton"?

In a relay race, the baton gets passed from one runner to the next. A good book works the same way: one student finishes it and hands it on, and it keeps going for years. That's what the three leaning books in our logo stand for, and it's why our motto is "Pass it on."

What we believe

• Free for students and families, always. Schools pay a small yearly fee after a free first year. Students and families never pay.
• Privacy comes first. Students under 18 are known only by a Baton Card code. No names, photos, emails or phone numbers, and no chat between students. Read our privacy policy.
• Give-away only. No lending and no returns. The student who gets a book keeps it, and passes it on when they're done.
• The library is the heart of it. Librarians see what's at their school, what's still needed, and every Book Drop.

Who we are

BookBaton.com was started in Vermont in 2026 by a retired Vermonter who wanted to make school a little less expensive for families, and to keep good books out of boxes and landfills. We're working with Vermont schools first, with a pilot planned for spring 2027.

Get in touch

Questions, ideas, or want BookBaton at your school? Email hello@bookbaton.com. Librarians can also start at Schools & Librarians.