About 241 Books

Reading + Social Studies

As educators, we’ve become increasingly concerned with two troubling trends in education. Students, especially those in elementary grades, are reading below grade level. As teachers address that challenge, social studies gets squeezed out of the school day.

The U.S. Literacy Crisis

According to the 2024 NAEP reading assessment, only 31% of fourth graders scored at or above the "proficient" level in reading. The consequences of this are dire.

Graphic showing that 1 in four kids will grow up functionally illiterate

Lack of Civics Education

Students are not learning important concepts and skills in geography, economics, history, and government. That’s due in part to the instructional minutes crisis that most elementary school teachers are facing.

A colorful graph showing how minutes in a school day are allocated

Committed to the idea that there had to be a way to address these two crises, we found ourselves asking three big questions.

How could we. . .

  • use proven research to teach reading skills + build social studies knowledge?

  • cover necessary content + make learning memorable?

  • engage students + strengthen critical thinking skills?

The 241 Solution

Read to Learn + Learn to Read

The more our students know, the better they read. The better our kids read, the more they know. 

Reading science tells us that reading to learn + learning to read can be seamlessly brought together. And that the combination benefits students at all grade levels. 

With 241 Books, students in the upper-elementary grades read to learn as they interact with high-interest social studies content woven into stories. They also continue to learn to read through deliberate literacy strategies and supports such as considerate text, thoughtful vocabulary development, and strategic focus on morphology. 

Read to learn. Learn to read.

It's a potent combination - an impactful two-for-one designed to help students become capable, confident readers especially when encountering complex and challenging texts.

Our Mission

We exist to create high-quality books and activities that strengthen reading abilities and confidence while teaching social studies background knowledge and skills that prepare young learners to actively and effectively engage in a democratic society.

Better Readers + Better Humans

Our Guiding Principles

Proven Pedagogy + Committed Educators

  • Committed educators deserve the highest quality reading and social studies materials possible to help every child learn to read successfully. 

  • Caring and informed citizens are the lifeblood of a healthy democracy. Our best chance to build a vibrant civic culture must begin with our youngest learners.

  • We specialize in creating high-interest, student-centered, active lessons. Learning should be challenging. And fun too.

  • All readers deserve high-quality, engaging books filled with relatable, accessible text that capture their interest and help them along on their journey to becoming confident and skilled readers.

  • Well-crafted stories that focus on real-life events and people ignite a passion for learning and get kids asking questions and excited to find out more.

  • When students want to talk about what they read and are given opportunities to do so, they build communication skills, empathy, and awareness—skills vital to participating in a vibrant democracy.