Emmy Greene handed out more than 1,000 free books to Hendersonville elementary students and their families at George Whitten Elementary on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Greene, a junior at Beech High School, founded the Tennessee Literacy Project this past summer to expand book access statewide. The fair was her first event, first reported by The Hendersonville Standard.
Greene told The Standard that Tennessee's literacy rates are far below where they should be. "I figured someone had to do something about it … might as well be me," she said.
Books spanning multiple genres were displayed on tables for families to browse and take home at no cost. Donations from City Square Books and Music, VFW Post 9851, Beech High School, George Whitten Elementary and community members funded the fair.
Preliminary 2025-26 state data showed just 40.6% of Tennessee students in grades 3-8 met English language arts proficiency standards, according to Chalkbeat Tennessee.
Greene said she is already planning another free book giveaway in 2027.
