Meet the Founder

Sam was surrounded by books from an early age. Bookshelves lined the walls of the Walworth home, and reading was a favorite pastime for his family. With books always within reach, he learned to read quickly and developed a love of books even faster.

As he grew older, it was no surprise that Sam became a frequent visitor to the library. Each year, he looked forward to the summer reading program, where he could spend time with others who loved books as much as he did.

When he was 11, Sam started “Beyond the Book,” a preteen book club created to provide dedicated summer programming for readers beyond the age range of the library’s summer reading program. The club went “beyond the book” through lively discussions, activities, and several virtual author visits. In 2025, Sam started “The Next Chapter” to give teenagers a book club opportunity of their own.

Through these book clubs, Sam saw firsthand how books can bring people together and make a meaningful difference in their lives. Inspired by that experience, at 14 years old he founded The Book Tree to expand access to books, encourage literacy, and share the many benefits of reading throughout his community.