
empowering youth to take charge of their lives
At More Than Words, youth ages 16-24 who are in foster-care, homeless, out-of-school, or in the court system, learn to run an online and retail bookstore while also getting full wrap-around supports to tackle the barriers from our state systems and take charge of their lives.

how does this work?
Every purchase you make, whether online or in our stores, supports our mission. 100% of the proceeds go back into our program.
Youth participate in our extensive job training program for 6-12 months, working in both online and brick-and-mortar bookstores. The revenue from these businesses helps pay their wages and offsets the costs of the supportive programming we offer beyond work skills.

read more books by women of color
We've rounded up our list of favorites for 2025 from both familiar and new names.
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Ideal Bookshelf Tote: Women Writers of Color
Regular price $24.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Bluest Eye
Regular price $16.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Quietly Hostile: Essays
Regular price $17.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Skin and It's Girl
Regular price $28.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Ideal Bookshelf Pins: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Regular price $11.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Ideal Bookshelf Pins: Beloved
Regular price $11.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
She Is a Haunting
Regular price $18.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Ideal Bookshelf Pins: Kindred
Regular price $11.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
Regular price $30.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
We Should All Be Feminists
Regular price $10.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
In Vitro: On Longing and Transformation
Regular price $16.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Wow, No Thank You.: Essays
Regular price $17.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays
Regular price $17.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Silver Nitrate
Regular price $18.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per
we sell books to change lives
We work with the most vulnerable young adults in Greater Boston: those who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school. At More Than Words they earn a paying job, learning job skills while receiving focused support to ensure they persist in school and map plans for their future work, education and life.
Join our movement:
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"They taught me how to be professional. They gave me a chance to be a leader with other youth on shift. It wasn’t just a bookstore; it was a home where I felt comfortable."
Osman - Graduate

donate books and clothing
Support youth beyond shopping with a donation of books, clothing or both! Schedule a pickup, drop off at a bin or store or even run a drive - your gently used books and clothing get a second chance, and our youth get an opportunity - its a win-win.

gift cards that give back
Gift cards that support job training and youth empowerment while giving recipients the freedom to pick and choose the specifics of how they want to give back.
Also, it doesn't hurt that our e-gift cards save you postage and a trip to the post office. Supporting our youth couldn't get any easier.
MTW Graphic Tees: Sisterhood, As We Should

MTW Canvas Totes: Boston Skyline
purchase with purpose
Every book, every gift, every item that hits your cart is another opportunity for job-training and a chance for our young adults to take charge of their futures.
Our pre-owned products are donated from our local community and our new books and gifts support multiple missions.
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Your new TBR List for 2025: Banned Books by Bla...
They call it a "banned book" we call it required reading...That's why for for 2025 we've rounded up the most impactful banned stories from black authors including classics like Toni...
Your new TBR List for 2025: Banned Books by Bla...
They call it a "banned book" we call it required reading...That's why for for 2025 we've rounded up the most impactful banned stories from black authors including classics like Toni...
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Best Books and More for Halloween: Chilling Fal...
Fall is here, bringing with it all the spooky vibes! Don’t wait until the last minute to embrace the Halloween spirit. From thrilling reads to cozy home decor, our staff...
Best Books and More for Halloween: Chilling Fal...
Fall is here, bringing with it all the spooky vibes! Don’t wait until the last minute to embrace the Halloween spirit. From thrilling reads to cozy home decor, our staff...
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Books to Get Your Cozy Going
It might be mid-August, but is that a faint waft of pumpkin spice in the air – no? School is starting, apple picking is mere weeks away and in the...
1 commentBooks to Get Your Cozy Going
It might be mid-August, but is that a faint waft of pumpkin spice in the air – no? School is starting, apple picking is mere weeks away and in the...
1 comment