
empowering youth to take charge of their lives
At More Than Words, youth ages 16-24 who are in foster-care, experiencing 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.
More Than Words
MTW Graphic Tees: Read Proud Authors (Toddler)
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staff picks for proud readers
Our favorite queer stories and books by queer authors.
Proud Reader Staff Picks 20% off online for the month of June
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The Secret Public: How Music Moved Queer Culture From the Margins to the Mainstream
Regular price $35.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Julian At The Wedding
Regular price $17.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It
Regular price $17.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Cemetery Boys (Cemetery Boys, 1)
Regular price $17.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Compound Fracture
Regular price $19.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
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Summer Sons
Regular price $28.99 USDRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
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Summer Reading
Regular price $17.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Cinema Love: A Novel
Regular price $28.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per

shop proudly
From socks to scented candles, these everyday essentials are from social enterprises that support LGBTQIA initiatives YEAR ROUND.
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Conscious Step: Socks that Save LGBTQ Lives
Regular price From $10.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Boston Skyline Postcard
Regular price $1.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Pals Socks: Cat & Dog
Regular price $11.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Mister Rogers You Are Special Magnet
Regular price $5.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Pals Socks: Milk & Cookies
Regular price $11.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: You're Bootyful Magnet
Regular price $5.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Freddie Mercury Puzzle
Regular price $24.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Pals Socks: Crab & Jellyfish
Regular price $11.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Oprah Happy Birthday Card
Regular price $5.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Yes, Chef! the Bear Checklist Notepad
Regular price $12.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Black Lives Matter Keychain
Regular price $11.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Willie Nelson That's Dope Magnet
Regular price $5.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Pals Socks: Ghost & Skeleton
Regular price $11.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
Pals Socks: Horse & Alpaca
Regular price From $11.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: I Heart Banned Books Coffee Mug
Regular price $18.50 USDRegular priceUnit price / per -
The Found: Rainbow Keychain
Regular price $11.50 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