Pyramid Scheme for Literacy

I got roped into a book exchange, which sounds like fun on paper, and I said I'd do it before I considered what it really entailed...

Why? Why? WHY do I always act first and ask questions later?

What is a book exchange, you ask???

Basically, I recieved a letter in the mail with the names and addresses of two kids. You send a book to the kid in the #1 spot. Then, you use an enclosed blank letter to move the #2 kid's name and info to the #1 spot and add your kid's name to the #2 spot. You make copies of that letter and send to your "responsible" friends within a week.

They do the same and if all goes well, you get 36 books for your 1 that you sent. Everyone is happy, because what kid doesn't love getting mail? Plus, it's a fun and inexpensive way to stock your library.

I know it probably sounds like a scam, except the person that sent it to me is actually a good friend of ours who I happen to like and trust.

Last week, I sent a book to Kid #1 and made copies of the letters. Easy-shmeasy

This morning, I was faced with addressing my letters to send... and drew a blank.

It's not that I don't have six friends with kids to whom I can mail the letters. It's more of a question of who I want to burden with this. It does entail a purchase of a book, making copies, addressing letters, and mailing everything. While that's not a whole lot of work for me, I can only image how other people could react.

One of my friends told me outright that she thought it was stupid and if I sent her a letter she would just ignore it. Yikes!

Since we just had a huge party for my son last week, I feel like I can't really trouble the people we invited (our closest friends) with it. Especially after all the thoughtful and wonderful gifts they gave my son. So, I decided to send it to my playgroup...

If they hate me for it-- oh well. Also, if this scheme doesn't work out, all I'm out is a book and some postage, right?