HOUSTON (September 25, 2007) —Half Price Books, the nation's largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain, will open its 11th Houston location on Thursday, October 11, at 2556 Smith Ranch Road in Pearland. At 5 p.m., Half Price Books will host Andy Sansom, former director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and author of Scout the Christmas Dog. Copies of his book will be available for purchase during the event. Additionally, Half Price Books will donate 10 percent of net sales from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. to Keep Pearland Beautiful.

Pearland Mayor Tom Reid will kick-off the grand opening activities with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., Thursday, October 11. The first 100 customers through the door will receive special Half Price Books tote bags containing gift cards. Everyone will get at least a $5 gift card but one random, and lucky, customer will receive a gift card worth $500

"The support of this community has allowed us to grow and expand in order to offer our customers even more access to our unique merchandise mix than ever before," said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president of Half Price Books. "Our stores are distinctive in that we offer a different inventory than other major retail booksellers because our customers sell directly to us. Many items simply aren't available in other bookstores."

The new store occupies 8,400 square feet, and is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Half Price Books employs 233 in the Houston area and runs two Regional Distribution Centers in addition to its retail locations.

About Half Price Books
Half Price Books is the largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain, with nearly 100 retail locations in 14 states. Stores are open seven days a week and buy and sell new and used books, magazines, comics, records, CDs, DVDs and collectible items. Half Price Books has been dedicated to environmental and literacy efforts for 35 years by supporting hundreds of projects including Reach Out and Read, an early childhood reading program; the annual Bedtime Story Book Contest, which gives amateur authors a chance to be published in the "Say Goodnight to Illiteracy" storybook; and the annual Half Pint Library Book Drive, which provides hospitals and clinics nationwide with book donations collected at all store locations. In addition, Half Price Books is a founding contributor to Laura Bush's National Book Festival, as well as a supporter of the National Center for Family Literacy. For more information about Half Price Books, please visit www.halfpricebooks.com.