Regarding how to purchase copies of school textbooks for your child. The reason the schools don't always give kids textbooks (or other types of literature) to carry home is MONEY. Even though the schools have received a bit more money recently than in years past, it is earmarked for specific things like class size reduction, not necessarily for supplies or books. If you really want to buy a copy of the textbook that your child's class is using, I don't think it would be too difficult. Just explain your need to the teacher, and ask him/her if you can see the classroom texts in order to write down the names of the publishers. Most of the big publishing companies for educational materials (e.g. Houghton Mifflan, Scholastic, Creative Publications) have websites from which you could either order directly, request a catalogue, or get a phone number to actually talk to a representative. The teacher might even have a catalogue herself.

On the other hand, many of the stories in textbooks aren't necessarily the most interesting children's literature (some basal readers contain condensed versions of popular stories). For this reason some districts &/or teachers are choosing to purchase multiple copies of original stories rather than textbooks. You might want to get recommendations >from your child's teacher & then hit the bookstores or public libraries.