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Project Goal

There's something about quality high-interest print books that excites the imagination and provides an oasis in the midst of traumatic times for students. Many students live in homes and areas of town that are book deserts where it is not easy to find these texts. With the onset of Covid, many students are even more isolated from high-interest quality books to read. We want to purchasing a more intentional selection of books that help our students not only see themselves in books (mirrors) but also view the world beyond their door (windows) and even step into other's shoes (doors). We want to embed our readers with tolerance, community, strength, knowledge and better communication. Using these funds intelligently we plan to purchase 500-1000 books that students can have ownership of to connect with in this time of discord.  

 

How Project Benefits Students

There is an increasing wave of books being released that reflect new and diverse voices for young adults and we need to put those books in front of our students. Using donations and limited funds we have already instituted a free book cart, and pocket books (mini pocket novels) and both have been wildly popular with our students, whether they are visiting the media center for an exam or coming in with a pass or a class. However, we simply do not have the funds to be able to have the cart full for the remainder of the year. We want our students to see the world in gray shades and not simply “us and them”. Books help student mental well-being, and #ownvoices books expose students to diverse viewpoints and enhance empathy. These books will supplement those books they checkout and be a part of their lives moving forward. I have had students almost in tears about getting new books to keep for themselves. Books will be selected from high-interest and acclaimed materials largely by #OwnVoice authentic authors who can truly create doors for students to walk through, to experience the world inside someone else's shoes. 

 

Expected Outcome(s)

We want students to develop and maintain a love of books. One of the first steps is to instill in them ownership for books they love and connect to. I already have students running into the library between periods excited about free books. We want students to really build their internal reading life and be excited about books. We expect the school culture to improve as students develop empathy and understanding and unity. We want the book deserts in areas of our community to be quenched by high-interest books that reflect the experiences of all of our students. 

 

Detailed Cost Summary

Review sources and resources such as Better With Books, ReadWoke and ProjectLit will help us to select books that will connect with our students. Books will be purchased using best available deals from vendors including Barnes and Noble, Scholastic Reading Club (to enable additional books at no cost using points and bonuses), and First Book Marketplace (for reduced price titles). Additionally we will purchase pocket books by the case at roughly $1 a book when available from First Book or $6-8 from other vendors. It is our goal to get close to $5000 worth of books for the $2000 outlay for students.  

 

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