Seeing Myself in What I Read!

Funded Feb 24, 2023

Thank you for your donation that helped make "Seeing Myself in What I Read" project a reality. Many students enjoy reading books about people like them. The books showed them that they, and people like themselves, are represented in literature and that their voices are heard. When teaching English, these texts are prime examples of effective writing and students learn how to be better writers themselves. In addition, they are often inspired by these texts to become professional authors.

The students also shared other positive aspects of books about people like them. One student wrote that the text he was reading offered a way to see "how they came up in life, so kids like me can learn and make better choices for my life." Another student reflected, " It is important because you get to understand some of the similarities that ya'all have in common. You may get a better understanding of your own culture." Finally, yet another student commented, "It is important to read books about people who are your culture to resonate with them. If you learn about the life of someone relatable to you, you'll be able to make connections and feel more at ease with your identity." In summation, the students shared many uplifting takeaways.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Strum