Multicultural Stories: Jason Reynolds and Pam Muñoz Ryan

Funded Aug 16, 2024

Thank you so much for your donation of these books. It has already made an impact on my students. We have been reading one of the books, "Esperanza Rising", by Pam Muñoz Ryan, as a read-aloud. This book describes a very rich, privileged girl in Mexico experiencing drastic change during the Great Depression, leaving her and her mother to work on farms in California. This book has reached each of our students in different ways.

First, the book has provided a historical and cultural perspective outside of the experiences of a lot of the students know. This is helping them use the book as a window to see into the rich culture of Mexico, along with the difficulties field workers faced (and still face). It also is creating a space for the students for whom Spanish is the home language. The book is riddled with Spanish phrases and idioms, and every time I read one, I have a multilingual student pop their head up (either out of recognition or to correct me). It's helping them to be the experts in a space where they sometimes have a hard time feeling like they can take on that role. This book is acting as a mirror for these students to help them see themselves in the hardworking and resilient protagonist of the story.

The books you have provided will stay on display in our classroom library. We are so grateful for your generosity and support.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Grimshaw