Past projects 20
Books as National Conversation: Help Us Participate!
Funded Oct 20, 2017Thank you so much for funding new books for our library. Books are still central to sharing ideas and creating dialogue within society. Books that receive National Book Award nominations are particularly essential to this dialogue and denote books that are not only quality literature, but engaging with current trends and issues. Since libraries in our state and school district are not allocated any funds for collection development, it is only through the generosity of donors like you that I am able to provide new books for our young readers. Independent reading is essential to creating a society of engaged citizens and also a key indicator of success in academics. Your contribution helps promote both individual success and a stronger community.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Community and 3 other donors.Journey Into a World of Mystery
Funded Sep 18, 2017I am the co-president of our school's literature club, a combination of book club and creative writing club. I would like to thank you so much for funding our Donor's Choose Project for copies of The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco. I would definitely recommend this book as an escape from the YA fiction that is popular these days; it's a sit at the edge of your seat, harrowing tale based on the Japanese ghost legend that inspired the movie The Ring. The unique narration style, as the story is told from the ghost perspective, allows for a different perspective of our world by an outsider, making for a fascinating read.
Our theme this year for our reading is exploring different genres, and we wanted to start off with a mystery novel. In our research, we discovered The Girl from the Well, and thought a horror mystery book would be a great way to start the year. Reading really brings us together a a club, and we all use reading to escape the stresses students often face in high school. We were reading this book through finals week, and I know just having a meeting to discuss the book really put our minds at ease and allowed us to de-stress. Entering a world of spirits, seemingly unexplained murders, and Japanese folklore really allows us to escape our own reality, even if it is just for a few minutes every day. Personally, reading allows me to take a break from studying, and even with my busy schedule, I find time to read. Being engrossed in a great book makes me forget all the stress I'm feeling, and frankly is what gets me through the day. Exploring the life of a ghost stuck in this world and joining her and the other main characters on a battle against evil really takes my mind away from any worries, pressures, or anxieties I'm feeling. I know the rest of the club shares my passion for reading, and uses it to get away from their daily lives and stresses.
Literature club brings book lovers together, and it has allowed new members to make friends. I know personally I made friends through literature club. I came to high school not knowing anyone, and quickly made friends who also shared my love of reading. I wanted to share that experience with new members by continuing to run the club. I'm already seeing new members becoming friends, and it makes me feel as if I'm doing something good and that the club is really impacting member's lives.
This project has taught me that I don't always have to do everything by myself. Often I enjoy taking the lead on projects, but am often left to do everything by myself. Adding these tasks and stress to my already busy schedule can really take a toll on my well being. I knew I couldn't do this project alone, so I asked for help, something I rarely do. I split the work with my co-president, and it was a relief to not have to do all the work for once. I learned that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of, and doing it can really make a difference. I'm glad I was able to learn this lesson through this project.
On behalf of our club, thank you for funding our project. You have allowed us to read such a wonderful book, a pleasure that I'm sure you know well. You have allowed for a great start to our year at book club.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
New Books to Open New Horizons for Our Book Club
Funded Apr 26, 2017Book Club wants to thank you for your generous donation. Our club is extremely excited to receive these most anticipated novels. Our members are very excited to use and introduce our movie adaptation event using one of the books. During our meetings, we distributed the donated books and made plans to establish the details of the upcoming event. The resulting conversations were both engaging and enlightening and we plan to have read the book and watched the movie within this month! There has been very excited talk about getting started, including from myself. Every week, we receive steady attendance that I find especially encouraging.
At our weekly meetings, we get to measure how far we have read in the novel and discuss our thoughts and opinions of the author's portrayal of the popular film. This month we will also discuss what the author sought to achieve through the novel in contrast with the movie's director and if they have achieved such. From what I have read so far, I love the multiple perspectives for flawed characters during a crisis that transforms human civilization. Just reading the chillingly realistic degradation our current world powers was sobering on many levels. Many including myself have actively started reading the novels and are enjoying it immensely and look forward to discover the two depictions of a similar if not identical story.
We enjoy the original and engaging world the novels depict to us and the characters come alive with so much detail. Through this project I have learned to become more flexible and really communicate with my fellow readers. I personally find myself anticipating delving into the reality of human nature in in such an extraordinary crisis. We thank you for helping us continue make our club a success!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
3 Writers, 3 Genres, 3 Ways to Change the World
Funded Mar 5, 2017Thank you for funding our annual literary assembly. We had over 200 students attend to hear our three guest authors -- Seth Fischer, Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, and Lilliam Rivera -- speak about their journey as writers and why they write and then read from their work. At the end of the event, we had about fifteen minutes for questions and answers. After the event students were able to talk to the authors one-on-one, buy books, and have the authors sign their books.
Bermejo spoke about her family's history as immigrants from Mexico and her work with No More Deaths on the Arizona border shaped her writing and her first book of poems. Fischer spoke about the criticism he received as a non-fiction writer writing about being bisexual and how his persistence rewarded him with gratitude from many who felt their stories would never be heard and with an invitation to visit the White House for the first summit on bisexuality. Rivera spoke about growing up Latina in the Bronx and, while a huge fan of Judy Blume and many other books, she never had stories that included Latinas like her. So she started writing them.
For many students, this may be the first time the hear in person and meet the writers behind books. Like me when I was in high school, students imagine writers to be some elusive idea, a special class of people who get to tell stories. By listening to these writers, they are empowered to see themselves as agents of culture --whether it be telling stories or creating art or making a film. It is encouraging for them to know that others who have struggled with acceptance, confidence, and just figuring out what to do in life were able to publish a book. Though I cannot say this is true for all students, for a few this could be a moment that changes what they imagine is possible for their future.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
Books for the Next Generation of Readers!
Funded Jan 1, 2017Book Club wants to thank you for your generous donation. Our club has made steady and healthy progress. Our members continue to look forward to continuing the two series we have provided. During our meetings, we distributed the donated books and encouraged students to share their opinions on their personal copy. The resulting conversations were both engaging and enlightening! Those who have finished the first books were very interested to continue reading the series. They are especially excited over the hardcover copies! Every week, we receive steady attendance that I find especially encouraging .
At our weekly meetings, we get to measure how far we have read in the novel and discuss our thoughts and opinions of the characters and how they are portrayed by the author. We recently compare the two series and discuss the similarities and their uniqueness Many have already finished both books and look forward to finding creative ways to foreshadow the contents of the next installments. Those who are currently reading the book are enjoying it immensely and look forward to adding their own input.
We enjoy the original and engaging world the novels depict to us and the characters come alive with so much detail. I personally find myself anticipating the deeper plot and character development of the next installment. We sincerely thank you for helping us continue make our club a success!
Sincerely,
Faith”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
We Need New and Diverse Books!
Funded Jan 23, 2017Our library wants to thank you for your generous donation. Our library is the main source of independent reading for many students. While we also provide materials to support curriculum, a key mission of the library is to provide students with reading that supports their diverse interests. I was lucky that this library already had a strong collection. However, due to no specific fund being allocated for library collection development, I have had to rely on the generosity of donors like you to keep up with the newest Young Adult fiction and non-fiction. In addition to having new books, I also make it a priority to provide books that reflect the diversity of our student body and Los Angeles, hence this order of books published in 2016 and noted on many lists, including We Need Diverse Books. I just finished processing the books for circulation and put them out on display, as you see in the pictures, and already three of the books have been checked out and one of those three has a hold on it.
Thank you for keeping our students' excitement for reading alive by making these books available for them and for helping the library remain relevant on campus by providing current titles of high-interest to our patrons.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
New Books, New Year, New Book Club
Funded Aug 28, 2016Dear Donors,
Book Club wants to thank you for your generous donation. As the new president of this club, I had high hopes to make this year a particular success. To do this I wanted to attract new members with engaging novels to start. During our school's club fair, we displayed the donated books and encouraged students to sign-up and receive their personal copy. The results were phenomenal! Those who have heard of the book were very interested to start reading the series. People were so interested that we ran out of book to give! We gained over 19 new members and the novels are still in high demand.
At our weekly meetings, we get to measure how far we have read in the novel and discuss our thoughts and opinions of the characters and how they are portrayed by the author. Many have already finished the book and look forward to finding creative ways to foreshadow what is to come for those still reading the book. Those who are currently reading the book are enjoying it immensely and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
We enjoy the original and engaging world the novels depict to us and the characters come alive with so much detail. I personally find myself relating to the characters and putting myself in their place. Whether if I feel frustration or elation, I am completely captivated by the world the main character, Mare is ensnared in and how she will make a difference in her cause In effect I experience the rush of emotions and excitement from every major scene and plot twist. The novels are a huge hit among us members and we already have requests being made for the next book. We sincerely thank you for helping us start our year with so much success!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation & Think It Up Supporters and 2 other donors.Learning to Face Life's Challenges through Books
Funded Feb 8, 2016Thank you for donating How to be Brave and The Outsider to book club. I know I have stated before that we wanted In the name of Friendship, but there was some complications with getting the novel and we replaced it with The Outsider. The Outsider like In the Name of Friendship will still teach us how to overcome challenges.
My members were very excited to read How to be Brave. She is a relatable character, because we all want to break out of our shells like she does. We meet at lunch in the library to talk about the novel. Our members are a mixture of seniors, freshman, sophomores, and juniors. We all might be in different age groups, but our love for reading is what brings us together. This experience with working with donor choose has taught me and my members how one act of kindness can go a long way. Your donation has brought our club one step closer to meeting our goal, which is to read as many books as possible together for this year. Thank you again for helping our club with your donation.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation & Think It Up Supporters and one other donor.Fangirl for Fans of Books!
Funded Dec 4, 2015Thank you for your generosity. By funding our project all our book club members were able to get their own copy of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, the current selection for the club. Give what fans our club members are of books, this seems like an appropriate title for each of them to own to start their own personal library. As fellow avid readers, I suspect you may also remember that first book or where each book came from when you look at your shelves. I hope the books students get from book club through donors like you will be a reminder of a time and group where they were able to share and nurture their love of reading.
While being a librarian I encourage the use of the library, there is something special about owning your own book and being able to support writers. By providing students with their own copy, we are able to plant the seed that literature is valuable and important to support when we can. Even though most of my students come from lower or working class families, they are excited to buy books when they can and would prefer gifts of books to other gadgets their peers may value more.
The book club is completely student run and they meet weekly during lunch in the library to plan their reading list and talk about the monthly selection. While I provide some guidance as far as selections and in creating campaigns like this one, they are the force that keeps the club going, so not only are they connecting over something they are passionate about, but they are building leadership and community organizing skills around that passion. In addition to providing them this book, your donations provide them with encouragement that what they are doing matters.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby
Books for the Next Generation of Book Lovers!
Funded Mar 6, 2015Thank you for the books for book club. The students were excited to have their own copies to read and bring to book club. They were happy to be able to make notes and mark pages. Likewise, we noticed a sense of loyalty and investment in book club since students were given books. They are already planning their lists for summer and next year.
By investing in our students, you have encouraged reading and literacy in our youth. Moreover, by giving students to start their won personal libraries, your gift is like a seed for lifelong engagement with reading.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Cheby