Book Drive: Help a Compton School Create a Library From Scratch!

[rachelmanija]

I am holding an online book drive to benefit a middle school/high school in Compton. If you have any young adult or middle grade (children's) books in good condition, you can help create a school library by mailing them to the address at the bottom of this post.

If you don't have any books, please consider linking to this post.

Books with Latino/Latina or African-American protagonists would probably be especially appreciated, as that describes most of the students. The students also love manga and other comics, and were hugely excited when I donated some. Many students can read Spanish, and some primarily read Spanish. Other than that, send anything - fiction or nonfiction.

Lifeline Education Charter School is in a low income area, and textbooks are so expensive that they can't afford to buy other books. Mr. Obed Nartey, with whom I had a lovely talk at the school the other day, is creating a new library/computer lab for the students. He is also starting a book club.

Students are already excited about this... but they need something to read. Please help them out, if you can. I will put up some photos of the library which you helped create, when it launches.

Please send books here. Media mail is the cheapest way to mail books.

Attn: Mr. Obed Nartey
Lifeline Education Charter School
225 South Santa Fe
Compton, CA 90221

If you think you'll send something, please comment, so I can give Mr. Nartey a heads-up to expect some packages.

ETA: If you're thinking of ordering something specifically for the school, Reading in Color has a bunch of book reviews here which might give you some ideas: http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/p/reviews-by-title.html

She also has several book lists: http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/p/booklists.html

Comments

[badgerbag.livejournal.com]

I'll send some books. Also, signal boosting.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com]

So I was wondering if this was just strictly YA and Middle School lit, or if we're looking more at reading levels? Because I have a bunch of Mercedes Lackey books that I would put solidly in a high school age bracket, but that aren't technically YA. I'm putting a box together to mail and was wondering if I should throw those in there too. :)

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

The issue is reading level. Throw in the Lackey!

[bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com]

Heh, shall do. Although I'm wondering if I should feel guilty for subjecting another generation to Vanyel the Emo. *g* Most of the rest of the box is a mix of YA zombie & supernatural romance with about 50% being middle school general literature. I saw your comment about fantasy heavy boxes and tailored accordingly. :)

[peanut13171.livejournal.com]

I was going to donate books, but then I noticed it's a christian school. Do they deny science (i.e. do they teach creationism and intelligent design)?

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware that it's a Christian school. Out of curiosity, can you tell me where you found that information?

I would be surprised if they deny science, given that it's a public school, it's starting up a computer lab, and I didn't get any content guidelines on the books to be donated. But if you email me, I can put you in touch with Mr. Nartey, who can tell you more about the curriculum.

[peanut13171.livejournal.com]

I googled the address and theres a big cross on the building. So I assumed it was a Christian school. Maybe the charter is renting / buying the building?

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I think it's a shared complex. There's also a large church next door.

ETA: Looks like the same address also hosts Compton First Christian Church.

[fadethecat.livejournal.com]

Eep. Actually, I should possibly ask about that. There were some manga series I waffled on because they're on the (non-explicit) yaoi side of their genre. Should I leave that stuff out, or send it along? I figure the teacher will pull out anything he considers inappropriate, but I was thinking of tossing in my copies of Legal Drug, and will leave them out if they're not wanted.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Legal Drug is fine, as is anything at that level. Manga is marked with age-appropriateness on the cover.

I mentioned to Mr. Nartey that something I was donating was fine for high schoolers but maybe not for middle-schoolers, and he didn't bat an eye.

[nojojojo.livejournal.com]

I have scads of books to donate. And I'll toss in the Spanish-language versions of my own books.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! That is fantastic.

[naamah-darling.livejournal.com]

I mailed off a bunch of books about ten minutes ago (I forgot to count, but . . . around 20?) and the postal woman said it should be there Tuesday via media mail. No guarantees on that, of course, but it's an ETA.

I wish I could send more, I really do, but it was all I had left after last year's massive book purge, and we are skint broke. I hope he can use everything I sent.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they'll be very much appreciated.

[leah-cypess.livejournal.com]

I saw this via Stephanie Burgis's tweet - I have a couple of hardcover YA books (including my own) that I can send over. Thanks for the opportunity!

[nightwalker.livejournal.com]

This is a great idea, I hope the library gets a ton of donations. I'll be sending out a package when I get paid next weekend. When you say comics, would they only like graphic novels? I have a box of single-issue comics that I've been hanging onto but will probably never read again. If you think the school can use them, I'll be happy to include them.

[leaina.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I did a really big book purge a few months ago (usually I donate to my local library), but I still managed to find a couple of boxes of books to send along - and I'll keep the school in mind for future donations of age-appropriate books. Thanks for publicizing the need!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

I posted a box today, from Maryland. Don't know how long it will take to get there, though.

[spatz.livejournal.com]

I finally sorted through my old books and will be sending a box on Monday!