rachelmanija: (Book Fix)
rachelmanija ([personal profile] rachelmanija) wrote2012-08-23 12:32 pm

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

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
daidoji_gisei: (Default)

[personal profile] daidoji_gisei 2012-08-23 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I just linked this on Facebook, since I have actual readers there. I will check my collection at home, but I'm not sure I have anything in that age range.
nextian: From below, a woman and a flock of birds. (Default)

[personal profile] nextian 2012-08-23 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I've got some Blue Beetle & a copy of Octavian Nothing I might be able to send their way--let me find out. What a great idea!

[personal profile] vera_l 2012-08-23 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Question: are books that fit these criteria but are also ex-library copies okay? One of the books I have is in very good shape, but it does have a library barcode and an inside cover with assorted stuff like "Surplus Property: City of X".

[personal profile] vera_l 2012-08-24 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Makes sense; thanks.
pauraque: bird flying (Default)

[personal profile] pauraque 2012-08-24 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
I suspect any books of mine have been too well-loved to pass as new, but I'll check what I have!
vass: Jon Stewart reading a dictionary (books)

[personal profile] vass 2012-08-24 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
Kate Bornstein's Hello Cruel World is on its way.

[identity profile] oracne.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I can send something. Might be a week or so.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] oracne.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Also tweeting.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, that's great. I don't do Twitter.
naomikritzer: (Default)

[personal profile] naomikritzer 2012-08-23 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
My kids just culled their bookcase. I can definitely send the culled books that are in good condition.
naomikritzer: (Default)

[personal profile] naomikritzer 2012-08-23 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I looked again and I assume I should also cull stuff like Rainbow Fairies books, given that these are middle/high school kids?

[identity profile] marthawells.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I love book fairs! I don't have any at home, but I'll send some from Barnes and Noble.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, they don't need picture books or anything that young. The youngest kids are fifth or sixth graders.

On the other hand, some are ESL readers. But I think nothing so young that it would look insulting, if you know what I mean.

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! That would be fantastic.
naomikritzer: (Default)

[personal profile] naomikritzer 2012-08-23 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Rainbow Fairies aren't picture books. They're very, very short easy reader chapter books with line art. (They're also incredibly inane.)

There are books like this for older kids (the term is hi-lo, I think) but Rainbow Fairies is probably in the "so young it looks insulting" category. If we had any Secrets of Droon I'd probably send it along (it's slightly edgier fantasy, same basic reading level.)

[identity profile] tool-of-satan.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
We have approximately a billion books to get rid of, but I think they are all for young children or adults, unfortunately. I will check.

[identity profile] cafenowhere.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I have books to contribute, but no money until next month. That okay?

[identity profile] rachelmanija.livejournal.com 2012-08-23 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
That's fabulous! They're just looking for books, not donations.

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