As the new school year approaches, nonprofit Madison Reading Project is trying to stretch school district budgets by inviting teachers and others in the Dane County community to bring new, diverse books to area elementary and middle school classrooms.
As part of a Books for Educators program, Madison Reading Project is trying to help school districts that can’t afford to purchase the necessary new books with current topics or replace well-worn copies of classics. Rowan Childs, executive director of Madison Reading Project, says educators tell the project that their classrooms need diverse books that reflect the unique identities of students.
“We are offering all pre-K–12th grade teachers a unique opportunity to come to our Book Center, or fill out a web form, to shop for up to 25 new books for their classroom libraries,” says Childs. “We see firsthand during our summer literacy programs that children will engage with books and be excited to read books they can relate to.”
People can donate books or make a cash donation by viewing Madison Reading Project’s Wish List at https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/bookdonationguidelines.
Teachers seeking books can find complete details at https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/booksforeducators.
