Apocalyptic Los Angeles in Octavia Butler's "Parable"

Mar 10, 2009 Di Z a staff member at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Mr. H.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

Oct 14, 2008 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the books for Mr. H.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Oct 14, 2008 Mr. H. the Teacher

Dear Dulcie, Myra, Camille, Dawn O'Bryan-Lamb, Jordan, Kelly, Eugene, Harriet, Chris, Tanith, ej, Rebecca, Sharis, Pam, Keffy Kehrli, Genevieve, Robin and Anonymous Donors, 

My students and I are deeply appreciative of your generous support. We have just finished reading George Orwell's "1984" as part of our utopia/dystopia unit, and Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower" will be an excellent addition to the unit. Expanding the literary canon to include more multicultural works for my minority students has always been part of my mission as an English teacher. Thank you for enabling me to include this provocative and prescient writer in the curriculum. We are very excited and very grateful. Sincerely, Curt

Reply to the classroom

Oct 3, 2008 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Oct 3, 2008 Dawn O'Bryan-Lamb gave from Mountain View, CA

Oct 3, 2008 Jordan from Lafayette, CO

"Parable of the Sower is new to me this year - and like all new loves, I want others to meet and love it too."

Oct 3, 2008 Keffy Kehrli from Seattle, WA

":)"

Oct 3, 2008 Chris gave

Oct 3, 2008 A donor gave

Oct 3, 2008 Dulcie from

"I'm happy to support the purchase of more books, especially by outstanding authors like Octavia Butler. I hope you enjoy the book, be prepared to have your mind blown right open!"

Oct 3, 2008 Tanith gave from Minneapolis, MN

Oct 3, 2008 Kelly gave from Tucson, AZ

Oct 3, 2008 Eugene from New York

"I'm happy to share Octavia E. Butler's fiction with a new audience. I hope everyone enjoys and appreciates her work as much as I have, and helps build the future she hoped for."

Oct 3, 2008 A donor

"Octavia Butler was a great writer, and kids should have a chance to read all kinds of books, as they help your mind grow. "

Oct 3, 2008 Genevieve

"This has long been one of my favorite books. I first read it 15 years ago, and many times since. I like it so much that I wrote a study guide for it as part of an internship for Seattle's Science Fiction Museum when I was in library school. I love what it says about religion and about persistence in the face of catastrophe."

Oct 3, 2008 Robin

"Octavia Butler was one of the first writers who let me know I wasn't alone. There are more of "us" out there (minorities who love science fiction and fantasy) - you just need to look and see! You're not an anathema, you're a gift. Read on, explore, and touch the stars!"

Oct 3, 2008 Harriet

"One of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Bear, passed along a link to Pam Noles' blog "And We Shall March" where she mentioned your project. I love reading more than almost anything because of how it can blow your mind open to so many different ideas and times and places and people, and I love Octavia Butler's work."

Oct 3, 2008 A donor

" "

Oct 3, 2008 Myra

"Octavia Butler is by far my favorite fantasy author. Her writing has always been more real to me because it was about my people, my culture, my life growing up and as an adult. I hope you all find the same connection, inspiration, and hope I did."

Oct 3, 2008 A donor gave

Oct 3, 2008 Camille from New York

"I hope Octavia Butler brings you to new worlds like she did for me. Until I read her I didn't even know there were other black women who loved science fiction, much less ones who wrote. It's brought me much joy and I hope it does for you too."

Oct 3, 2008 ej

"Here via Pam Noles' blog. This is one of my favorite books; Octavia Butler has been an inspiration to me ever since I discovered her. I hope you guys enjoy it!"

Oct 3, 2008 Rebecca from rivkat@gmail.com,

"Pam Toles wrote about the plan on her blog! It's a great book and a great course."

Oct 3, 2008 Sharis

"This book is on my desert island short list. It is not very cheerful, but it is filled with hope, characters that remind me of real people, and good writing. I hope that you find it as inspiring as I have."

Oct 3, 2008 A donor

"Also pointed to this by Pam's blog; thanks Pam! This book should be part of standard grade school reading lists."

Oct 3, 2008 A donor

"The blog "And We Shall March" mentioned this project. I'm a big fan of Octavia Butler's work. I think it's wonderful that your teacher is using "Parable of the Sower" in your class. I hope it inspires you to read more of her books."

Oct 3, 2008 Pam supporting LA Brain Terrain Giving Page

"Butler's mind-expanding work has been a great inspiration to me since I first read her when I was a teen - and the only black geek I knew of within a 20-mile radius. I wish you joy in your coming discovery. "

Jul 20, 2008 Keelin B a staff member at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.

Jul 20, 2008 Keelin B a staff member at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.