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Mr. Ripley from Chicago IL is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Ripley is requesting

Multicultural Novels for Multicultural Readers

My students need examples of high-quality literature that feature strong multicultural characters: Meja Mwangis- Mzungu Boy and Deborah Ellis- Breadwinner Trilogy.

  • $519 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

My Students

Emerson said, "the secret of education lies in respecting the pupil." If you can't honor a child's past, what right do you have in trying to help shape her or his future?

My students define the very concept of diversity.

I teach at a public charter school that is focused on the needs of refugee and immigrant students. Over thirty languages are represented in a community primarily comprised of African and Asian students, many of whom have left unimaginable situations in their home countries to face steep challenges in America. Looking beyond any unfortunate circumstances they may face, the students at my school are an intelligent and insightful group, whose backgrounds provide just as many benefits as drawbacks. They are creative, hilarious, and generally adorable children that I love being able to work with every day.

My Project

Class sets of these books will provide for meaningful novel study units in which my students are not only exposed to well-written literature, but also representations of strong characters from cultures like their own. We read a lot of excellent stories over the course of the year, but very few of them provide a truly relevant experience for my students. It feels phony having them just read an American novel about an American boy with American problems. Last year, I created a world poetry unit that my class loved, and I hope to carry that enthusiasm into our study of narrative. Kenyan author Meja Mwangi's The Mzungu Boy is a story of unlikely friendship and adventure set against the historical backdrop of the Mau Mau Uprising. Deborah Ellis' The Breadwinner introduces a powerful and independent Afghani girl forced to support her family when her father is taken by the Taliban. Both books provide nuanced views of their respective cultures, balancing their strengths and imperfections.

I will never forget the time I displayed a picture of Maya Angelou during a lesson and one of my girls asked, "She ain't white?" This led to a class discussion in which student after student bluntly confirmed that literature is for white people.

Unfortunately, the messages that my students are continually bombarded with impress upon them the concept that this is a white world with white ideas and aspirations. Only through celebrating diverse voices and works can that notion be corrected.

Mr. Ripley
Grades 3-5

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
The Mzungu Boy • AKJ Books $6.53 30 $195.90
Breadwinner, The • AKJ Books $6.53 30 $195.90
Parvana''s Journey • AKJ Books $6.53 1 $6.53
Mud City • AKJ Books $6.53 1 $6.53

Materials cost

$404.86

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.07

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$440.93

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$77.81

Total project goal

$518.74

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $518.74

5 Donors

-$409.92

Donations toward project cost

-$355.93

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$53.99

match offer

-$100.00

Match offer toward project cost

-$85.00

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$15.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Ripley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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