You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Sellers from El Cajon, CA is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Sellers is requesting

A more Representative Classroom Library

Help me give my students a classroom library that is representative of the student body. These books will help provide windows and mirrors for my students to develop empathy and a love of reading.

  • $1,099 goal

This project expired on October 3, 2025.

This project expired on October 3, 2025.

My Project

A diverse and representative classroom library is a powerful tool for empowering English Learner (EL) students in a high school class. Far beyond just providing reading practice, these libraries become mirrors and windows that foster literacy, engagement, and a profound sense of belonging.

Mirrors: When EL students see their own cultures, languages, and experiences reflected in the books on the shelves, it sends a powerful message: "Your story matters.

You are seen, valued, and belong in this academic space." This affirmation can boost self-confidence, reduce anxiety, and strengthen their identity, making them more comfortable and motivated to engage with learning. Reading about characters who share similar backgrounds or navigate similar challenges allows them to make personal connections, deepen comprehension, and feel validated in their unique journeys.

Windows: Equally important, a diverse library provides EL students with "windows" into other cultures and perspectives. This exposure broadens their worldview, cultivates empathy, and helps them understand the diverse tapestry of the classroom, school, and wider world. By encountering different narrative styles, cultural references, and socio-economic realities, they develop critical thinking skills and a more nuanced understanding of complex global issues, all while expanding their vocabulary and language proficiency in a contextually rich way.

Ultimately, a classroom library that reflects the diverse world we live in is not just a collection of books; it's an inclusive learning environment that actively supports EL students' linguistic development, cultural understanding, and overall academic success. It transforms reading from a solitary task into a bridge of connection, understanding, and empowerment.

Mrs. Sellers Valhalla High School Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

El Cajon, CA View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

90 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Sellers is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
6 Book Set: Lee & Low TEEN Mental Health Bundle #2 (ages 13-18) YA Books for Classroom Library - social emotional learning • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $99.00 1 $99.00
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #8 - Underrepresented Stories Social Emotional Learning (paperback, ages 14+ mature) The Talk, Hey Kiddo, Sunshine, Weirdo • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $76.00 1 $76.00
3 Hardcover YA Book Set (14+): They Both Die at the End, First to Die at the End, Survivor Wants to Die at the End (Death-Cast Series x Adam Silvera) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $62.00 1 $62.00
MARCH (Trilogy Slipcase Set) 3 Book Set x Black Books Matter from MahoganyBooks - featured Black History books for classroom library • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $49.00 1 $49.00
One of Us Is Lying Series Boxed Set: One of Us Is Lying; One of Us Is Next; One of Us Is Back • Amazon Business $42.01 1 $42.01
Ultimate Unwind Paperback Collection (Boxed Set): Unwind; UnWholly; UnSouled; UnDivided; UnBound (Unwind Dystology) • Amazon Business $30.99 1 $30.99
Heartstopper #1-4 Box Set • Amazon Business $30.00 1 $30.00
Legend Series 3 Books Collection Set By Marie Lu (Legend, Prodigy, Champion) • Amazon Business $28.90 1 $28.90
Maus I & II Paperback Box Set • Amazon Business $24.57 1 $24.57
Truly Devious 3-Book Box Set: Truly Devious, Vanishing Stair, and Hand on the Wall • Amazon Business $20.17 1 $20.17
The To All the Boys I've Loved Before Paperback Collection (Boxed Set): To All the Boys I've Loved Before; P.S. I Still Love You; Always and Forever, Lara Jean • Amazon Business $18.87 1 $18.87
Dragon Hoops • Amazon Business $16.33 1 $16.33
Furia (hardcover) - Reese's Book Club YA Pick • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $15.00 1 $15.00
The Henna Wars • Amazon Business $14.61 1 $14.61
They Both Die at the End (paperback) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $14.00 1 $14.00
The Marrow Thieves • Amazon Business $13.84 1 $13.84
Opposite of Always • Amazon Business $12.79 1 $12.79
Sadie • Amazon Business $12.09 1 $12.09
Love from A to Z (A Coming-of-Age Romance) • Amazon Business $12.08 1 $12.08
Odd One Out • Amazon Business $11.75 1 $11.75
Superman Smashes the Klan • Amazon Business $11.39 1 $11.39
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $10.94 1 $10.94
Chaos Theory • Amazon Business $10.72 1 $10.72
Here to Stay • Amazon Business $10.63 1 $10.63
Almost American Girl: A Graphic Memoir • Amazon Business $10.48 1 $10.48
Nyxia Unleashed (The Nyxia Triad) • Amazon Business $10.39 1 $10.39
Nyxia Uprising (The Nyxia Triad) • Amazon Business $10.27 1 $10.27
Ace of Spades • Amazon Business $10.03 1 $10.03
Dancing at the Pity Party • Amazon Business $9.89 1 $9.89
Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad) • Amazon Business $9.79 1 $9.79
In the Wild Light • Amazon Business $9.79 1 $9.79
The Poet X • Amazon Business $9.76 1 $9.76
Speak - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $9.48 1 $9.48
American Born Chinese • Amazon Business $9.05 1 $9.05
Monday's Not Coming • Amazon Business $9.04 1 $9.04
The Prince and the Dressmaker • Amazon Business $8.75 1 $8.75
All American Boys • Amazon Business $8.39 1 $8.39
All My Rage: A Novel • Amazon Business $8.26 1 $8.26
Dear Justyce • Amazon Business $7.94 1 $7.94
A Good Kind of Trouble - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $7.29 1 $7.29
Blended • Amazon Business $7.07 1 $7.07
Dear Martin • Amazon Business $6.88 1 $6.88
Black Brother, Black Brother - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $6.56 1 $6.56

Materials cost

$816.79

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $74.74

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.25

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$933.78

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$164.78

Total project goal

$1,098.56

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

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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 Mrs. Sellers and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":1099,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/a-more-representative-classroom-library/9396511/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":90,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Sellers","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"2017265155","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"El Cajon","teachersOnPage":[2262829],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9396511,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":36700,"schoolName":"Valhalla High School","authorIds":{"2262829":{"owner":"Mrs. Sellers","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9396511],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2262829_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1456938799023","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":379930,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":633,"proposalURL":"project/lego-bricks-for-el-students/9957922/","proposalTitle":"LEGO Bricks for EL Students","proposalId":9957922},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":2262829,"schoolCounty":"San Diego","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}