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Mrs. Parkinson from Gary, IN is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Parkinson is requesting

Books That Reflect Us: Culturally Relevant Stories for Students

Help me give my students book which are culturally relevant to the issues they deal with in their every day lives.

  • $877 goal

This project expired on August 28, 2025.

This project expired on August 28, 2025.

My Project

My students are curious, vibrant learners who thrive when they see themselves reflected in the stories they read. They come from diverse cultural backgrounds and deserve access to texts that affirm their identities and lived experiences. Culturally relevant books will not only build engagement and confidence but also deepen comprehension by connecting literature to their own lives. These resources will support meaningful discussions, promote empathy, and encourage a love of reading. By providing mirrors and windows through literature, I aim to empower every student in my classroom to feel seen, valued, and inspired.

In many traditional classroom libraries, students from urban communities often struggle to find characters, settings, and stories that reflect their realities.

This gap in representation can create a disconnect between students and reading. By intentionally selecting culturally relevant texts, I am working to close that gap and foster a more inclusive learning environment. These books will serve as springboards for literacy skills, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth. When students recognize themselves in literature, they are more likely to engage deeply, make personal connections, and develop a lifelong love for learning and reading.

Mrs. Parkinson Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Grades 6-8

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.

Gary, IN View local requests

Nearly all 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

125 students impacted

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
New Kid: A Newbery Award Winner • Amazon Business $7.43 35 $260.05
Brown Girl Dreaming • Amazon Business $6.39 35 $223.65
Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You • Amazon Business $6.31 35 $220.85

Materials cost

$704.55

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$10.57

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$745.12

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$131.49

Total project goal

$876.61

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 Mrs. Parkinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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