Building Empathy and Growth: Diverse Books for Young Readers
Help me give my students social-emotional books and literature from underrepresented voices to expand our reading nook, promoting empathy, resilience, and inclusivity, while fostering personal growth and meaningful classroom discussions.
I am lucky to teach a group of energetic, curious, and creative third graders. I love my students' eagerness to learn about themselves and others. They approach challenges with open hearts, showing kindness, empathy, and a strong desire to grow. This project aims to provide social-emotional learning books and literature from underrepresented voices to help them build these essential skills. These books will support my students in developing empathy, resilience, and self-awareness, helping them understand diverse perspectives and navigate their emotions.
The goal of this project is to expand our classroom library with books that encourage personal growth, spark important conversations, and foster inclusivity.
By exploring these resources, students will not only enhance their social-emotional skills but also learn to appreciate different cultures and experiences. This will create a more positive and supportive classroom environment where students feel understood and valued.
What makes my students special is their diversity and willingness to learn from one another. Each student brings their unique perspective, and this enriches our classroom discussions and activities. By adding these books to our reading nook, I hope to empower my students to grow both emotionally and academically. With these resources, they will be equipped with the tools to thrive as confident, empathetic individuals who value inclusivity and understanding.
More than a third 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
6 Book Set: Lee & Low PRETEEN Mental Health Bundle #2 (ages 8-12) YA Books for Classroom Library - social emotional learning
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$90.00
1
$90.00
6 Book Set: Lee & Low PRETEEN Mental Health Bundle #1 (ages 8-12) YA Books for Classroom Library - social emotional learning
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$90.00
1
$90.00
5 Book Set: Graphic Novels #2 - Underrepresented Authors (paperback, ages 8-12) - Break, Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch, Four Eyes, Invisible, Duel
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$80.00
1
$80.00
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #7 - Underrepresented Family & Social Emotional Learning (paperback, ages 8-12) Twin Cities, Two Tribes, Dear Dad, Uprooted
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$70.00
1
$70.00
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #4 - Underrepresented Stories Social Emotional Learning (paperback 10+) Snapdragon, El Deafo, Space Boy 1-3, Parachute Kids
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$60.00
1
$60.00
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #6 - Underrepresented Stories in Sports (paperback, ages 8-12) Swim Team, Gamerville, Hoops, Change the Game
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$60.00
1
$60.00
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #1 - Underrepresented Authors (paperback, ages 10+) - American Born Chinese, Mexikid, Frizzy, When Stars Are Scattered
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$60.00
1
$60.00
4 Elementary Favorites - Book Set #1 (ages 8-12): Black Boy Joy, Good Kind of Trouble, Stamped For Kids, Hidden Figures Young Readers' x MahoganyBooks
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$52.00
1
$52.00
3 Book Set: 2024 Award Winners - The First State of Being, Mid-Air, Wild Dreamers (3 hardcover fiction stories from underrepresented authors)
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$52.00
1
$52.00
8 Mini Emotion Plush Toys with A Little SPOT of Feelings Hardcover Book Set (fidget toy set, social emotional learning, compassion, calming corner)
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$52.00
1
$52.00
3 Book Set: GIRLS in STEM Bundle: Counting on Katherine, Shark Lady, Ada Twist, Scientist (hardcover picture books, science math)
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$48.00
1
$48.00
4 Book Set: Native American Paperback Book Club (ages 8-12) - The Sea in Winter, We Still Belong, How I Became a Ghost, Ancestor Approved
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$46.00
1
$46.00
3 Book Set: Erin Entrada Kelly Author Study (The First State of Being, Hello Universe, We Dream of Space) - Award Winning
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$42.00
1
$42.00
3 Book Set: Graphic Novels - Jerry Craft Author Study: New Kid, Class Act, School Trip (paperback) x Black Books Matter from MahoganyBooks
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$42.00
1
$42.00
3 Book Set: The Crossover Series (ages 8-12, boxed): The Crossover, Booked, Rebound (paperback) x Black Books Matter from MahoganyBooks
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$32.00
1
$32.00
Materials cost
$876.00
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$62.63
3rd party payment processing fee
$13.14
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$981.77
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$173.25
Total project goal
$1,155.02
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,155.02
2 Donors
-$1,135.02
Donations toward project cost
-$964.77
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$170.25
match offer
-$20.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$17.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Jensen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"AZ","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":false,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/building-empathy-and-growth-diverse-boo/9199211/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":50,"isEquityFocusV1":false,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Jensen","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1745564190","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Tempe","teachersOnPage":[5925307],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9199211,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":63341,"schoolName":"Kyrene De Las Manitas Elementary School","authorIds":{"5925307":{"owner":"Mrs. Jensen","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9199211],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5925307_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543609750778","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":21288232,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":5925307,"schoolCounty":"Maricopa","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"AZ","name":"Arizona"}}
