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!

Ms. Swift from Winston Salem, NC is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Swift is requesting

Novels for Growing Scholars

Help me give my students the opportunity to learn and grow through various novels.

  • $821 goal

This project expired on September 26, 2025.

This project expired on September 26, 2025.

My Project

The novels Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan and The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis are musts in the classroom.

They are powerful, age-appropriate novels that support fifth grade scholars in developing not only as strong readers but also as thoughtful leaders.

Esperanza Rising tells the story of a young girl who must rebuild her life after her family loses everything during the Great Depression. As Esperanza faces hardships as a migrant farmworker, students learn about resilience, empathy, and social justice. The novel introduces rich vocabulary and figurative language, while its historical context helps students understand economic inequality and the immigrant experience. Through Esperanza’s transformation, students witness the power of perseverance and compassion—key qualities in leadership. Discussions around identity, privilege, and responsibility provide opportunities for students to reflect on their own values and choices.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 blends humor and history to tell the story of an African American family’s trip from Michigan to the segregated South during the Civil Rights Movement. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Kenny, students explore themes of family, courage, and social change. The novel encourages readers to analyze character development, dialogue, and historical setting, strengthening comprehension and critical thinking skills. It also fosters deep discussions about racism, empathy, and how young people can stand up for justice—core lessons in ethical leadership.

Together, these novels offer diverse perspectives and emotionally engaging narratives that help students connect literature to real-world issues. By reading and analyzing these stories, fifth graders expand their literacy skills and grow as individuals who think critically, speak thoughtfully, and lead with heart. These texts not only build academic confidence but also inspire students to become compassionate citizens in their communities and beyond.

Ms. Swift Griffith Elementary School Grades 3-5

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.

Winston Salem, NC 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

108 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 Ms. Swift 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
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 - Paperback Book • AKJ Education $6.56 50 $328.00
Esperanza Rising (Scholastic Gold) • Amazon Business $5.26 50 $263.00
Esperanza Rising: An Instructional Guide for Literature - Novel Study Guide for 4th-8th Grade Literature with Close Reading and Writing Activities (Great Works Classroom Resource) • Amazon Business $11.15 1 $11.15
The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963: An Instructional Guide for Literature - Novel Study Guide for 4th-8th Grade Literature with Close Reading and Writing Activities (Great Works Classroom Resource) • Amazon Business $8.78 1 $8.78

Materials cost

$610.93

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $47.65

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.16

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$697.74

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$123.13

Total project goal

$820.87

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 Ms. Swift and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NC","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":821,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/novels-for-growing-scholars/9382285/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":108,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Swift","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-993161989","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Winston Salem","teachersOnPage":[5222435],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9382285,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":1488,"schoolName":"Griffith Elementary School","authorIds":{"5222435":{"owner":"Ms. Swift","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9382285],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5222435_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1529066940625","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":6,"teacherChallengeId":21149562,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":5222435,"schoolCounty":"Forsyth","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NC","name":"North Carolina"}}