Help me give my students the novels The Lightning Thief and Fish in a Tree to grow their love of reading and empathy for others.
$2,155 goal
This project expired on July 13, 2025.
This project expired on July 13, 2025.
My Project
Each year, our 6th graders read several novels and their 2 favorites are always the same: FIsh in a Tree and The Lightning Thief. We want ALL of the 6th graders at our middle school to read these 2 novels at the same time. This will allow us to teach important social and emotional learning lessons to our students at the same time. Right now, we only have enough novels for 2 of the 9 homerooms to read the same novel at the same time. With your generous donation, all 180 6th grade students will be able to read the novels simultaneously!
Reading builds students' empathy for their peers by stepping into the shoes of characters from different backgrounds, cultures, and social classes.
While reading these two novels, 6th graders connect with characters and their experiences, building empathy and understanding. When middle schoolers become emotionally invested in a story, they experience the characters' joys, sorrows, and challenges, which can lead to a deeper understanding of human emotions, motivation, and themselves.
Fish in a Tree and The Lightning Thief communicate themes that resonate socially and emotionally with 11 and 12 year olds. As they experience middle school for the first time, our students really benefit from the lessons of empathy, friendship and courage learned from these stories. We've witnessed students have deep, meaningful and transformative discussions about these 2 books. By funding this project, these positive learning experiences can expand next year to happen grade-wide at the same time.
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
Never Before Funded180 students impacted
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