Last winter, my program director for Teach For America sent a notice out about free books for our students, we were all fighting for the limited spot. As it turns out, he was able to receive a truck load of brand new books from First Book, from contemporary titles about inner-city high schools to more well-known classics such as "Uncle Tom's Cabin", even biographies about famous African American authors. When I received the books, I was elated because now I have the perfect present for my 7th and 8th grade students. After teaching on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico for a while, I realized that students did not have much after-school activities, even when they go home. As a result, many of them become glued to the TV or addicted to video games. Many of them want to do other things like reading, but they don't have any book at home that are either appropriate for their age or their reading level.
When the students received them the day before Christmas Break, I got some usual moans and groans, but the majority replied with a hearty Thank You. After vacation, one of the first responses I heard was "I read all 4 of the books you gave us, Ms. Tang!" "I had nothing else better to do, so I read over the break." I was pleased that my gift, or better yet, TFA's gift to them was well-received.
This is when I first became attracted to the organization. I became a hard-headed advocate to bring First Book to our middle school. After introducing it before the Parent Advisory Committee, the principal went ahead with a "take care of it". I was excited, our secretary who helped me find student and school information for the application was also excited at the prospect at saving money in buying books and spending on other important items, even field trips.
As expect, my life soon became burdened by meetings, running after-school programs, coaching, and teaching. Even after introducing the organization and the website to our school librarian, I was still the sole person responsible for First Book as she later returned all information to me. I suppose with a more supportive administration and cohesive staff, the project could have taken off superbly. Unfortunately, we were not able to take full advantage of the organization.
Nevertheless, I love the idea of First Book, allowing every child the opportunity to read so that no one has the excuse to not able to buy books because they are expensive or unavailable. Education and literacy are important topics that our policy makers need to reexamine as our country begins to head in a better direction.
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