Diversity in Books

The Intervention team at Clairemont Elementary felt that their existing guided-reading library of leveled books failed to adequately reflect the rich diversity of the school’s population. As a means of engaging their students as well as reinforcing the school’s commitment to the Expeditionary Learning design principles of Diversity and Inclusion, the team purchased book sets from Song Lake Books, a multicultural children’s book publisher, with help from a DEF grant. The new books create more varied reading experiences for the students through the diverse cultures and characters represented, and serve as a tangible way in which the school can celebrate its diversity. Intervention teacher Christie Manasso said, “These books help our students to grow into empathetic, empowered and literate learners, no matter what their background, and takes us another step towards equality and opportunity for all of our students.”