Evan Griffis’ Donation Project
Books for Incarcerated Youth in Georgia
The reason I wanted to participate in this project is because as a young child I loved to read. When I was younger I would read instead of play video games, watch television, or just about anything else. I know that not all children are being provided with the same opportunities I was and may not have developed the love of reading. I consider myself a pretty well-rounded person, and I think a lot of that is due to my love for reading as a child. That is why I have chosen this project. I want to be able to give other kids the same opportunity I was given to be able to grow their brain by reading.
My goal for this project was to get at least 20 books donated. However, due to the help of family members, I was already able to donate 34 gently used books in addition to the two I sent directly from Amazon.
When I initially began researching for this project, I found substantial research showing the difference that books and literacy make in the life of not only all youth, but specifically incarcerated youth. I then researched to find recommended books for teens and young adults that were also on an accessible reading level for a wide range of readers. I then began to look for organizations that organized collection of reading material for incarcerated youth in Georgia. Since I was not able to find such an organization, I contacted the Department of Juvenile Justice who put in contact with a DJJ facility near my location. I spoke with a representative at a local DJJ about the need for books at facilities with incarcerated youth.
I personally chose to donate the following books:
- Two Diary of a Wimpy Kid books ~ I know these books are very silly, but they got me excited to read as a young kid and I feel like it would be the same with other children.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ I always wanted to try to read these when I got a little older in order to challenge myself, and this is one of my favorite Harry Potter books. I feel like a young reader could “get lost” in this book.
To the people who want to participate in this project, DO IT! This project was really fun to do, and it feels great knowing that you are helping young students get resources to read. If you would like to participate in this project, I would recommend that you think about books that you have enjoyed and consider donating them. I have been asked that we refrain from sending books with any sexual content, drug use, or violence. So please keep that in mind as you are considering possible donations.
If you would like to donate directly , please send your donation to:
Please mail book donations to:
Director of Library Services
Attn: Medeana Hinson
Upshaw, 2nd Floor
300 Patrol Road
Forsyth, GA 31029
For more information about donating, including types of books accepted, books to avoid and where you can personally deliver donations, please visit the this site, http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/content/library
If you are having a hard time thinking of books to donate, I have made a list of possible donations that I feel would be great choices.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul by Jack Canfield
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Paper Towns by John Green
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
All the Walls of Belfast by Sarah Carlson
American Street by Ibi Zoboi
Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Every Day by David Levithan
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
If you are still unsure about donating books for the Books for Incarcerated Youth in Georgia project, please read some of the benefits at the following links.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED594436.pdf
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/jj.delinq.read.probs.htm
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles/lit.pdf
https://www.nap.edu/read/9972/chapter/5#17
Thank you so much for considering donating in an effort to help our incarcerated youth develop of a love of reading that could help turn their lives around!