“Eliminating the book desert is not just a matter of a person, a school, and a community. This requires all of us to make changes together so that children can have a greater chance of success.” -Yexin Huang
“Reading is a huge part of learning and the very foundation of a child’s school career. It helps with their vocabulary and makes them confident as a reader and a person. I hope that even though I don’t have many books to give, I can help another child blossom through reading my book.” -Kimberly Billings
“This is my second time participating in this project and I love the fact that this is still going strong. The need for books is great and I strongly believe that children who read everyday will become smarter and better students and citizens. Reading is a part of everyone’s lives, we have things to read everywhere we go. The importance for children to begin reading at a young age is a critical part in their early learning.” -Silvana Islas
“We must continue to share our resources with one another to ensure that students in underfunded schools or students in proximity of book desserts are not deprived of books and their ability to expand their imagination.” –Crystal Roque
“Students should have access to all types of books, so that’s why I believe the Eliminating Book Deserts is a good way to give back to everybody so they can have a chance to read and use their imagination. I am so happy to be part of this class and being able to donate books.” -Jocelyn Medina
“The Elimination Book Desert Project is one of the things I was expecting this semester. Reading is a huge part of a child’s education, and I am so grateful to have participated in this project.”-Candy Marcos
“The Eliminating Books Desert project is a great experience for everyone. It does not just have to be for schools. Inviting your friends and family to join in and help donate books to schools so that low-income children can have the opportunity to engage in different types of literature.”-Shundria Bush
“This was a fun project for me because I was able to give books to other schools that really need them for the students. I hope that everybody will enjoy these books and the school will be able to use them for a long time.” -Spencer Hardy
“I am so happy to be a part of the Eliminating Book Deserts project. This project has taught me about the lack of books in some schools. Every child deserves to have books that spark their imagination and they love. I know this project will definitely impact the increase in books for those school and I look forward to donating more books every year!”-Tamara Gomez-Rivas
“This project was a great way for teachers to have more books in their classroom, more books in the libraries, and even more books in their school to give the students more resources to read.”-Macayla Duffus
“A book is a portal to another dimension while being read, and as one continues to read, books create a pathway to a better life. The Eliminating Book Deserts Project is special because it specifically targets getting books to children who don’t have access to age appropriate books; these are children who will benefit the most from having access to more reading materials. Giving books to #EliminatingBookDeserts helps pave the way to a better life for innumerable students.”-Myra Pardue
“As a future educator, it is my job to be sure that kids of all ages have the opportunity to read and gain knowledge and insight on different views in the world. I have always known that reading was a sensitive issue in several communities, but I honestly had no idea that the book deserts were as significant as they are in so many areas. This is something that is very easy for people to make a difference with, and I think this project is something that many people can be involved in and help with, without having to sacrifice financially. What a great cause, and I am very happy to be a part of this project!-Kelly Mobley
“Working in a Title One district I can definitely see the lack of resources and books in the libraries at the local schools. While many have access to technology and reading resources on their phone, computers or Ipad, there is nothing like having a book in your hands and being able to use your imagination to create the image of what is going on in your head. We must do better as communities and state ensuring that all students have the resources necessary to be successful in life. Reading is fundamental and opens up so many possibilities for students to explore different cultures, worlds and expands their knowledge base exponentially.”-Nate Wardlaw
“I am so happy to be donating books for The Elimination Book Deserts Project. As a future educator, I was very disheartened in reading that many kids had limited access to books. Every child should have access to the best resources for their education. This project really motivates me to have many books for my classroom in the future because I want to provide my students with as many resources they deserve.”-Victor Del Rosario
“I think book desserts is so amazing because I love reading, and now I don’t really read for leisure but I write now and it is really fun to find a main character and learn about their worlds that are different from yours, or to figure out the mysteries and have it revealed and be just as shocked as to who the bad guys was just like the main characters.”-Rida Chaplin
“This project has inspired me so much that I have decided to set a goal for myself and to get a 1000books on my own by the end of next semester. I graduate this semester, but I am dedicating myself, my family, and friends to meet this goal. There is so much going on in the world today and at times I just feel so helpless and wish I can change the world. But what I can change is the hearts of thousands of children, when they open those books and dive in.”-Kimesha Goldsmith
“By donating books we give other people the opportunity to discover for themselves that one book that could change their lives. Passing on your books to someone else is the simplest way to spread the spirit of reading.”-Estefania Hernandez Barajas
“I believe that every child should have an equal opportunity to enter the great world of literature. “Book Deserts” is a serious problem that I believe deserves the same attention as many current social issues.”-Halla Nour
“I had never heard of this type of service-learning project before, but I was intrigued. To get the ball rolling on my participation with this assignment, I created a post on Facebook asking if anyone had any books that they were willing to donate. The responses I received was overwhelming. About twenty people responded to my posts stating they had books and wanted to donate. Of the twenty, I met with half of them to collect the books and was able to collect over 100 books for donation! It warmed my heart to see so many willing to give towards a cause like this..”-Andrea Howard
“Prior to completing the #eliminatingbookdeserts project, I had no idea book deserts existed. I had only heard of food deserts. The thought of children not having access to books is heartbreaking. As someone who was an avid reader growing up, I couldn’t imagine what life without books would be like. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this project to help children from low-income backgrounds transform their world through reading.”-Davianna Waluyn
“Reading is so important in stimulating a child’s imagination, gaining knowledge, and in all preparing them for the real world. This has been such an eye-opening experience and I intend to further my participation. I truly hope our goal of 1,000 books is reached. I can only imagine the excitement the kids will have.” -Dionne Nesbitt
“I always enjoying giving back to my community it makes me feel like a better person. By far one of the best projects I have done…”-Vanessa Oliveros Uriostegui
“I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity to get back to the schools in need and I wish this was something that was well known. I wanna do my part as a future educator to let as many people as I now know that they can donate books to schools in need to be of assistance to children’s education and development.”-Nya Pinkney
“I am ecstatic that I got to the chance to make a difference, even before I actually become a teacher. This project was most definitely a game changer and it made me feel amazing to be a part of this. This project is proof that together, we can surely make a difference.”-Diamond Ferguson
“Reading is one of the most important skills children must be able to acquire and I was happy that I could participate in the growth and development of my local school children.”-Tylar Grimes
“This article really enlightened me because I had no idea book access was so limited. I’m so glad I can make a difference by donating these books. It brings me peace knowing that these books will reach the hands of a student in need.”-Kayla Runcie
“I’m thrilled to be given the excellent opportunity to participate in this eliminating book desert project. Sharing books with children is one of the best feelings ever. It’s great that communities are coming together to spread books for the children in need.”-Dania Naima
“I am grateful to be able to participate in eliminating book deserts. Before this project, I was unaware of book deserts.”-Carlie Davis
“I cannot wait to do this activity again next year. Although I will get a earlier start that way I will be able to donate more books!”-Alexis McCalla
“After viewing the blog, it has inspired me to volunteer this project because I believe it really makes a huge difference to help out.”-Lejla Alijevic
“Reading something is very important for everyone to do specially for younger generation. When children get used to reading from younger age they’re going to grow up having the habit of reading.”-Hiba Tinawi
“The Eliminating book deserts was a great experience and made me feel really great. This was a great activity I accomplished with my kids and I’m happy I was able to show how good it is to donate books to those in need and make sure that they have the opportunity to read as well. I think this is a project that many educators, parents, and students should join this project and increase awareness of this cause.”-Yerania Tesis-Aguilar
