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These book titles are among our teachers favorites in 2023 that celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage and voices.

"In order to be citizens of the world, it is vital to understand that students need to learn about themselves as well as about others who are different from them." —Ms. Mendez, Senior High teacher, IL

Every student deserves to see their stories and histories reflected in the books they read. These must-read titles celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage and voices and are popular among DonorsChoose teachers and students alike! Add these to your classroom collection (and your personal library!), and you’ll have great reads all year round.

Elementary Books

Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz

Written by Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz (and inspired by Lucky Band’s popular song), Paletero Man follows our narrator through his community in search of the ice pop truck. Young readers will encounter Spanish words and phrases throughout the book as they cheer on our young paleta-seeker and all of his sweet, generous neighbors.

This story is also available in a bilingual edition Paletero Man/Que Paletero tan Cool! with the English and Spanish text side by side on each page.‍

Key themes: Kindness, generosity, community

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln, by Margarita Engle

Child prodigy, Teresa Carreño, achieved a once in a lifetime opportunity when her love for music was discovered by Abraham Lincoln. Based on a true story, Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln tells how young Teresa rose to fame after her family migrated from Venezuela.

This inspiring story follows Teresa as she helped her family define their American Dream and overcome new challenges, all while doing what she loved most: playing the piano.

Key themes: The connecting power of music, family, migration, biography

Alma and How She Got Her Name, by Juana Martinez-Neal

This Randolph Caldecott Selection explores the sentimental meanings behind our names. Alma, whose full name is Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, is embarrassed by her long name and decides to ask her father about it. Yet, when her father explains the various people her name honors, Alma recognizes the beautiful significance of her long name.

Full of warmth, this book helps kids realize that their unique attributes make them special and should be celebrated.

Key themes: Identity, family heritage, diversity

Where Are You From, by Yamile Saied Méndez

In this picture book, a young girl with brown skin and dark, curly hair consistently faces variations of the same question—where are you from? Looking for answers, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. Abuelo’s response is not what she expects, but what he shares turns out to be even better.

This book is written in the spirit of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo. The Spanish version is entitled ¿De Dónde Eres?

Key themes: Self-acceptance, identity, home

Too Many Tamales, by Gary Soto

On Christmas Eve, Maria is in the kitchen helping her family make tamales for dinner. When her mother leaves the kitchen for a moment, Maria tries on her mother’s beautiful diamond ring. Later on, Maria realizes that she cannot find the ring, so she enlists the help of her cousins to eat their way out of trouble. 

This holiday story shows why it's better to tell the truth than to try to cover up a problem. This book is also available in Spanish as ¡Qué montón de tamales!

Key themes: Family, holidays, food, life lessons

My Papi Has a Motorcycle, by Isabel Quintero

With beautifully illustrated pictures, My Papi Has a Motorcycle celebrates the love between a daughter and her father. Growing up in a predominantly Mexican-immigrant working-class town in California, Daisy sees the people that have shaped her hometown, like the mailman and the corner store owners, as she zooms around on the back of her papi’s motorcycle. While things are changing in her neighborhood, Daisy realizes that some things can never change. 

This moving story will encourage young readers to explore their own culture and ties with their hometown.

Key themes: Father-daughter relationship, culture symbols, love

Mango, Abuela, and Me, by Meg Medina

Young Mia is ecstatic when she learns her grandmother is moving from her sunny house to live with Mia and her parents in the city. As Mia prepares for her grandmother’s arrival, she thinks of all of the fun activities they will do together but forgets one important thing: her grandmother doesn’t understand English, and Mia doesn’t know Spanish! 

This endearing story tells how a family’s love can surpass language barriers and connect new generations to their ancestral roots.

Key themes: Persistence, family, language barriers

Middle School Books

Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Based on actual events, this historical fiction novel tells the stories of Esperanza and the struggles she and her family go through after the Mexican Revolution. Bandits threatening wealthy landowners, like Esperanza’s family, force her family to seek economic opportunities in the United States. 

As field workers in California, Esperanza tells of their stories and struggles by the fruit and vegetable seasons that have passed. If you are looking for a book that will touch your heart and captivate your senses, Esperanza Rising is the one for you.

Key themes: Class struggles, grief, hope, overcoming obstacles, solidarity

Miss Quinces, by Kat Fajardo

In this semi-autobiographical debut middle-grade graphic novel, Kat Fajardo introduces young readers to Suyapa Gutiérrez (“Sue”), who is begrudgingly spending the summer with relatives in Honduras instead of at sleepaway camp with her friends and reading manga. To make matters worse, Sue’s mom has just announced a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is just about Sue’s worst nightmare.

This boldly colorful, illustrated volume weaves together family expectations, cultural traditions, and a relatable story about choices, self-expression, and being caught between two cultures at a critical moment of adolescence.

Miss Quinces/Srta. Quinces is the first graphic novel published by Scholastic/Graphix to be simultaneously released in English and Spanish editions.

Key themes: Coming of age, cultural traditions, family, bicultural and bilingual experiences and communities

Efrén Divided, by Ernesto Cisneros

A personal and heart-warming story, Efren Divided guides us through a twelve-year-old’s sudden transition into adulthood. When his family is separated by U.S. immigration policies and faces deportation, Efren’s world is turned upside down. The immediacy of his situation forces him to become an adult overnight and fight to get his family back.

While remaining deeply honest, this fictional book emphasizes the realities for many American families on issues surrounding immigration policies, family, and poverty.

Key themes: Family, migration, coming of age

High School Books

¡Ay, Mija! (A Graphic Novel): My Bilingual Summer in Mexico (¡Ay, Mija!), by Christine Suggs

Inspired by their own travel as a teenager, Christine Suggs explores their own heritage, their family’s generational differences, and their place in all of it through this graphic novel memoir. 

¡Ay, Mija! Follows young Christine to Mexico as they visit their grandparents and tía where Christine doesn't speak the language and doesn't fit in. As they learn more about their family’s history, Christine begins to understand not just Spanish, but also the powerful, complicated, beautiful discomfort of their mixed identity.

Key themes: Family heritage, mixed identity, bilingualism, generational differences, colonialism

Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo

Sisters Camino and Yahaira Rios are brought together after their father tragically dies on a flight from New York City to the Dominican Republic. As they cope with their father’s loss and mourn his memory, they discover more about his past and the secrets left uncovered. 

With occasional references in Spanish, the reader will be immersed in the Dominican culture and its love and grief.

Key themes: Loss of a parent, grief, forgiveness, hope

The Dreamer, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

The Dreamer follows the early experiences of Neftali Reyes, a boy who grows into the Nobel Prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda. Reyes is spellbound by the wonders of the natural world but is continuously ridiculed by his authoritarian father. Despite the critiques, Reyes is drawn to an unexplainable calling. 

This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat as you get transported to a world full of magical realism and poetry.

Key themes: Following your dream, hope, imagination

In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez

In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of the four Mirabal sisters: Patria, Mariá Teresa, Minerva, and Dedé’s. These four women made history in the late 20th century by fighting for freedom under Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. 

In this powerful narrative, Alvarez places us years back as we read the effects of Trujillo’s dictatorship and the women who bravely fought against it. Through their unwavering courage, we witness their strength in face of deep adversity.

Key themes: Historical dictatorship, family, and courage in the face of danger

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Erika L. Sanchez

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter tells the story of a contemporary Mexican American teenager in Chicago who is caught between the cultural expectations of her traditional family and her desire to forge her own path. The story opens with Julia Reyes attending the funeral of her seemingly perfect older sister, who was killed tragically in an accident. As Julia begins to process her grief, she learns that her sister may not have been as perfect as she seemed.

Netflix is developing a movie adaptation of this book and it will be directed by award-winning actor, director and producer America Ferrera.

Key themes: Mental health, first-generation immigrants, grief, growing up

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Ready to get these books for your classroom? Create a project on DonorsChoose and let our community help you get the resources you need!

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DonorsChoose and Samsung Electronics America mark a significant milestone this year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary of collaboration. With a shared commitment to advancing STEM education, the partnership has successfully delivered $8.5 million worth of Samsung technology and classroom supplies to nearly 500 public schools across the U.S. participating in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competitions.

Fostering Innovation in STEM Education

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is an innovation driver. By way of a national competition, public school students in grades 6-12 to are challenged to develop creative approaches to solving issues in their local communities through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The program engages students in active, hands-on learning applied to real-world problems — making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom. By participating in the program, students find their voice and pioneer positive social change.

Each year for the last five years, DonorsChoose has supported Samsung Solve for Tomorrow with white glove fulfillment of millions of dollars’ worth of prize packages won in the annual STEM competition. As Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose, highlights, “Our job as an organization and as a broader society is to make teachers' work sustainable, and Solve for Tomorrow provides exactly the kind of support teachers need to broaden student participation in STEM.”

Transforming Classrooms with Technology

Through the Solve for Tomorrow competition, schools have been able to enhance their classrooms with cutting-edge technology. Samsung technology and supplies have allowed schools to establish engineering and design labs, provide access to the latest educational resources, offer coding and robotics programs, and more.

The 2022-2023 Solve for Tomorrow competition showcased exceptional student-led projects tackling community challenges by proposing STEM solutions like low-cost assistive technology for people with mobility challenges, gear that prevents heat-related illnesses in sports, and a noninvasive beehive monitoring system to battle the pollinator collapse. National Winners Brandywine High School (Wilmington, DE), Strawberry Crest High School (Dover, FL), and Porter High School (Porter, TX) received technology prize packages worth $100,000 each.

Bloomington High School South (Bloomington, IN) and Richmond Hill Middle School (Richmond, GA) were honored with additional awards for their innovative approaches to reduce temperatures in urban “heat islands” and to stop night terrors for PTSD sufferers. These recognitions highlight the impactful contributions of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition in driving STEM education forward.

Expanding Reach and Impact

By investing in the next generation of innovators, Samsung and DonorsChoose are laying the foundation for a brighter future. The enduring partnership has brought about tremendous progress in STEM education over the past five years. Through this unique collaboration, we have empowered teachers, inspired students, and transformed classrooms across America. As the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition continues to flourish, the impact on STEM education and the broader community will undoubtedly grow.

Learn more about our partnership with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. If you’re a public middle or high school educator that wants to participate in the 2023–2024 Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, visit www.samsung.com/solve. Entries for the 14th annual competition are open now through Friday, October 27, 2023.

Kerry Richardson likes that some of her fellow teachers at Richmond Public Schools in Virginia nicknamed her “Walmart.” Others call the second grade teacher “Boy Scout.”

Yes, Richardson says with a laugh, she is always prepared to lend fellow teachers whatever they may need. She says that’s only possible because of supplies she gets from DonorsChoose, the online platform that connects teachers seeking materials for their students and classrooms with contributors looking to support their efforts.

And Richardson is not alone.

DonorsChoose has seen a banner year for donations in 2023, setting records by collecting nearly $10 million during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Earlier this month, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $2 million to match 50% of all DonorsChoose pledges for one day – a marked departure from the way the largest U.S. philanthropy normally makes donations, based on its own meticulous research and big-picture priorities.

Read more at ap.org.

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The famous question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Imagining all the things you can do and achieve in the future is an essential part of childhood, and educators have the special opportunity to expand kids’ ideas of what’s possible.

To help teachers introduce students to cool careers in growing fields, TIME for Kids created Your 🔥 Job—a free online platform filled with resources to help elementary- and middle-schoolers get excited about their futures.

In Spring 2023, TIME for Kids teamed up with DonorsChoose, and invited 3rd–8th grade teachers to submit a lesson plan to engage students with the Your  🔥 Job platform.

Huge thank you to all the teachers who submitted their ideas! TIME for Kids picked the three top for other teachers to adapt for their own students. Check out lesson plans from our winning teachers below!

Your 🔥 Job Project Curriculum

Job Fair

Ms. Menifield | Grades 3–5

Gloria Menifield, a 3rd grade teacher in Southaven, MI, developed this lesson to help students engage in the topic of their future through a classroom job fair.

Inspiring Advice

Ms. Roberts | Grades 3–5

Suzanne Roberts, a 4th grade teacher in Cape Coral, FL, developed this lesson  to help inspire students to start thinking about their futures, and encourage them to spark the same inspiration in others.

Preparing for the Future

Ms. Miller | Grades 6–8

Katie Miller, a middle school language arts teacher, developed this lesson to help students consider how the past and the present can influence their future.

Inspired to bring these lessons to your students? Create a project to request all the resources you need to bring them to life.

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action, ruling that race could not be considered as a factor in college and university admissions. In doing so, they not only ignored our country’s long history of racism in public schooling, but they eliminated a critical means of pursuing access to a great education for every student. As someone who attended Harvard while Affirmative Action was policy, taught in public schools, and is now the leader of one of America’s largest education equity organizations, I know this decision is a step away from justice. Since the ruling was passed, I’ve worked closely with the DonorsChoose team to unpack this blow to higher education equity and how it raises the stakes for our work supporting preK–12 classrooms.

When I applied to universities as a high school senior, I didn’t fit the traditional model of academic success. I’m a first generation American, the child of Haitian and Brazilian immigrants, and attended New Haven Public Schools. Each of the K-12 public schools I attended are what we call Equity Focus Schools at DonorsChoose: historically underfunded schools where the majority of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and where a majority of the students are Black, Latino, or Native American. 

While I didn’t fully grasp it as a kid, I now understand the ways systemic racism and economic inequity placed me and my peers at a disadvantage. With less funding for books, AP classes, and extracurricular activities, my K-12 school environment wasn’t able to provide the same learning opportunities that most of my eventual classmates at Harvard had, and my college application looked very different from what schools like Harvard were used to seeing. 

My high school didn’t have AP Macroeconomics, a working chemistry lab, or a fancy athletic center. But gratefully, I had access to other programs to fill in those gaps, like free academic summer programs ("nerd camps"!) that gave students like me the same high-level STEM instruction available in public schools serving higher income communities. I was also the beneficiary of a college admissions process that valued the perspective I brought through my various identities: a mixed-race Black student in an urban public school setting, a native Haitian Creole speaker who learned English as a second language, a passionate math and science nerd from the very beginning.

Without these race-conscious programs and policies, I would never have had the chance to eventually prove myself at Harvard, earning a physics degree and successfully working on cutting-edge experiments in particle physics, or to subsequently earn admission to Stanford to study business and education on my pathway to working on educational opportunities for others.

While college isn’t the only path to success after high school, it is a highly effective one. Studies show that when students of color attend selective colleges, they earn more after graduation and build more robust career networks — all of which will now be unduly harder for students of color to attain.

We’ve seen this re-marginalization play out before. When California eliminated the consideration of race in college admissions, there was an immediate sharp decline in the number of Black and Hispanic students attending the most selective institutions — not because these students became suddenly less qualified or deserving, but because the systemic inequities present in all our nation’s institution were able to exist unmitigated. 

Some scholars estimate that over the coming years, we’ll see a nationwide 10% drop in Black and Hispanic enrollment, with declines as high as 30–40% at the most prestigious institutions where Affirmative Action was most often in play. I’m heartbroken to think of the novel contributions, unique innovations, and diverse perspectives our society will be missing out on by narrowing this pathway to success.

In the face of this decision, our commitment to racial equity in education is unwavering. Over the coming months and years, we’ll be working harder than ever to level the playing field across preK–12 public schools so that every student has an equal chance to chase their dreams.

We’ve found that teachers who take one of the key 5-minute sharing actions below have a 92% success rate. (Seriously.) So go ahead and get started. Choose one of the 5 minute actions below and your project will be fully funded in no time!

Option A: The Social Savvy Sharer

While your project is live, pick out a few favorite graphics from our collection  — then share on social media. And don’t worry, you can choose the social platform and schedule that works for you. Whether it’s 1 Facebook and 1 TikTok post, Instagram stories, or a couple of solid tweets. Whatever you’re most comfortable with is the way to go!

Feeling extra excited about these graphics? You can create your own custom graphic using the Canva templates below:

• Instagram template on Canva
• Instagram Stories / TikTok templates on Canva
• Facebook & Twitter templates on Canva

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Option B: The Group Chat Go-Getter

Social media not your thing? Take your project to the group chat instead. You can customize, copy, and paste the message we drafted for you below into a text or an email thread with 3-5 friends. Make sure to personalize your message — and include your project link so your circle can easily support their favorite teacher (you!).

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Option C: The "Easy as 1-2-3"

If you want a way to let your friends, family, and wider network know about your project, consider this option your Back-to-school triumvirate. Complete these three steps together to give your project the momentum it needs:

1. Send a personalized email to one person who cares about you and your classroom, asking them to chip in if they can. Include your project link!
2. Post 1x about your project on your favorite social media platform. Include your project link!
3. Send one group email to celebrate the special day. Did we mention yet to include your project link?
   
   Not sure who to reach out to? Get some ideas here!

Whichever approach you choose, know that your 5 minutes will be well spent in sharing out the awesome work you and your students are doing. And remember, a warm hello, your project link, and a giant thank you goes a long way!

My family has always been a little non-traditional. I am a first-generation Mexican-American woman married to a white man, Jeremy, who simply identifies as American. We have two young mixed-race children and have experienced how difficult it can be to find quality books that made our children feel seen. For most of Jackson's (8) and Grey’s (7) lives, Jeremy has been a stay-at-home dad while I’ve worked full-time. Since the days my children were born, we’ve been seemingly blending our two identities, experiences, and traditions together — but also often failing at finding families that look like ours in what we read and watch. 

Last year, I joined DonorsChoose to launch ColorPop Books, a new initiative powered by our organization (and inspired by our community), to make it easy for parents to find books that feature underrepresented characters, authors, and illustrators... Because of my own personal experiences searching for books with characters that looked like me, both when I was child and now with my own children, I feel deeply connected to the ColorPop mission.

Looking for a Mirror

Not too long ago, my daughter, Grey, asked me if we were Mexican. We were having our nightly downtime after dinner with the TV on, toys spread across the floor, and I was scrolling through my phone. I was caught off guard, shocked that she was so unsure. Here I was, thinking that I was representing my culture and raising a strong Latina. But to her, it made no difference. It felt challenging to explain my Mexican heritage to her. And — because we were living far away from my family at the time — it felt lonely. 

Looking for a Window

Fast forward to a few months ago, when Jackson and Grey started a new school for 1st and 2nd grade. After the first few days, Jackson came home a little quiet and told me he felt bad because there was a girl in his class who was different and he didn’t understand why. After a few conversations, I put it together. Jackson’s classmate had started transitioning to a new gender identity over the summer. Jackson had simply known her as she was, and didn’t question it until other classmates brought it up. I felt a strong responsibility to explain it to Jackson in a way that built empathy and support for his classmate. 

How Books Help

ColorPop Books was built to help bear the weight in parents' lives. We read hundreds of books,  filtering out harmful narratives or shallow attempts at “diversity”, all with one goal in mind: support parents, help their children feel seen, and build bridges to other identities and experiences. 

Our ColorPop book bundles would have been a welcome addition to the conversation I had with Grey about how beautiful our Mexican culture is; from the delicious food to the vibrant traditions, and warm people. It would also have added so much to the conversation I had with Jackson on how proud his friend should be for living her truth and being herself and ways he could intervene when other classmates were being unkind. 

From One Parent to Another

Not only do we leverage our DonorsChoose network of experts and teachers to help curate our book bundles, we also speak directly with parents. We know that books and representation can be key to navigating tough moments – it’s sincerely our hope that you find support, when you need it, in our book bundles. Whether you desire your child to see more of themselves in the books they read or you want to introduce them to a new experience, ColorPop is here to help. Always inclusive, always high-quality, and always here to share in some of the hard stuff.

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Written by Marlene Barrios, Kevin Song, Maira Vargas, and Rose Wirekoh 

Every year, DonorsChoose welcomes a group of fellows: recent first-generation, underrepresented college graduates who spend a year working across the organization to support our mission for education equity and national community of donors and teachers. 

One of the many ways DonorsChoose employees stay connected to our mission is to visit classrooms and talk with teachers and students. This February, for the first time since the pandemic, DonorsChoose teachers in NYC showed our staff the impact of our work in person, and how the generosity of our donors puts smiles on their students’ faces. As teachers graciously welcomed us into their classroom, 120 staff members got to visit 23 PreK–12 schools to see learning in action!

Returning to The Classroom

As recent college graduates, we have fresh classroom memories of caring teachers, classmates from different backgrounds, and deadlines for projects, tests, and assignments. We never lacked support from our teachers that went above and beyond for their classroom. We used to wonder how our teachers could get us extra donuts for a celebration or spend their afterschool time supporting students. It never occurred to us that teachers were reaching into their own pockets, spending on average $687 every year for their classrooms, and even devoting their personal time to make sure we were getting what we needed. 

Growing from students into advocates, storytellers, and teacher champions, we now see the hard work and care that teachers put into their classrooms. To see classrooms filled with supplies, emotional support plushies, and snacks touched our hearts. A few fellows fondly recall the transformative impact of classroom projects funded by DonorsChoose. By having the necessary supplies for our classrooms, it made it easier to dedicate ourselves to learning, free from one more distraction that could interrupt our educational journey.

Understanding Teachers’ and Students’ Needs

From organization bins, paper shredders, magazines, and carpets, students were using supplies that teachers received through DonorsChoose to learn, explore, and grow. Witnessing this served as a great reminder for staff why many of us decided to work for DonorsChoose, and why we’re passionate about funding public schools equitably. 

When reflecting on school visits, one staff member shared, “getting to directly interact with teachers and students in their own environment is … so important.” Another shared that they were “fortunate enough to spend time with a teacher who was extremely open to answering any and all questions from [themselves] and other folks at DC [during their] school visit.” 

In addition to seeing the direct impact of our work, we also had the opportunity to learn from the community we directly serve, and bring the feedback necessary to continue improving their teacher experience. 

Fueling our Future Work

Immersing ourselves in classrooms opened our eyes to the heroic teachers who work tirelessly to create a great learning experience for each and every student. In our conversations with teachers, they continue to express their gratitude for all the support — from a $5 donation to million dollar match offers — that helps their students have the tools and experiences they need for a great education!

“When [kids] can see themselves in books it is an amazing thing. It helps to give them a voice. It is empowering. When [kids] see others represented in books it helps them to learn acceptance, empathy, and equity.” — a DonorsChoose K-5 teacher in Arizona

We live in a world that is bursting with colors, complexities, and nuances. So why would we limit our kids’ books to just one shade of it? That is why we’re so excited to introduce a brand-new initiative from DonorsChoose — ColorPop Books! 

ColorPop Books is an online bookstore featuring vibrant, representative book bundles — each packed with stories and characters that reflect the identities and experiences that are all too rare in children’s books. 

Every purchase at ColorPop Books also helps fund books for historically underfunded public schools through DonorsChoose. For over 20 years, teachers have used DonorsChoose to bring vital stories to their students — and we’re striving to make ColorPop Books as much of an investment in our teacher communities as it is in parents and kids. 

This initiative is a labor of love from the DonorsChoose team and we’re so excited to finally get to share it with you. You can start browsing ColorPop Books today!

And dive into the who, what, when, and why’s of ColorPop Books below.

Who is ColorPop for?

ColorPop Books is for anyone with a child in their life who needs more affirming, inclusive, and/or diverse books — whether you are a parent, caregiver, family member, or loved one. 

Each book bundle in the ColorPop library comes from the recommendations of thousands of parents, including our own dedicated team of parent advisors, and are specifically curated for the child who doesn’t often get to see their identities and experiences reflected in books. These kid-friendly bundles include:

• A bundle that shows kids loving their natural hair

• A bundle to let kids know they’re the boss of their own bodies

• A bundle to guide a child through grief

• A bundle that emphasizes girls in STEM

• And many, many more.

Whether you are looking for books that are a mirror for kids to see their own identities, or books that are a window into unexplored worlds, ColorPop Books has you covered. 

How did ColorPop get started? 

At DonorsChoose, we’ve worked with public teachers now for over two decades to help connect their students with the resources they need. The DonorsChoose community of classroom supporters has funded nearly 3 million projects and delivered over 10 million books to classrooms in that time. One of the things our teacher requests have illustrated over the years is a clear need for more representative and diverse books that allow students to feel seen — and to help them learn from the experiences of others, too. 

It’s one of the most frequent things that we’ve heard from our teachers directly:

“As an African American teacher who teaches children of many different races and ethnicities it is extremely important to me that my students read stories with characters who look like them. How can I tell my students that they can be and do anything they put their mind to if they don’t see that reflected in the stories I read to them?” - a DonorsChoose Kindergarten teacher in Florida

“When students can see themselves in books it is an amazing thing. It helps to give them a voice. It is empowering. When students see others represented in books it helps them to learn acceptance, empathy, and equity.” - a DonorsChoose K-5 teacher in Arizona

“Especially as an ESL teacher, it is important that each student feels seen and heard in my classroom, and it shows them that they MATTER. This not only builds community, but a beautiful perspective on the people and culture we are surrounded by.”  - a DonorsChoose 2nd and 4th grade teacher in Tennessee

And it’s not just teachers, but families, too. We’ve heard these sentiments echoed just as clearly from parents and guardians:

“Books are the way I teach my daughter everything. I buy books depending on the season she’s going through or what I need to teach her.” - Myrna, mom of a 5 yr old and 1 yr old

“I am Muslim and I do want my kids' friends to know what they're all about … My kids have a hard time embracing who they are because they are different. It’s important to me that other people have a general understanding that families come in different shapes and sizes.” - SK, mom of 3

“We’re dealing with a loss of a family member. Our daughter is taking it hard and we have her in therapy. As we’re navigating that with her, I’m wishing there were more books that describe the situation that don't have to do with violence or old age.” - Amatise, mom of a 4 yr old

Affirming books help build both a child's self-confidence and empathy for others. Through ColorPop’s book bundles, DonorsChoose makes it easy to give these books to the children in your life. 

We hope more than anything this new resource can help you through those tough conversations and everyday affirmations. Kids are navigating our big colorful, complex world, and they deserve books and stories that let them know we all belong in it.

*Please note by visiting the links above, you will be directed to a third party site, colorpopbooks.com

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June 19, 1865: Word of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally reaches a group of the last enslaved people in the U.S., located in the heart of the Confederacy at Galveston, Texas. 

June 12, 2021: Nearly 160 years later, President Biden commemorates the moment by declaring Juneteenth — also called “Freedom Day” or “Black Independence Day” — as an official federal holiday.

The history of Juneteenth is a deep and complicated experience for Black people in the United States. And while it has only been an official federal holiday for a couple of years now, our country’s Black communities have been celebrating and building traditions around the day for over a century. By discussing and celebrating Juneteenth in the classroom, educators offer an affirming experience for Black students — and a learning experience for all students, promoting understanding and empathy​ (EdWeek). 

Says DonorsChoose CEO (and former teacher) Alix Guerrier, “One way to deliver on the promise of Juneteenth is to ensure that our students learn that Black history is American history … we celebrate the teachers who bring these stories and more to their classrooms, teaching all of their students a complete history of our nation’s defining victories and darkest hours.”

As students learn about Juneteenth and reflect on its significance, we’re spotlighting classroom projects that showcase how DonorsChoose teachers bring these lessons to life for their students.

What Does Teaching Juneteenth Look Like? 

Over the last 5 years, our team has seen a 117% increase in classroom projects requesting resources for students to "see themselves" — and that very much includes Juneteenth-focused projects.  Here are just a handful of classroom projects from our teacher community — each using Juneteenth-focused education in different ways to help their students learn:

Getting Juneteenth On the Shelves

“As the librarian I am hoping to expand our Juneteenth Celebration this year to make it school wide. Over half of our students identify as black so this is particularly important.” — Ms. Walkama

Students who experience culturally responsive teaching practices develop a deeper sense of racial identity — and a trove of studies favorably link racial and ethnic pride and belonging to school engagement, interest in learning, and even better grades. With over half of students at her school identifying as black,  Ms. Walkama‘s Juneteenth Books a Celebration of Our Students Personal History project aims to give her students this feeling of belonging and pride by updating the school’s library shelves with history books that reflect their identities, histories, and experiences. 

Food For Thought (And For Learning)

“We want to expose the children to these traditional foods so they can truly get an authentic Juneteenth celebration.” —Ms. Rudzinski

Ms. Rudzinski knows Juneteenth’s history isn’t only found in textbooks. Her Juneteenth Celebration project also brings her students lessons through traditional foods that are all rooted in the historic holiday — including strawberry soda, red velvet cake, and gumbo.

Wearing History On Your Sleeves

“Many of my students need to be made aware of, and learn, the history behind Juneteenth. They know of the over-commercialization of this ‘Freedom Day’ but not the historical legacy highlighting education and the many achievements of African Americans.” — Ms. Thomas

Juneteenth falls during summer break for many schools, including for Ms. Thomas and the High Schoolers she teaches. Her Celebrating Juneteenth project aims to leave a lasting educational impression (with bonus t-shirts included) to help young people carry the history and culture of Juneteenth home with them even after the school year ends. 

Lessons With Story Quilts and More

“My 5th grade students will be reading ‘The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure’ for their TPSP project on story quilts … helping my students develop the essential skills of logical thinking, creative problem solving, intellectual risk taking, and communicating.” — Ms. Crossland

In An Interactive History Adventure! Story Quilts! Novel Study! Fabric Markers!, Ms. Crossland’s learners are gaining a unique, interactive approach to learning history, quilting, and storytelling all woven within the history of Juneteenth itself.

Getting The Full Picture for June 19 and Beyond

“Our photography program is a way to help students and our photographers explore the art through a lens which can zoom, provide enhancements, and tell a story. As we come to a close of the year, these lenses will play many roles in how we uplift students' creativity, and celebrate Juneteenth.” — Ms. Logan

The history of Juneteenth is also the history of Black culture and life in America across nearly 160 years and beyond. That’s while Ms. Logan’s  See the Future Through Lens art photography project isn’t only for Juneteenth, her students are nonetheless encouraged to bring their full selves and utilize their unique skills — in this case, photography — to build community and honor and celebrate the occasion with their own creative expressions.

Juneteenth In Action 

“Giving these students the resources they need and deserve sends a message: We value you and we value your education. My students work hard and want to be here.” — Ms. Chapman

Research on culturally responsive teachers reveals that, beyond foregrounding students’ culture in the classroom, these teachers build students’ awareness of social justice issues encountered in their daily lives and communities through rigorous, project-based activities. For Ms. Chapman’s Activism! Activism! Read All About It project not only brings students a comprehensive view of Black history and social reform movements but allows them to bring those lessons to life by participating in a student-led activist project for Juneteenth.

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Want to support a teacher’s classroom project for Juneteenth this year — or get inspiration as you create your own? You can explore our full list of Juneteenth-focused projects here and learn more about DonorsChoose Equity Focus Schools here.  

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¹Does Culturally Relevant Teaching Work? An Examination From Student Perspectives: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2158244016660744

Over the past two decades, the DonorsChoose community has helped nearly 800,000 teachers get the classroom materials their students need most. Each of those teachers is one-of-a-kind, with classroom needs, teaching styles, and stories all their own.

Teachers from every corner of the country post requests for classroom supplies on DonorsChoose. Because of teachers’ ingenuity and dedication, generous folks step up to help provide the funding, donating in every amount from $1 to 10,000 at a time to help teachers get what they need.  

We recently surveyed these donors for the top words they’d use to describe teachers. Here are the results (and spoiler: they universally love and respect our nation’s educators). 

Dedicated

Teachers are fully committed to their profession and do their utmost to ensure the success and well-being of their students. They consistently put in extra time and effort to prepare lessons, provide individualized support, and continuously improve their teaching skills.

Caring

Teachers genuinely empathize with their students and prioritize their emotional and social well-being. They create a nurturing and supportive environment where students feel safe to express themselves, seek guidance, and grow both academically and personally. Many teachers even go above and beyond to ensure students’ basic needs of warmth, care, & hunger are met so that they can come to school their happiest and healthiest selves.

Creative

Teachers think outside the box and find innovative ways to engage students in learning. They bring imagination and fresh ideas to their lessons, incorporating hands-on activities, technology, and various teaching methods to make the learning experience exciting and memorable. Adding hip hop beats to learn science vocabulary, upcycling paper and fabric scraps for a fashion show, or turning a classroom into a safari, teachers’ imaginations are endless.

Compassionate

Teachers show deep concern and empathy for their students' struggles, challenges, and successes. They offer support, encouragement, and understanding, recognizing that each student is unique and may require individualized attention to thrive academically and emotionally.

Professional

Teachers maintain high standards of ethics and expertise in their craft. They continuously seek professional development opportunities, stay updated with current research and best practices, and adhere to professional codes of conduct to ensure the highest quality of education for their students.

Inspirational

Teachers have the ability to ignite a love for learning in their students. Through their passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm, they motivate and inspire young minds, helping them realize their full potential and pursue their dreams with confidence.

Under-appreciated

Despite the tremendous impact they have on shaping young minds and preparing young people for adulthood, teachers’ contributions often go unrecognized. Many teachers persevere because of their passion for education. However, our community of donors agrees: Much more needs to be done to support these amazing people.

Selfless

Teachers are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their students' success and well-being, often putting in long hours and dedicating themselves (and their own resources) to the betterment of their students. In fact, teachers spent an average of $687 of their own money in the 2022-23 school year to stock their classrooms.

Resilient

Teachers face challenges with determination and bounce back from setbacks. They adapt to changing circumstances, remain positive, and persevere in the face of obstacles. From remote learning during a pandemic to dealing with lack of funding, every school year gives teachers a new challenge to face.

Resourceful

Teachers are exceptionally skilled at finding creative solutions to challenges and adapting to various situations. They make the most of the resources available to them, whether it be their own expertise, their colleagues and teammates, materials, technology, or support from the DonorsChoose community!

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