Wanna be a Book Fairy again this year?

[Aries28]

Okay ladies and gents it's almost that time again. School starts back in a couple weeks. This means I'll be gaining a new group of enthusiastic 4th graders with the mentor/literacy program I'm a volunteer for.

So here is the deal...if you are already aware of the Book Fairies program then I've created a LJ community bookfairies for you to check out periodically for updates and requests. I'll also send out email updates too.

If you have no clue whatsoever what I'm talking about...here ya go:

For more backstory check out this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=210841)

Some basic details:

I volunteer once a week for about 3 hours with a literacy/mentor type program thing here at an inner-city school in Birmingham. I work with 4th graders who read on around a 1st or 2nd grade level.

These kids are the poorest of the poor economically. I'm talking threadbare uniforms, parents not around sometimes, witnesses to stuff kids should never be witnesses to, etc. In the years I've been doing this I've had kids who were abused by their parents, molested by relatives and/or neighbors, victims of drive by shootings and many other horrors that God forbid any of our kids ever have to face daily.

They crave attention from adults. They absolutely tackle me when I walk through the door many times. In many cases they have nobody telling them they can make it or they can make something of their lives.

I work through an organization for the literacy part of the program...the rest I do on my own. The literacy part is called the MORE program (Motivators Of Reading Enrichment). Each week the kids select an approved book and read it. They then complete a book report for me on the book. They must score 70% or higher in order for it to "count" toward their score. After 5 successful reports they win a MORE T-shirt. After 10, a candy bar of their choice. After 15...the coveted Blue Ribbon. The highest reader gets to attend a luncheon with me, their teacher and their principal at the end of the year for the Award Ceremony.

The MORE program also supports an essay writing contest at the close of each school year. The kids write about what the MORE program and reading means to them. I am very pleased to say that one of my kids won last year for the entire school. She has now decided she wants to be an author or a teacher when she grows up.

The stuff I do on my own is financed by me, generous friends and family members, business contacts and last year...some truly generous Dopers.

I normally have anywhere from 20-25 kids in my class each year. Last year Dopers adopted one kid and committed to send that kid a book once a month along with a letter or trinket or postcard from where they are from, etc. It was a HUGE success. The kids went to the library and checked out books on the states where their Book Fairy lived. They used an atlas to find the states on the map. They wrote letters back and forth. It was amazing.

So I'm looking for new Book Fairies for the upcoming year. This is not something I want anybody to commit to if you don't think you can do it. I don't want disappointed kids if someone commits then half way through the year can't finish. Last year, unfortunately this happened and I (and other Dopers) ended up buying books so nobody was left out. I want to try and avoid doing that this year if at all possible.

Also, if you can't do 8 months worth of books, maybe team up with someone else? Or just send in a book whenever you can for me to add to my "extra" stash? Or maybe your area has something interesting you think the kids might like. Last year I had people sending candy, postcards, small items famous to their state/region, newspapers articles...TONS of stuff.

Basically, whatever anyone wants to do is great and wonderful with me. And, if you can't do anything or aren't interested, then good thoughts and such are most welcome also.

Thanks! :)

[Lsura]

Like last year, I still can't commit to sponsoring a single child - I'm in a job hunt, and am basically broke - I asked the parents for help with August rent (sigh).

What I do have, again, is a bunch of trade credit at a local used book store, about $25 worth. If I can make it down there, I can plan on picking a selection of books again, across a variety of areas (fiction, biography, sports, etc.). I'll wait, though, until you get your kids for the year, because that way I can pick books that better fit their interests.

These can then be used as 'extra' books however they're needed.


Next fall, though...I'd better be working so that I can be a real bookfairy.

[twickster]

I wasn't a very good Book Fairy -- though I sent books, I never wrote letters or anything, which I think was a big disappointment to my kid.

I'll send down a box o' books for you at some point to use as extras or whatever, but I wouldn't feel right being a full-fledged fairy.

[Aries28]

I wasn't a very good Book Fairy -- though I sent books, I never wrote letters or anything, which I think was a big disappointment to my kid.

I'll send down a box o' books for you at some point to use as extras or whatever, but I wouldn't feel right being a full-fledged fairy.

Your kid loved all the books you sent! Honest! Not everbody did letters...some did it monthly...some not at all.

I thank you for the box o'books and will put them to good use.

[IrreverentTone]

I would love to be a book fairy, Aries28.

Are you looking for exclusively new books? Or will used in very good condition work?

[FaerieBeth]

Aries28, I would love to be a book fairy! Can I make a request, though? I'd like to be a book fairy for a girl. Since I have three sons, I don't often get to purchase "girly" trinkets and books, so I would like to have the chance to do so.
Will you be sending me the exact reading level of the child, or will it be ballpark grades? I am trained in Developmental Reading Assessment and Renaissance Learning, so I should ba able to make sense of either and choose some nice books. Having a teacher's Scholoastic Books account will help, too, with the cost.

As for living in a "neat" place, well, Arkansas has a few small claims to infamy ;) , but we also have lots of corny festivals. Pink Tomato, Mosquito, Watermelon, Cardboard Boat Racing, Toad Suck...
I also have a friend in the Forestry Service, who sends me neat teaching stuff...also the Egg Council, Tyson. I'll send along any neat stuff that comes my way, since it's no problem to get doubles.

My email is in my profile, and I'm on Yahoo IM, too. Just let me know what I need to do.

FaerieBeth

[jellyblue]

That's it? A book a month and a little swag? Do you pick the book or do we pick the book (I'm afraid I don't know as much as I should about reading levels)? Do you tell us anything about the particular child we're fairy-ing, or do they? Do we send the books to you, the school, or directly to the child?

I'm definitely interested in learning more and maybe being a fairy and will also email this to my mom (who volunteers in school teaching kids to read) and my girfriend. (My mom's not a Doper, is that ok?)

[congodwarf]

I want to be a book fairy! I love books and I love to buy them for other people. I can't think of any reason why I can't commit for the whole year.
What do I do now???

[delphica]

I missed this last year, and was hoping you'd be starting it up again for this year. Count me in!

[Aries28]

I would love to be a book fairy, Aries28.

Are you looking for exclusively new books? Or will used in very good condition work?

Primarily newer books but if you think they are in very good condition then I can find a use for those also.

I'm not picky! :o)

Thanks!

[Aries28]

Aries28, I would love to be a book fairy! Can I make a request, though? I'd like to be a book fairy for a girl. Since I have three sons, I don't often get to purchase "girly" trinkets and books, so I would like to have the chance to do so.
Will you be sending me the exact reading level of the child, or will it be ballpark grades? I am trained in Developmental Reading Assessment and Renaissance Learning, so I should ba able to make sense of either and choose some nice books. Having a teacher's Scholoastic Books account will help, too, with the cost.


Last year after I met my class I posted their first names, last initial (for safety reasons) and interests and I let people choose based on the kid's interest who they wanted to sponsor. This seemed to work out great. I'll do that again this year.

As far as reading levels go....last year none of my kids were at a 4th grade level...more like 1st and 2nd. Any kids that have special problems I'll make sure to discuss with the Book Fairy.

I also put together gift bags for Halloween, Christmas/Kwanzaa, Valentine's Day, Easter and the End of the Year Party. I'll post more about it as those dates approach.

For now, I'm gathering the interest level then I'll go from there and contact everybody via email.

Thanks for your interest.

:)

[ioioio]

I'll do it. Aries28, It is not clear how we sign up. Is it enough to post here, or do we need to send you an email?

[Aries28]

I'll do it. Aries28, It is not clear how we sign up. Is it enough to post here, or do we need to send you an email?

Posting here is fine for now. Once I meet my class I'll let everybody pick which child they would like to sponsor and give you more details.

For now, I'm just seeing how many people want to commit to do it. If I can't get enough (which I don't see happening) then I'll let everybody know.

Thanks!
:)

[Edward The Head]

Sure I can be in again. I hope you got my last package since I couldn't find the book you wanted us to send so I just send some cash.

[Lathe of Heaven]

I'm not much of a poster, but I'd love to be a book fairy! :)

[Kallessa]

I'd love to do it again! I had a lot of fun picking out books last year, and now that I've had practice, i should be better at it this year!

[FisherQueen]

I'd love to be a Book Fairy. For a girl for preference.

[Aries28]

Sure I can be in again. I hope you got my last package since I couldn't find the book you wanted us to send so I just send some cash.

I did get it....THANKS! I also passed around the pictures you sent and they were so pumped about it. I'm talking they loved seeing your bike. :)

[flamingbananas]

I don't think I can support a child, but I have a lot of older books of mine I never read anymore, so could I send some of those, and write some letters? If I don't have any books, I could always be a pen pal!

[Edward The Head]

I did get it....THANKS! I also passed around the pictures you sent and they were so pumped about it. I'm talking they loved seeing your bike. :)

Wait til they see where I've been this year then. :)

[flamingbananas]

I don't think I can support a child, but I have a lot of older books of mine I never read anymore, so could I send some of those, and write some letters? If I don't have any books, I could always be a pen pal!
I just looked through my box of books, and I found a TON of smaller chapter books. How long can they be? All my books are in really good condition, I take really good care of them.

[Aries28]

I just looked through my box of books, and I found a TON of smaller chapter books. How long can they be? All my books are in really good condition, I take really good care of them.

There is no limit to length. Any books are fine.

Email me at aries28kp@hotmail.com and I'll give you my address so you can send them anytime you want. No rush. :)

Thanks again!

[Rube E. Tewesday]

I'm interested.

[sturmhauke]

I can probably sponsor a kid. I'm prone to selecting books about dinosaurs and robots and spaceships (oh my!) so you'll have to find me someone with geek potential.

[Snowcarpet]

This sounds like more fun than a whole barrel full of monkeys. I'd love to be a part of this! For the record, I'm a pediatric health librarian. Aries28, thanks for allowing us the opportunity to help. Keep us informed.

[Avarie537]

YAY! I was hoping you'd do this again. I found some Goosebumps and an America Girl (Meet Samantha) book at Goodwill a month or so ago (along with some other ones), and I was hoping you'd do this again.

[RainGrowsBrite]

I am definitly in! :)

[amarinth]

I'd love to do this again...

[Khadaji]

I will be happy to occasionally donate some money.

Please though, when emailing thanks, use the SDMB email address, not my paypal one or blind copy the group, as I do not necessarly want the email address that I use for paypal to be broadcast.

[ems]

I'm in!

I missed this last year but would love to help.

[Annie-Xmas]

Just let me know!

[Kat]

I'd love to sign up again, if you still have a spot open. ;)

[Yllaria]

I'm interested. Sounds cool.

[Bad News Baboon]

I'm in!

[RandMcnally]

I'd love to do this, but I am not able to be a Book Fairy, as I am joining the military at the beginning of September.

But what I would be able, and very willing, to do is be a pen pal. Whenever I have the free time, I'd write. I'll be writting a lot to family, so one more letter wouldn't be to much. I think a kid would get a kick out of writting to someone in the armed forces, especially since I'd be able to send stuff wherever I'm at (Iraq probaly). But I leave Sept 6th, if that's to early, I understand, but I'd still be willing to send money whenever I can. Just drop me an e-mail. My e-mail should be in my profile. Just put the subject "SDMB Book Fairy."

[Shirley Ujest]

I feel like a proud mama....:::sniff::::

Due to financial constraints this year ( Houston, we've blown the budget)
I am profoundly sorry that I cannot participate on a regular basis for such a fun,fun, fun program.

However, if you think this will stop me from looking and scoring up a bunch of kids books for Aries Kids you've gotta another thing coming.

(And I just passed up a farking enormous lot of Sweet Valley High & Goosebumps at a garage sale the other day. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh)

[Archergal]

I can contribute a whole mass of books once, but I'm not very good at a steady supply. If this will work, count me in!

[deb2world]

Aries, I can do this again this year. I had a blast picking out the books last year. I prefer a child who is into sports.

[wonder9]

What an outstanding idea!! I would love to participate as well. I'm an elementary science teacher so I would love to be able to turn some kid onto science and engineering. What do I do next?

[Baker]

I'll do it. Last year I just sent extras, this year I think I want a kid. Gender doesn't matter, although I'm female and never had brothers, hard to know what a boy would want. Maybe if I got a boy you could let me know a little about him?
It would be neat to send horse books to a girl, weren't we all horse crazy at that age?

I work in the library building as a baker in our cafe, so I see a lot of really good used books. But I would also send new ones too especially around a birthday or Christmas.

For letters, do we send them care of you?

Oh, I was meaning to email you anyway, about a set of books I retrieved that were going to be thrown out. They are not elementary age books though, but I thought you might have other teaching contacts, or know a school library that could use them. You know the Great Books series published in 53 volumes by Brittanica? This is a set in pristine condition, with 52 out of the 53 present(#14, Plutarch) is missing. If you or anyone knows a needy school that might like these, I'll give them away, if shipping is provided.

[rocking chair]

i'd love to be a book fairy. so very fun.

[dbygawdcapn]

The Captain is reenlisting. Assign me to anyone and I shall shiver me libris.

[Zyada]

Me, me, me!!! This sounds like so much fun. And I could supplement a few other people on trinkets or books, too!

[buttonjockey308]

Aries, count me in as well. I've been looking for something charitable to do, but I haven't the time to commit to something like big brother/sister or habitat like I'd like, but I've definately got time for this.

Hope my kid likes Firetrucks and Chicago. Woo Hoo!

[FairyChatMom]

I had so much fun doing this last year that I just have to participate this time around, too. If you have enough volunteers to cover all your kids, I'll just contribute some extra stuff for you to use as you see fit, and be available to step in if someone else has to drop out.

In any case, I'll be watching for the official thread once school starts.

And for those who haven't done this before, it's really wonderful! I got a couple of letters from my girl, and I wrote to her a couple of times. I feel like I really made a difference in her life in a small way.

[Aries28]

Okay, gang. As usual, I'm blown away by the generosity of Dopers for kids they don't know. You guys rock. :)

I plan to send out an email giving more details and clarifying stuff either today or tomorrow. I got most of your emails from your SDMB profile so if that isn't one you want me to send updates to then please let me know.

Also, there are a few of you that don't have an email address listed in your profile....if you could email me at Aries28kp@hotmail.com and give me an address that would be super.

Here are the people I don't seem to have an address for:

FaerieBeth
wonder9
buttonjockey308

As of this minute I have 30 people who have said they would like to be a Book Fairy. Last year I had 25 kids in my class...I don't know about this year due to budgets being cut...I might have more.

If I have more than enough then I might see if some of you want to "share" a child. Or I can always use help with the gift bags I pass out for Halloween, Christmas/Kwanzaa, Valentine's Day and Easter. I purchase a hard back copy of a special book for each child at the End of the Year Party so there is a need also.

In other words....even if I have more than enough volunteers for book fairies I can find a spot for you to help! :)

Once I have everybody's email address I'll send out more info via that method so as not to clog up the SDMB.

Thanks again for your interest.

[mlerose]

If there's still a way I could help, I'd be glad to. Thanks!

[MissTake]

LilMiss and I would like to join, if possible.

She has bookshelves FULL of possibilities. Many may be a bit advanced (Goosebumps, Baby Sitters Club), but we can do trade-ins at our local used book store.

Are there other supplies you need? Extra pencils/notebooks?

[Demo]

This looks very cool. Let me know if you need another sponsor. If not I can send extra books or "swag" ;). I'm going to look for a program like this in my town.

[Aries28]

This looks very cool. Let me know if you need another sponsor. If not I can send extra books or "swag" ;). I'm going to look for a program like this in my town.

I don't know if they have this particular program around everywhere or not. The group I work with for literacy part is called Better Basics, Inc.

If there isn't one in the area it would probably be a fairly simple thing to get started. :)

I'll add you to the email list for updates for my class/if I need extra fairies. I am 100% certain hearing about your bike adventures or seeing pictures of some of your travels would tickle the kids. They love to see pictures from other places.

Thanks!

[FaerieBeth]

Aries, I emailed you my email address!

I'm so excited! I've already started shopping!

FB