Read Palestine!
Check out “Read Palestine!” – a project that promotes books by and about Palestinians to spread awareness and educate young people and adults about Palestine. A group of book-loving volunteers joined forces with Madison-Rafah Sister City Project (MRSCP) to offer kids access to Palestinian stories and culture through books.
Here’s how it works: We fundraise and purchase books for all ages, from tots to high schoolers. Through our local contacts, we link up with educators, parents and librarians who can opt to receive a bundle of books for their libraries, classrooms or homes.
We also offer community Read Aloud hours, where we team up with local spots for a storytelling session followed by a cool craft. Think bookstores, libraries, community centers and classrooms with a circle of kids and parents listening to a book being read aloud to them. If you know of a spot that would like us to do a Read Aloud, let us know!
Our recent initiative includes launching Book Clubs. Regardless of the child’s school level – elementary, middle, or high school – we have a title that we are generating interest in. Students will gather around (and sometimes by Zoom for students in Palestine) for a few sessions of book discussion and learning led by one of our Read Palestine! volunteers. We also do adult book clubs or send our volunteers who are knowledgeable about Palestine to book clubs reading about Palestine.
Our mission for this project is from The Madison Reading Project which sums it up best: “We believe wholeheartedly in the importance of children having access to books that reflect their unique identities and open their eyes to other people’s lived experiences.”
Please consider donating to spread the Palestine book love even further in the Madison community! Donate to purchase a Book Package ($70 buys a package for any grade) or a title on our list. All donations go directly to purchasing books for this project.
If you’re interested in hosting a read aloud, have a group that would like to do a book club, or would like to donate or receive a book donation, contact us at: readpalestine@gmail.com
And follow us on Instagram!
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