Students use the library to not only check out books, but to do homework, use computers, socialize before/after school and during lunch, and of course to read. Teachers use the library for classes and I teach library classes and ebooks/digital content training. Most after-school clubs and programs are held in the library causing the library to be in use 10-12 hours a day.

Our middle school library is home to over 650 middle school readers. The school is located in the heart of the Walla Walla Valley, home to three colleges/universities and a state prison. We have a varied demographic and our students have a higher percentage of students who score lower than average on state reading tests.

About a third of our student body is reading at, or below, a 4th grade reading level. These students need books to read at their reading level, but not "baby books" as one student said. They want to read books that are relevant to them in middle school.

We need your help to provide our middle school students who are emergent readers (K-4th grade) with books to read.

By donating to this project you will help purchase 99 books on the book list provided to DonorsChoose. They are high interest books for middle school students, but are between K-4th grade reading level. The author Dan Greenburg was suggested by the English Language Development teacher as an excerpt from one of his books from The Zack Files was a hit with her low level students. The other books come highly recommended through Titlewave as emergent reader books for middle school students.

The book list provided to DonorsChoose is from Titlewave. They provide books that are "Follett-Bound". This means that the books are a special hardcover, longer lasting (key with middle school students) and if a book is damaged Titlewave will replace it as no cost.

Thank you for helping the students of Pioneer become better readers!