From the Portland Press Herald:
The generosity of a Maine author will allow more schools and libraries in Maine and across the country to participate in a reading program that welcomes immigrants to their new communities.
Phillip Hoose, whose 13 books include the National Book Award-winning “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice,” has donated $15,000 to I’m Your Neighbor Books, a Portland-based nonprofit that uses children’s books and stories to welcome immigrants to the United States. The organization’s “Welcoming Libraries” are traveling collections of books that celebrate the diverse stories of modern immigrants and new Americans.
“As world citizens living within the biggest refugee crisis in history, how do we humanize 82.4 million forcibly displaced persons?” said Kirsten Cappy, executive director of I’m Your Neighbor Books. “How do we make sure that new arrivals like the Afghans and their subsequent generations feel as if they truly belong in this country? We tell stories.”
Cappy said the $15,000 gift will help cover the costs of shipping the Welcoming Libraries to schools and libraries around the country, which in turn will share the books with community groups interested in welcoming immigrants. The project currently loans collections of children’s books and discussion materials through 36 school and library districts in the United States and Canada.
“A good story transforms our sense of ourselves and others,” Hoose said in statement. “This organization uses books to invite immigrants to see their communities beautifully depicted on the page and also to introduce long-term citizens to new American families. I love how this nonprofit is making us all neighbors.”