By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Clanton Elementary reading specialist Monique Harton is hoping to expand the school’s emphasis on reading by giving a book to every student in kindergarten through second grade in the school.

To reach her goal, Harton has set up a Donors Choose page asking for funds.

Donorschoose.org allows teachers to create a webpage for projects and enables community members and anyone who wants to help support the project to donate.

Harton’s project can be found by searching for Clanton, AL on the site or searching by the project title — “The Book Fairy Goddess.”

She said while the students have access to reading materials at school and can check out books from the school library, some may not have their own books at home.

“My goal is to try to give every classroom a set of books, so that each child can have their own book — something that they can call their own,” Harton said.

Each child would receive a book, pencil and stickers.

Harton said she has chosen books on the reading level for each grade from Scholastic.

Funds are only dispersed if the entire amount is funded. Otherwise the donors get their money back. The goal is to raise $545. Some donors have already given, leaving the total still needed at $225. Donations must be made by April 19 for the project to be fully funded.

Harton said this was her first time using the fundraising platform, but she knows other teachers that have had requests successfully funded.

The reading specialist will also accept gently-used books for her project. Those interested in donating books should contact her at mmharton@chiltonboe.com or by calling her at CES at (205) 280–2730.

The idea for the project came from a reading specialist at a meeting of reading coaches from surrounding area schools that does something similar when Scholastic books go on sale.

Prior to being a reading specialist, Harton was a classroom teacher for 10 years.

“I wanted to try something new, and I have always had a love of reading,” Harton said.

She wanted to share this passion with students and encourage them to enjoy reading.