Franklin junior’s project to get books to more youngsters

When a Franklin junior attended Scholastic Book Fairs as a child, she knew something had to change.

With prices from the book fairs often leaving children from lower-income families empty handed, Rose Yang took it upon herself to be that change.

Yang, now a Franklin Community High School student, is making it a mission to ensure every elementary school student can afford books. It is the point of her senior project.

She plans to buy uncirculated books from the Johnson County Public Library to provide them at little to no cost to students. To do so, she is raising money through a book sale at Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin, along with a Facebook fundraiser and private donations.

The fundraiser on Friday had already raised $586, exceeding her $500 goal.

Yang is one of the first students at the high school to execute a senior project, something that will be a requirement of all seniors next year, said Mari Weidman, graduation pathways coordinator for Franklin Community High School.

The projects must be service based, require at least 20 hours of work, and play into the graduation pathways requirements that will go into effect for next year’s seniors. Another student, for example, is planning a mission trip with members of their church, Weidman said.

Eleven students, including Yang, are part of a trial run, before projects are opened to the rest of the about 400-student senior class next year, she said.

“For the most part it’s up to the school how we specify (the project guidelines), it could be work-based or service-based,” Weidman said. “If students go the service route, it’s important for students to find something for them that represents them and their values. It’s a good way to bring that out of them.”

For Yang, the project provided just that, she said.

“I was inspired by my experience at the book sales I used to go to,” Yang said. “I went to Needham (Elementary School) and we had Scholastic Book Fairs. Their books were pricy, like $10. Some kids can’t afford that. I wanted to make books affordable and accessible, and I realized book sales from the public library are 50 cents to $1.”

With the fundraising money, Yang will buy as many books as she can to distribute to elementary school students at Franklin schools, she said.

When Wild Geese Bookshop Owner and Founder Tiffany Phillips heard about the project, she wanted to help, Phillips said.

“When a kid can take (a book) home and it’s theirs forever, it’s magical,” Phillips said. “I think we all loved the thrill of the book fair as kids.”

The bookshop’s book sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10, and welcomes both book and monetary donations. Patrons can also pay what they want for the books they buy, she said.

Lisa Lintner, director of the Johnson County Public Library, knows from personal experience how disheartening it is for students who can’t afford books, Lintner said.

“I didn’t have a lot of money growing up, and I was sad during the Scholastic Book Fair because I couldn’t buy the books I wanted,” Lintner said. “(Rose) had an opportunity to make sure kids have affordable books in their home.”

When all seniors are eligible to complete a project next year, more projects like Yang’s will make a positive impact on the community, said David Clendening, Franklin schools superintendent.

“I think the senior projects are outstanding. It’s innovative and (Rose) saw a need going back to her elementary days,” Clendening said. “For all the kids with pathways and the diploma track aspect, senior projects will open a lot of doors.”