September 11. The eleventh way that ECBC helps hospitalized kids thrive through treatment is by working hard to maintain a diverse collection of books that meets the varying interests and backgrounds of CHOC’s patients.  Choice is so important in motivating kids to read, and so far we’ve been able to sustain a collection that provides variety in genre, format, and topic across age and reading levels. Another powerful way that kids connect with literature is by connecting with characters, which facilitates their making text to self connections.  However, we are currently lacking books with diverse characters, especially books that emphasize the great diversity in ethnic backgrounds that is reflected in CHOC’s patients. And, we have a particular need for books that are written by African Americans or that celebrate black experience. To support ECBC’s BOOK IT Virtual Book Drive by helping us bolster our collection of ethnically diverse literature, you can go to www.runsignup.com/BOOKIT2020. Donating $20 will provide one picture book for our bedside reading program, and $50 will fund five gifting books for our mobile book cart and book gifting events.  THANK YOU for supporting BOOK IT and helping to honor cancer warriors during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!