Students at Princess Alexandra Community School are seeing themselves in the characters of the books they read thanks to a partnership with Cameco Corp. that purchased books for classroom libraries.

A $7,500 grant from Cameco's Energizing Our Community program allowed the school to buy books that help engage First Nations, Métis and Muslim students in reading through material that speaks to the students' culture and experiences and reflects who they are as individuals

"It is so important for students to see themselves in the books they are reading and to see the ways of knowing valued in their families and culture represented in the books they are reading in Social Studies, Science and English Language Arts," says Vice Principal Chantelle Balicki.

"Last year we put some of our school budget toward buying books that starred First Nations and Métis characters or represented the interests and values of our First Nations and Métis students. The response was overwhelming. Students started to read for longer periods of time each day and were able to discuss the topics that were of greater interest to them."

Approximately 70 per cent of the 180 prekindergarten to Grade 8 students at Princess Alexandra self-declare as First Nations or Métis and many do not have access to reading materials that reflect their families. The situation is similar for many of the school's new Canadian students, some of whom arrived in Canada from Syria just one year ago.

Books in which students can see characters that share their race, cultural values or traditions allow them to better connect to the literature as well as the overall experience and value of reading and literacy.

The contribution from Cameco, along with a purchase discount provided by McNally Robinson Booksellers, allowed the school to purchase books for all of its classrooms as part of the cultural reading project.

Strengthening classroom libraries with relevant books is one way in which the school works to engage students in reading. It is part of Princess Alexandra's ongoing effort to support struggling readers and help them build the literacy skills needed to be successful both at school and in life.