–by Todd Diskin

Located at the Fanladen, BOOKED! seeks to promote literacy related to the beautiful game of soccer. Our library hosts literature and media from the grassroots of soccer all the way to the global influences the sport holds in everyday life.

This Booked! Drive is in partnership with the Children’s Book Bank who gives bundles of books free of charge to kids in need, increasing their chances to succeed as future readers and learners.

NEED

Children need books to be successful readers. Many homes have 4-5 books per child; however, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books to children is one book for every 300 children.

The Children’s Book Bank gathers thousands of new and gently-used books from the community, organizing volunteers to spruce up and sort donated books.

OUR GOAL: To gather 107 soccer books to put into the hands of children, ages 5-13, by the March 19th Timbers home match vs. RSL.

HOW

Take a look the list of books below or go through your home library. Each person who donates one or more of the listed books will receive the limited edition Booked! do-gooder badge which can only be earned. Bring any of these titles to any of the following events:

• 1/28 – Fanladen 6:30-8:00 PM (Booked library open hours)
• 1/30 – Fanladen 2:00-5:00 PM (Booked club discussion)
• 1/31 – 107ist Annual General Meeting
• 2/21 & 24 – Fanladen open office hours before Simple Invitational
• 2/20 – Children's Book Bank Volunteer Book Cleaning (more info here)
• 2/25 – Fanladen 6:30-8:00 PM (Booked library open hours)
• 3/6 – Timbers Home Opener – Fanladen only
• 3/19 – Timbers v. RSL match – Fanladen or at the 107ist table inside Providence Park

You can also contact the Booked! team to arrange other pickup options at booked107@gmail.com

Booked! values socially responsible purchasing, so whenever possible please reuse old books and support local, independent and/or union businesses. We also welcome gift cards.

THE BOOKS WE ARE COLLECTING This year, the Children's Book Bank is focused on acquiring more culturally specific and multilingual books. The following list contains some suggested titles for donation this year:  

Native American/Alaskan Native

• On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott
• Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leiteich Smith
• Kunu’s Basket by Lee DeCora Francis
• Rainbow Crow by Nancy Van Laan
  

African-American

• More, More, More Said the Baby by Versa B Williams
  
• A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats
  
• Anansi the Spider: An Ashanti Tale
  
• Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera Williams
  
• Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
  
• Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
  
• The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
  
• David’s Drawings by Cathyn Falwell
  
• Grandfather and I by Helen E Buckley
  
• In My Momma’s Kitchen by Jerdine Nolen
  

Latino/a

• ¡Libro! Book! by Kristine George
  
• My Colors, My World/Mis Colores, Mi Mundo by Maya Christina Gonzalez
  
• Tortillitas para Mama by Margo C Griego
  
• A Spoon for Every Bite/Una Cuchara Para Cada Boca by Joe Hayes
  
• El Fandango de Lola by Anna Witte
  
• Hairs/Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros
  

Culturally Specific Soccer Books
Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails by Michael Kusugak
Briana Scurry: Super Saver by Mark Stewart
Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey del Futbol by Monica Brown
Gol! series of books, which have Spanish/English editions.

Wordless picture books are also appreciated.

Want to donate money to the cause? Click the link below and we'll use your financial contribution to buy copies of these books and get them into the hands of children who need them.

NOTE: Contributions to the 107 Independent Supporters Trust are not tax deductible.