By MARGO HORNER, The Mirror

Children in Federal Way schools this year will learn more about different cultures thanks to an annual book donation from the Federal Way Diversity Commission.

Brigadoon, Enterprise and Twin Lakes elementary school libraries will receive books this year on topics including the Samoan alphabet, a story about a girl living as an illegal alien, the Civil War and race discrimination.

“It seems to me that when you talk to students or young people these days, they’re really incredulous that those things happened,” said Diversity Commission member Suzanne Smith, who also serves on the Federal Way School Board.

“It’s always so fun to read a new book,” Smith added.

The book donation project, which has included several schools each year since 2003, is made possible with $1,200 from the city and a 25 percent discount from Borders bookstore. Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, American Indian, African American, Hispanic, Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Islander cultures are all represented in the book selection.

“The goal is for students to read and learn about cultures that represent themselves as well as learn about a variety of other cultures,” Smith said in an e-mail.

Community leaders will read the new books to students on March 4 to coincide with legendary author Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 3 as well as Read Across America Week.

Contact Margo Horner: mhorner@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.