05/14/2026
Thank you, Renée ()! What a gift to have you read and share some time with us at Castlebridge Elementary this week.
With your books and many others, we will keep working to resist the bans, censorship and ignorance until all of our stories are shared, read and loved.
This week, Made for Me Books brought 400+ new books to Castlebridge Elementary (Escuela Puente de Castillo) so that every student could choose 2 to take home! We filled tables with BIPOC stories, histories and many bilingual & Spanish language. So many eager smiles, browsing and getting to choose.
Our highlight was arranging a visit from our neighbor, author Renée Watson (yes, multi-Newbury, Coretta Scott-King, Walter Dean Myers award-winning Renée)! She stopped by to read ‘Born on the Water the 1619 project’ with its gorgeous verse, illustrations, and thoughtful telling of Black Americans’ origin story. Written for young readers; necessary reading for ALL ages.
She inspired the students talking about being a writer, sharing your voice, and speaking up for ourselves - and each other!
Thank you Castlebridge: teachers and staff and Principal Rosas for welcoming us in, and Crystal () for all you do for our children.
Thank you and for the affordable book access.
