Read Brave Saint Paul
Read Brave Saint Paul is a citywide, intergenerational reading program set around a common theme. The 2019 Read Brave theme is housing, a critical topic in Saint Paul where thousands of people struggle to afford housing. The city is faced with brave decisions to make about housing in our communities – decisions that start with deep conversations among our residents. When we all read the same books, we all have a common vocabulary, characters, and experience through which to engage in meaningful dialogue around challenging topics.
6000
Engage 5,000 people of all ages in Read Brave Saint Paul. Use literature to increase awareness and empathy around issues related to housing through reading and sharing stories. Strengthen our sense of community and foster a love of reading across Saint Paul. Showcase how difficult topics can be understood and addressed through reading, arts, and culture.
The St. Paul community read a collection of books set around a common theme of housing. Read Brave included 25 library-hosted Read Brave events and seven Read Brave events hosted by students, donors, and book clubs. The program culminated with a visit from Meg Medina, author of Burn Baby Burn, the Read Brave YA novel.
Keystone Community Partners, West Side Community Organization, East Side Freedom Library, Cornerstone Advocacy Services, Ramsey County Health Department, CommonBond Communities, River Park Lofts Book Club, St. Paul Public Housing Agency, Good Neighbor Center, Gateway to College, Macalester-Groveland Community Council, Hamline University, Augsburg University, Minnesota Humanities Center, Guadalupe Alternative Program, Saint Anthony Park Library Association, Strong Mamas Read, North End Neighbors Book Club, Sprockets, Summit Hill Association, Neighborhood Book Club, Saint Paul Public Schools, Face to Face Academy, City Academy, River's Edge Academy, Heritage E-STEM Magnet Middle School, Avalon School, Twin Cities Academy, City of Saint Paul, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Bremer Bank, Katherine B. Andersen Fund, Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, Saint Paul Saints.