Read Brave is Saint Paul Public Library’s citywide, intergenerational reading program that connects readers of all ages to one another through one theme, five books and their authors, programs, and a call to action. The 2023 theme was mental health.
2023 Read Brave by the Numbers
5,980 copies of the 2023 Read Brave titles were distributed to students and community members to add to their personal libraries.
490 students total participated in in-person author events with Adib Khorram, author of Darius the Great is Not Okay and virtual visits with Rosena Fung, author and illustrator of Living with Viola.
Pictured above: Collaborative drawings created by author/illustrator Rosena Fung and middle school students from Read Brave partner schools.
300 community members participated in Read Brave programs including the Drum and Dance Healing Circle, Community Sound Healing, the Children's Mental Health panel with two local authors and a youth mental health worker, and other programs.
Photo Highlights
Community Feedback
"I've never read a book before where I thought to myself, 'Hey, that's me!' I did feel a little emotional because it was the first time I felt seen [in a book]."
"[Read Brave Talk Brave was an] incredible, wide-ranging discussion that left me filled with optimism for our future, and grateful to live in St. Paul."
"Read Brave was very exciting because not just anyone gets the opportunity to have an author visit your school, let alone an author you’re a fan of."
2023 Books
2023 Books
This is unlike any other book I've read on racism, and it's a good, refreshing thing. Menakem is a therapist, and his perspective starts with the body.…
Read more of this comment about My Grandmother's Hands
4.25. This graphic novel had some immaculate, accurate, and informative mental illness representation. It perfectly showed how mental health gets worse…
Read more of this comment about Living With Viola
My Footprints is a refreshing addition to the genre of children's books that encourage acceptance and imagination. Through its depth, character development,…
Read more of this comment about My Footprints
Adib Khorram’s Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a heartwarming novel about Darius Kellner, a fractional Persian teenager who struggles to fit in. Darius is…
Read more of this comment about Darius the Great Is Not OkayThis is unlike any other book I've read on racism, and it's a good, refreshing thing. Menakem is a therapist, and his perspective starts with the body.…
Read more of this comment about My Grandmother's Hands4.25. This graphic novel had some immaculate, accurate, and informative mental illness representation. It perfectly showed how mental health gets worse…
Read more of this comment about Living With ViolaMy Footprints is a refreshing addition to the genre of children's books that encourage acceptance and imagination. Through its depth, character development,…
Read more of this comment about My FootprintsExplore Read Brave 2023
Explore Read Brave 2023
Darius the Great is Not Okay Book Discussion Questions
Read Brave Talk Brave - March 9, 2023 - Livestream
2023 Read Brave Toolkit
St. Paul libraries, home of the brave readers
Mental Health Resources
Read Brave: A Conversation About Children's Mental Health
Read Brave: Sound Medicine Dance & Drum Healing Circle
Read Brave: Community Sound Healing
Read Brave: Storytime with Special Guest Mayor Carter
Things to Do: Read Brave
"Darius the Great Is Not Okay" Read-Alikes
"My Grandmother's Hands" Read-Alikes
"Living With Viola" Read-Alikes
Questions about Read Brave?
Get in touch with the Read Brave Team using the form below with any questions you have about Read Brave books, events, or partnerships.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay
Adib Khorram’s Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a heartwarming novel about Darius Kellner, a fractional Persian teenager who struggles to fit in. Darius is…
Read more of this comment about Darius the Great Is Not Okay