(Los Angeles, CA) – This week, in the spirit of PEN America’s initiative Literature Locked Up: Banned Books Week 2019, PEN America Los Angeles has launched a book drive for migrant children in partnership with the Jewish Family Service (JFS) Migrant Family Shelter/San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN). 

This wish list of children’s books in Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole has been developed by PEN America in Los Angeles, in collaboration with Skylight Books, and reflects requests from the San Diego shelter network. Children and families who arrive at the network of shelters often spend three to five days in the facility before moving on to the next stage of the asylum-seeking process. Traveling with minimal belongings, children often arrive without comfort objects. In addition to enriching emotional, social, and cognitive development, children’s books also provide relief from the harsh realities of difficult journeys and uncertainties ahead. 

Orders may be placed by adding items from the curated wishlist to the online cart and checking out as with a normal purchase through the Skylight website. All titles purchased from the Book Drive wishlist will be delivered to the children served by SDRRN following the conclusion of the drive on Monday, September 30, 2019. 

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PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

CONTACT: Stephen Fee, Director of Communications, [email protected], +1 202 309 8892