Cam’s Kids Book Club: ‘They Built Me for Freedom’ by Tonya Duncan Ellis

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Welcome to Cam’s Kids Book Club:

1. Register for this program to get your own free copy of the book to keep! One book will be given per family.
2. Pick up your book from the library.
3. Read and enjoy the book at your own pace.
4. Come chat about this month’s book and other books you love at the Alexandria Branch!

This month’s book is: They Built Me for Freedom by Tonya Duncan Ellis

When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.

They built me to remember.

On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.

In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text and vibrant artwork, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.

Please register all children. Only one adult per family group.

Please note any accommodation requests in the Special Needs section of the registration form.

If you have any questions, please contact Shelby at swhitt@cc-pl.org. 

Alexandria Branch