Award-Winning Children’s Author Visits Gun Hill Houses

New York Times bestselling author Rita Williams-Garcia visited the Gun Hill Houses Community Center in the Bronx to talk about reading and writing as part of the National Book Foundation’s Book Rich Environments (BRE) program, which connects young people with author visits at libraries and public housing developments across the United States. 

Ms. Williams-Garcia is the author of 13 novels for young adults and middle grade readers, including a historical fiction trilogy about three sisters growing up in the 1960s. She is a three-time National Book Award finalist and has received many awards and honors, including the Coretta Scott King Award, Newbery Honor Book, and the Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction. She grew up in Hammel Houses in Queens. 

Ms. Williams-Garcia read from Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, bringing the story to life in an unforgettable way. Each child received a free signed copy of the book, creating a lasting connection to the experience. 

“I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun during an author visit,” Ms. Williams-Garcia said. “This was big fun! I love how well the event was coordinated between the partners. It was a fabulous community book-rich event, made for children of all ages. I felt so at home with all of the staff and those wonderful kids with those thoughtful questions.” 

The event took place on April 7 and brought together families and young readers of all ages, with 70 participants from the Gun Hill, Boston Secor, and Eastchester community centers. Attendees also had the opportunity to create bookmarks and comic strips.  

BRE helps children living in public housing develop a lifelong joy of reading by connecting them with reading-related resources. The National Book Foundation partners on the program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Education, the Urban Libraries Council, and the National Center for Families Learning. The Gun Hill Houses event was also carried out in partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and Roads to Success. 

BRE has distributed over 2.6 million new, free, and diverse books to public housing residents since it launched in 2017. In 2025, BRE partnered with 62 HUD-assisted communities across the country to further its mission, distributing over 303,000 books to young people and families. This year, NYCHA will receive 50,000 books for children ranging in age from newborn to 18 that will be distributed at the community centers located at the following developments: Richmond Terrace, Latimer Gardens, Clinton Houses, Rutgers Houses, Carey Gardens, Tompkins Houses, Glenwood Houses, Butler Houses, Soundview Houses, and Cypress Hills Houses. For more information about how to receive free books, email partnerships@nycha.nyc.gov. 

Featured photo caption: Author Rita Williams-Garcia speaking to children at Gun Hill Houses Community Center. Photo by Christian Rodriguez.