Purchase copies of three illustrated works to be sent to incarcerated readers nationwide: Book One of John Lewis's award-winning trilogy on his central role in the civil rights movement, George Takei's account of being forcibly interned by the U.S. during World War II, and an instructional guide on drawing.

Following July's drive (Solitary, The Wretched of the Earth, and Malcolm X Speaks), Freebird is offering again three books for $30: March: Book One by John Lewis, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, and How to Draw Faces in Simple Steps.  Graphic novels, comics, and art instruction are amongst the most commonly requested genres NYC Books Through Bars receives. 

March: Book One is the first installment of John Lewis's bestselling graphic memoir chronicling his time in the civil rights movement. Inspired by Lewis's own love of comic books, and the power of messages conveyed in a graphic format (he would often cite the influence of a comic illustrating Martin Luther King's Montgomery bus boycott), the trilogy has gone on to win numerous literary awards. They Called Us Enemy tells the story--through the eyes of a young George Takei--of our country's troubled history imprisoning Americans for having Japanese heritage. And How to Draw Faces in Simple Steps is a self-explanatory guide to being a better artist. 

Why it is important to donate to NYC Books Through Bars

While the NYC Books Through Bars program operating out of Freebird's basement is currently limiting in-person volunteering and drop offs due to COVID-19, book requests continue to pour in from prisons around the country: nearly 300 per week. In response to the challenges of accepting those donations during the pandemic, we have started a monthly program in which specific, in-demand titles can be purchased through Freebird at a discount.