A Book to Call Their Own: Lee Elementary Students Receive Free Books Thanks to Barkley’s Bookshelf and CenterPoint Energy Foundation
There’s something special about a child selecting a book they can call their own—and at Lee Elementary School, students got to do just that during a two-day visit from Barkley’s Bookshelf and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation.
The book fair-style event, held Sept. 16–17 on campus, was no ordinary fair. Every student at Lee Elementary, a Title I campus in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, was able to pick out a grade-level, district-approved book out of 825 books donated by Barkley's Bookshelf to keep forever, free of charge.
The donation was the result of a growing partnership between Barkley’s Bookshelf—a local nonprofit dedicated to combating “book deserts”—and CenterPoint Energy Foundation, which presented the organization with a $15,000 grant to expand its work across the CFISD area.
A Gift That Grows: Building Book Ownership in Book Deserts
Founded in March 2022 by five women with a shared passion for literacy and community service, Barkley’s Bookshelf has already distributed over 14,000 free books to children from birth through high school. Their mission is simple but profound: provide children in under-resourced communities with books they’re excited to read, encouraging a love for learning that continues outside the classroom.
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“We started this organization in March of 2022 because we saw a need of children who did not have books in their homes to practice their reading skills,” said Brenda Polivka, founder and president of Barkley’s Bookshelf. “To be able to donate 825 books to Lee Elementary School and see the joy that the children have when they select a book that they get to keep forever brings us joy as well.”
Why Lee Elementary?
Lee Elementary, located at 12900 W Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77041, is a Title I school, meaning a high percentage of students come from low-income households. The school’s dedicated staff and community-oriented leadership have long prioritized equity in literacy and academic opportunity—making it a fitting recipient for this impactful donation.
Under the leadership of Principal Lauree Johnson, Lee has worked to cultivate a culture of reading that extends beyond school walls. Johnson shared her appreciation for the donation and the volunteers who brought it to life.
“For Lee Elementary students, receiving free books through Barkley’s Bookshelf is more than just getting something to read—It’s an opportunity to grow as learners and to develop a lifelong love for reading,” Johnson said. “The presence of volunteers who helped make this donation possible shows students that their community values their education and sends the message that reading and learning matter.”
Barkley’s Bookshelf in partnership with CenterPoint Energy Foundation, donated books to students at A Corporate Partner Committed to Literacy
The donation was also followed by a $15,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, which has partnered with Barkley’s Bookshelf for three consecutive years to help fund book distributions at schools and nonprofits throughout the district .
“We are thrilled to partner with Barkley’s Bookshelf for the third year to fund some of their book distributions,” said Olivia Koch, program manager at CenterPoint Energy. “One of our giving pillars for our CenterPoint Energy Foundation is education in literacy and we are excited to see and experience all of the work that they are doing in this community.”
Inspiring Lifelong Readers in CFISD
For the students of Lee Elementary, this event was more than a giveaway—it was a celebration of literacy, access, and the power of choice. By choosing a book they were excited to read and taking it home, students took a small but meaningful step toward becoming lifelong readers.
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As Barkley’s Bookshelf continues to expand its reach across greater Houston, partnerships like this one serve as a reminder that literacy is a community effort—and every book counts.
For more about Barkley’s Bookshelf or to get involved, visit barkleysbookshelf.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
