Haitian Heritage Book Bingo Reading Challenge

As soon as you step out of the Newkirk Avenue-Little Haiti subway stop, it's obvious that Haitian heritage has deep roots in Brooklyn. Haitian-American literary culture has a great history here, with so many incredible writers calling Brooklyn home, such as author Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker staff writer Doreen St. Felix, and poet Anaïs Duplan.

This fall, we invite you to honor Haitian literature, culture, and history with a book bingo reading challenge!

From now until November 21st, we challenge you to:

• Read or listen to a book about Carribean history
• Read a book written in Haitian Kreyol
• Read or listen to a book by Edwidge Danticat
• Read a book by a Haitian author in translation
• Read or listen to a book that features zombies
• Read a book about the Haitian Revolution
• Read Sweet Undoings by Yanick Lahens

Overwhelmed? Don’t worry, all you need to do to complete the bingo is check off three squares moving diagonally, horizontally, or vertically. And don’t forget the handy free space! 

You can pick up your bingo card at our Paerdegat, Flatbush, and East Flatbush branches or print out a copy in English, Kreyol, and French (PDF here!). Be sure to also take advantage of our handy reading guide, including title recommendations and some Haitian literary pop history.

Anyone who completes the bingo will be eligible for a special raffle prize provided by iamCarribeing. You can DOUBLE your chances in the raffle by attending our special event on November 16 from 1-2 PM at Paerdegat Library featuring Brooklyn-based chef and cookbook author Nadege Fleurimond—don’t forget to register here!

In order to submit your bingo card, check off each of the squares you completed, write-in the titles you read, and add your name, phone, and email address. Cards may be returned at the reference desk of the Paerdegat Library or submitted digitally to Juli Meinz, Reader Services Coordinator (jmeinz@bklynlibrary.org).

We can’t celebrate Haitian literary culture without recognizing that the people of Haiti are currently experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis. According to the International Organization on Migration (IOM), “over 700,000 people, more than half of whom are children, are now internally displaced across Haiti.” Here in Brooklyn and across the U.S., the Biden-Harris administration's decision not to renew the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program has left many Haitian immigrants facing increasing uncertainty about legal status and access to essential services. Life of Hope and Haitian Americans United for Progress are two local NY-based organizations currently providing support to Haitian immigrants.

Brooklyn Public Library also offers all recently arrived New Yorkers access to legal services, assistance with citizenship, cultural programs, English classes, and more. To learn more about programs and services, please visit the Immigrant Services page.