Thursday, January 8, 2026

More Than 2,000 Books Delivered to PUSD Campuses Marking One Year Since Eaton Fire

One year after the Eaton Fire, costumed Justice League members appeared at Altadena Arts Magnet to read to students.

They were among guest readers who visited Pasadena Unified School District classrooms as part of a districtwide partnership with Teamsters Local Union 986, which organized the guest readers and helped bring the literacy events to life. More than 2,000 copies of Home: A Story of Resilience were delivered to PUSD campuses this week. The book, by author Carrie Barnes, explores what it means to heal and find a sense of home after hardship.

Guest readers across the district included author Carrie Barnes at Sierra Madre Elementary, actor Melora Hardin at Don Benito Elementary School, and Chris Holden of LA Fire Justice at Jackson Elementary. Each visit centered around hope and encouraged student engagement.

“It was incredibly moving to share Home with students who understand resilience in such a personal way,” Barnes said. “Being able to read my book with PUSD students, especially at this moment, was a reminder of the strength and hope that young people carry with them every single day.”

“We are honored to partner with Pasadena Unified to support students through the power of storytelling,” said Teamsters Local 986 Business Representative Michael J. Leon. “Books help young people build empathy and imagine what’s possible. Being able to share this story of resilience with students underscores our commitment to standing with this community.”

“These moments reflect the heart of Pasadena Unified,” said PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco. “One year after the Eaton Fire, our students continue to show remarkable strength and compassion. While we remain focused on the future, it is meaningful to pause together, honor our shared experiences, and remind students that they are supported by a caring community that believes in them.”

“Commemorating one year since the Eaton Fire reminds us not only of what our community endured, but of how healing happens together,” said PUSD Board President Tina Fredericks. “Our students see their own strength through stories like Home. We are grateful to our partners for surrounding our schools with compassion, hope, and a shared commitment to our children’s well-being.”