Meet the girl turning pages into power: a young librarian who built a community library and sparked a movement of reading and hope.
Imagine being just 12, browsing a book fair, and spotting something that makes your heart hurt. That’s what happened to Raissa “Lua” Oliveira, a girl living in the Tabajaras favela in Rio de Janeiro. At a São Paulo book fair, she saw a mother tell her daughter she couldn’t afford a book that cost just three reals (about 60 US cents). That moment triggered something in her: “I have to do something,” she said.
And she really meant it.
Starting Her Own Library with Grandma’s Help
So, what did this 12-year-old do? First, she used her grandmother’s phone to make a video appeal on Facebook. In the video, she explained that she wanted to build a library for poor children in her community and asked for book donations.
The response was incredible. Boxes of books began arriving, and she even got invited onto TV. With all those donations, she needed a home for her new library, and she found it by reaching out via WhatsApp to her local residents’ association. To arrange space, she pretended to be her grandmother in the message. A little cheeky, right? But the community agreed, and soon she had a teeny room in a community centre lined with shelves.
In that small tin-roofed room, she squeezed in 18,000 books. Yes, thousands of books in a tiny favela space.
And So “Mundo da Lua” Began
Lua named her library “Mundo da Lua,” which translates to “World of the Moon”, a lovely play on her nickname, Lua, which means “moon” in Portuguese.
It’s not a polished, grand library, but it sure is cozy. The room is padded with cushions because running a library is hard work, even for a young person, and it’s packed full of books from floor to ceiling.
Donations Upon Donations Upon Donations
After her Facebook plea went viral, Lua’s inbox and front door never stopped receiving book donations. She reportedly gets about 1,500 books per week.
Rather than hoard them, Lua dreams bigger: she doesn’t just want the books for her own library. She’s setting aside hundreds to help other fledgling libraries in Brazil. For instance, she reserved 500 books for a boy in the northeast of Brazil who was inspired by her to start his own project.
Meanwhile, children from her favela visit “Mundo da Lua” regularly. One 10-year-old boy, Daniel, said he comes almost every day. He used to just play football or video games after school, but now he has somewhere better to go.
Finding Her Voice: Not Just About Books
Lua’s project also sparked something deeper than just reading. She found a voice for her community. She started speaking out on other social issues affecting her favela, like sewage problems.
In fact, she publicly challenged Rio’s mayor at the time, Marcelo Crivella, saying, “At the age of 12, I have done more for my community than you did throughout your entire term.” Her boldness paid off. Her criticism prompted the mayor to meet with her in person and promise to fix the plumbing issues.
That’s pretty damn incredible for anyone, let alone someone her young.
What Drives Her: Reading, Change, and Compassion
Lua doesn’t just read children’s books. She devours everything, from comics to serious books about racism and religious tolerance. She’s deeply aware of her community’s struggles. She’s spoken about seeing her father mistreated by police because of his race, and about online attacks she’s faced because of her appearance.
Her passion isn’t limited to reading, either. Lua has said she might not go into politics in the long run, despite already making noise in that space, but she’s considering becoming an actress, a veterinarian, or even starting a shelter for stray dogs and cats. She might not have a clear plan just yet, but we know that whatever she decides, she’ll smash out of the park.
Inspiring Others
What’s most powerful about Lua’s story is how she’s inspired other young people. Her library isn’t just for her neighbourhood, it’s a spark. As mentioned, she’s donated books to another young person who wants to set up a similar project.
She’s also become a kind of role model, not just for children, but for her community. That kind of leadership from a 12-year-old is rare and deeply hopeful.
A Protector of the Written Word
It is because of the work of people like Lua that reading continues to be promoted all over the globe. Lua’s work, even from this young age, has made a difference in the lives of so many people. She has brought reading to children and adults in Brazil who may never have had the chance to pick up so many books otherwise.
If Lua’s story inspires you, and you’d like to read more, you’re in luck. Her story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading. The book offers a collection of inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
