10/24/2026
ALEX AND THE CRYSTAL CASTLE
A Personal Message from the author
Hello, everyone.
My name is Dewayne Lammar Kendrick.
Enough of the introductions. I’m an artist, you see. And never once in my life did I dream of becoming a writer.
But life is funny that way.
Years ago, while I was incarcerated, I sat feeling sorry for myself. All I had was a pen and a piece of white paper—the kind you use to request a visit to sick call.
And somehow, on that little piece of paper, a children’s story was born.
His name was Alex.
I mailed that story to my mother and stepfather.
When I came home, life began again. And somewhere along the way, I forgot about Alex.
But Alex never forgot about me.
You see, Alex is a little boy living with sickle cell anemia. Sometimes the pain is so horrendous, so earth-shattering, that it cripples him and takes him away from the world around him.
But Alex has something extraordinary.
An imagination.
And a very special ability.
An ability that allows him to face the most frightening enemies without ever hurting anyone.
And somehow, he always wins.
I have lived with this little boy in my imagination for years. I’ve felt his pain, celebrated his victories, and watched him grow.
And now, finally, his story is ready to be shared.
Five books. One extraordinary adventure.
Alex and the Crystal Castle and the Cashew War.
A story filled with imagination, diversity, heartbreak, courage, and triumph.
All five books will be available online in digital format for just $9.99.
But I’m not here simply to sell you a book.
I’m here to ask you to help me do something.
Something that means a great deal to me.
I miss giving back.
I miss donating.
I miss feeling like I’m part of the solution.
There is an organization helping people affected by sickle cell disease, providing information, counseling, and support to children, adults, and families.
And I would love nothing more than to surprise them with a check.
It might be a little check.
After all, I don’t have that many fans.
But you know something?
Even a little can mean a lot to somebody who needs it.
And if these five books can help me raise something to give back, then Alex will have accomplished something far greater than I ever imagined when I first put pen to paper.
I don’t suffer from sickle cell anemia.
As far as I know, I don’t even carry the trait.
But my heart breaks for those who do.
Especially the children.
So I’m asking you, from one human being to another:
Read Alex’s story.
Share it with someone.
Help me turn a little boy’s imaginary adventures into something real.
Because sometimes the greatest heroes aren’t the ones who fight.
Sometimes they’re the ones who care.
And I’ll leave you with just one question.
One question I’ve been asking myself for a very long time.
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Thank you
