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NEA News

Celebrate Read Across America 2022

This year Read Across America showcases diverse books for all readers with a special emphasis on titles for older grades.
read across america 2022
Melissa Amos reads first graders El Cucuy Is Scared, Too, the Read Across America featured picture book for September. #ReadAcrossSMSD
Published: March 1, 2022

After Mill Creek Elementary School librarian Melissa Amos read A Sled for Gabo, a book about a boy’s first snowy day and his excitement about newly discovered winter wonders, she asked her students what new things they wanted to try or learn in 2022. There were some laudable goals, like try out for the talent show, learn to speak Korean, try a pomegranate, try helping my mom cook, and learn how to ice skate.

Some of the kids shared reading goals, like try to read longer chapter books, or try reading the entire “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.

Using the story as a jumping off point, “we discussed how to set realistic goals, making sure it was something we had control of, that we could try,” says the Shawnee-Mission School District librarian in Kansas who has been celebrating #ReadAcrossSMSD all year long. “They did such a good job and really took the time to think of something new they could try.” 

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This year, NEA will also try something new as part of its Read Across America program, the celebration that takes officially takes place on March 2, Read Across America Day. For the first time, NEA is hosting a special Read Across America event focused on older readers.

In a YA Author Chat, four young adult authors—J. Elle (Wings of Ebony), Margarita Engle (With a Star in My Hand), Loan Le (A Phở Love Story), and Britteny Morris (The Cost of Knowing)—discuss why diverse books matter for all students as part of a moderated conversation led by educator Tanya Johnson Martin. This panel will cover how providing book choices that represent the richness of students’ lives can make a difference in high school classrooms.

The event, in partnership with Simon & Schuster, begins at 7 p.m. ET on March 2 on Facebook.

This year, NEA is asking educators, students, and readers from all walks of life to share their voices and own stories about books and reading experiences as part of Read Across America. Stories are being written or told on video and shared as part of the Reader Experience. NEA is selecting stories to feature on NEA’s website, social media channels, in print, and at special events. Watch activist, author, and Read Across America Ambassador Marley Dias share her story of how Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming ignited her activism and inspire other to share their stories.

NEA YA author chat FB

Alicia D. Williams, author of the Read Across America recommended title Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston, talks about her book, the elementary book featured in March month on the Read Across America calendar, in a video interview with Marley Dias. She shares more about Zora Neale Hurston, storytelling, and ways to use history and stories to get kids jumping. 

Back in Shawnee-Mission, Leigh Anne Neal, chief of early childhood and sustainability, joined Pre-Kindergarten students across the district to highlight how interacting with stories through play supports learning.

“Play is an essential component of early learning…and books are inspiring storycatchers all across the Shawnee Mission School District,” Neal said.

For example, Cali Newell and her Pre-Kindergarten students at Shawnee Elementary recently read the book “Ella Sarah Gets Dressed.” This story tied into a recent activity where students dressed up and held a tea party, just like the characters in the book.

At Nieman Elementary, students in Amber Pagan’s classroom were inspired to get creative with paints after reading the book “And Away We Go.” They used their artistic expression to paint hot air balloons, just like the one in the book.

“There are so many ways we all can interact with the stories we read, whether we are parents or children, students or teachers, young or old,” said Neal. “Reading together, telling stories, acting out stories, and writing stories can help everyone to learn and grow.”

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Partners Share Stories for Read Across America

In celebration of NEA’s Read Across America, Vooks, a kid safe, ad-free streaming library of read aloud animated storybooks committed to providing children with access to an ever-growing library of engaging and immersive animated stories, is offering everyone free access to its entire library from February 28 to March 6th.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is celebrating on Read Across America Day (March 2) with the RIF Reading Inspires! Webcast with exclusive read-alouds from Chelsea Clinton, Sandra Boynton, and Monica Brown. Classrooms across the country are invited to join: https://bit.ly/3tBTODU

Tips to Celebrate Read Across America Today and Every Day

All Kinds of Ways to Play with Stories to Celebrate NEA’s Read Across America is a new toolkit with resources to help create space for storytelling of all kinds to be shared out loud, from oral history to personal stories to spoken-word poetry.

14 Big Ideas for Celebrating NEA’s Read Across America includes activities to bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel safe, valued, and welcome.

 Book Club Basics is new toolkit to help bring conversations about books to the classroom or community. Read Across America Day is a great time to launch a new book club!

 9 Ideas for (Virtually) Celebrating NEA’s Read Across America has suggestions for celebrating outside or taking advantage of technology to motivate readers.

It is more important than ever to connect kids to stories that offer different perspectives and help them to see how others think and feel. As Read Across America Ambassador Marley Dias says, “When we hear each other’s stories, our understanding of each other grows.”

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The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.