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A father reads to his two daughters outside

create & celebrate a nation of diverse readers

Let's read and grow together with 12 months of recommended books, authors, and teaching resources that promote diversity and inclusion.

NEA Surprises South Carolina Students with 500 Diverse Books

Read Across America books are delivered to classrooms at Monaview Elementary School in South Carolina
Read Across America books are delivered to classrooms at Monaview Elementary School in South Carolina, which won the fall 2021 sweepstakes. Credit: ©2021 Brian Dressler

The holidays came early to Monaview Elementary School in Greenville, South Carolina. Winner of the first ever NEA Read Across America sweepstakes, the school received 500 diverse and inclusive books from award-winning authors and illustrators for students and educators to share and enjoy all year.

“We are so excited!” says Catherine Holub-Ward, the first grade teacher who entered the sweepstakes on behalf of her school. “Monaview is such a special place, and we’re thrilled that all of our classrooms will have these books representing multiple identities and cultures.”

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December 2021

Lend a Hand

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

The Lost Package

The Lost Package book cover

The Lost Package

by Richard Ho

A package that was packed with great care by an Asian American girl and mailed at the post office bounces off a truck, but is found on the street by a Black mother and child who deliver the package to its intended recipient.
Learn more

Middle Grade

Thanks a Lot, Universe

Thanks a Lot, Universe book cover

Thanks a Lot, Universe

by Chad Lucas

After a family crisis lands Brian and his brother in foster care, White seventh-grader Brian’s anxiety grows worse. Ezra, his fellow basketball teammate of Trinidadian and Polish descent, notices but is slow to help out of fear of his friends discovering that he has a crush on Brian.
Learn more

Young Adult

How It All Blew up

How it all Blew Up cover

How It All Blew up

by Arvin Ahmadi

To escape being outed as gay to his conservative Muslim parents, eighteen-year-old Iranian American Amir Azadi, blows off his high school graduation and runs away to Rome.
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Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
El Cucuy Is Scared Too book cover

A Talk with Author Donna Barba Higuera

NEA's School Me podcast welcomes author Donna Barba Higuera to discuss El Cucuy is Scared, Too! and learn why she is so passionate about writing books that feature multiracial children, families, and identities.
Listen to learn
Diverse Students in Library

Book Club Basics

Here's what you need to know to start your own Read Across book club in your school.
Get started
Teacher working with student on reading instruction

Looking at Reading Interventions

In this special Reading Rockets video series, students in grades K-3 work one-on-one with reading expert Linda Farrell on specific reading skills.
Watch and learn
Keeper of the Lost Cities

Read Keeper of the Lost Cities in Your Classroom

Sponsored Content
Book 8.5 in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series delivers what fans of the series have been begging for. The saga continues with plenty of huge reveals and shocking new twists—plus a complete series guide with beautiful color and other awesome bonuses!
  • Learn more!

Here’s What We’re Reading...

Click on a month below for our recommended books, plus suggestions for discussions and activities.
August 2021 Read Across America

August 2021

Spread Your Wings

September 2021 Read Across America

September 2021

Embrace New Beginnings

October 2021 Read Across America

October 2021

Create Change

November 2021 Read Across promo

November 2021

Explore Ancestry and Identity

December 2021 Read Across promo

December 2021

Lend a Hand

January 2022 Read Across promo

January 2022

Try Something New

February 2022 Read Across promo

February 2022

Explore Families and History

March 2022 Read Across promo

March 2022

Play With Stories

April 2022 Read Across Promo

April 2022

Nurture a Sense of Belonging

May 2022 Read Across promo

May 2022

Build Together

June 2022 Read Across promo

June 2022

Gain Perspective

July 2022 Read Across promo

July 2022

Determine Destiny

Book Talk

Activist, author, and NEA’s Read Across America Ambassador Marley Dias makes a reading connection with Xelena González, author of All Around Us, our featured picture book for November.

Marley Dias
NEA’s Read Across America uplifts inclusive stories so that kids across the country can see themselves reflected in a book. Join us in making reading fun for every reader.
Quote by: Marley Dias, Founder, #1000BlackGirlBooks
Black NEA RAA logo

About Read Across America

What is NEA's Read Across America? Find answers to your frequently asked questions about the National Education Association's year-round celebration of diverse books and meet the people behind it.
Learn more
A woman and her son use a laptop together

Join Our Community of Readers

Are you a teacher, librarian, educator, author, or devoted book worm? Join the Read Across America Facebook group to share resources, ideas, and experiences as we celebrate a nation of diverse readers.
Visit our Facebook group
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Great public schools for every student

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.
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