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young girl in the library reading a copy of The Night Before Pride

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.
Juana Medina addressed students at a Read Across America event
“There's that possibility of finding ourselves within the pages and recognizing ourselves or getting a better understanding of other people around us through the stories that we read.”
Quote by: Juana Medina, author of "Juana and Lucas"
Third Graders Celebrate Read Across America

September 2024

Speak Up and Make Change

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale

The Great Banned Books Bake Sale

by Aya Khalil

Kanzi is deeply saddened when she learns that books with kids who look like her have been banned by her school district. But with her teacher’s help, she and her classmates hatch a plan to hold a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy diverse books for Little Free Libraries.
Learn more

Middle Grade

Safiyyah’s War

Safiyyah’s War

Safiyyah’s War

by Hiba Noor Khan

Though her Muslim identity keeps her somewhat safer than her Jewish neighbors, the Nazi occupation of Paris makes it dangerous for Safiyyah to leave the mosque where she lives and run errands around the city, especially when those errands are part of secret Resistance efforts to get Jewish friends and neighbors to safety.
Learn more

Young Adult

This Book Won’t Burn

This Book Won’t Burn

This Book Won’t Burn

by Samira Ahmed

While coping with her father’s abandonment and starting a new school midway through her senior year, Noor and her new friends take a stand against book bans at their small-town Illinois high school.
Learn more

Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
High school student reading graphic novel in the library

Classroom Resources to Celebrate the Freedom to Read

Find book recommendations, posters, bookmarks, stickers, and ways to show your support for banned books and freedom from censorship in the classroom.
Learn more
illustration of a Latina girl playing a guitar

Hispanic Heritage Booklists

Colorín Colorado’s children’s Hispanic Heritage booklists feature biography, history, cultural traditions, family stories, fun stories, and titles about growing up Latino.
View the list
Books Belong in schools
Sponsored Content

Books Belong in Schools!

Books Belong everywhere and especially in schools: whether fiction or nonfiction, books help us to see ourselves and others in the world. Stay informed about these bans and challenges and see what you can do to help fight censorship.
Learn More
diverse students talking in a circle in school library

Starting a Book Club at School

Book clubs should celebrate reading! Here are ideas to get you started.
Learn more
a school library bookshelf with several picture books displayed on top

No New Library Books for 30 Years? These Paraeducators Changed That!

A large Massachusetts district lacked new and diverse books so library paraeducators banded together to get an NEA Read Across America grant for new books.
Learn more
books can change the world

What Do Students Want to Read? It Might Not Be What You Think

Move over Dog Man! Make room for nonfiction books.
Read more
Simon and Schuster election books

2024 Election Books for Young Readers!

Sponsored Content
It's election season again, and we have a range of great books to help young people stay engaged and learn about presidents and the election process.
  • Learn More

NEA strives to make sure that every student has access to age-appropriate books that show they are reflected and respected, and opposes efforts to limit students’ access to such books. Nevertheless, NEA urges educators to comply with state and local laws and policies that may limit what books they may teach and recommend to their students. 

Here’s What We’re Reading...

Click on a month below for our recommended books, plus suggestions for discussions and activities.
August 2024

August 2024

Compose Bonds

Safiyyah's War crop

September 2024

Speak Up and Make Change

October 2024

October 2024

Know Your Power

November 2024

November 2024

Engage with Community

December

December 2024

Foster Confidence

January 2025

January 2025

Find Your Way

February 2025

February 2025

Pursue Passions

Secret Library Crop

March 2025

Join In

April 2025

April 2025

Share Your Poetic Voice

Fake Chinese Sounds crop

May 2025

Revel in Your Heritage

Deep Dark Crop

June 2025

Build Others Up

July 2025

July 2025

Cultivate Compassion

Marley Dias
“Diverse stories provide kids with different perspectives and help them see how others think and feel. Put reading to kids on your calendar all year round. Take NEA's Read Across America Diverse Books Challenge and help kids of all ages discover their own voices as they learn from the stories of others.”
Quote by: Marley Dias, Read Across America Ambassador 2021-23, and Founder, #1000BlackGirlBooks
Take the challenge

Hear from Read Across America Authors

We've interviewed several authors on our School Me podcast. Donna Barba Higuera discusses El Cucuy is Scared, Too! and why she is so passionate about writing books that feature multiracial children, families, and identities. Wendy Shang, author of The Secret Battle of Evan Pao talks about why representation matters. Andrea Davis Pinkney, author of Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It, discusses the power of storytelling. And Duncan Tonatiuh, author of A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters, makes the case for the freedom to read.

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
National Education Association

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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