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

Celebrate Reading diverse & inclusive books

Let's read and grow together with 12 months of recommended titles, authors, and teaching resources that promote diversity and inclusion.
NEA Vice-President sits at a table and draws with a student at a Read Across America event
“Read Across America is so important to show kids that everyone has an important story and experience that can be shared through books....Books helped me to dream about what was possible and what I could achieve.”
Quote by: Princess Moss, NEA Vice-President
Post this Elementary students celebrate Read Across America Day

April 2026

Grow Your Circle

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

Dear New Friend

cover of the book Dear New Friend that shows two girls lying on their stomach on a blue rug with flowers with a white cat on the floor between them

Dear New Friend

by Taraneh Matloob

To invite a new friend to his home, a young boy writes a letter that warmly shares the customs, foods, and traditions of his Persian family.
Learn more

Middle Grade

Deer Run Home

cover of Deer Run Home book showing an illustration of a girl in profile hugging an deer in profile against a dark blue background

Deer Run Home

by Ann Clare LeZotte

Effie, a twelve-year-old Deaf girl, navigating neglect, isolation, and trauma in an abusive family learns how to be vulnerable and trusting with support from a caring ASL interpreter, a smart new friend, and a supportive teacher.
Learn more

Young Adult

The Art Thieves

Book cover of the Art Thieves that shows a red background with black silhouettes lifting up off the ground

The Art Thieves

by Andrea L. Rogers

In 2052, a young Cherokee woman named Stevie Henry has her plans for college upended when a time-traveling art thief warns of impending climate disaster and societal breakdown, forcing her to navigate love, loss, and survival in a collapsing world.
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Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
4 students sit and smile in library reading their own books

Read-In for Community and Joy

Make space and time for reading together—publicly, purposefully, and joyfully—by hosting a Read-In during the first week of March in celebration of NEA’s Read Across America.
Learn more
collage of title of books for women's history month

Diverse Books with Trailblazing Women

In these selected titles you’ll find authors, artists, and architects; rulers and rebels; athletes and astronauts; musicians; mothers of invention; and many, many more famous and influential women.
View the list Find in your local library
Houdini
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★ “Pure Magic.” —Kirkus Reviews

From acclaimed author Barb Rosenstock comes Houdini’s Library, an engaging picture book biography of Harry Houdini—magician, devoted book collector, and believer in the power of reading.
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elementary students in class using drumsticks in a rhythm activity

Celebrating Read Across America with Story, Sound, and Song

Like books, music and song create community, reflect culture and history, and tell powerful stories. Use these resources to strike the right note in your Read Across America activities.
Learn more
raising literacy rates

Raising Literacy Rates in the Digital Age

Competing with technology can be difficult, but these educators are introducing students to books—and the joy of reading in general—in creative ways.
Learn more
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
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A New Middle Grade from Sharon G. Flake

Sponsored Content
From the Coretta Scott King Honor winning author of The Skin I'm In comes a poignant novel-in-verse set against the backdrop of the Great Migration. You can be what you want in life. Climb as high as you wish. Nothing can stop you, not even pedigree.
  • Download the Guide

Here’s What We’re Reading...

Click on a month below for our recommended books, plus suggestions for discussions and activities.
Every Monday Mabel

August 2025

Nurture Your Calling

Shift Happens

September 2025

Invite Transformation

A Second Chance on Earth

October 2025

Build Resilience

On a Wing and a Tear

November 2025

Cultivate Connection

The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinction

December 2025

Embrace Evolution

The Ballerina of Auschwitz

January 2026

End Exclusion

They Call Me Teach

February 2026

Claim Freedom

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

March 2026

Champion Kindness

Deer Run Home

April 2026

Grow Your Circle

Don't Cause Trouble

May 2026

Honor Heritage

Ash's Cabin

June 2026

Own Your Story

A Sky That Sings

July 2026

Take Charge

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. 

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
Post this 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.

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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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