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.
Watch What We're Celebrating This Year
We're joining the parade—Tiara's Hat Parade, as NEA President Becky Pringle, Read Across America Ambassador Marley Dias, and author Kelly Starling Lyons welcome us to another year of diverse books and take us deeper into a beloved tale of family, community, courage, and fashion.
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April 2021
Inspire Stewardship
Books of the month:
Books of the month:
Elementary
We Are Water Protectors
We Are Water Protectors
A young girl learns from her Nokomis (grandmother) about protecting our shared planet and invites all to become stewards of Earth.
Middle Grade
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez
When Nestor and his mother move in with his grandmother, Nestor is forced to use his secret ability to communicate with animals to save the inhabitants of his new home town when they are threatened by a tule vieja, a witch that transforms into animals.
Young Adult
Butterfly Yellow
Butterfly Yellow
Hằng, a refugee from Việt Nam who has traveled to Texas to find her little brother who was taken from her years ago, is helped by LeeRoy, a city boy with big rodeo dreams.
Ready, Set...Read!
Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
Grab Your Hat for Storytime with Author Kelly Starling Lyons
Read along with Tiara's Hat Parade.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Recommended Titles
Share stories that celebrate the AAPI community and the lives of everyday men, women, and children who made and are making history.
Students Deserve a Welcoming and Inclusive School Setting
A Wisconsin community comes together in support of transgender and non-binary students, after an "I Am Jazz" reading event was canceled by a Florida-based group.
Ready-to-Read Early Readers by Award Winners
Sponsored Content
Ready-to-Read leveled readers include both engaging nonfiction and stories featuring fan favorite characters. They are vetted by educational experts to adhere to the latest beginning reader guidelines and receive official Lexile and F&P reading levels. Explore books by award-winning creators, like Jane Yolen, Cynthia Rylant, Brian Floca, David Milgrim, Jonathan Fenske, and Marion Dane Bauer!
- For Educators
Here’s What We’re Reading...
Click on a month below for our recommended books, plus suggestions for discussions and activities.
August 2020
Empower Student Voice
September 2020
Foster Inclusiveness
October 2020
Activate Young Citizens
November 2020
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples
December 2020
Explore Identity
January 2021
Explore Families & History
February 2021
Practice Empathy
March 2021
Cultivate Compassion
April 2021
Inspire Stewardship
May 2021
Develop Passion & Perseverance
June 2021
Promote Respect
July 2021
Build Community
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.
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.
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