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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.
Headshot of Stacey McDonald
“Now we have books on everything from acceptance and belonging, different abilities, coming over the border, and going to a food pantry. Diverse books normalize topics that our community sees or experiences daily.”
Quote by: Stacey McDonald, Library paraeducator, Massachusetts
How Stacey and colleagues brought diverse books to their district

July 2024

Foster Inclusiveness

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

Song in the City

cover of the book Song of the City

Song in the City

by Daniel Bernstrom

On the way to church with her grandmother, Emmalene hears the sounds of the city as music, but Grandma Jean doesn’t notice the song until Emmalene helps her.
Learn more

Middle Grade

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In

book cover of Aniana Del Mark Jumps In

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In

by Jasminne Mendez

Twelve-year-old Aniana, a Dominican American girl who must keep her love of swimming a secret from her mother, is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, and is forced to reimagine her future.
Learn more

Young Adult

Disability Visibility (Adapted for Young Adults): 17 First-Person Stories for Today

Disability Visibility books cover, young adult version

Disability Visibility (Adapted for Young Adults): 17 First-Person Stories for Today

by Alice Wong (edited by)

Essays that offer keen insight into the complex and rich disability experience, examining life’s ableism and inequality, its challenges and losses, and celebrating its wisdom, passion, and joy.
Learn more

Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
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
collage of covers of children's books about Juneteenth

Books to Celebrate Juneteenth

Help students learn about and appreciate the significance of Juneteenth with these recommended titles.
View the list
Random House RAA Book Club Guide
Sponsored Content

Free Book Club Guide Download for Educators!

Boost student engagement and learning outcomes with our new graphic novel book club guide.
Register Here!
educator holds a stack of books with Twas the Night Before Pride on the top and visible

LGBTQ+ Books for Schools

Recommended titles that reflect on the LGBTQ+ experience and books about Pride, tolerance, and diversity.
Learn more
young girl reading book outside in summer

Get Serious About Summer Reading

Use these ideas and resources to put good books into kids’ hands and connect them to vibrant summer learning adventures.
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 2023

August 2023

Share Your Story

September 2023

September 2023

Tackle Challenges Together

October 2023

October 2023

Champion the Freedom to Read

November 2023

November 2023

Gain New Perspectives

December 2023

December 2023

Recognize Our Connectedness

January 2024

January 2024

Engage in the World

February 2024

February 2024

Advance Racial Justice

March 2024

March 2024

Celebrate Diversity

April 2024

April 2024

Discover the Power of Poetry

May 2024

May 2024

Focus on Family

June 2024

June 2024

Promote Respect for All

July 2024

July 2024

Foster Inclusiveness

Chapter Books for Early Readers

Covers of two magic treehouse books on Tsunamis and Hawaii

Create enthusiastic readers with Magic Tree House (MTH) early chapter book choices for beginning independent readers that are fun, accessible, and help improve comprehension and the habit of reading.

  • Magic Tree House Book #28: High Time in Hawaii 
  • Nonfiction: Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Tsunamis and Other Natural Disasters

Ready to use these MTH books and more in your classroom? Visit MTHClassroomAdventures.org for downloadable MTH resources or head to www.MagicTreeHouse.com. Eligible educators can join FirstBook's Network to bring new books and resources to the classroom.

Become a FirstBook Member

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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