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Author Kwame Alexander in a dark green track suit stands and recites in front of middle school students with bassist Amy Shook in the background

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.
Kwame Alexander in a dark green shirt with hands clasped
[The Crossover] is the book I wished I could have read when I was a kid …a book with characters who looked like me, with rhythm and flow and empowering words. I believe the mind of an adult begins with the imagination of a child.
Quote by: Kwame Alexander, poet and author of The Crossover
Watch The Crossover story concert

May 2025

Cultivate Compassion

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

Aloha Everything

book cover of Aloha Everything

Aloha Everything

by Kaylin Melia George

Since the day she was born, the girl’s heart has been connected to her island home, but she comes to understand the true meaning of aloha when she begins to learn the traditional Hawaiian storytelling dance of hula that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people.
Learn more

Middle Grade

Fake Chinese Sounds

Cover of Fake Chinese Sounds

Fake Chinese Sounds

by Jing Jing Tsong

After her năi nai, who only speaks Mandarin, comes for a visit the summer before fifth grade, things get interesting for Měi Ying, who learns to speak up and speak out when those around her don't.
Learn more

Young Adult

Lunar New Year Love Story

Lunar New Year Love Story Book Cover

Lunar New Year Love Story

by Gene Luen Yang

Valentina, who is obsessed with Valentine's Day but has been told by her grandmother that her family is unlucky in love, is trying to decide if she should give up on love all together, when she meets Les and Jae from the Liu’s Kung Fu Lion Dance Studio.
Learn more

Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
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
When Green Becomes Tomatoes

Great Poetry to Read Aloud

The list includes poems and collections of poetry from different cultures, introductions to a variety of poetic forms, and playful language for lots of read aloud fun.
View the list Find titles in your local library
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New in Jane Chapman’s beloved Bear series

Bear has the lonely day blues waiting for his friends to have free time in this new picture book in the bestselling series.
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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
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
teaching reading

Teaching Reading is Not as Easy as A, B, C

This educator struggled to help her students learn—and found a happy ending
Read more
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Reading Group Guides are Here to Help Assist with Teaching Tough Topics

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There are plenty of ways to tackle tough topics. Our reading group guides help readers process difficult situations and lead them to a better understanding of what they've read.
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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
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
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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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