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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.
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

May 2024

Focus on Family

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

The Train Home

Thee Train Home

The Train Home

by Dan-ah Kim

Nari imagines the quieter and less crowded places she could travel on the train that passes by her window but realizes those places are missing the people she loves.
Learn more

Middle Grade

The Lost Ryū

The Lost Ryu

The Lost Ryū

by Emi Watanabe Cohen

Ten-year-old Kohei, his new neighbor Isolde, and their palm-sized ryū Cheshire and Yuharu, search for a big ryū—a dragon of legend—in the hopes of healing his grieving family.
Learn more

Young Adult

Well, That Was Unexpected

Well That was Unexpected

Well, That Was Unexpected

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

High school junior Sharlot finds herself fake dating the son of one of the wealthiest families in Indonesia, and she is surprised when she actually starts to fall in love with the boy, her mother’s homeland, and the family she never knew before.
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
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Engage Young Readers with Chapter Books!

Do you need a new series to introduce your young readers to? We have you covered with these must-read chapter book series roundup!
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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
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Summer Reading Stars

Sponsored Content
Keep young readers engaged this summer with Ready-to-Read, books perfectly aimed at finding what kind of reading star they are! There’s a level for everyone, and the stories are fun, exciting, and relatable!
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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 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 tree house books on baseball

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 #29: A Big Day for Baseball  

  • Nonfiction: Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Baseball

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

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
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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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