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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.
Helen Darling looks at camera smiling while she holds a Read Across America basketball
“Basketball gave me a platform, but reading gave me possibilities beyond the court....I’m eager to join this incredible team of educators, librarians, families, and literacy champions who show up every day to change children’s lives through reading.”
Quote by: Helen Darling, speaker, author, former WNBA star, and 2026 NEA Read Across America Ambassador
Post this Meet Helen

September 2026

Stand Together

Books of the month:

Books of the month:

Elementary

We the People Is All the People / Nosotros, el pueblo somos todos

We the People Is All the People

We the People Is All the People / Nosotros, el pueblo somos todos

by Howard W. Reeves

As we continue to strive for a more inclusive union, celebrate the diversity of American communities and explore who "we the people" includes.
Learn more

Middle Grade

What Fell from the Sky

What Fell from the Sky

What Fell from the Sky

by Adrianna Cuevas

When the military takes over his town for a Cold War drill, Pineda, a twelve-year-old Cuban American boy in 1950s Texas, embarks on a mission to protect and help an alien girl reunite with her parents and return to their home planet.
Learn more

Young Adult

Hear Ye Mortals

Hear Ye Mortals

Hear Ye Mortals

by Yamile Saied Méndez

With their band Río Babel, sixteen-year-old Daniel Aguirre and his fifteen-year-old brother Adrián write and record a song which becomes an anthem for revolution and protest in Argentina in 1976 during the rise of the violent military dictatorship.
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Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.
illustration of a Latina girl playing a guitar

Hispanic Heritage Booklists

Colorín Colorado’s children’s Hispanic Heritage booklists feature biography, history, cultural traditions, family stories, fun stories, and titles about growing up Latino.
View at Colorín Colorado
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Books Kids Love

We asked educators to tell us what books are popular with their students—and got a list of new 'classics’ for the classroom.
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Sponsored Content

★ “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.
Learn More
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Free Materials

Need help finding books to put into the hands of readers? Check out these resources and bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students.
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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.
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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

Here’s What We’re Reading...

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

August 2026

Celebrate Every Body

We The People

September 2026

Stand Together

The Day the Books Disappeared

October 2026

Create Room for All Voices

Medicine Wheels

November 2026

Find Your Strength

Queso, Just in Time

December 2026

Carry Stories Forward

Liberty’s Forgotten Hero

January 2027

Connect with History

The Star of Moon Village

February 2027

Put Passions to Work

Together We are Sunshine

March 2027

Notice and Nurture

Estela, Undrowning

April 2027

Build Belonging

The Firefly Crown

May 2027

Make Your Way

Songbird in the Ligh

June 2027

Be Seen

All of Apolonia

July 2027

Redefine What's Possible

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. 

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

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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