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

March 2025

Join In

Books of the month:

Elementary

Jam, Too?

by JaNay Brown-Wood

As a jam session forms on the beach instrument by instrument, a fascinated child who loves dancing finds a way to join in.

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Middle Grade

The Secret Library

A mysterious letter from her late Grandpa leads eleven-year-old Dally to an unusual library of secrets where each book is a portal to a precise moment in time in her family’s history, and each adventure she checks out helps her build the courage to write her own life story.

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Young Adult

Safe Passage

by G. Neri

Thirteen-year-old Darius, his little sister Cissy, and his best friend Booger take an epic journey across the South Side of Chicago as they set out to find an armored truck that has lost a payload of cash.

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Celebrate the joy of reading this month with these featured articles and resources.

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.

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young girl in glasses sits and reads a picture book at library

Diverse Books with Trailblazing Women

In these selected titles you’ll find authors, artists and architects, rulers and rebels, athletes and astronauts, musicians, mothers of invention and many, many more famous and influential women.

View the list Find titles in your local library

Jason Reynolds in Spanish!

The entire Track series is now available in Spanish from Simon & Schuster! Jason Reynolds’ acclaimed series about a team of young runners is now available in English and Spanish.

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The “Multiverse” of the Science of Reading

With 40 states and D.C. establishing laws and policies around evidence-based instruction, the Science of Reading continues to be a trending topic in education.

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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.

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What Do Students Want to Read? It Might Not Be What You Think

Move over Dog Man! Make room for nonfiction books.

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.

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

August 2024

Compose Bonds

September 2024

Speak Up and Make Change

October 2024

Know Your Power

November 2024

Engage with Community

December 2024

Foster Confidence

January 2025

Find Your Way

February 2025

Pursue Passions

March 2025

Join In

April 2025

Share Your Poetic Voice

May 2025

Revel in Your Heritage

June 2025

Build Others Up

July 2025

Cultivate Compassion

“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.

Sign up to receive EdPractice, our monthly email packed full of advice, tips, and resources to help you be the best educator possible for your students.

Suggested Results

Celebrate Reading diverse & inclusive books

Join In

Jam, Too?

The Secret Library

Safe Passage

Ready, Set...Read!

Celebrating Read Across America with Story, Sound, and Song

Diverse Books with Trailblazing Women

Jason Reynolds in Spanish!

The “Multiverse” of the Science of Reading

Classroom Resources to Celebrate the Freedom to Read

What Do Students Want to Read? It Might Not Be What You Think

New from Alone author Megan E. Freeman

Here’s What We’re Reading...

Compose Bonds

Speak Up and Make Change

Know Your Power

Engage with Community

Foster Confidence

Find Your Way

Pursue Passions

Join In

Share Your Poetic Voice

Revel in Your Heritage

Build Others Up

Cultivate Compassion

Hear from Read Across America Authors

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About Read Across America

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