School is back in session after one of the most tumultuous summers in recent history. And whether you are teaching in person, online, or some combination thereof, you are likely looking for books that speak to equity, identity, and empathy to help your students navigate difficult issues and emotions the pandemic and racial reckoning have stirred up. Those books can be found in NEA’s Read Across America virtual calendar. Listed by month, educators can find recommended books for all ages and teaching resources representing an array of cultures, identities and experiences.
September is all about inclusiveness, featuring Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You!, by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The colorful picture book for elementary students is about kids with different disabilities creating a garden together and talking about their differences.
For older readers, Fresh Ink is featured this month, an anthology of 13 accomplished YA authors who, in ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play, explore topics like gentrification, acceptance, coming out, and poverty. The calendar also includes a link to a Random House teaching guide for the anthology and suggestions for further reading.
Jason Reynolds, award-winning YA and middle grade author of All American Boys, the Track series, Long Way Down, and Miles Morales-Spiderman, wrote “Eraser Tattoo” for the Fresh Ink anthology. In February, the Read Across America calendar also features his book Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, which he co-authored with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. The book explores the legacy of racism throughout the entire history of the United States, and spotlights the work of those who have resisted the racist ideas and policies that shape this nation.
When teaching his books and others about diverse experiences, he urges educators to read the texts and be educated on the issues their students are dealing with.
“Do I really want a teacher who has never read The History of Malcolm X to teach me or my kids about it?” he asks. “Educators really need to know what they’re talking about when teaching marginalized groups.”
Books Allow Educators to Understand Students at a Deeper Level
That’s why the Read Across America calendar is such a valuable resource. Every month there is a selection of books by diverse authors about diverse characters experiencing the very things many of our students struggle with in their lives today. Teaching resources and links to more information offer guidance on how to incorporate the books into lessons.
For example, December’s picture book, Your Name is a Song, is about a girl who is frustrated that no one can pronounce her name. She learns about the musicality of all names and teaches others at her school to sing—and say—her name correctly.
The calendar also offers tips to apply this in class. Such as, talk with students about why names are important and why pronouncing names correctly is a big deal. Have each student pronounce their own names while other students repeat the name back. It also suggests prompting students to reflect on their names, whether their first name, last names, nickname or entire name. What do they want others to know about their name? Have students write poems (acrostic or free verse) or songs about their names and plan a virtual poetry performance and/or concert for families to enjoy.
Click on Calendar’s “Teach This Book” For Lesson Ideas
November’s featured elementary book is Fry Bread, about a modern Native American family coming together to share stories as they make traditional fry bread. Click on “Teach this Book” and educators can see ideas about how to get their students to challenge stereotypes and explore who American Indians are. It suggests that teachers help students understand that the terms Native American, American Indian, and Indigenous Americans include many diverse cultures and peoples and that there is no single story that represents what it means to be Native American. There’s also a list of questions for discussion or reflective writing.
But though these books are featured in November and December, they can be used any time and the education and teaching resources that go with it are available whenever an educator or student wants to access them. Your Name is a Song is particularly useful in the first weeks of school as students get to know each other.
“This year’s Read Across America digital calendar is more useful and accessible than ever as many of us are teaching virtually,” says RAA Advisory Committee Chair Christina Bohringer, a second grade teacher in Alexandria, Virginia. “The calendar is organized in a monthly format, but the books and resources can be accessed and used any time. It’s a valuable literacy tool to use for any occasion or lesson, so you don’t have to wait until February to teach February’s books.”
You can also search for other great diverse books featured in past RAA calendars by age and topic and take advantage of other recommended titles.
Reynold’s book Stamped is extremely relevant right now to help students explore and discuss the history of racism as we face our country’s reckoning with its tradition of white supremacy. And it can be used as a jumping off point to read more of his work – books and poetry that include themes of racism and violence as well as friendship and loyalty.
He tries to write books that he didn’t have as a young person; books that spoke to his experience.
“When I was growing up books didn’t represent me,” he says. “I came to poetry through rap music, but books weren’t about me or what was happening in my world, so now I try to write those books.”
Calendar is a Year-Round Resource
Reynolds is the current Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. As ambassador, he says he will continue to “do the best I can to love all of our children, fortify their humanity, count them as whole, and bear witness to their existence.”
Through his position as ambassador, he is finding ways to let young people “grab a mic” and share their stories.
His message to young people: “Your story matters. Tell the story you want to tell. Let your voice be heard. Don’t let anyone shut you down.”
His message to us: “Listen.”
