The National Education Association (NEA) has announced its new list of diverse and inclusive books for the 2023-2024 Read Across America program, a year-round initiative that celebrates reading and the power of stories.
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What is Read Across America?
Read Across America is a program that encourages children and adults to read books of all genres, cultures, and perspectives, and to explore the joy of reading. The program was launched in 1998 by NEA, the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million educators of all levels.
The program is inspired by the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s author, on March 2. However, Read Across America is not limited to Dr. Seuss books or one day of the year. It is a year-round celebration of diverse and inclusive literature, with monthly themes and book recommendations for every age group.
What are the book recommendations for 2023-2024?
The book recommendations for 2023-2024 are based on the theme of “Reading Together, Growing Together”. The theme reflects the idea that reading can foster empathy, understanding, and respect among people of different backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
The book list features 36 titles, divided into four categories: Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. Each category has nine books, one for each month from September to May. The books are selected by a committee of NEA members, librarians, and literacy experts, based on criteria such as quality, relevance, diversity, and representation.
Some of the books on the list are:
- Picture Books: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
- Early Readers: King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats by Dori Hillestad Butler, Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina, Yasmin the Superhero by Saadia Faruqi
- Middle Grade: Front Desk by Kelly Yang, New Kid by Jerry Craft, The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
- Young Adult: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
How can you participate in Read Across America?
There are many ways to participate in Read Across America and celebrate reading with your students, children, family, friends, and community. Here are some suggestions:
- Visit the NEA website to find more resources, such as activity guides, posters, bookmarks, certificates, and stickers.
- Follow NEA on social media and use the hashtag #ReadAcrossAmerica to share your reading experiences, photos, videos, and recommendations.
- Join or host a virtual or in-person book club, reading challenge, or book swap with your peers, colleagues, or neighbors.
- Donate books or funds to local schools, libraries, or organizations that promote literacy and reading.
- Volunteer to read aloud or mentor a child or an adult who wants to improve their reading skills.
- Explore new genres, authors, and topics that you have not read before, and learn more about different cultures, perspectives, and issues.
Read Across America is a program that celebrates the joy of reading and the power of stories. By reading together and growing together, we can create a more diverse, inclusive, and respectful society. Join us in this journey and discover the world of books!
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