Read Across America Week
During the first week of March, schools and students across the nation celebrate “Read Across America Week”. While the NEA originally started this a way of highlighting the work of Dr. Seuss, they have recently transitioned their focus on celebrating diversity in literacy and representation of various communities.
As Read Across America Week comes to an end, we want to highlight the beauty that there is in diversity.
When we read, it is important to see ourselves in the stories that we read and listen to. Representation of who we are and where we come from are what makes reading so powerful!
Book titles:
- Mixed Me by Taye Diggs
A story about a child who takes pride in the beauty of being a blend of two races.
- Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies with Sprinkles by Darlene Friedman
Casiddy-Li gets to share all about where she comes from, who her biological parents are, and her experience as an adopted child.
- The Yellow Suitcase by Meera Sriram
Asha gets to travel to India with her parents because of her grandmother’s passing, but learns more about the celebration of life and her culture.
- A Boy Named BAT by Elana K. Arnold
A funny and heartfelt book for upper-grade readers about a neurodivergent boy on the Autism Spectrum.
- Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A young Muslim girl spends a busy day wrapped up in her mother’s beautify headscarf.
- Rainbow Weaver by Linda Elovitz Marshall
A story about a Guatemalan child whose Mayan traditions become something she is proud of.
