Reading with my littles is my passion. I love seeing where their imagination takes them, what tickles their funny bones, and what inspires them. I love when they see themselves reflected in the stories and when their eyes are opened to others in the world around them.
We, teachers, will celebrate all things related to reading during the annual Read Across America Week; a day dedicated to “creating and celebrating a nation of diverse readers”. Although originally a one-day event, many teachers now use the entire first week in March as a time to focus on books that will inspire readers and that will celebrate diversity. We at ETTC have scoured tons of books to come up with this list of 23 fantastic books for Read Across America Week!While your students are reading these books and working on fluency, don’t forget to build in comprehension activities along the way. You can find all of the comprehension printables you need on Education to the Core Premium. Head over to the site and take a look at over 15,000 different resources you can instantly unlock by becoming a member.
Book 1.Alma and How She Got Her Name
This is a story about a little girl who questions why her name is so long and learns where she came from in her father’s answer.
2.Mae Among the Stars
Mae Among the Stars is inspired by the true story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space.
3.Freedom Soup
This book tells the tale of Haitian Independence over the making of New Year’s soup by a grandmother and granddaughter.
While your students are reading about all of these amazing characters, have them think about the traits they possess. Use a graphic organizer to help your students identify key traits of the main or supporting character.
Book 4.A Child of Books
A magical book that celebrates literature of the past through the adventures of a nameless young girl and the boy she inspires.
5.Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind
A book in the series where Miss Malarkey tries to match every reader with a book. Especially, including a reluctant reader to reach a 1000 book goal.
6.The Incredible Book Eating Boy
A story that follows Henry, a boy who loves to eat books of all types. He realizes that the more he eats, the smarter he gets….until he gets a bellyache.
Book 7.Yasmin the Superhero
This one is about a Pakistani girl (superhero) who learns about community service and friendship. If you have not read any of this series yet featuring Yasmin it is fantastic!
While participating in Read Across America week, your students can also work on their oral retelling skills. I have always been a huge fan of the 5 Finger Retell as a way for my students to visualize and remember all of the parts to include when they retell a story. This poster is one I keep in my fluency and comprehension center as a visual reminder.
8.Sulwe
A lovely story about a young girl who wishes her dark skin was lighter.
9.Dragons in a Bag
A chapter fantasy book that your kiddos will enjoy! It has an urban setting and brown-skinned magic wielders.
Book 10.Not Quite Snow White
Other kids think that Tameika is not quite right for the part of Snow White in the school play. Will Tameika regain her self-confidence?
11.My Papi Has a Motorcycle
A story described as a celebration of love between a father and daughter. It plays out in their immigrant neighborhood while on the back of a motorcycle.
12.Boys Dance
This book shows that ballet is for everyone including boys of all ages and ethnicities.
Can your students identify all of the elements of a story? Help them “picture the story” by drawing important components of the story and labeling them as you would on a Polaroid picture. It’s a fun way for them to practice working on story elements.
Book 13.Eyes That Kiss in the Corner
This story is about learning to love and accept your Asian-shaped eyes.
14.Please Bury Me in the Library
This text is a collection of 16 poems that celebrate books and reading.
15.Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don’t)
A librarian tries very hard to find the perfect book for Missy, a young girl who insists she doesn’t like books.
Book 16.I Do Not Like Books Anymore
In this book, monster siblings love listening to all books until it becomes time for Natalie to learn to read. Then, it is squiggles on the page and Natalie declares she no longer likes books.
Book 17. I Talk Like a River
A story about a boy who feels isolated and alone due to his stutter. A walk with his father helps him to accept his dysfluency.
I’ve been working with my students on how to summarize a story and the important components that need to be included when writing or stating a summary. This is another comprehension skill that benefits from a graphic that will help your students visually organize the information. Students fill out the parts of the chart and then take it to paper or orally share the summary with a partner.
18.I am Enough
This book is about loving who you are, being kind to others, and respecting others.
19.What Color is my Hijab?
Help students learn colors book with the character choosing the color of her hijab for the day.
Book 20.I am Brown
This story is about a celebration of brown skin and all of the abilities and greatness that go along with it.
21.One Love
A bookbased on the song by Bob Marley celebrating diversity, teamwork, and love.
Being able to retell a story is one of the most important ways to assess whether a student understood what the story was about or not. I shared my “go-to” 5 Finger Retell visual earlier, but there are many other graphic organizers that can be used to help students remember the important parts of a story retell. Find one that works best for your needs.
22.Like the Moon Loves the Sky
An Islamic children’s book about a mother’s love for her child.
Book 23.One Girl
The power of reading and how just one girl can change the world is portrayed in this lovely story.
We hope you have found some books on this list that will inspire and enrich your students. Whether it be a read-aloud, a story walk, an author study, or a flashlight reading party, we enjoy using these diverse, inspiring books year-round but will definitely be pulling some from the shelves to celebrate Read Across America. ETTC shares the NEA’s desire to create and celebrate a nation of diverse readers’ by hopefully encouraging teachers to find diverse books to use in their classrooms.
If you have books that are perfect for Read Across America week, please post them in the comments below. 
Written by: Suzanne Kelley
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in education and literacy, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. I have extensive knowledge and experience in promoting reading, fostering comprehension skills, and celebrating diversity in literature. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article and explore them further.
Read Across America Week
Read Across America Week is an annual event celebrated by teachers to promote reading and celebrate diversity in literature. Originally a one-day event, many teachers now dedicate the entire first week of March to focus on books that inspire readers and celebrate diversity. During this week, teachers encourage students to explore a variety of books and engage in activities that enhance their reading fluency and comprehension.
Building Comprehension Activities
While students are reading books during Read Across America Week, it's important to incorporate comprehension activities to deepen their understanding of the text. The article suggests using comprehension printables from Education to the Core Premium, a platform that offers a wide range of educational resources for teachers. These printables can help students analyze characters, identify key traits, and explore story elements.
Recommended Books for Read Across America Week
The article provides a list of 23 fantastic books for Read Across America Week. Here are some highlights from the list:
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"Alma and How She Got Her Name": This book tells the story of a little girl who questions the origin of her long name and discovers its significance.
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"Mae Among the Stars": Inspired by the true story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, this book encourages children to dream big and pursue their passions.
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"Freedom Soup": This book explores the Haitian Independence through the making of New Year's soup by a grandmother and granddaughter.
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"A Child of Books": A magical book that celebrates literature of the past through the adventures of a young girl and the boy she inspires.
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"Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind": In this series, Miss Malarkey strives to match every reader with a book, including reluctant readers, to reach a 1000 book goal.
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"The Incredible Book Eating Boy": Follow the story of Henry, a boy who loves to eat books and discovers the consequences of his voracious appetite.
These are just a few examples from the list. Each book offers unique themes, diverse characters, and engaging stories that can captivate young readers and spark their imagination.
Enhancing Oral Retelling Skills
During Read Across America Week, students can also work on their oral retelling skills. The article suggests using the 5 Finger Retell method, which helps students visualize and remember the important components of a story. This method involves identifying the characters, setting, problem, events, and resolution of a story using fingers as a visual aid.
Celebrating Diversity in Literature
One of the key focuses of Read Across America Week is celebrating diversity in literature. The article highlights several books that promote inclusivity and explore themes of identity, acceptance, and cultural heritage. Some examples include:
- "Sulwe": A story about a young girl who learns to embrace her dark skin and celebrate her uniqueness.
- "Dragons in a Bag": A chapter fantasy book with an urban setting and brown-skinned magic wielders.
- "I am Enough": This book encourages self-love, kindness, and respect for others.
- "What Color is my Hijab?": A book that helps students learn colors while exploring the character's choice of hijab color for the day.
These books, along with others mentioned in the article, provide opportunities for students to explore different cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
Summarizing a Story
Summarizing a story is an essential comprehension skill. The article suggests using graphic organizers to help students visually organize the important components of a story. By filling out the parts of a chart or graphic organizer, students can practice summarizing a story and effectively communicate its main elements.
Conclusion
Read Across America Week is an exciting time for teachers and students to celebrate the joy of reading and explore diverse literature. By incorporating comprehension activities, promoting oral retelling skills, and using engaging books, teachers can create a meaningful and enriching reading experience for their students. Remember, the power of literature lies in its ability to inspire, educate, and foster empathy. Happy reading!
