Read Across America 2026: This Is U.S.

After a year off last year with Caldecott work, I’m back this year with a new angle on read aloud recommendations for Read Across America day/week next week.

Back in 2020 I did a new perspective on it with a focus on diversity alongside NEA’s initiative and created a few years of “Read Across the Diverse Regions of America.” You can see a compilation of them in this 2024 post of the reading road trips.

After reflecting and considering several new approaches I could use to change it up, I needed to narrow my parameters for choices, and decided to go with an acrostic take on America and some of what makes U.S. who we are today. So I’m sharing eight titles for RAA 2026. Read one, read some, read them all – just read and share stories of what makes up America.

Read Across America 2026: This Is U.S.
A – All the Stars in the Sky
M – Mamie Tape Fights to Go to School: Based on a True Story
E – An Equal Shot: How the Law Title IX Changed America
R – Room On Our Rock
I – I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story
C – Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now!
A – Areli is a Dreamer
🇺🇸 – Blue Sky, White Stars