Inclusive Lineups for Read Across America

Build the book list with advisors from the community who know its cultures and histories. Invite elders, family leaders, youth groups, and local artists to help choose and review titles. Host small listening circles to learn which stories feel true, needed, and joyful.

Thank advisors with fair pay and clear credit on event materials. Add short notes to the program that explain why each title matters to the community. Form an advisory circle and schedule the first selection meeting now.

Put authors and illustrators from groups long pushed aside at the center of the event. Their books give many children mirrors of their lives and give others clear windows into new worlds. Feature their names on flyers, displays, and morning messages so their work stands out.

Pair readings with brief notes on the creators’ backgrounds and the themes they lift up. Choose both new voices and elder voices to show depth and range. Make these creators the headliners this year and start building your list today.

Make sure every reader can take part by offering books in audio, large print, and Braille. Include e-books that work well with screen readers and captions for any videos. Keep a few quiet spaces and flexible seating for readers who need calm or movement.

Offer longer checkout times for readers who take in words at a different pace. Partner with local or state services that lend accessible materials at no cost. Audit the lineup for access gaps and fill them today.

Include books in the languages students and families speak at home, not just in English. Bilingual and heritage language texts help more readers join in and feel seen. Provide side by side readings where one page is shared in English and the next in another language.

Invite family members or staff who speak those languages to read aloud and greet guests. Add clear signs that show where to find each language section. Order multilingual titles now and invite families to help lead the readings.

Review each book with care to avoid stereotypes and harmful patterns. Look for stories that show full lives, not just pain, danger, or a single story. Prefer books by creators who are part of the communities they write about, and check multiple trusted reviews.

If a classic has dated parts, add context and teach critical thinking rather than present it as neutral. Keep a record of choices and reasons so the process stays clear and fair. Run every title through a bias check before printing the program.