“Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers” on March 1

WASHINGTON – February 26, 2019 –

“Meet Lilly Ann Granderson, a woman born into slavery who secretly teaches hundreds of other enslaved people to read. Or Julián, a young boy who dresses himself as a mermaid, using his Abuela’s curtain and potted fern. Both individuals are found in educator-recommended children’s books that reflect the diversity of today’s students and readers and are among the 36 books featured in this year’s Read Across America program.”