We envision a future where people actively work to dismantle injustices and build a more peaceful, equitable world.

Summer Reading and Book Sets

Book Sets for Pride Month, Summer Reading and All Year Long!

Book sets are fantastic tools for readers of all ages!

Whether they are organized by genre, author, character identity or plot similarities, they provide an opportunity for readers to deep-dive into an interest area. Relating various storylines to the commonalities which link them challenges readers to think critically and develop a thorough understanding of the focus of their book set. Book sets are especially useful for celebrating heritage months and understanding current events or news. 

Books Celebrating Pride Month!

The month of June is Pride Month, and we are dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA people, voices, and culture this month and every day after. Throughout history and still today, LGBTQIA voices are censored and concealed. In June we highlight books that center and celebrate LGBTQIA people and changemakers to better understand their experiences within a heteronormative society, and how we can stand against prejudice to ensure the safety, comfort, and equality of all people. 

 

Better understand the intersection of race, sexuality, and age through books like these about queer people of color and young queer people!

Brave. Black. First. by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Erin K. Robinson

Finish the Fight! by Veronica Chambers

Stamped by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi, Sonja Cherry-Paul, Rachelle Baker

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender

Woke by Mahogany L. Brown, Elizabeth Acevedo, Olivia Gatwood, Theodore Taylor, III

Rick by Alex Gino

Poems for Pride!

Summertime can be a great opportunity for young readers to explore their love for reading outside of a school schedule and assigned reading lists! We encourage young readers to venture into diverse areas of literature such as poetry and novels in verse during this time, to expand their appreciation for the power of artistic literary expression. 

Powerful Poetry Book Sets 

By reaffirming in young readers the value of poetry, they can be inspired to use artistic and literary expression to understand and confront any number of global injustices. Not to mention it’s fantastic reading practice, since it exposes them to various forms of composition, tone, voice, and descriptive language. 

Historically Relevant Book Sets

Everything happening today exists within a wider timeline, which spans throughout history; for this reason, it is important that our readers have a thorough understanding of the truthful history of our nation. By teaching about the past, we can plant the seeds of inspiration for a brighter and better future. 

Book Sets Related to Current Events & News

Current events reported in the news can cause feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and powerlessness. Reading book sets related to current events simultaneously educates and empowers learners to understand and confront complex issues seen in news and media. 

Themed Month and Heritage Month Book Sets

Themed months and heritage months draw attention to important and often times underrepresented voices and stories. By diving into book sets focused on particular topics, readers can rapidly expand their understanding of relevant and repressed issues and experiences. Subsequently, young leaders will be increasingly activated to fight for the prosperity of all beings. Check out some ideas below for book sets to educate readers on stories of environmental issues and various ethnic and heritage groups.

Find all Jane Addams books on our website.

YOU CAN FIND RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF OUR WINNING AND HONOR BOOKS FROM TEACHINGBOOKS.NET.
FOR RESOURCES FOR THE  FINALISTS, WINNERS, AND HONOR BOOKS , JUST CLICK THROUGH ON THE BOOK.
FOR ALL OTHER BOOKS GO TO BROWSE BOOKS.

Check out some fabulous resources 

for June and beyond

Click here for link to Stonewall Book Award book lists!

Where are you getting your books?  

Support Local Bookstores While Shopping Online
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Bringing  more Authors and Books to libraries and schools!

Books in their hands!

Summer is in the air! The expansion of our program, Books in Their Hands, has begun! We sponsored author visits to schools in New Jersey and California, where Jane Addams Book Award authors visited students virtually or in person. And students received a Jane Addams award-winning or honor book. Here are some of the glowing responses we received from students and teachers:


“I liked when Mr. Bruchac talked about being inspired by a kid he met at a school visit. He said he made a book of the kid that did not feel welcome to his new school because he was the only Native American and it showed his inclusivity.”
-6th grader

“Since the books came in, the students have been reading voraciously, telling me about every new detail they discover!”
-6th grade teacher

“‘Black Is a Rainbow Color’ is my favorite book. I was so happy when Angela Joy came because I got to see a picture of a girl who has the same hair as me.”
-Kindergartener


In the next six months, we have plans to deliver our Books in Their Hands program to eight more classes, both at the elementary and middle-grade levels. The program includes author visits, instructional materials, books for the school library and classrooms, and best of all, books for children to take home.

Ultimately, our goal is simple: to put our award-winning books in the hands of children, increasing their desire to read, supporting the authors and illustrators and spreading our mission of peace, social justice & dialogue.

Your financial gifts are critical to expanding the program. Please click this link to be part of Books in Their Hands.

Thank you!

 

Your gift of any amount will help to support the meaningful work of the Jane Addams Peace Association and bring more books and authors to young people. 

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Jane Addams Peace Association