NEA's Read Across America

Order Your Free 2008-09 RAA Calendar

NEA's Read Across America welcomes you back to the new school year with a new literacy calendar featuring award-winning books, booklists, posters, and teachers' guides for all ages, including teen readers. Supplies are limited, so place your order now.

Free downloads of Read Across America Books

Thanks to our partner kidthing, inc., NEA members will be able to download a free digital copy of selected books from in the Read Across America each month as they are featured. The digital downloads are available from kidthing, inc. whose ad-free service features downloadable books and activities. Once downloaded, the books can be played without being connected to the Internet.

The kidthing player operates on PCs running Windows XP or Windows Vista (or Mac with Parallels or Boot Camp running Windows XP, although it is not officially supported). A Mac version will be available soon.

To reach the free, Read Across America book, go to www.kidthing.com/nea and follow the instructions.

Back to School Resources

Looking for books for your new students? Searching for parent reading tips in Spanish or Hmong? Want to know the latest news and research on reading? Check out the resources, webcasts, interviews and tips from Reading Rockets, a national multimedia literacy project. Go to www.readingrockets.org.

Reading Is Fundamental and In Need of Your Help

Reading Is Fundamental, the nation's oldest children's and family literacy program needs your help to save its federal funding. Go to www.rif.org and find out how you can help. And while you're on the site, check out the organization's back-to-school guide and learn why shopping at Macy's will help kids in your community.

2008 Read Across America Award Winners Announced

Congratulations to our 2008 Read Across America Award winners! Entries were received from around the country and the winners, in both local and state divisions, were judged as the "best" in each category.

Get Caught Listening

Recent studies have shown that one in every five American households listen to audiobooks. Get Caught Listening is a nationwide public service campaign intended to promote the joys of audiobook listening. The sister program to Get Caught Reading, Get Caught Listening, is run by the American Association of Publishers and features free posters and audio downloads of favorite authors. For more information, go to www.getcaughtreading.org/listening.

FirstBook Marketplace

Looking for books for your literacy program? Check out the FirstBook Marketplace to purchase new books at substantial discounts. For guidelines and book selection, go to www.firstbookmarketplace.org. And don't forget to volunteer or sign up for the FirstBook national distribution program at www.firstbook.org.

Ashoka's Youth Venture

Ashoka's Youth Venture is a global movement of young people who are generating serious environmental and social change. They help people between the ages of 12 and 20 turn their Earth-saving ideas into high-impact reality. "Venturers" are provided with resources—including up to $1,000 in funding—to create their own youth-led projects, groups, and organizations. Venturers pursue individual passions in innovative ways, whether by converting a school bus into a bio-diesel-powered classroom or developing a line of handmade reusable grocery bags. Learn more at www.genv.net.

Seuss on the Loose at Sylvan Learning Center

Sylvan Learning Center, the nation's leading provider of supplemental assistance for children in grades preK-12, has joined NEA's Read Across America in spreading the word about reading. "The more children read, the more they'll enjoy reading and the better readers they are likely to become," said Richard E. Bavaria, vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. NEA President Reg Weaver agreed. "Part of Read Across America's phenomenal success is its diverse participation from more than 45 million nationwide, and with Sylvan Learning Center's help, our commitment to building a nation of readers can be realized." Read more.

2008 Youth Leaders for Literacy Grant Winners Announced

The winning projects for this year's Youth Leaders for Literacy (YLL) grant competition to put reading on the map are diverse and creative. With more than 200 entries, 30 have been selected to receive a cash grant of $500, for a total of $15,000 in cash awards. The winning youth-led initiatives will launch on March 3, NEA's Read Across America Day, and will culminate during Youth Service America's Global Youth Service Days, April 25-27, 2008. Find out about this year's recipients and their winning projects.

Get Connected

Our e-newsletter will provide the latest news in reading from Read Across America and partner organizations. You'll find links to grant information, classroom and parent materials, and more. To join, NEA members should send a blank e-mail to join-nea-raa-enewsletter@list.nea.org.