Read.gov encourages everyone to discover the world of books. Here you'll find a variety of free teen reading resources to explore and enjoy.
64:00
“Twilight”author Stephenie Meyer at the National Book Festival
30:02
“Sandman”author Neil Gaiman at the 2008 National Book Festival
Booklists
Read.gov presents a sampling of suggested books that will spark the imagination and transport readers to new and exciting places. Look for these books in your local library. The books supplement the online resources in the American Memory website. Following each list is a link to the corresponding online resources.
The Great Depression
- Greenberg, Judith E. and Helen Carey McKeever. “A Pioneer Woman's Memoir.” Watts, 1995.
- Hakim, Joy. “War, Peace and All That Jazz.” Oxford University Press, 1994.
- Barnicoat, John. “Posters: A Concise History.” Thames and Hudson, 1985.
- More Books on the Great depression »
Hispanic-American History
- Cumpain, Carlos. “Latino Rainbow: Poems About Latino Americans.” Children’s Press, 1994.
- Fradin, Judith Bloom. “New Mexico.” Children’s Press, 1994.
- Morey, Janet. “Famous Hispanic Americans.” Cobblehill Books, 1996.
- More Books on Hispanic-American History »
Asian-American History
- Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. Square Fish, 2007
- More Books on Asian-American History »
African-American History
- Hamilton, Virginia. “Many Thousands Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom.” Knopf, 1993.
- Hudson, Wade and Cheryl, eds. “How Sweet the Sound: African-American Songs for Children.” Scholastic, 1995.
- Medeavis, Angela Shelf. “This Far to Freedom: A History of African Americans.” Atheneum, 1993.
- More Books on African-American History »
Native Americans
- Anderson, Madelyn Klein. North American Indian Games. Franklin Watts, 2000.
- Hakim, Joy. The First Americans. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, 1999.
- Philip, Neil. ed. A Braid of Lives: Native American Childhood. Clarion Books, 2000.
- More Books on Native American History »
Winners: Letters
About Literature
“Dear Ms. Linda Pastan, I am not a poet. I do not know if, when you craft words into poems, you seek to reflect your own experiences, or to affect and change your reader. Maybe both. Whatever your reason, your poetry has touched my life. Earlier this year, I had memorized and recited your poem “Caroline” in class. Originally, I had envisioned the woman described to be advanced in age and expecting death. Recently, tragically, these beautiful words became transformed to me in an amazingly powerful way. …”
Poetry for Teens
In “Introduction to Poetry,” Billy Collins writes, "I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light." Poetry 180 presents that chance for students during the school year.
Read More About Poetry 180 »