In a hurry? Here’s the rundown:

• GRA 2026 will kick off October 5th, and finish November 13th, 2026.
• I’m giving you a sneakpeek into which books I can’t stop thinking about.
• And if you have ever wondered why I choose one book over another, here’s your chance to learn more.

I am so grateful for the response to the newsletter. I, too, am trying to wrestle my attention away from social media, and so having this space, as a space to communicate straight to you, is a joy. I will try to keep it brief.

The Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Whale Eyes – A Memoir about Seeing and Being Seen

Whale Eyes is how you write a memoir. Wow. The words soar, and the illustrations illuminate a thoughtful and powerful message: see me not just for my eyes, but because I deserve to be seen. I was captivated by the raw, beautifully written stories and the layered experiences shared within these pages. Each moment challenges us to question how we perceive others—and how often we fail to truly see their humanity, especially when disability enters the conversation. This book doesn’t just invite reflection; it demands it, in the most profound way.

Growing Home: Reading it felt like getting a warm hug.

I kept thinking about all the conversations this book will spark during a read-aloud: about word choice, character change, and the magic of wondering what might happen next. It’s whimsical, magical, and wondrous in that rare childlike way that still feels deeply wise.

The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze: This book will carve out its own legacy. This is the kind of book that demands to be shared, discussed, and read aloud. You know a book is great when it sparks conversations even with those who haven’t read it yet. Henson Blayze does exactly that. Because what value do we place on exceptional Black boys? How do we protect, exploit, or manipulate those who show promise beyond their years—when they’re not obligated to save the world? We live in a time when Black boys are often only allowed to be exceptional if we can exploit their talent, when especially those outside Black communities seek to dictate what it means to be humble, to give of themselves.

This isn’t just a book about sports, or even about brutality. It’s about reclaiming legacy, about resisting the ways others try to define your worth, about the continued oppression of those who we see as more—who are told they should know their place. It’s about reframing how we view the value of Black boys in white society. It’s brilliant, necessary, and exceptional in its ability to connect to the ordinary.

Tyger:

Set in an alternate reality London, where the empire never ceased to exist and slavery was never abolished, Young Adam comes upon a mythical tyger who needs his help. Find the guardians and open the river. What follows is a page turning quest, that not only reflects the current time we’re living in, but also the past, and the future. A hero for now, and a story that will stay with me for a long time. Perfect for middle school and up, for pleasure reading also literary work. 

A Few Things You Should Know

Kick off next year will be…

Mark your calendar for October 5th, 2026, which is when the 17th annual (😱) Global Read Aloud will kick off. As always, it will run for 6 weeks. Book choices should be out in March or April, depending on my reading speed and luck in finding the right books.

How did you choose this book?

Wondering how a book becomes a Global Read Aloud contender? I wrote about it all the way back in 2014, but recently updated the post. It is not simply about being a great story, although that is a huge part of it, but also whether people can even access it outside of the US, and whether it will appeal to a global audience.

Did you read this book yet?

Have a book or author to suggest? Make sure you add it here so I can learn more.

And finally…

Want to know what I am reading and loving, even if it is not a GRA contender – follow me on Instagram. Have anything I should know, feedback, or just questions – send me an email p@globalreadaloud.com or leave a comment here.

As the darkness settles deeper over Denmark, I keep finding myself turning to the pages of a book — for comfort, for questions, for a bit of light when it feels far away. Whether you’re heading toward the dark or toward the light, I hope you find that same small steadiness in the stories you read.

Until next time, keep reading. And keep sending me your thoughts — and your book ideas.
❤️ Pernille