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 ever had an idea to make the project easier to participate in, now is the time to share

Winter snuck up on us here in Denmark and we greeted the new year with ice and snow. It called for finding warmth within the pages of a book, copious amounts of tea, and fires lit. Now, as the snow is gone, and the very first very early spring flowers start to bloom it is hard not to think about the final selection of the books for the year. Am I closer to making up my mind? I thought I was but then I read two new books that toppled the applecart. There is still time, so I will keep reading.

The Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Dragonborn by Struan Murray

I didn’t realize how much I needed a sweeping fantasy about dragons, grief, and identity until I opened this book. Alex Evans is carrying more than she knows how to hold — the loss of her father, a mother ruled by fear, and rules that feel impossible to breathe under. When that pressure finally breaks, it does so in the most unexpected way. Murray uses fantasy to explore what happens when grief, anger, and power collide, and he does so with urgency and heart.

As Alex is drawn into the hidden world of dragons and taken to train on the legendary island of Skralla, the story widens into something fierce and unsettling. This is not just a tale of discovering who you are, but of deciding who you will be when the world asks more of you than feels fair. With the threat of war looming between dragons and humans, the book asks hard questions about loyalty, control, and choice — and it kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop. This one lingers, and it feels ready to be shared and discussed.

The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri

The incredible story weaving of Daniel Nayeri continues in this beautiful story. Simple in its setup—two recently orphaned children setting out to find a new existence among the nomads of Iran in 1941—and yet the way it weaves in a picture of home, longing, communication, and war is beautiful. A story of love and the will to survive, but also of helping others even when those needing help are not particularly sympathetic. A lesser-spoken part of World War II history comes alive here, offering a glimpse into the impacts of war in countries we don’t usually focus on. The world feels immediate and tense: soldiers occupy cities, danger can appear in the alleyways, and children must navigate spaces adults cannot protect them from. Babak and his little sister carry hope in small ways—like Babak with a chalkboard strapped to his back—across mountains and treacherous terrain, meeting others also trying to survive. When they encounter a Jewish boy hiding from a Nazi spy, the story sharpens into a race for safety and understanding.

Through it all, Nayeri explores whether young hearts of different creeds and nations can find a common language in a world unraveling around them. His storytelling keeps you uncertain to the very end, balancing tension, humanity, and moments of quiet bravery.

Stitch by Padraigh Kenny

Set after Frankenstein’s timeline, this tale soars to new heights with Stitch. Some may call him a monster, others a friend.Kept in the castle alongside Henry — the original creation, or so he believes — Stitch counts the days the professor has been asleep. More than 300 days now. And in that long stretch of waiting, he begins to dream of being an explorer. For what is out there in the world for someone like him? What might it mean to go beyond the walls and see for yourself what the world really is?

This book swept me away. It begs to be read aloud, shared, and talked about — a story of hope, adventure, fear, and wonder. One that makes readers question what truly makes someone human and what it means to be alive.

The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander

A new early chapter book series begins with the unstoppable, most of the time, Macy. What do you do when the place you love is suddenly gone? Macy, a third grader, learns how to speak up for herself and her library—and discovers the difference one voice can make. For younger elementary readers learning that courage comes in all sizes.

Participation and ease

The book bans and political climate in the U.S. continue to ripple outward and affect classrooms far beyond its borders, and the Global Read Aloud is not immune to that impact. Thank you to everyone who reached out to share why you weren’t able to participate last year and what might make participation possible in the future. I read every message. Some of them filled me with deep sadness. Read alouds should be something that brings us together, and in a world that feels increasingly splintered, I wish I could make that easier.

That leads me to wonder: are there things you would change about the sign-up process—or even about how we connect with one another? Right now, there truly isn’t much of a sign-up at all. In the past, I used a Google Form, but once participation grew beyond 10,000 people, personally sending welcome emails became unsustainable. This is an organic project run solely by me, no staff, no funding, and only the time I have to give. At the moment, most connections happen through Facebook, with an additional option to connect via the shared resource document. But does that work? Do you have better ideas?

My hope has always been that the Global Read Aloud feels easy to weave into the teaching you are already doing, not like one more hurdle to clear. So this month, I would love to hear your ideas. What would make participation simpler, more accessible, or more supportive for you? As always, you can leave a comment or send me an email, I’m listening.

A Few Things You Should Know

Kick off next year will be…Mark your calendar for October 5th, 2026, and will run for 6th weeks.

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

Wondering what I am reading…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.

And finally…

The Global Read Aloud has always been shaped by the people who show up — in classrooms, libraries, and quiet reading corners around the world. It changes a little each year because the world does too. As I continue reading, thinking, and listening, I’m grateful for the way this community keeps nudging the project forward with care, honesty, and love for kids.

Thank you for being here, for reading aloud when you can, and for staying in the conversation even when things feel complicated. I’ll share more soon.

Until then, keep reading — and keep imagining what’s possible.
❤️ Pernille