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
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
Another Global Read Aloud has come to an end, and I find myself doing what I always do this time of year: sitting with the books, with the kids who read them, and with the small and not-so-small moments that stayed behind. Even as we wrap up one season, the next one starts to whisper its way in.
There is something tender about this in-between time. A closing and an opening. A deep breath before the next stretch of reading and learning together.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
I’ve already begun gathering books for the year to come—stacking them next to my bed, carrying them in my bag, letting them remind me why this project exists in the first place. Because stories make us feel less alone. Because sharing them connects us in ways we cannot always predict.
Over the next few months, I’ll be reading my way toward the next set of choices. Not just one book, but many. Stories that challenge, comfort, disrupt, delight—books that reach for something true.
If you have titles you think I should read, I hope you’ll tell me. This community has always helped widen my view. You can comment here, or fill out this form.
What I’m Wondering About This Year
I also noticed that some of you weren’t able to use the books this time around. I would really love to understand that better.
What got in the way? What support or different choices would have helped? Your experience matters, and it shapes the work ahead.
Leave a comment, or send me an email p@globalreadaloud.com
Why Subscribe Here
If you subscribe, you won’t miss the quiet but important updates:
the books I’m previewing
behind-the-scenes reading notes
early news from publishers
key dates and planning help
I promise not to overwhelm your inbox. Just what matters, when it matters.
Thank You
Thank you for being here. Thank you for reading alongside me, for sharing your classrooms and your kids, for believing in the power of pages passed from hand to hand.
Every year, this project rebuilds itself through all of us. Every year, it surprises me again.
Here’s to the journey ahead, whatever stories find us next.
In these continued times of turmoil I have looked to the past and the present for hope. I don’t think I am the only one. When the world around us seems to lose its way, we look back upon other dark times as a way to find the light. After all, there are so many times in our history that the very essence of being human was under attack.
We know the past does not just define us. It teaches us more than the mistakes we make. It is in the past we look for how people survived. Not just in body, but in spirit. We see how people fought back. How we carved out paths even against all odds. How when hope was lost, a spark still persevered and rebellions started.
Stories bring hope. Even as we turn another page filled with despair, our heroes emerge victorious, bruised and battered, but forged by fire. And so this year’s choices are once again books meant to spark hope. To create change. To push questions and inspiration. Perhaps even to spark anger as we search for a path forward. But I also hope they bring you joy, connection, and a renewed sense of togetherness because in a world where powerful people seem to be hellbent on tearing us all apart, books can create a bridge, if even for a moment.
So if you like the choices for this year, join me as we kick off the Global Read Aloud on October 6th, 2025. If you don’t like the choices, don’t join, it’s as easy as that, but I for one am already counting down the days until it kicks off.
There is no sign-up to join, just either pay attention here for more information or join the Facebook communities – I would recommend joining the main one and the one specific to the book (or creator) you choose:
Oge Mora’s name has come up so many times as a wish for the GRA, and I am thrilled that this year she will have 6 picture books to her name. I cannot wait to see her stories and artwork unfold in classrooms around the world.
Misha and Ziggy are no ordinary twins. They have a secret that no one else knows: Misha can speak to animals and Ziggy can shapeshift into them!
The siblings couldn’t be happier to be joining their wildlife presenter father on a trip to Ethiopia, and they’re determined to help him bag the best footage of the legendary Black Lion.
When the Black Lion goes missing, Misha and Ziggy are certain their powers can help track it down, but they aren’t the only ones on the hunt for the extraordinary animal. Can the twins help keep the whole jungle safe from harm?
It’s 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don’t get to own.
So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free—if they can get to it fast enough. But the journey isn’t easy—the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger.
And then there’s the stranger they encounter and befriend: a mysterious soldier named Caesar, whose Union emblem brings more attention—and more trouble—than any of them need.
All three are propelled by the promise of something long denied to them: freedom, land ownership, and a place to call home—but is a strong will enough to get them there?
Seventh grade begins, and Kareem’s already fumbled it.
His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid—a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent—around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.
Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness.
Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
Ezra Cloud hates living in Northeast Minneapolis. His father is a professor of their language, Ojibwe, at a local college, so they have to be there. But Ezra hates the dirty, polluted snow around them. He hates being away from the rez at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation. And he hates the local bully in his neighborhood, Matt Schroeder, who terrorizes Ezra and his friend Nora George.
Ezra gets into a terrible fight with Matt at school defending Nora, and that same night, Matt’s house burns down. Instantly, Ezra becomes a prime suspect. Knowing he won’t get a fair deal, and knowing his innocence, Ezra’s family sends him away to run traplines with his grandfather in a remote part of Canada, while the investigation is ongoing. But the Schroeders are looking for him…
Reading breakdown:
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 5
Week 2: Chapters 6 – 10
Week 3: Chapters 11 – 16
Week 4: Chapters 17 – 20
Week 5: Chapters: 21 – 25
Week 6: Chapters: 26 – end
HASHTAGS FOR THE YEAR:
Picture book author study – #GRAOge
Wild Magic– #GRAWild
Will’s Race for Home– #GRAWill
Kareem Between – #GRAKareem
Where Wolves Don’t Die – #GRAWolves
And of course the official one – #GRA25
GLOBAL READ ALOUD SUPPORT:
T-shirts and other merchandise supporting the project can be found here
To find answers to the most frequently asked questions, go here – you will find ideas for how to do the project, as well as how you can share your reading.
If you are looking to connect with others, and don’t want to use Facebook, use these Google sheets.
To find shared resources and share your own, see this link – you will find author resources and also created resources from others.
There you have it; another amazing year of connecting awaits. Read the books, share the books, and get ready for another opportunity to change the world.
Picking this year’s selections has been a journey. Post it notes of configurations, of potential titles have littered my desk for months. The whispers of when is she going to release the lists have grown. I have read, discarded, revisited, pondered, and doubted. And yet, there were a few books that kept coming back to me. Long after I read them, who greeted me with their invitation to take another look, to dream once again.
A lot goes into being a Global Read Aloud choice. I don’t make these selections lightly. There are so many worthy books and stories waiting to be shared on a larger scale, I can’t choose them all, but I wish I could.
Since last year’s selections, I have less access to books, and the world around continues to show us the very worst of humanity. And yet, I also see dreams growing from rubble. Hope remaining even in the most horrific circumstances. I see people who were silent fighting back against hate, war, and the destruction of our planet. I see those who have been fighting for a long time continuing their fight. I see dreams bigger than those who carry them come into fruition.
And so the books I chose are about dreaming. About searching and working toward something that is more than what we are. About the strength of oneself, and also the strength of community. About dreams who carry us into the world, and those that bring us to new places.
About dreams who stop being dreams because of choice. What better time than now to consider which choices we make, who we want to be, and what we want to stand for.
So if you like the choices for this year, join me as we kick off the Global Read Aloud on October 7th, 2024. If you don’t like the choices, don’t join, it’s as easy as that, but I for one am already counting down the days until it kicks off.
There is no sign-up to join, just either pay attention here for more information or join the Facebook communities – I would recommend joining the main one and the one specific to the book (or creator) you choose:
Since reading my very first Minh Lê book, I have never missed any of his creations. He has an incredible way of drawing us in to think about the connections we have with others and with ourselves. With every read aloud, I see kids think about who they are and what they do in their lives with others. His books are the very best invitations to be more than we are and to see others as more too.
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6: Your choice.
Just remember that the picture book creator study is open to all ages. It is a great way to participate if you don’t see your students often or have limited read aloud time.
EARLY READER CHOICE
Tola lives in an apartment in the busy city of Lagos, Nigeria, with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. Tola may be small, but she’s strong enough to carry a basket brimming with groceries home from the market, and she’s clever enough to count out Grandmommy’s change. When the faucets in the apartment break, it’s Tola who brings water from the well. And when Mr. Abdul, the tailor, has an accident and needs help taking his customers’ measurements, only Tola can save the day. Atinuke’s trademark wit and charm are on full display, accompanied by delightful illustrations by Onyinye Iwu. Too Small Tola evokes the urban bustle and rich blending of cultures in Lagos through the eyes of a little girl with an outsize will—and an even bigger heart.
Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park.
But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.
Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. But his stepdad’s return stresses Trev—because when he left, he threatened Trev’s mom. Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But everyone isn’t a fan of his plan, because Trev’s a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. And they’re letting him know. But their advice for some distant future feels useless in his reality right now. Ultimately, Trev knows his future is in his hands, and his hands are his own, and he has to choose how to use them.
Reading Breakdown:
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 11
Week 2: Chapters 12 – 23
Week 3: Chapters 24 – 35
Week 4: Chapters 36 – 47
Week 5: Chapters 48 – 59
Week 6: Chapters 60 – end
Thank you, Deborah Gilmore, for the reading breakdown.
A year ago, before the revolution, Salama watched her brother marry her best friend, Layla, and wondered when her own love story might begin. Now she works at the hospital – helping those she can, closing the eyes of those she can’t. Layla and her unborn baby are all Salama has left.
Unless you count Khawf. But he’s a hallucination; a symptom of the horrors she’s seen. Every day he urges Salama to leave. Every day she refuses.
Until she crosses paths with Kenan, the boy with the vivid green eyes, who wants to stay and risk his life for everything Syria could be …
Reading breakdown:
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 6
Week 2: Chapters 7 – 11
Week 3: Chapters 12 – 16
Week 4: Chapters 17 – 24
Chapters: 25 – 33
Chapters: 34 – end
HASHTAGS FOR THE YEAR:
Picture book author study – #GRAMinh
Future Hero – #GRATola
A Rover’s Story – #GRABoom
A Work in Progress – #GRAHands
Thirty Talks Weird Love – #GRALemontree
GLOBAL READ ALOUD SUPPORT:
T-shirts and other merchandise supporting the project can be found here
To join my Patreon and support the running of the Global Read Aloud plus get access to consultation, coaching, mini-PD and all my resources, go here
To find answers to the most frequently asked questions, go here – you will find ideas for how to do the project, as well as how you can share your reading.
If you are looking to connect with others, and don’t want to use Facebook, use these Google sheets.
To find shared resources and share your own, go here – you will find author resources and also created resources from others.
There you have it; another amazing year of connecting awaits. Read the books, share the books, and get ready for another opportunity to make the world smaller.
There is never anything easy about picking the books and authors for the Global Read Aloud. How can there be when there are so many incredible books to choose from? So many different experiences waiting to be discovered?
I lose sleep. I try different configurations. I talk about it incessantly with my husband. I reach out to trusted friends to hear opinions. And yet, ultimately, it comes down to a gut feeling of what feels right for the moment we are in, for the way conversations are shaped around the globe. Having moved back to Denmark, the global part stands even more in focus. Are the books even available to me here in Denmark? Will they speak to the world I am inhibiting in the way that they will speak to kids in other places?
A lot goes into being a Global Read Aloud choice. I don’t make these selections lightly. There are so many worthy books and stories waiting to be shared on a larger scale, I can’t choose them all, but I wish I could.
Since last year’s selections, in many ways it feels the world got even bleaker. Book bans rage in the US that impact the global publishing industry, hatred grows, and a sense of hope and wonder is harder to reach as we burn out and watch our children struggle in a world that is actively rejecting many of them.
And yet, the stories of hope continue. Of reckoning with our past and using the stories to dream bigger. To know what we came from and know where we want to go.
And so the books I chose are about hope, once again. about seeing how our own thoughts can be as visceral of an enemy as the outside world. About coming together in unlikely ways. Of not shying away from what we were but still finding space to be something more.
So if you like the choices for this year, join me as we kick off the Global Read Aloud on October 2nd, 2023. If you don’t like the choices, don’t join, it’s as easy as that, but I for one am already counting down the days until it kicks off.
There is no sign-up to join, just either pay attention here for more information or join the Facebook communities – I would recommend joining the main one and the one specific to the book (or creator) you choose:
I have never gone a school year without reading a picture book aloud from Jacqueline Woodson. With every new book she writes, new conversations open up, new connections are made, and kids feel so seen. So we travel into her vast array of stories to select only 6.
Just remember that the picture book creator study is open to all ages. It is a great way to participate if you don’t see your students often or have limited read aloud time.
Jarell has never quite known where he belongs. He’s ignored at home and teased at school for wanting to draw instead of playing sports with the other boys. The only place he’s ever felt truly at ease is his local barbershop where the owner hangs Jarell’s art up on the walls.
When Jarell discovers a hidden portal in the barbershop, he’s transported to a magical world that’s unlike anything he’s seen before. But it’s not just the powerful gods and dangerous creatures that makes this world different―it’s that everyone believes Jarell is the hero they’ve been waiting for.
Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name.
Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop humanlike feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming….
Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars’s difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration.
As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress, will Res have the determination, courage, and resilience to succeed… and survive?
While this book is not out until May 2nd, 2023 – it is one of the best books of the year in my opinion.
Will is the only round kid in a school full of string beans. So he hides…in baggy jeans and oversized hoodies, in the back row during class, and anywhere but the cafeteria during lunch. But shame isn’t the only feeling that dominates Will’s life. He’s also got a crush on a girl named Jules who knows he doesn’t have a chance with—string beans only date string beans—but he can’t help wondering what if?
Will’s best shot at attracting Jules’s attention is by slaying the Will Monster inside him by changing his eating habits and getting more exercise. But the results are either frustratingly slow or infuriatingly unsuccessful, and Will’s shame begins to morph into self-loathing.
As he resorts to increasingly drastic measures to transform his appearance, Will meets skateboarder Markus, who helps him see his body and all it contains as an ever-evolving work in progress.
Reading Schedule
Week 1: Pages 1 – 48 (end after “I didn’t need to eat after all”)
Out of nowhere, a lady comes up to Anamaria and says she’s her, from the future. But Anamaria’s thirteen, she knows better than to talk to a stranger. Girls need to be careful, especially in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico―it’s the 90’s and fear is overtaking her beloved city as cases of kidnapped girls and women become alarmingly common. This thirty-year-old “future” lady doesn’t seem to be dangerous but she won’t stop bothering her, switching between cheesy Hallmark advice about being kind to yourself, and some mysterious talk about saving a girl.
Anamaria definitely doesn’t need any saving, she’s doing just fine. She works hard at her strict, grade-obsessed middle school―so hard that she hardly gets any sleep; so hard that the stress makes her snap not just at mean girls but even her own (few) friends; so hard that when she does sleep she dreams about dying―but she just wants to do the best she can so she can grow up to be successful. Maybe Thirty’s right, maybe she’s not supposed to be so exhausted with her life, but how can she ask for help when her city is mourning the much bigger tragedy of its stolen girls?
Reading Schedule
Week 1: Pages start – 35
Week 2: Pages 36 – 67
Week 3: Pages 68 – 100
Week 4: Pages 101 – 133
Week 5: Pages 134 – 164
Week 6:Pages 165 – end
Hashtag: #GRAThirty
TWITTER HASHTAGS FOR THE YEAR:
Picture book author study – #GRAJackie
Future Hero – #GRAFuture
A Rover’s Story – #GRARover
A Work in Progress – #GRAProgress
Thirty Talks Weird Love – #GRAThirty
GLOBAL READ ALOUD SUPPORT:
T-shirts and other merchandise supporting the project can be found here
To join my Patreon and support the running of the Global Read Aloud plus get access to consultation, coaching, mini-PD and all my resources, go here
To find answers to the most frequently asked questions, go here – you will find ideas for how to do the project, as well as how you can share your reading.
To find shared resources and share your own, go here – you will find author resources and also created resources from others.
There you have it; another amazing year of connecting awaits. Read the books, share the books, and get ready for another opportunity to make the world smaller.
There is never anything easy about picking the books and authors for the Global Read Aloud. How can there be when there are so many incredible books to choose from? So many different experiences waiting to be discovered?
I lose sleep. I try different configurations. I talk about it incessantly with my husband. I reach out to trusted friends to hear opinions. And yet, ultimately, it comes down to a gut feeling of what feels right for the moment we are in, for the way conversations are shaped around the globe. We are still in a pandemic, we are still navigating the continued heaviness and horror, and yet, in the middle of it all are stories of courage, of survival, of finding out how to navigate everything, and becoming your own hero.
And so I chose books that not only will hopefully allow for broader global conversations but also to personal realizations of strength, of can-do, of overcoming in a way that is unique to our experience.
So if you like the choices for this year, join me as we kick off the Global Read Aloud October 3rd. If you don’t like the choices, don’t join, it’s as easy as that, but I for one am already thinking about how this year’s choice for middle school will shape the learning experiences we will have in my own classroom.
There is no sign up to join, just either pay attention here for more information, or join the Facebook community:
Kick-off this year is October 3rd and we run until November 11th. You don’t have to follow the schedule, but please don’t read ahead and spoil the book(s) for others.
Christian Robinson is an illustrator, author, animator, and designer based in Oakland, California. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in a small one-bedroom apartment with his brother, two cousins, aunt, and grandmother. Drawing became a way to make space for himself and to create the kind of world he wanted to see. He studied animation at the California Institute of the Arts and would later work with the Sesame Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios before becoming an illustrator of books for children. The Christian Robinson for Target collection, released in August 2021, includes more than 70 items across home and apparel for kids and baby. His books include the #1 New York Times bestseller Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and the Newbery Medal, and the #1 New York Times bestseller The Bench, written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. His solo projects include Another, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2019, and the New York Times bestseller You Matter. His latest collaboration with Matt de la Peña, Milo Imagines The World, received six starred reviews and was a #1 Indie Bestseller and a New York Times bestseller. He looks forward to one day seeing the aurora borealis.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime written by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Raul the Third
Portico Reeves’s superpower is making sure all the other superheroes–like his parents and two best friends–stay super. And safe. Super safe. And he does this all in secret. No one in his civilian life knows he’s actually…Stuntboy!But his regular Portico identity is pretty cool, too. He lives in the biggest house on the block, maybe in the whole city, which basically makes it a castle. His mom calls where they live an apartment building. But a building with fifty doors just in the hallways is definitely a castle. And behind those fifty doors live a bunch of different people who Stuntboy saves all the time. In fact, he’s the only reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives.All this is swell except for Portico’s other secret, his not-so-super secret. His parents are fighting all the time. They’re trying to hide it by repeatedly telling Portico to go check on a neighbor “in the meantime.” But Portico knows “meantime” means his parents are heading into the Mean Time which means they’re about to get into it, and well, Portico’s superhero responsibility is to save them, too–as soon as he figures out how.Only, all these secrets give Portico the worry wiggles, the frets, which his mom calls anxiety. Plus, like all superheroes, Portico has an arch-nemesis who is determined to prove that there is nothing super about Portico at all.
Week 1: Pages 1 – 45
Week 2: Pages 46- 89
Week 3: Pages 90 – 145
Week 4: Pages 146 – 197
Week 5: Pages 198 – 232
Week 6: Pages 233 – end
Hashtag: #GRAStuntboy
Middle Grade Choice:
Thirst by Varsha Bajaj
While this incredible book is not out in the world until July 19th, I promise it will be a wonderful read aloud.
Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines. Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity–an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night. Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there’s even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?
Reading Schedule
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 7
Week 2: Chapters 8 – 16
Week 3: Chapters 17 – 22
Week 4: Chapters 23 – 31
Week 5: Chapters 32 – 37
Week 6: Chapters 38 – end
Hashtag: #GRAThirst
Middle School Choice:
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by Supriya Kelkar
India, 1857
Meera’s future has been planned for her for as long as she can remember. As a child, her parents married her to a boy from a neighboring village whom she barely knows. Later, on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she prepares to leave her family to live with her husband’s–just as her strict religion dictates. But that night, Indian soldiers mutiny against their British commanders and destroy the British ammunition depot, burning down parts of Delhi. Riots follow, and Meera’s husband is killed. Upon hearing the news, Meera’s father insists that she follow the dictates of their fringe religious sect: She must end her life by throwing herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.
Risking everything, Meera runs away, escaping into the chaos of the rebellion. But her newfound freedom is short-lived, as she is forced to become a servant in the house of a high-ranking British East India Company captain. Slowly through her work, she gains confidence, new friends, new skills–and sometimes her life even feels peaceful. But one day, Meera stumbles upon the captain’s secret stock of ammunition, destined to be used by the British to continue colonizing India and control its citizens.
Will Meera do her part to take down the British colonists and alert the rebellion of the stockpile? Or will she stay safe and let others make decisions for her? It really comes down to this: how much fire must a girl face to finally write her own destiny?
Reading Schedule
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 5
Week 2: Chapters 6- 10
Week 3: Chapters 11 – 15
Week 4: Chapters 16 – 22
Week 5: Chapters 23 – 31
Week 6: Chapters 32 – end
Hashtag: #GRAFire
Young Adult Choice:
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity-and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki-near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be-not even Deka herself.
Reading Schedule
Week 1: Chapters 1 – 5
Week 2: Chapters 6 – 11
Week 3: Chapters 12 – 18
Week 4: Chapters 19 – 24
Week 5: Chapters 25 – 28
Week 6: Chapters 29 – end
Hashtag: #GRAGilded
TWITTER HASHTAGS FOR THE YEAR:
Picture book author study – #GRACHRISTIAN
Stuntboy, in the Meantime – #GRAStuntboy
Thirst – #GRAThirst
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame – #GRAFire
The Gilded Ones – #GRAGilded
GLOBAL READ ALOUD MERCHANDISE:
T-shirts and other merchandise supporting the project can be found here
There you have it; another amazing year of connecting awaits. Read the books, share the books, and get ready for another opportunity to make the world smaller.
To find answers to the most frequently asked questions, go here – you will find ideas for how to do the project, as well as how you can share your reading.
To find shared resources and share your own, go here – you will find author resources and also created resources from others.
For the past 12 years, I have shared everything I could think of on this blog, on social media, and working with other educators. Every lesson shared, every question answered, every request sent to me has connected me to so many of you; I have been so grateful for your support of me, the Global Read Aloud, and the work I do.
For 12 years, I have worked tirelessly to help create change in education, to try to lighten the load as much as possible, and to continue this important work. And while that work will continue it is time for it to eveolve a little bit to give you an opportunity for more direct interaction so today I have also launched my Patreon page.
What will this community entail? It will give us a way to collaborate in a new way, where you don’t have to wait for your district or school to hire me or be able to attend an event, but instead allow you to reach out, get support, and work together in accessible ways. It also will allow me to continue the work of the Global Read Aloud in a sustainable way. In fact, one of the tiers is meant as a way to just support the GRA!
Being a member will offer you access to virtual sessions, curated monthly booklists, specific breakdown of lessons and units, access to some of my presentations, as well as personal brainstorming sessions with me if you so choose. There will also be exclusive content, early access to new resources, monthly Q&As, as well as other opportunities for connections. You can even snag me for an hour-long brainstorming session for you or a small group of people!
With this access, you will get a chance to really tailor our opportunity to work together. You can have specific support from month to month, help co-create units and get the support to create change in your unique situation.
I am excited to have an opportunity to interact more organically and also be available to you for any specific questions and needs you may have.
If you find value in my work, the Global Read Aloud, or have benefitted from it in, then I welcome you to be a part of the community on Patreon where the learning, discussion, and collaboration will continue. If you can’t, don’t worry, this page will still exist with occasional updates and 12 years of materials.evolve
6 Tiers of Support to Choose From There are 6 different levels for you to choose from, they all offer unique experiences and ways to support this work. All monthly work will kick off March 1st but there are already resources there to explore and help you.
I have already published the first post and access to my curriculum map, with more content to come. I am excited for what this community will allow us to do and how we can grow together, so welcome! Thank you for your continued support. Best, Pernille
It is hard to believe that we are in the official final week of the Global Read Aloud. I hope it has been everything you had hoped it would be. If you are not in the final week, no worries, make it work for you!
I was so very grateful for all of the questions that were submitted to three of our authors Duncan Tonaituh, Zetta Elliott, and David A. Robertson. They gave me a perfect opportunity to sink into their work even more and will hopefully be illuminating for all of you who listen. Each of the links below will take you to the 30-minute video I recorded of our conversation. It was spectacular to sit in the same space as these incredible creators and hear them go even deeper into their lives as authors and the books we love so much.
With the fourth week of the Global Read Aloud 2021 underway, I am so excited to reveal that I will be in conversation with my author extraordinaire, Zetta Elliott, author of this year’s GRA choice for younger readers, Dragons in a Bag. This pre-recorded event will be available to view after October 27th and will be a chance to get your questions answered directly by this incredible author and human being.
So I need your help, what would you like me to ask Zetta? Have your students or classrooms submit their questions to potentially be asked and tune in when the recording is released.
You can submit as many questions as you would like! Just fill in this form between now and November 1st.
The Global Read Aloud 