NCTE released the 2026 African American Read-In (AARI) Report Card, compiling stories and details from hundreds of events engaging more than 112,000 students, educators, and community members in African American literature.
NCTE members, teachers, and others who submitted details to NCTE about their events celebrating the 36th annual National African American Read-In can now view their information in the 2026 AARI Report Card!
Established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of NCTE, the AARI aims to make literacy an integral part of Black History Month by centering African American books and authors, encouraging communities to come together to celebrate these stories.
As documented in the annual report card, more than 5,700 books were read during at least 696 AARI events spanning elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges, libraries, and other community locations across at least 29 states and two countries.
The report card also includes a list of the most popular books read, as well as stories and reflections from NCTE members. Read the following excerpts, then explore the full report card.
Event Host: Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA)
Shared by NCTE member Markesha Tisby
The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) hosted its first African American Read-In this year. The free virtual event provided an opportunity for preK–12 educators to experience an author visit by Yesenia Moises. Moises read her latest picture book, Sounds Like Joy, and spoke about her desire to center people with diverse backgrounds in fantasy adventures.
Then, the TCTELA Section Chairs led book talks featuring five elementary, middle school, and high school titles each. Three copies of Sounds Like Joy were given away. The event concluded with a reading of Maya Angelou’s “Human Family.”
Event Host: University of North Carolina Wilmington and D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy— Wilmington, NC
Shared by NCTE member Caitlin Ryan
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) students, faculty, and staff joined with students, teachers, and families from D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy (DCVPA) and members of the wider community to celebrate African American authors and literacy at their sixth annual African American Read-In on February 1.
Hosted at DCVPA, student readers from second to sixth grade were a highlight of the event. One group of students performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while other students read Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations, Kelly Starling Lyons’s book about the importance of the song—which was dubbed the “Black national anthem”—throughout decades of Black history.
Event Host: Oscar Smith Middle School— Chesapeake, VA
Shared by NCTE member Mary James
Oscar Smith Middle School students, along with teachers Mary James and Evelyn Willis, transformed their classroom into the Ruby Bridges Clean Heart Café for the 2026 African American Read-In.
Students were seated at tables prepared for two, where they read and shared details they learned about Ruby Bridges and her school integration experiences. They watched a short interview with Ruby as an adult because, of course, the children wanted to know if she was still living! As an exit ticket, students responded to a prompt based on Ruby Bridges’s clean heart philosophy, sharing how they could demonstrate choosing to live with a clean heart.
Event Host: Falmouth High School— Falmouth, ME
Shared by NCTE member Vanessa Rasmussen
Students from Vanessa Rasmussen’s CP English 9 and AP English Language and Composition classes at Falmouth High School (FHS) participated for the first time in the African American Read-In on February 26–27, 2026, in celebration of Black History Month. Jack Selig’s Honors Global Studies class also attended.
Hosted in the FHS library by assistant librarian Kimberly Hank, the event featured student readings of poetry and excerpts from nonfiction essays and novels by Black authors. Students and teachers not only engaged deeply with powerful voices in American literature but also strengthened their public speaking skills through thoughtful, confident oral readings.