The selected books reflect the lived experiences of a wide variety of students in the state and are appropriate for ages pre-K through 8th grade.
Source: New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Photos: Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
SANTA FE, NM – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham gathered with educators and students at the Roundhouse on Monday, March 9, to proclaim March as Read Across New Mexico Month. Her proclamation inaugurates a month-long celebration of New Mexico’s diverse books and authors and aims to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
National Education Association (NEA NM) New Mexico, in partnership with the New Mexico State Library (NMSL), has selected nine children’s books that reflect the unique cultural and linguistic diversity of our state. As part of the Read Across New Mexico initiative, NEA NM and NMSL will promote the selected books in local communities throughout the state and host a variety of events.
Eduardo Holguin, an NEA NM retired member said, “Get your reading shoes on for our March Madness Reading Marathon! Peruse exciting tales, skim through heartwarming fiction, and meander through relaxing stories focused on all the wonderful diversity our state has to offer.”
The selected books reflect the lived experiences of a wide variety of students in the state and are appropriate for ages pre-K through 8th grade. The featured books are: “Book Fiesta,” by Pat Mora; “Tumble,” by Celia C. Perez; “Tortilla Sun,” by J.C. Cervantes; “Where Butterflies Fill the Sky,” by Zahra Marwan; “Finding My Dance,” by Ria Thundercloud; “Herizon,” by Daniel W. Vandever; “My Pet Rattlesnake,” by Joe Hayes; “I Dreamed I was a Dog,” by Joel Nakamura; and “Bad News for Outlaws,” by Vaunda Michaeux Nelson. For more information about these books check out this online StoryMap.
Kelly McCabe, NMSL Youth Services Coordinator, said, “The nine books selected celebrate native born New Mexican authors, as well as those who have embraced New Mexico as their home.”
Copies of the selected books, as well as posters with a QR code linking to an interactive map and book information, will be distributed throughout the state to libraries and local NEA NM affiliates.
Due to the efforts of educators and students in New Mexico, reading scores in grades 3 – 8 have risen 10 percentage points since 2022. Students in grades 3, 6, and 8 posted the highest one-year gain ever recorded on the New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement. The Read Across New Mexico initiative further supports literacy improvements throughout New Mexico.
About National Education Association New Mexico (NEA-NM)
NEA-NM was founded in 1886 as the Territorial Education Association. Every year since, the organization has been an advocate for New Mexico Public Schools, its students, and its employees. Learn more at www.neanm.org/about-nea-nm.
About New Mexico State Library
The New Mexico State Library, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, provides services that support public libraries, as well as direct library services to rural populations, state agencies, the visually impaired and physically disabled, and students and citizens conducting research. For more information about New Mexico State Library visit nmstatelibrary.org.
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