What to Expect This March: Read Across America is Back!
02/03/2026

March is Read Across America Month, and ISTA is celebrating in a big way. There will be a month-long series of activities designed to spark joy in reading, elevate diverse voices and put more books into the hands of students across the state. 

On March 2, ISTA will kick-off the month by hosting a Read-In Rally at the Indiana Historical Society, where elementary and middle school students will hear from Indiana authors Kimberly Howard and Arriel Vinson, enjoy read-alouds and spend time reading together. Each student who attends will receive a new book and a Read Across America T-shirt to take home. If you'd like your class to participate, there is still time to register. 

Throughout the remainder of the month, educators, students and communities will be invited to take part in a statewide reading road trip challenge, encouraging readers to explore books connected to Indiana cities and Hoosier authors. Participants can log their reading, travel the map and celebrate progress along the way.

The celebration also includes a book drive benefiting the Indy Book Project, with a goal of donating at least 150 books to children and families who need them most. Members, aspiring educators and community partners are invited to donate favorite titles and help spread the love of reading beyond the classroom. 

To further support classrooms statewide, ISTA will host weekly classroom book giveaways, delivering bundles of new, age-appropriate books directly to K-12 educators and students. These giveaways are one more way ISTA is working to ensure every student has access to engaging, inclusive reading materials.

Read Across America is about more than books—it’s about building community, celebrating diverse readers and reminding students that they belong in the stories they read. Stay tuned all month long for ways to participate, share your reading journey and celebrate the power of literacy together.