Day 1

Hidden Figures

Margot Lee Shetterly

“Read the book that inspired the movie! Hidden Figures tells the incredible story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, four Black mathematicians who each played a valuable role in NASA’s successful missions during the 20th century. If your students are interested in science, math, or history, they’ll enjoy this book.”

— Marisa, Customer Service Specialist

Day 2

The Librarian of Auschwitz

Antonio Iturbe

“I’ve read many novels and memoirs about the Holocaust, and they’ve all been deeply moving. The Librarian of Auschwitz is special to me because not only is it based on a true story, it’s also about subjects very close to my heart—books and education. The story of a young teenager risking her life to care for and hide eight books smuggled into the camp by the resistance is unforgettable.”

— Darlene, Senior Editor

Day 3

Patron Saints of Nothing

Randy Ribay

“It was really nice to read a novel that is about Filipino Americans since that's what I am. To relate to everything I read—the sayings, the culture, and the customs—was pleasant, even if the plot wasn't so. I know that I'm not the only Filipino American out there, but to be immersed in a book world that reflected my family and me made it that much more comforting.”

— Kathy, Social Media Specialist

Day 4

They Both Die at the End

Adam Silvera

“While I did know how the story would end (the title says it all), this is an amazing gem of a novel. The characters and the life lessons in this story are real and relatable. They Both Die at the End reinforces the importance of living life to the fullest each day, and to appreciate each person with whom we connect, be it friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers. I was a bit teary at the end but also felt triumphant as it made me want to be less afraid and more alive.”

— Amy, Curriculum Specialist

Day 5

They Called Us Enemy

George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott

“I’m a huge fan of graphic novels, so this book immediately caught my attention when it arrived at our warehouse. George Takei’s recollection of his childhood spent in a Japanese American internment camp, while heartbreaking, offers powerful messages about resilience and the importance of democracy.”

— Alana, Content Marketing Specialist

Day 6

A Wolf Called Wander

Rosanne Parry

“In 2011, a gray wolf known as OR-7 crossed the Oregon border into northern California, becoming the first confirmed wild wolf in the state in nearly a century. This book dramatizes his incredible thousand-mile trek across the Pacific Northwest. Although it’s intended for younger readers, the young-at-heart will find this story of survival and the natural world inspiring.”

— Larry, Creative Director

Day 7

The Nickel Boys

Colson Whitehead

“Colson Whitehead was inspired to write this book after hearing about the dark history of an infamous reform school in Florida. Knowing that Elwood and Turner’s terrible experiences at the Nickel Academy were based on historical facts made the gut-wrenching story even more impactful.”

— Chris, Art Director

Day 8

All the Light We Cannot See

Anthony Doerr

“I love a novel with a compelling story and multiple perspectives. All the Light We Cannot See weaves together the story of a German orphan boy, Werner Pfennig, and a blind French girl, Marie-Laure LeBlanc, as they navigate difficult journeys through World War II. When their stories inevitably intersect, we are rewarded with sympathy, secrecy, and a brilliant coming together of viewpoints that has stayed with me.”

— Anna, Curriculum Developer

Day 9

One of Us Is Lying

Karen M. McManus

“This book does a great job of keeping the reader interested with its contemporary themes, psychological suspense, and relatable characters. It makes you look at others and wonder how well you actually know them—and how far would they go to keep their secrets from being revealed?”

— Kelley, Digital Vocabulary Lead

Day 10

Born a Crime

Trevor Noah

“Trevor Noah’s humor and wit shines brightly in his autobiography, which is as much a story of his mother’s life as his own. Throughout the book, Noah recounts the strong relationship he shared with his mother, who did everything she could to give him a good life in their unjust society. This book is truly entertaining and epitomizes the power of resiliency and hope.”

— Jason, Director of Special Projects

Day 11

The Night Watchman

Louise Erdrich

“This year’s Pulitzer Prize winner quickly pulled me into the world of Thomas and Pixie and their tribe on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. This novel explores the struggle of the tribe to control its own destiny and the struggle of individuals to take control of their own lives against the weight of poverty, isolation, and other people’s expectations.”

— Jim, Founder

Day 12

The Leavers

Lisa Ko

“After reading the first chapter of The Leavers, I expected that this book would be a predictable story of immigrants struggling in America, but the characters quickly won me over. Their depth of feeling and the sensitive writing brought out characters that I truly cared about and revealed the challenges of those forced away from their families and those who are left behind.”

— Keith, President