A startling and haunting vision of the world, 1984 is so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the influence of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.

The 1619 Project expands on The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning issue, reframing U.S. history by placing slavery and its legacy at the nation’s core. Through eighteen essays and thirty-six poems and fictional pieces, it explores the enduring impact of slavery and highlights moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance in America.

The House on Mango Street is one of the most cherished novels of the last fifty years. Told in a series of vignettes—sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous—Cisneros’s masterpiece is a classic story of childhood and self-discovery and one of the greatest neighborhood novels of all time.

Henrietta Lacks’s cells, taken without her knowledge, became the first “immortal” human cells, driving breakthroughs from the polio vaccine to gene mapping. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks reveals both the scientific triumphs her cells made possible and the profound human story behind them.

The Kite Runner tells the powerful story of friendship between two boys in Afghanistan, set against a backdrop of upheaval and betrayal. Exploring themes of loyalty, redemption, and the bonds between fathers and sons, it has become a modern classic.

The Nickel Boys follows Elwood Curtis, a Black teenager in 1960s Florida, who is unjustly sent to a brutal reform school. Based on real events, it’s a powerful story of injustice and resilience that cements Colson Whitehead’s place as one of today’s most important writers.

Terminally ill Hazel's life changes when

a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, offering a new, insightful perspective on her journey.

The Handmaid's Tale depicts a dystopian future where women are subjugated in a totalitarian regime. The story follows Offred, a handmaid, as she navigates oppression and seeks freedom.

This ”brutally powerful, mesmerizing story” (People) is an unflinchingly look into the abyss of slavery, from the acclaimed Nobel Prize winner. One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years

Set among the bohemian bars and nightclubs of 1950s Paris, this groundbreaking novel about love and the fear of love is “a book that belongs in the top rank of fiction” (The Atlantic).

Ibram X. Kendi explores antiracist ideas, from basic concepts to visionary possibilities, helping readers recognize all forms of racism, understand their harmful effects, and actively work to oppose them.

Julia isn’t the perfect Mexican daughter; her sister Olga was. After Olga's tragic death, Julia struggles with grief and family expectations, uncovering hidden truths about her sister.

Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a poignant memoir capturing the pain of racism, the ache of abandonment, and the healing power of words. This modern classic explores resilience and self-discovery.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club follows 17-year-old Lily Hu as she and Kathleen Miller fall in love in 1954 Chinatown, facing Red Scare threats and deportation risks in their quest for freedom.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a son’s letter to his mother, unearthing family history rooted in Vietnam and revealing parts of his life she never knew. It explores love, race, class, and masculinity, while asking how we survive trauma and find joy through the act of telling our stories.

Slaughterhouse-Five, a landmark antiwar novel, blends history, science fiction, and satire to tell the story of Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who survives the firebombing of Dresden and becomes “unstuck in time.”

From the award-winning author of The Bridge Home comes a gripping novel about a boy who’s released into the world after spending his whole life in jail with his mother—a remarkable celebration of the aching will to survive.

Brown Girl Dreaming tells Jacqueline Woodson’s story of growing up Black in the 1960s and 70s. Through vivid, lyrical poems, she captures her journey of finding a voice, a home, and a place in the world.

Until now, you’ve only heard one side of the story: the “discovery” of America told by Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, and the Colonists. Here’s the true story of America from the Indigenous perspective.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl recounts the life of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager hiding from Nazis during WWII. Through her diary, she shares her hopes, fears, and experiences in hiding.

Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, at age six the first Black child to integrate an all-white New Orleans school, shares her inspiring story and calls for action in this powerful letter.

Join a diverse, inclusive school where every child is valued. Follow students through a day of learning and celebrating each other's traditions. Discover a vision of the world as it should be.

Penelope knows that he's a boy. The problem is getting everyone else to realize it. In this companion to her memoir, Jodie Patterson shares her son Penelope's frustrations and triumphs on his journey to share himself with the world.

A lyrical picture book debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long.

No matter your size, shape, or pedigree–if you love each other, you are a family! Moms, dads, sisters, brothers — and even Great Aunt Sue — appear in dozens of combinations, demonstrating all kinds of nontraditional families!

In Hair Love, Oscar-winning director Matthew A. Cherry and NYT bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison celebrate self-confidence. This tender, empowering book is an ode to natural hair and the bond between daddies and daughters.

The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.

A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy’s life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.

The Name Jar follows Unhei, a new student from Korea who worries her classmates won’t pronounce her name. As she considers adopting an American name, a friend helps her realize the importance of embracing her own identity in this beloved story about courage and pride in one’s heritage.

This joyful and affirming picture book about a family’s first Pride parade, reminds all readers that sometimes pride takes practice and there’s no “one way” to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.