'We Need Diverse Books' launches National reading day on April 3
Alona Yadav | Mar 13, 2025, 22:29 IST
( Image credit : Agencies )
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) celebrates its 10-year anniversary by launching 'We Need Diverse Books Day' on April 3 and donating 10,000 books to schools and libraries. The initiative encourages readers to explore diverse literature and supports inclusive storytelling, especially amid rising book bans.
The nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is establishing its first-ever "We Need Diverse Books Day" on April 3 to celebrate inclusive literature, according to an exclusive announcement to USA TODAY.
Born from a viral Twitter hashtag in 2014 that criticized an all-white, all-male children's author panel at BookCon, WNDB is commemorating its 10-year anniversary by donating 10,000 books to schools and libraries nationwide.
The organization encourages readers of all ages to engage with literature featuring stories from marginalized communities. WNDB will share recommendations and resource information across social media platforms throughout the day.
Participants can support the initiative by requesting diverse titles at local libraries, purchasing from independent bookstores, and sharing recommendations using the hashtag #DiverseBooksDay. The nonprofit pledges to provide a diverse book to an underresourced school for every $10 donated.
"WNDB has helped change the landscape of children's literature, but diverse books are for everyone and for readers of any age," said "Bad Feminist" author and WNDB board member Roxane Gay. "We can all grow and benefit from reading books that reflect the diversity of our world."
This reading celebration arrives amid increasing book bans throughout the country. PEN America's analysis of commonly banned books revealed that 44% include people of color and 39% feature LGBTQ+ characters.
Dhonielle Clayton, WNDB board chair and author of "Blackout," emphasized the importance of representation for young readers: "Growing up, I was a huge bookworm, but I rarely saw a girl like me on a book cover. I know firsthand as an author and educator that there is power in diverse literature to build self-affirmation in young readers and to encourage them to dream big."
Research by nonprofit First Book in 2023 found that students read more when educators incorporate new, diverse books into classrooms. While 99% of surveyed educators agreed on the importance of diverse classroom libraries, only 58% reported having collections as diverse as their student populations.
Bestselling author Angie Thomas, who wrote "The Hate U Give," credits WNDB's support for helping launch her career. As a recipient of the organization's Walter Dean Myers Grant in 2015, Thomas used the funds to purchase a laptop to write her debut novel.
"WNDB's programs have now supported hundreds of writers like me, helping us tell our stories so that we can share them with readers everywhere," Thomas stated.
In addition to grants, WNDB offers awards, reading campaigns, mentorship opportunities, and library adoption programs to further its mission of promoting diverse literature.
Born from a viral Twitter hashtag in 2014 that criticized an all-white, all-male children's author panel at BookCon, WNDB is commemorating its 10-year anniversary by donating 10,000 books to schools and libraries nationwide.
The organization encourages readers of all ages to engage with literature featuring stories from marginalized communities. WNDB will share recommendations and resource information across social media platforms throughout the day.
Participants can support the initiative by requesting diverse titles at local libraries, purchasing from independent bookstores, and sharing recommendations using the hashtag #DiverseBooksDay. The nonprofit pledges to provide a diverse book to an underresourced school for every $10 donated.
"WNDB has helped change the landscape of children's literature, but diverse books are for everyone and for readers of any age," said "Bad Feminist" author and WNDB board member Roxane Gay. "We can all grow and benefit from reading books that reflect the diversity of our world."
This reading celebration arrives amid increasing book bans throughout the country. PEN America's analysis of commonly banned books revealed that 44% include people of color and 39% feature LGBTQ+ characters.
Dhonielle Clayton, WNDB board chair and author of "Blackout," emphasized the importance of representation for young readers: "Growing up, I was a huge bookworm, but I rarely saw a girl like me on a book cover. I know firsthand as an author and educator that there is power in diverse literature to build self-affirmation in young readers and to encourage them to dream big."
Research by nonprofit First Book in 2023 found that students read more when educators incorporate new, diverse books into classrooms. While 99% of surveyed educators agreed on the importance of diverse classroom libraries, only 58% reported having collections as diverse as their student populations.
Bestselling author Angie Thomas, who wrote "The Hate U Give," credits WNDB's support for helping launch her career. As a recipient of the organization's Walter Dean Myers Grant in 2015, Thomas used the funds to purchase a laptop to write her debut novel.
"WNDB's programs have now supported hundreds of writers like me, helping us tell our stories so that we can share them with readers everywhere," Thomas stated.
In addition to grants, WNDB offers awards, reading campaigns, mentorship opportunities, and library adoption programs to further its mission of promoting diverse literature.