"A story not of Black America but of America, a history we all must own."

Nikole Hannah-Jones, award-winning journalist and creator of “The 1619 Project,” reviews An American Story for the New York Times. Read the full review here (note, subscription may be required to access).

"They see books as mirrors."

Kwame Alexander recently spoke with ABC News' Linsey Davis about An American Story and how this work, with art by Dare Coulter, addresses slavery to help children understand its place in history. Watch the full interview below or on ABC News.

We want all of our children to know that they matter. That's why we need books that tell the whole history of who we are, how we got here, and what's possible for our tomorrow. Books that help us understand our own stories, the stories of our friends, our neighbors, and the stories of our country. Authors, teachers, parents, join our movement to nurture and inspire the imagination and strength of our children through reading books that matter — not banning them. #ReadStrong!

Join us on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, for a series of live events in support of LitWorld #WorldReadAloudDay, including:

FACEBOOK
facebook.com/kwamealexanderbooks
10AM ET: Eric Rosswood reading from his book, Strong (co-written by Rob Delaney and illustrated by Nidhi Chanani)
11AM ET: Ann Marie Stephens reading from Kwame Alexander’s An American Story (illustrated by Dare Coulter)
1PM ET: Jerry Craft reading from his forthcoming graphic novel, School Trip

INSTAGRAM
@kwamealexander
7:30pm ET: Kwame Alexander reading from Freewater by Newbery award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson

January 3 at 12 Noon EST
Key West, FL
Kwame will do a live reading from Books & Books
Streaming live at Facebook.com/KwameAlexanderBooks

January 5 at 6:30 pm EST
Raleigh, NC
Kwame Alexander and illustrator Dare Coulter in Conversation
Quail Ridge Books

January 10 at 7:00 pm EST
Jacksonville, FL
With Kwame Alexander and illustrator Dare Coulter
Jacksonville Public Library, Main Branch, located next to James Weldon Johnson Park.
303 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

January 11 at 6:00 pm
Charleston, SC
Buxton Books
160 King Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401
Conversation & Connection: Kwame Alexander and Dr. Tonya Maria Matthews

January 12 at 5:30 pm EST
Charlotte, NC
Barnes & Noble Arboretum
3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC

January 14 at 2:00 pm PST
Los Angeles, CA
Manhattan Beach Public Library
Talk and Book Signing
1320 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA

January 14 at 1:00 pm EST
Washington, DC
Mahogany Books
Illustrator Dare Coulter (only) Talk and Book Signing
National Harbor, MD

January 15 at 4:00 pm EST
Scrawl Books
Reading and Signing with illustrator Dare Coulter
11911 Freedom Dr, Reston, VA 20190

January 17 at 6:00 pm EST
Baltimore, MD
Enoch Pratt Library
400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD