National Book Month

At Planet Word, we aim to inspire and renew a love of words, language, and reading in people of all ages. In recognition of National Book Month this October, we have curated a selection of resources below to help you discover and celebrate the magic of books and storytelling.

  • Watch PAST PROGRAM VIDEOS featuring authors, literary critics, and book professionals like Clint Smith, Julia Whelan, and more.
  • Head over to OUR BLOG to check out our past Q&As with authors like Jason Reynolds and David Crystal, messages from our founder, and more.
  • Follow Planet Word on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM @PlanetWordDC for fun word- and book-related content.
From the Founder

We Need Diverse Books

Read the latest from Planet Word Founder Ann Friedman about the importance of books that reflect the experiences of more young readers: “Finding diverse books is essential: When asked why they don’t read, too many students say that they can’t find books that reflect their cares or world.”

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Featured Programs

Series

Eyes on Reading: Advancing Adolescent Literacy — What Matters Most?

October 09, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.

$0 | Mansard Room

Nearly 70 percent of eighth graders scored below “proficient” and, of those, 30 percent scored “below basic” according to the 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress, known as the Nation’s…

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Featured Past Program

How the Word is Passed with Clint Smith

February 01, 2022 | 8:00 p.m.

When poet and Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith set out to explore how the history of American slavery is interpreted and memorialized, he did so with an open mind and…

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Featured Past Program

The Many Voices of Julia Whelan

January 13, 2021 | 6:30 p.m.

As one of the top narrators recording today, you probably recognize Julia Whelan’s voice from the bestselling audiobooks of titles like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Educated, and her…

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Planet Word’s Story Table

Planet Word’s Schwarzman Family Library invites visitors to discover the wonders of the written word, with walls lined with some of our favorite books, from picture book classics like Corduroy to modern masterpieces in verse like Long Way Down. Place any of these books on the Story Table and watch them come to life.

Explore the books in the Library
Science of Reading

Literacy Resources

National Literacy Month may be over, but literacy is a year-round issue that impacts us all. Reading is not just a skill, it’s a fundamental human right that opens doors, builds foundations for a lifetime of learning, and fosters a more empowered society. Explore our curated selection of resources about the science of reading and reading recommendations for young readers from our friends at Reading Rockets.

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From the Blog

The Book Doctor Is In: Q&A with Bookbinder Emma Kiely-Hampson

When you’re feeling out of sorts, you go to the doctor. But where do you bring worn-out books? To a book doctor, of course! In this Q&A, we ask local bookbinder and restorer Emma Kiely-Hampson to talk about her experience and shed light on her field.

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