2008-2009: Picturing America. "Image courtesy of Julie Paschkis - www.juliepaschkis.com

We the People Bookshelf Themes:

• 2009-2010: Picturing America
• 2008-2009: Created Equal
• 2007-2008: Pursuit of Happiness
• 2006-2007: Becoming American
• 2005-2006: Freedom
• 2004-2005 Courage

EDSITEment Resources for We the People Bookshelf

EDSITEment and the National Endowment for the Humanities, offers resources to help libraries apply for and use their We the People Bookshelf collections.

About We the People and the Bookshelf

The We the People Bookshelf is a set of classic books for young readers from Kindergarten through high school.

We the People is NEH's program to strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history, culture, and founding principles.

Each year NEH identifies a theme important to the nation's heritage and selects books that embody that theme. This collection of theme-related books is the Bookshelf. In addition to introducing young readers to good literature, the Bookshelf promotes understanding of abstract or general ideas through the power of particular stories.

The theme for the Bookshelf is announced at the beginning of each academic year in September. Applications for the We the People Bookshelf on "Picturing America" are being accepted between September 2, 2008, and January 30, 2009.

Previous Bookshelf themes were: "Courage," "Freedom," "Becoming American," "Pursuit of Happiness," and "Created Equal."

Titles selected for the We the People Bookshelf might highlight important chapters in American history; or express universal themes that are integral parts of American culture. The books are intended to represent the rich texture of the American heritage, a tradition that has incorporated ideas and texts from around the world.

NEH awards the Bookshelves to libraries across the country for use in programs primarily for young people. U.S. public and school (K-12) libraries are eligible to apply. In return for receiving a Bookshelf, libraries organize programs that highlight the theme and encourage young readers to explore the selected books.

The American Library Association (ALA) collaborates with NEH to deliver this program. ALA staff and libraries help to select the books, and work directly with the nation's libraries to disseminate information and to encourage libraries to take part in the "We the People Bookshelf" grant program.

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