As part of its We the People program, NEH is collaborating with the American Library Association (ALA) to present the We the People Bookshelf, a program that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas. School libraries (K-12) and public libraries are invited to apply for a full set of books that embody in one way or another the theme "A More Perfect Union".

The Theme

The We the People Bookshelf is based on the premise that literature can be a window on a nation's character, ideals, and aspirations. Previous We the People Bookshelves have offered writings, primarily by American authors, that express the ideals of courage and freedom, the meaning of being or becoming American, the right to pursue happiness, and the belief in universal human equality.

As the American people begin observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, NEH seeks to promote reflection among young people on the idea of the United States as a "union." Our Constitution, the Preamble proclaims, was intended to "form a more perfect union." Since 1776 our motto has been E Pluribus Unum—"Out of many, one." In 1861, as President Abraham Lincoln considered his response to secessionist states, he declared his "paramount object" to be to "save the Union." What is the nature of the "union" that the Founders formed and Lincoln sought to save? In what ways is America a One as well as a Many? With the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Union victory in the Civil War, is the American union complete and perfect? What role have subsequent generations played, and what might we in this century envision, to continue to perfect our union? All materials on the "A More Perfect Union" Bookshelf have been chosen for their relevance to these issues.

The Bookshelf

The following books have been selected for the "A More Perfect Union" Bookshelf are:

Kindergarten to Grade 3

• Tico and the Golden Wings by Leo Lionni
• A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy and Giulio Maestro
• Una unión más perfecta: la historia de nuestra constitución by Betsy and Giulio Maestro (translated by Aída E. Marcuse)
• When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Grades 4 to 6

• César ¡Sí, se Puede! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (Spanish edition)
• César ¡Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
• Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac
• The Great Little Madison by Jean Fritz
• Darby by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

Grades 7-8

• Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Beals
• Lincoln Shot: A President's Life Remembered by Barry Denenberg
• Hitch by Jeanette Ingold

Grades 9-12

• The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. DuBois
• American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic by Joseph Ellis
• Lincoln in His Own Words by Milton Meltzer
• Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson
• Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
• Ángeles asesinos by Michael Shaara (translated by Manuel de los Reyes)
• Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Bonus

• The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns
• The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns, Ken Burns
• Declaring Independence: The Origin and Influence of America's Founding Document edited by Christian Y. Dupont

NEH selected these books in consultation with members of the ALA and members of the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the ALA.

Library and community programs

In return for receiving a Bookshelf, libraries are required to organize programs that introduce the books and the "A More Perfect Union" theme to the library's students, young patrons, or intergenerational audiences. Programs should take place between May 1, 2010, and April 30, 2011. In addition to the books, libraries will receive supplemental materials to help with publicize and administer the public programs.

Programs should take place within the recipient school or library, although programs may also extend beyond the library walls through collaboration with other school or public libraries.

NEH encourages collaboration among libraries within school districts or library systems to encourage young people to reflect on the theme "A More Perfect Union". The online application process makes it possible for the central office of a school district or library system to apply on behalf of all of its member libraries, up to a total of one hundred. If you submit an application on behalf of multiple schools or libraries, you as project director will be responsible for communicating with each participating library about the project: sharing with them the narrative statement, notifying them of the award, and checking program status with each of them during the programming period.

Deadline: January 29, 2010. For more information and details please visit their web site.

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