Read Across America Hits Reston

by Jill Sciaroni, LHMS Teacher

NEA's event brought the Reston community together for reading and music. Left to right: Princess R. Moss, NEA Vice President and elementary school music teacher from Louisa County, Virginia author and former Reston resident Kwame Alexander; jazz bassist Amy Shook; and Noel Candelaria, NEA's secretary-treasurer and special education teacher from El Paso, Texas were all part of the festivities on March 2. Photo by Isadora Guerriero.

The National Education Association (NEA) launched Read Across America Week with a lively community event at Langston Hughes Middle School on March 2. Celebrating the power of story, sound, and song, the evening featured award-winning author and former Reston resident Kwame Alexander alongside acclaimed jazz bassist Amy Shook.

Community members, students, and families arrived in style, greeted with cheers from the LHMS Spirit Squad as they walked the red carpet. Performances by the school's chorus, band, theater, and orchestra students set the stage for an evening of literary and musical fusion.

Award-winning author and former Reston resident Kwame Alexander. Photo by Isadora Guerriero.

Alexander then took the spotlight, reading an excerpt from “The Crossover”—his 2025 Newbery Medal-winning novel—while Shook accompanied him on bass, bringing the words to life through rhythm and melody. Their performance underscored the deep connection between literature and music.

As the NEA described the event: “Just like literature, music and song help to build community, reflect culture and history, and tell powerful stories. By blending two of the most expressive art forms—literature and music—young readers gain new perspectives, inspire positive change, and experience the joy of community. Through books, they not only discover their own voices but also learn to appreciate the rhythm of others’ stories and lived experiences—one book, one story, and one song at a time."

Alexander shared personal reflections on his time living in Reston, the journey of writing “The Crossover,” and the path to publication. Following his talk, he signed books for guests before a celebratory reception.

“The beauty of reading lies in the fact that every story matters. We all deserve to see ourselves reflected in books, but we also need stories that broaden our perspectives and introduce us to experiences beyond our own,” Alexander said. “The National Education Association and I share the belief that books have the power to transform the world. That’s why I’m thrilled to collaborate with them to bring ‘The Crossover’ to readers in a whole new way to celebrate NEA’s Read Across America.”