Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., announces September Books of the Month

Press release from Florida Department of Education

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., announced September’s chosen books for the Commissioner’s Book of the Month, a monthly reading challenge to promote literacy and reading engagement in preK-12 schools. Each month, Commissioner Diaz highlights five recommended books – one per selected grade range. This month, the Commissioner chose books for students to reflect on the tragic events on September 11, 2001.

“The tragic events of 9/11, the acts of heroism witnessed in the aftermath to help others, and the people that have been impacted in the years that followed will never be forgotten,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.  “This month, I encourage families to read the courageous tales of these Americans.”

The Commissioner’s recommendations for September 2024 are:

• PreK – Good Night America by Adam Gamble
• K-2 – The Man in the Red Bandanna by Honor Crowther Fagan
• 3-5 – America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown
• 6-8 – The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story by Cheryl Somers Aubin
• 9-12 – The Red Bandanna (Young Readers Adaptation) by Tom Rinaldi

The selections for each month can be found on the Commissioner’s Book of the Month page of the FDOE website.