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AFT Book Club: A New Monthly Series with Authors
Mark your 2024 calendars with an opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking new book club series brought to you by the AFT, Share My Lesson and the Albert Shanker Institute. Tune in each month for an evening of inspiration, intellect and innovation—where the power of words takes center stage! Plus, when you’re one of the first to sign up each month, watch for discounts and incentives to get the upcoming author’s books.
In January, inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman joined AFT President Randi Weingarten for the first session of the AFT Book Club Series.
Join us to hear a fusion of words and wisdom as influential figures engage in a riveting dialogue that promises to ignite your passion for literature and social change. Each month you will hear from other influential authors, scholars and activists, including Fred Guttenberg, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Edwidge Danticat, Charles M. Blow, and Mike Hixenbaugh.
Did you miss an AFT Book Club conversation? You can watch them on-demand now, with closed captioning in English and Spanish. Educators and school staff, learn how you can earn credit for these webinars.
Schedule of Upcoming AFT Book Club Authors
After a challenging election season, educators across the country are feeling the need to reconnect, recharge and focus on their students' well-being. Join Share My Lesson, the AFT, and StoryCorps for an inspiring webinar with celebrated author Jason Reynolds, AFT President Randi Weingarten and StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. Together, they will explore the transformative power of storytelling to foster understanding, empathy and resilience—no matter where people stand politically.
This session will highlight StoryCorps’ “The Great Thanksgiving Listen,” a meaningful project that invites students to record and preserve interviews with family members or elders in their community. This intergenerational activity helps students build empathy, develop listening skills, and deepen connections with people who have stories and experiences to share.
Previous Book Club Presentations
Our February AFT Book Club session featured a discussion with AFT President Randi Weingarten and author Fred Guttenberg on his book American Carnage: Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence. At this event, these two prominent figures conversed about America's gun violence epidemic. Explore the depths of Guttenberg's powerful and eye-opening narrative, as Weingarten leads an insightful conversation that promises to challenge and expand your understanding of this critical issue. Watch the dialogue that developed as the speakers and attendees sought to unravel the complexities and confront the myths surrounding gun violence in America to shape a safer future.
Watch the recording of our March AFT Book Club session featuring AFT President Randi Weingarten and renowned author Ruth Ben-Ghiat who will discuss her book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. Weingarten and Ben-Ghiat explored the themes of power, personality and politics that define the era of strongmen and authoritarian leaders throughout history. Gain insights into the past and present, to better understand how history can inform our future. This is a must-see event for anyone interested in history, politics and the lessons we can learn from the past.
Watch the recording of our April AFT Book Club session featuring AFT President Randi Weingarten and renowned author Edwidge Danticat, discussing Danticat's memoir Brother, I'm Dying. Weingarten and Danticat engaged with viewers as they explored themes that delved into the complexities of family, identity, immigration and political turmoil, framed within a deeply personal narrative. Brother, I'm Dying is not only a tribute to Danticat's family and heritage but also a profound exploration of the themes that touch on universal human experiences. Through her intimate and evocative storytelling, Danticat offers insights into the intricacies of life, loss and the enduring power of familial bonds.
Watch May's AFT Book Club session featuring AFT President Randi Weingarten and renowned author Charles M. Blow, discussing Blow's memoir Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Engage with Weingarten and Blow as they explore the multifaceted themes reflecting on the complexities of identity, trauma and resilience within the backdrop of a segregated Louisiana town. Blow's ability to weave his personal narrative with broader social critiques makes the memoir a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersections of personal experience and public advocacy.
Our June AFT Book Club session featured AFT President Randi Weingarten and award-winning author Mike Hixenbaugh, discussing his new book, They Came for the Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America’s Classrooms. Watch the recorded video to dive into an enlightening conversation as Mike, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and co-creator of the Southlake podcast, shares his investigative insights into the intense educational battles shaking communities across America. Together with Randi, they explored the book's deep dive into contentious school board elections and the broader national movement impacting public education.
Our September AFT Book Club session featured AFT President Randi Weingarten and distinguished authors Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider, discussing their compelling new book The Education Wars: A Citizen’s Guide and Defense Manual. Berkshire and Schneider delved into the current culture war engulfing our schools and shed light on the efforts of extremist groups to ban books, limit educational content and undermine the foundations of public education. Through their insights, they offered a deeper understanding of the sudden obsession with race and gender in schools, the rise of book banning, and the impact of school vouchers on education finances.
The October AFT Book Club session featured AFT President Randi Weingarten and esteemed historian Heather Cox Richardson, discussing her latest New York Times best-selling book, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America. In this compelling conversation, Richardson, author of How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America unpacks the intricate history and ongoing struggles of American democracy. With her signature clarity and engaging style, she traces the historical roots of today’s political climate, revealing how modern conservatism has capitalized on discontent and distorted history to consolidate power.