The Mason City Public Library is one of 4,000 libraries across the country selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association to receive free hardcover editions of 17 classic books as part of the We the People Bookshelf grant program.  The theme of this year's Bookshelf is "A More Perfect Union."

The We the People Bookshelf on "A More Perfect Union" contains the following books:

Kindergarten to Grade 3

• Tico and the Golden Wings by Leo Lionni
• When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy and Giulio Maestro

Grades 4 to 6

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

Grades 7 to 8

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

Grades 9 to 12

• American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic by Joseph Ellis
• Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson
• Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
• Lincoln in His Own Words by Milton Melzer
• Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
• The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. DuBios

Bonus

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

The award is part of the NEH's We the People initiative, which supports projects that strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture.

Stay tuned for information about special programs and events!