WASHINGTON – The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded nine area schools and libraries with a set of 17 classic books about American life.  The book awards are part of NEH's We the People Bookshelf program, which is a literary complement to the NEH's Picturing America program – a free initiative that helps teach American history and culture by bringing some of the country's great art directly to classrooms and libraries.

In the congressional district Rep. Maurice Hinchey represents, nine institutions will be awarded We the People Bookshelf awards: Rondout Valley Middle School in Accord; East Middle School Library, Horace Mann Elementary School, and MacArthur Elementary School Library in Binghamton; Gardiner Library; Livingston Manor Free Library; Middletown Thrall Library; Roscoe Central Elementary School Library; and Roscoe Central High School Library. 

The school and libraries will receive 17 hardcover books related to this year's "Picturing America" theme, inspired by the premise that a nation's literature, as well as its visual art, can be a window into its history, aspirations, and ideals.                 

Among the books being sent to the schools and libraries are: Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull; The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; Sweet Music in Harlem by Debbie Taylor; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain; Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange by Elizabeth Partridge; Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville.  The Bookshelf includes Spanish translations to accompany three of the selected titles. As part of their award, libraries agree to hold public programming for students, such as reading competitions, essay contests, guest speakers, and other community-enriching activities.