WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded book collections to 22 libraries on the Central Coast, made possible through NEH's We the People Bookshelf program.

"With the rich legacy of John Steinbeck on our doorstep, the Central Coast knows well the power of books to educate and excite children of all ages," said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). "These collections of books will help engage students in a wide range of historical periods, and I'm pleased that the NEH lends its support to our libraries."

Each library will receive a set of 17 books along with posters, bookmarks and other materials from the NEH, which is working in partnership with the American Library Association.

Collections will be send to branch libraries in Aromas, Big Sur, Bradley, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Pajaro, Buena Vista, Prunedale, San Ardo, San Lucas, Parkfield, Aptos, Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, Seaside, Soledad and Roosevelt Elementary School in Salinas.

"Since 2003, the We the People Bookshelf has introduced young readers at more than 17,000 school and public libraries to great literature and has helped them explore themes central to America's history," said NEH Chairman Jim Leach. "Through the Bookshelf, the Endowment provides high-quality educational resources to our nation's libraries. This year readers at 4,000 libraries will be invited to explore the idea that the United States is a union, a ‘one' as well as a ‘many.'"

Programs for this year's Bookshelf program are based on the theme "A More Perfect Union" and are timed to coincide with the commemoration of the Civil War, which began 150 years ago. The collections will feature the following books:

• Kindergarten to Grade 3: Tico and the Golden Wings by Leo Lionni; A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution by Betsy and Giulio Maestro; Una unión más perfecta: la historia de nuestra constitución by Betsy and Giulio Maestro (translated by Aída E. Marcuse); When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• Grades 4 to 6: César ¡Sí, se puede! by Carmet T. Bernier-Grand (Spanish edition); César ¡Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! By Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac; The Great Little Madison by Jean Fritz; Darby by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
• Grades 7 to 8: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson; Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Beals; Lincoln Shot: A President's Life Remembered by Barry Denenberg; Hitch by Jeanette Ingold
• Grades 9 to 12: The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. DuBois; American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic by Joseph Ellis; Lincoln in His Own Words by Milton Meltzer; Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson; Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose; Ángeles asesinos by Michael Shaara (translated by Manuel de los Reyes); Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
• Bonus: The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns; The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns, Ken Burns; Declaring Independence: The Origin and Influence of America's Founding Document edited by Christian Y. Dupont

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