Last year, I started a district-wide school visit program called "History Matters", concentrating on teaching young Missourians about the importance of history and civic education. As students, their families, and their teachers begin the school year, I want to share the news about another program designed to spark young people's interest in American values and ideals.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has established the "We the People Bookshelf" to highlight a short list of classic books for young readers. Working in partnership with the American Library Association, NEH selects books that share a theme important to the nation's heritage. For 2004, the program focuses on the theme of "freedom" and identifies 15 books appropriate for students from kindergarten through high school.

The purpose of the "We the People Bookshelf" is to encourage young people to read classic literature and explore the ideas and ideals of America.

Examples of the books on this year's list include: "Paul Revere's Ride," by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; "Ben and Me," by Robert Lawson; Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury; and "My Antonia," by Willa Cather. Many of the titles on the list explore important chapters in American history. Others are expressions of universal themes that are also fundamental aspects of American culture.

NEH is now accepting applications from school and public libraries across the nation to participate in the "We the People Bookshelf" program. NEH will award copies of the 15 books in the "We the People Bookshelf" to 1,000 eligible libraries. These libraries will organize programs and events to make their community aware of the importance of reading classic literature and the themes of the "We the People Bookshelf."

Although recognizing that many of the books on the list are quite challenging, NEH hopes to involve parents, teachers, librarians, mentors, and others in talking to children about these books. All of the books were selected from Summertime Favorites, an NEH list of recommended reading for young people.

A complete list of the Summertime Favorites, the "We the People Bookshelf," and additional information about NEH can be found online at www.neh.gov and www.WethePeople.gov.