Delaware | American Stories: A Reading Road Trip

Climb aboard with the PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Delaware on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on June 17th at 8pm ET for the live premiere on the PBS Books YouTube channel, or watch on the PBS Books Facebook page, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more. Delaware, the second smallest state known as the "Small Wonder," has a literary history far larger than its borders suggest. John Dickinson, the "Penman of the Revolution," stirred the colonies to action through his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania and helped shape the founding documents of our nation. Howard Pyle reimagined classic legends in vivid prose and illustration, including Merry Adventures of Robin Hood shaping how these stories are still visualized today. Poet and diarist Alice Dunbar-Nelson (Violets), along with her niece Pauline Young, broke racial barriers from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights Movement, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the state's geography. And Carol Hoffecker chronicled Delaware's growth alongside the nation's in works like Delaware: A Bicentennial History, grounding the state's story in the sweep of American history. From the wetlands of southern Delaware to its modern northern cities, writers across the state continue to shape today’s literary conversation. Al Mills and Nnamdi Chukwuocha, known as the Twin Poets and Delaware's 17th Poet Laureates, use verse to help communities process trauma and build resilience. Newbery honoree, Erin Entrada Kelly has earned multiple honors for her middle grade novels, including The First State of Being, which brings Delaware's own landscape to life for young readers. Cristina Henríquez highlights underrepresented communities in The Book of Unknown Americans, while author and illustrator Jay Cooper (Styx and Scones) crafts engaging stories for readers of all ages. And Valerie Biden Owens offers a personal perspective on one of America's most prominent families in her poignant memoir Growing Up Biden. It’s easy to see that books and beaches are two of Delaware’s greatest offerings, and the state embraces both. Along the coast, independent shops Bethany Beach Books and Browseabout Books welcome readers year-round. Traveling north, a thriving independent bookstore scene is matched by a strong library network, from Seaford to Hockessin, connecting authors and ideas to communities across the state. Delaware's literary landmarks extend beyond the shelves. The historic streets of New Castle, and taverns with whispered ties to Edgar Allan Poe, remind us that in this small state, history and storytelling are waiting around every corner. Explore our website: https://pbsbooks.org Subscribe to our newsletter: https://pbsbooks.org/subscribe Join the Readers Club:   / pbsbooksreadersclub   Support us: https://pbsbooks.org/donate Find your next book: https://pbsbooks.org/bookshop #pbsbooks #pbs #author #bookclub #books W#delaware #readingroadtrip