By Annabelle Moore, volunteer contributor, American Red Cross North Texas Region

On this National Reading Day here’s quick list of 21 books at various reading levels to learn more about the mission and work of the Red Cross. Check out these books for both adults and young readers. Join us as we learn about Clara Barton’s service as a nurse during the Civil War, how she founded the American Red Cross, and what Red Cross has done as an organization in the 140 years since. 

For the young readers we have the Prepare with Pedro series that covers most disasters and helps children prepare and respond during and after a disaster. Disasters happen when we least expect it, make sure the littles in your life know what to do and how to get help.

Ages 4-8

1. Brave Clara Barton by Frank Murphy and Sarah Green
2. Clara Barton: Spirit of the American Red Cross by Patricia Lakin
3. Prepare with Pedro: Resilience and Coping Skills Activity Book
4. Prepare with Pedro: Flood Storybook
5. Prepare with Pedro: Tornado Storybook
6. Prepare with Pedro: Tsunami Storybook
7. Prepare with Pedro: Pedro goes to a Shelter Storybook
8. Prepare with Pedro: Hurricane Storybook
9. Prepare with Pedro: Home Fire Storybook
10. Prepare with Pedro: Earthquake Storybook

Ages 8-12

1. Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross by Augusta Stevenson
2. Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield (Graphic Biographies) by Allison Lassieur
3. Who Was Clara Barton? By Stephanie Spinner
4. Clara Barton: Courage Under Fire by Janet Benge

Adult

1. Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation’s Humanitarian Awakening by Julia F. Irwin
2. Blood, Sweat, and Tears: An Oral History of the American Red Cross by Michelle Turk
3. A Memory of Solferino by Henri Dunant
4. Clara Barton’s Civil War: Between Bullet and Hospital by Donald C. Pfanz
5. Clara Barton: The Life and Legacy of the Civil War Nurse Who Founded the American Red Cross by Charles River Editors
6. The Red Cross in Peace and War by Clara Barton