Fasten your seatbelts and join PBS Books and the Library of Congress as we visit Arkansas on our next stop in American Stories: A Reading Road Trip. Join us on March 4th at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT for a PBS Books Facebook Live event, or on the PBS Books YouTube channel, the PBS app, or pbs.org. Visit pbsbooks.org/readingroadtrip to learn more.
From the Ozark Mountains in the north, to the flat farmlands of the Delta, Arkansas has been inspiring writers for generations. In the small town of Stamps, Maya Angelou found her voice again and immortalized it in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In Little Rock, journalist and activist Daisy Bates (Long Shadow of Little Rock) stood on the steps of Central High School, mentoring the Little Rock Nine through one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Southern fiction writers like Charles Portis (True Grit) and John Grisham (A Painted House) proved that Arkansas stories could captivate the world, and poets like Miller Williams (Some Jazz a While), Henry Dumas (Poetry for My People), and C.D. Wright (Lake Echo, Dear) ensured its literary legacy ran just as deep.
The Natural State’s sweeping landscapes and layered histories continue to foster bold imaginations today. Speculative writer Ayana Gray (I, Medusa) and children’s book author Katie Duffield (Start Your Engines) both credit Arkansas’ rich sense of place as a creative wellspring. And writers like Daniel Black (Isaac’s Song) and Eli Cranor (Don’t Know Tough) take an unflinching look behind the curtain of Southern life, exploring the beauty and the struggle with honesty.
For book lovers, Arkansas is as much a destination as it is an inspiration. The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) boasts remarkable branches that champion local literature, while independent bookshops across the state proudly support homegrown talent. Literary pilgrims can also walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters — tracing Mattie Ross’s journey from True Grit along the trail from Dardanelle to the real-life courtroom of Judge Isaac Parker, now preserved as part of a national historic site.
About American Stories: A Reading Road Trip
Pack your curiosity —PBS Books is hitting the road! In partnership with the Library of Congress Centers for the Book, American Stories: A Reading Road Trip shines a spotlight on individual U.S. states and select territories to uncover their one-of-a-kind literary treasures.
From iconic authors and unforgettable books to hidden-gem bookstores, amazing libraries, and the real-life locations that inspired great works, this cross-country adventure celebrates the stories that have shaped our shared identity. Along the way, we’ll meet bestselling authors, passionate booksellers, and local storytellers —plus share highlights from local programs and events hosted by each state’s Center for the Book —revealing how their corner of America has left its mark on the nation’s imagination. Aligned with America’s 250th birthday, each episode invites viewers to explore the heart, history, and creative spirit of the United States —all through the lens of books and storytelling.
New episodes will stream on select Wednesdays at 8pm EST as PBS Books Facebook Live event, and on the PBS Books YouTube channel, pbsbooks.org, and the PBS app.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States –and extensive materials from around the world –both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About PBS Books
PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. PBS Books is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of reading and learning. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners.Visit pbsbooks.org, subscribe to the PBS Books YouTube channel, and follow PBS Books on social media to learn more.
