Ayn Rand’s dramatic and thought-provoking novels appeal strongly to young readers. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we provide free physical and digital copies of Rand’s novels, along with guides for teaching them, to schools in the United States and Canada.
If you are committed to teaching Ayn Rand’s novels this academic year, we’ll provide you with a classroom set, free of charge. Supplies are limited, so order soon!
To stay informed about our essay contest deadlines and to receive updates relevant to teachers, register here. Questions? Write to us at [email protected].
Ayn Rand was a radical thinker whose deeply philosophical novels challenge students to reconsider their views on fundamental issues. The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, Anthem — these works have become classics of American literature and never fail to engage young people and stimulate intense classroom discussion. By offering these works for free to teachers, we at the Ayn Rand Institute hope to encourage greater awareness and understanding of Rand’s stimulating perspective.
This free, downloadable teachers guide, published by Penguin and written by experts on Ayn Rand, covers both Anthem and The Fountainhead, subjects of the Institute’s two most popular essay contests.
This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and her times, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.
Are you teaching an Ayn Rand novel this year? Why not encourage your students to enter the Ayn Rand Institute essay contest on that novel, with a chance to win one of over 700 prizes totaling more than $130,000.
This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and the era in which she wrote, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.
Would you like an Ayn Rand Institute speaker to visit your high school for a guest lecture, panel discussion, debate or other activity? We can even connect by videoconference for smaller events and classroom visits.
This video course provides a story overview and character analysis, background material on Ayn Rand and the era in which she wrote, and a detailed discussion of the main theme and related sub-themes.
Whether you’re teaching an Ayn Rand novel for the first time or want to share lesson plans that have worked for you, our resources page collects materials tailored to each novel.
“In an educational environment that can lean toward particular viewpoints and with the limits of school budgets, ARI provides a very rare and unique opportunity for educators and students to explore new viewpoints, and analyze challenging and engaging texts.”
— English Teacher, Ceres High School (CA)
“Having timeless novels to share with students is incredibly important. Thought provoking ideas, themes, and characterization makes for more engaged learning in the classroom, which makes for stronger thinkers and leaders. Knowing that I can help build classroom libraries and strengthen instruction through Ayn Rand’s books because of donor funding makes my job easier and more fulfilling. Thank you!”
— Academic Trainer, Veterans Memorial High School (TX)
“I’ve used Anthem in my high ability classes several times now, and despite an initial aversion to the text, the majority of my students end up loving it. Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, I didn’t get to teach this novel last year, and I had multiple students ask if they could have copies to read independently because they had heard about it from their older peers and siblings. I think that perhaps now more than ever, it’s important to teach students how to have civil conversations about potentially controversial points of view.”
— Teacher, Franklin Central Junior High School (IN)
“I have taught for many years with print versions of Rand’s works from a previous donation from your organization. I really like how Rand’s works challenge my students to look at viewpoints that they may not have yet considered. In short, Rand helps me create critical readers and thinkers. This offer of a digital copy will help me continue developing strong readers/thinkers even as we teach in and around the Covid pandemic.”
— Teacher, Wray High School (CO)
1. You must be a middle school, high school or homeschool teacher or principal to be eligible to receive the books.
2. This program is possible only because of donations from fans of Ayn Rand’s novels who want to give students the opportunity to read them in school. By ordering books, you agree to participate in a survey to share your feedback about this program and to offer a thank-you that we may share with donors. This feedback and thank you will be solicited after you have taught the books, and will be used to improve the program and to raise funds for more books.
3. You must plan to teach the books within one year of their receipt.
4. Physical books are not meant to be given to students for them to own. To the extent possible the books should be shared across classrooms and used for multiple years.
5. Book are to be used with the appropriate grade levels. The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are for use with 11th- and 12th-grade classrooms. Anthem is available for grades 8 through 12.
6. Books are for use only in schools in the United States and Canada.
7. You will cancel your order if something changes and you are no longer able to use the books. If you have already received the books, you will give them to another teacher who can use them. Please inform us of this change.
8. Participation in our essay contests is encouraged but not a requirement for receipt of the books.
9. Books received through this program are not to be distributed, sold, or used for any purpose other than teaching students.
10. If you order digital books, the link you’ll receive will be unique to you and is not to be shared outside of your classrooms.
11. By participating in this program you agree to receive program messages and related marketing messages from us, and agree to the Ayn Rand Institute’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All questions or special requests regarding these terms should be sent to [email protected].
We provide review copies of the novels as well as classroom sets to teachers and schools at no expense. This is a donor-funded program with no financial obligation to you or your school.
Yes, you are welcome to order a free review copy of one or more titles.
We offer Anthem for grade levels 8 – 12; The Fountainhead for grade levels 11 – 12; and Atlas Shrugged for grade levels 11 – 12.
No, participation in our annual essay contests is not required to receive a free classroom set of books, but your participation is encouraged and appreciated! Receiving and evaluating essays helps us create more effective teacher resources for you, and the essay contests provide your students with an opportunity to further develop their critical thinking and writing skills. Of course, there are also the benefits of your receiving our popular teacher gifts and your students’ chance to win their share of the $70,000 in prize money awarded every year.
Unless otherwise noted, all shipments are sent out approximately 3 – 4 weeks after they are ordered. To request an order be shipped sooner (or later) than that time frame, please email [email protected].
All public and private schools are eligible, although the aforementioned grade restrictions and conditions apply.
No, the books should be used for multiple years. If you have a special circumstance where you must write in them to use them, please contact [email protected] with your special request.
Yes, it is possible to send along a special thank-you to the donor(s) who made this program possible in your particular area. All such correspondence should be sent to [email protected]. To protect your privacy, your name, school and contact information will be removed unless you request otherwise.
Yes, librarians are allowed to order up to three copies of each novel for their school library.
Yes, you may order books for your classroom. There are no restrictions with regard to what subject or class the books are used for, as long as you plan to teach them within a year of placing your order.
Unfortunately, the only novels we are able to send to teachers are standard, mass-market editions.
Please send questions to [email protected] or call 949-222-6550.
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