TEACHERS!
GET AYN RAND'S THOUGHT-PROVOKING NOVELS FOR FREE!

Order FREE copies of our print or digital books for your 8th-12th grade classrooms, such as the new Anthem ebook! You’ll also receive teaching resources to help you guide students through these captivating novels by Ayn Rand — one of America’s most talked-about novelists. Shipping is FREE as well!

WHY TEACH AYN RAND

More than 65,000 teachers have received 4,500,000 FREE books for their classrooms. Here’s why:

GRIPPING CONTENT Ayn Rand’s dramatic, thought-provoking novels appeal strongly to young readers and inspire classroom discussion that carries over into their homes.
THE BOOKS ARE FREE! You’ll receive either print or digitized copies of Ayn Rand’s world-renowned books for each student — for FREE, including delivery.
THERE’S NO CATCH This program is sponsored by fans of Rand’s novels who want to give students the opportunity to read and discuss them in school.

The books

Ayn Rand’s novels contain many elements that appeal to young readers. They are inspiring stories, with heroic characters fighting for their ideals. Each novel portrays events with a profound significance that could have been torn from yesterday’s (or tomorrow’s) newspapers, challenging readers to think not only about what will happen to particular characters, but also what their own lives and the world should be like.

Anthem

Published
1936

Pages
105

Students
8th – 12th Grade

Available Formats

Digital
Print

Overview

Anthem is Ayn Rand’s “hymn to man’s ego.” It is the story of one man’s rebellion against a totalitarian, collectivist society. Equality 7-2521 is a young man who yearns to understand “the Science of Things.” But he lives in a bleak, dystopian future where independent thought is a crime and where science and technology have regressed to primitive levels.

All expressions of individualism have been suppressed in the world of Anthem; personal possessions are nonexistent, individual preferences are condemned as sinful and romantic love is forbidden. Obedience to the collective is so deeply ingrained that the very word “I” has been erased from the language.

In pursuit of his quest for knowledge, Equality 7-2521 struggles to answer the questions that burn within him — questions that ultimately lead him to uncover the mystery behind his society’s downfall and to find the key to a future of freedom and progress.

We The Living

Published
1936

Pages
528

Students
10th – 12th Grade

Available Formats

Overview

The setting is Soviet Russia, early 1920s. Kira Argounova, a university engineering student who wants a career building bridges, falls in love with Leo Kovalensky, son of a czarist hero. Both Kira and Leo yearn to shape their own future — but they are trapped in a communist state that claims the right to sacrifice individual lives for the sake of the collective. When Kira is kicked out of the university as an undesirable and Leo’s past makes him unemployable, life becomes a grim struggle for physical survival. Leo contracts tuberculosis but can’t get admitted to a state sanitarium, despite Kira’s best efforts. Desperate, she seeks help from Andrei Taganov, an ardent young communist whose love for Kira helps awaken him to the meaning of genuine personal values, not to be surrendered for others’ sake. Once these two men are destroyed — Andrei by his disillusionment with communism, and Leo by his inability to go on fighting — Kira tries to flee, but will she find it possible to defy the state’s power?

THE FOUNTAINHEAD

Published
1943

Pages
694

Students
11th – 12th Grade

Available Formats

Overview

In her first notes for The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand describes its purpose as “a defense of egoism in its real meaning . . . a new definition of egoism and its living example.” She later states its theme as “individualism versus collectivism, not in politics, but in man’s soul; the psychological motivations and the basic premises that produce the character of an individualist or a collectivist.” The “living example” of egoism is Howard Roark, “an architect and innovator, who breaks with tradition, [and] recognizes no authority but that of his own independent judgment.” Roark’s individualism is contrasted with the spiritual collectivism of many of the other characters, who are variations on the theme of “second-handedness” — thinking, acting, and living second-hand. Roark struggles to endure not merely professional rejection, but also the enmity of Ellsworth Toohey, beloved humanitarian and leading architectural critic; of Gail Wynand, powerful publisher; and of Dominique Francon, the beautiful columnist who loves him fervently yet is bent on destroying his career. The Fountainhead earned Rand a lasting reputation as one of history’s greatest champions of individualism.

ATLAS SHRUGGED

Published
1957

Pages
1,072

Students
11th – 12th Grade

Available Formats

Overview

The country’s top banker — a leading oil producer — a once-revered professor — an acclaimed composer — a distinguished judge. All vanish without explanation and without trace.

A copper magnate becomes a worthless playboy. A philosopher-turned-pirate is rumored to roam the seas. The remnants of a brilliant invention are left as scrap in an abandoned factory.

What is happening to the world? Why does it seem to be in a state of decay? Can it be saved — and how? Atlas Shrugged “is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder — and rebirth — of man’s spirit.”

Follow along as industrialist Hank Rearden and railroad executive Dagny Taggart struggle to keep the country afloat and unravel the mysteries that confront them.

Discover why, at every turn, they are met with public opposition and new government roadblocks, taxes and controls — and with the disappearance of the nation’s most competent men and women.

Will Hank and Dagny succeed in saving the country — and will they discover the answer to the question “Who is John Galt?”

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BOOKS

More than 65,000 teachers have received 4,500,000 novels to date. You can order review copies or a set for your entire class.

"It has been an amazing experience. The relevance of Rand’s novels continues to astound me as we discuss issues in the world today and in the students' lives. We are so grateful for this program."

9th-grade teacherWoodcrest Christian
Riverside, CA

“I have been teaching Anthem for three years, and it remains a favorite in my classroom. I have students who I taught three years ago that still come visit me and bring it up!”

10th/12th-grade teacherFloyd Central High School
Floyd Knobs, IN

“These novels have had a tremendously positive impact on my students. They open the door for thoughtful, provocative discussion and many of my students continue to share insights about the novels after they are out of my classroom.”

11th-grade teacherCoweta High School
Coweta, OK

“My students LOVE Rand's writing; they especially admire how her characters find what makes them unique and use their uniqueness to get ahead. Her books have led to many "adult" discussions in my high school classes. It's impressive.”

10th-grade teacherTERRA Environmental Research Inst.
Miami, FL

“It's been a wonderful experience that gets kids to think about who they are and who they want to become. I love how much they take from her books and how they are able to examine the world around them."

10th/11th-grade teacherYork International
Thornton, CO

“My students last year were fascinated with Anthem. We had lively discussions, and each of my students submitted very thought-provoking essays. Many students wanted to read more of Rand's work!”

9th/10th-grade teacherTeeland High School
Wasilla, AK

GET AYN RAND'S NOVELS FOR YOUR CLASS FOR FREE!

PROGRAM PURPOSE

Ayn Rand was a radical thinker whose philosophical novels challenge students to reconsider their views on fundamental issues. The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged and Anthem have become classics of American literature and never fail to engage young people and to stimulate lively classroom discussion. This program is offered by the Ayn Rand Institute to raise awareness and understanding of Rand’s books and perspective.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

You must be a middle school, high school, or homeschool teacher or principal to be eligible to receive the books.
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.
You must plan to teach the books within one year of their receipt.
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.
Books 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.
Books are for use only in schools in the United States and Canada.
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.
Participation in our essay contests is encouraged but not a requirement for receipt of the books.
Books received through this program are not to be distributed, sold, or used for any purpose other than teaching students.
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.
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.