For the U.S.’s 250th a Nonpartisan Book from Chicken Soup for the Soul

COS COB, Conn. – Proud, industrious, generous and kind—that’s the true spirit of Americans. Chicken Soup for the Soul selected the best stories from its library to illustrate what this country is all about—what has always united us. The 101 feel-good stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating the Spirit of America (May 5, 2026, 978-1-611594621, $16.99) take us on a tour of the country, from north to south and from east to west. There’s a chapter about honoring our flag and another about America’s heroes, our service members and their families. Our tradition of volunteerism and helping those in our communities is the subject of many stories, as well as our can-do attitude and ingenuity. There are stories about our proud new citizens and many stories about quintessential American traditions, from baseball to fireworks to apple pie to Thanksgiving. And a moving final chapter includes stories about September 11th 25 years later—and how we all came together as a nation.

 Editor-in-chief and publisher Amy Newmark says, “We wanted to turn away from the divisiveness out there and focus on the real America—the way it can still be and the way it is in our daily lives. These patriotic stories, for readers of all ages, remind us why we love our country. They are our way of celebrating the U.S.’s 250th birthday and honoring what America has always stood for.”

 Beth Cato tells us she was the only student in her gym class who stood and recited the pledge of allegiance when the principal came on the P.A. system to start the school day. That wasn’t “cool,” and the other girls bullied her. She finally told one of her classmates she was doing this to honor her grandfather, a veteran. She says, “Grandpa raised me to be proud to be an American, and that pride didn’t stop because I was in seventh grade.”

 In such a big country, there are bound to be some misunderstandings around accents. Dr. Susan Jensen moved from New York City to North Carolina and encountered a language problem during her first week at her new job. Her patient was horrified when Susan suggested he buy a used television at a pawn shop. It got worse when she told him she frequented those shops all the time. Apparently, the pronunciation of the word “porn” in North Carolina sounds exactly like a New Yorker saying “pawn.”

 Rabbi Frank Stern recounts how a Mormon church hosted its Jewish neighbors for 14 months after fire ravaged their synagogue. When the synagogue was ready, “Both Mormons and Jews marched the mile and a half from the church to the synagogue, carrying six Torah scrolls... We had discovered that a kind act is not a matter of belief. It is an expression of love from one human being to another.” 

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. With well over 100 million books sold to date in the U.S. and Canada, more than 300 titles, and translations into more than 40 languages, the phrase “chicken soup for the soul” is known worldwide and is regularly referenced in pop culture. Today, 33 years after it first began sharing happiness, inspiration and hope through its books, this iconic storyteller continues to publish a new title a month. It has also evolved beyond the bookstore, with a podcast, education programs, dog and cat food, licensed products, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul streaming service.

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For a review copy of this book or an interview with Amy Newmark or one of the contributors: