Theme: Travel & Adventure
Ye by Guilherme Petreca
Ye is a curious young man, named after the only sound he knows how to make. His voice must have been stolen by the Colorless King, the source of all the world's sorrows - terrifying, unrelenting, all-taking and never-giving. Now, Ye has no choice but to embark on a voyage over land and sea, past grizzled pirates, a drunken clown, and more, to find the witch who can help him defeat the King. What he discovers may be a lesson for us all.
Freya & Zoose by Emily Butter
Freya has always craved--and feared--adventure. Traipsing all over the world is simply not what dignified rockhopper penguins do. But when she hears about Captain Salomon August Andrée's hot-air balloon expedition to the North Pole, Freya packs her copy of Hints to Lady Travellers and hops on board. Only moments after leaving land, Freya discovers a fellow stowaway! Meet Zoose, the mouse whose despicable manners make him a less-than-ideal travel companion. Great for Middle School students.
Elatsoe by Darcie Little
Elatsoe’s America has been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly everyday, like the ability to make an orb of light appear, or travel across the world whenever they wish. But other forces are less charming and should never see the light of day. Great for Middle School students.
Dandelion’s Dream by Yoko Tanaka
In a meadow filled with dandelion buds just about to flower, one dandelion blooms into a real lion. Roots and leaves unfurl into four tiny paws and a long tail with a fluffy yellow tuft. What a great, wide world there is to explore when you have paws instead of roots: there are fast trains to ride, regal ships to sail, and cities with lights as bright as Dandelion’s field in full bloom.
Story Boat by Kyo Maclear
When a little girl and her younger brother are forced along with their family to flee their home, they must learn to make a new home for themselves - wherever they are. And sometimes the smallest things - a cup, a blanket, a lamp, a flower, a story - can become a port of hope in a terrible storm. Great for Middle School students.
Come On In by Adi Alsaid
This exceptional and powerful anthology explores the joys, heartbreaks and triumphs of people who migrate and travel away from home, with stories by authors who are shaped by the journeys they and their families have taken from home—and to find home. Great for Middle School students.
The Paper Boat by Thao Lam
At her home in Vietnam, a girl rescues ants from the sugar water set out to trap them. Later, when the girl’s family flee Vietnam, ants lead them through the moonlit jungle to the boat that will take them to safety. Before boarding, the girl folds a paper boat from a bun wrapper and drops it into the water, and the ants climb on. Their perilous journey, besieged by punishing weather, predatory birds, and dehydration, before reaching a new beginning, is a great source of life lessons. Great for Elementary students.
The Real Boat by Marina Aromshtam
When a paper boat learns about the ocean, he is determined to go there so he can be a real boat. On his journey he meets all sorts of friends, from the strong little tugboat to the glittering ocean liner. But he also learns that the real ocean is huge and deep and full of dangers. Great for Elementary students.
The Hike by Alison Farrell
The Hike is a plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young female explorers who set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Literacy and Books
An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle
All people have the right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are, what they look like, or where they come from. From A to Z, simple explanations accompanied by engaging artwork teach children about the world we live in and how to navigate our way through it. Great for Elementary students.
How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander
This book is a poetic journey about the experience of reading. Find a tree—a
black tupelo or dawn redwood will do—and plant yourself. With these words, an adventure for children begins. Great for Elementary students.
The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going
Jane Brannen wants nothing more than to become a famous author like Jane Austen--she just needs to figure out the key to literary success! Her chance to uncover the secret arrives when bestselling author J. E. Fairfax visits her tiny town of Whickett Harbor. Unfortunately, a hurricane rolls in and Jane gets stuck with the author's snobbish son, Devon, instead. Great for Middle School students.
Y is for Yet by Shannon Anderson
Mistakes aren’t just mistakes. They’re growth spurts. Developing a growth mindset—a belief that learning is a process that requires dedication and hard work, not just talent—helps kids learn from their mistakes, build resilience, and strive to be a little better every day. Great for Elementary students.
Digging for Words by Angela Burke
In a Colombian city live two Joses. One is a boy who dreams of Saturdays– that’s the day he gets to visit Paradise, the library. The second Jose is a garbage collector. From dusk until dawn, he scans the sidewalks as he drives, squinting in the dim light, searching household trash for hidden treasure… books to create a library out of discards! Great for Elementary students.
Rebel in the Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
Lenora returns to the magical Library―which holds every book ever known on its shelves. But she discovers the Library is under new management, its incredible rooms and corridors turned dark and sinister. Great for Middle School students.
Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro
The plays of William Shakespeare are rare common ground in the United States. For well over two centuries, Americans of all stripes—presidents and activists, soldiers and writers, conservatives and liberals alike—have turned to Shakespeare’s works to explore the nation’s fault lines. In a narrative arching from Revolutionary times to the present day, leading scholar James Shapiro traces the unparalleled role of Shakespeare’s four-hundred-year-old tragedies and comedies in illuminating the many concerns on which American identity has turned. Great for High School students.
Every Little Letter by Underwood
Small h has always lived with the other H's in a city surrounded by walls that keep them safe. At least, that's what the big H's say. But one day, a hole in the wall reveals someone new on the other side. When little h and little i meet, they make a small word with big meaning: "hi!" The other H's find out, though. They fill the hole. But it won't be enough to keep these little letters apart--or twenty-four of their newest friends. Great for Elementary students.
The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine
In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. Great for High School students.
Theme: Rain and Extreme Weather
Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmir’s Sheth
An Indian boy and his grandfather enjoy a rainy day during monsoon season. It is monsoon season in India. Outside, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. As animals scatter to find cover, a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) head out into the rainy weather. Great for Elementary students.
Rain Boy by Dylan Glynn
Wherever he goes, Rain Boy brings wet—which means he's not very popular. Sun Kidd brings sunshine everywhere she goes, so everyone loves her. Only Sun Kidd sees what's special about Rain Boy. But when she invites him to her birthday party, disaster strikes, and Rain Boy storms. Now the world is nothing but rain. Will the other kids ever love Rain Boy for being himself? And. more importantly, can Rain Boy learn to love his rain? Great for Elementary students.
I Survived Hurricane Katrina by Lauren Tarshis
It's the end of August 2005, and a big hurricane is blowing in to New Orleans, Louisiana. Barry's family plans to evacuate the Ninth Ward with everyone else, but when Barry's little sister gets violently ill, they must return to their home and stick out the storm. At first, everything seems fine. But then the levees break, the water rises, Barry is swept out of his home, and everything changes. Great for Middle School students.
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami by Lauren Tarshis
Visiting his dad's hometown in Japan four months after his father's death would be hard enough for Ben. But one morning the pain turns to fear: first, a massive earthquake rocks the quiet coastal village, nearly toppling his uncle's house. Then the ocean waters rise and Ben and his family are swept away-and pulled apart-by a terrible tsunami.Now Ben is alone, stranded in a strange country a million miles from home. Can he fight hard enough to survive one of the most epic disasters of all time? Great for Middle School students.
Every Color of Light by Hiroshi Osada
Every Color of Light opens on a lush, green forest in the rain. Illustrated by the masterful Ryoji Arai, the calm is shattered when the wind picks up and lightning cuts the sky. Yet out of this turbulence, the day blooms bright, the flowers open, and raindrops roll and drip down to the forest floor. The sun sets. The moon rises, and in a pool of water we see its reflection. Great for Elementary students.
IMG_3494
After the Flood by Kassandra Montag
A little more than a century from now, our world has been utterly transformed. After years of slowly overtaking the continent, rising floodwaters have obliterated America’s great coastal cities and then its heartland, leaving nothing but an archipelago of mountaintop colonies surrounded by a deep expanse of open water. Great for Middle School students.
Sometimes Rain by Meg Fleming
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it snows, sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes the trees change color. But no matter what the seasons bring, there is lots of fun to be had! This lyrical exploration of the four seasons and all of the wonder that they bring is illustrated with vibrant watercolors. Great for Elementary students.
Thunderstorms by Martha London
Vivid photographs and easy-to-read text explore the science behind how thunderstorms form, where they most commonly occur, and how people can best stay safe during one. Great for High School students.
Theme: Cooking and Eating
Chew by John Layman
Tony Chu ― the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from what he eats ― is back in action, just in time to face a cult of egg-worshipping terrorists who've declared holy war on the chicken-eaters of the world. Great for High School students.
The Tiny Baker by Halley Barrett
Every day, insect customers line up to dine at the tiny baker's tearoom, but when her ladybug cooks fly away, upending the pristine kitchen, the baker learns an important lesson about friendship. Great for Elementary students.
Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch
The true story of Hiromi Suzuki, a Japanese American girl who defied tradition to train at her family s restaurant, and who became one of the first female sushi chefs in New York." Great for Middle School students.
Recipe for Disaster by Tom Angleberger
Meet Didi Dodo. She's a dodo and a spy. Or she will be, once she's hired!Meet Koko Dodo. He's a dodo and a baker. Someone has stolen Koko Dodo's Super Secret Fudge Sauce for the Royal Cookie Contest! But don't worry. Didi Dodo has a daring plan to catch the culprit. Great for Middle School students.
The Blue Table by Chris Raschka
Spend the day around the heart of a home: the blue table. A shopping list is written, food is prepared, and the table is set. Guests arrive, thanks are given, and a meal is shared. What then? It’s time to pitch in and clean up, of course! Great for Elementary students.
Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda
Bunny needs help picking apples for mama's apple pie. Young readers will delight in using the included red ribbon to help Bunny reach new heights and pick those tasty apples. Great for Elementary students.
The Boy Who Wanted to Cook by Gloria Whelan
La Bonne Vache (The Good Cow) is a little restaurant in the south of France. It takes its name from and is famous for its boeuf à la mode, a delicious beef stew. Ten-year-old Pierre longs to follow in the culinary footsteps of his father, Monsieur Valcourt. But his parents shoo him away from the kitchen and he is not allowed to cook. One day Pierre meets a visitor who is on his way to eat at the restaurant. This is no ordinary visitor but an important food critic. His experience at La Bonne Vache could bring great honor to the restaurant. Great for Elementary students.
Bon Appetit! by Jessie Hartland
Follow Julia Child—chef, author, and television personality—from her childhood in Pasadena, California, to her life as a spy in WWII, to the cooking classes she took in Paris, to the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, to the funny moments of being a chef on TV. Great for Middle School students.
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
Jingwen moves to a new country not even being able to speak the language. To distract himself from the loneliness, Jingwen daydreams about making all the cakes on the menu of Pie in the Sky, the bakery his father had planned to open before he unexpectedly passed away. The only problem is his mother has laid down one major rule: the brothers are not to use the oven while she's at work. As Jingwen and Yanghao bake elaborate cakes, they'll have to cook up elaborate excuses to keep the cake making a secret from Mama. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch by Laura Perdew
This book shines a light on the giant accumulation of garbage in the Pacific Ocean. With abundant charts and diagrams and large-format photos, this title explores the science behind ocean currents and plastic's chemical composition to explain the threat trash, especially plastic, poses for the world's oceans, and considers actions people and governments can take to try to improve the situation. Great for High School students.
The Duck & The Kangaroo by Edward Lear
Duck has a yen for travel and adventure. Duck also has some very wet, cold feet and a gift for loyalty and compromise. Meet Kangaroo, Kangaroo has been around the world and back, and is looking for a little bit of luck. Or a duck. Great for Elementary students.
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention. But he's focused on his duties as chief of the Maori in New Zealand. In every generation since the legendary whale rider, a male has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir—there's only Kahu. She should be next in line for the title, but her great-grandfather is blinded by tradition and sees no use for a girl. In her struggle she has a unique ally: the whale rider himself, from whom she has inherited the ability to communicate with whales. Great for Middle School students.
Maui and the Sun, retold by Gavin Shop
The Maori people of New Zealand tell this version of the Polynesian folktale in which a trickster uses magical powers to slow the movement of the sun. Great for Elementary students.
Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman
Shipped halfway around the world to spend the summer with her mom’s eccentric Australian relatives, middle schooler Louisa is prepared to be resentful. But life at the family’s remote camp in the Tasmanian rainforest is intriguing, to say the least. There are scary spiders, weird noises and odors in the night, and a quirky boy named Colin. Great for Middle School students.
Braver: a Wombat’s Tale by Suzanne Selfors
Lola Budge isn’t your average bare-nosed wombat. While her parents and neighbors in the Northern Forest want nothing more than peace and quiet, Lola loves to talk. Bored by the quiet routine of wombat life, Lola desperately wants something, anything, interesting to happen. But when Lola follows the terrifying sound of unfamiliar screeching, she discovers a predator who has been kept in exile for many generations. Great for Middle School students.
Bob by Wendy Mass
It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house. It turns out she’s right.
Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He’s been waiting five years for her to come back, hiding in a closet like she told him to. He can’t remember who―or what―he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Great for Middle School students.
Birrarung Wilam by Joy Murphy
Travel along Melbourne’s twisting Yarra River in a glorious celebration of Indigenous culture and Australia’s unique flora and fauna. Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people Aunty Joy Murphy join to tell the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River — from its source to its mouth and from its prehistory to the present day. Great for Middle School students.
Cannonball by Sacha Cotter
As one boy searches for the secret to executing the perfect cannonball, it's only by listening to his own voice that he finds his unique style and pulls off a truly awe-inspiring cannonball. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Positive Outcomes
The Lonely Heart Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Eleven-year-old Maybelle Lane collects sounds. She records the Louisiana crickets chirping, for example. But in her collection there is a sound she didn't collect herself: a recording of her dad's warm-sunshine laugh, saved on a voicemail. It's the only thing she has of his, and the only thing she knows about him. Until the day she hears that laugh out of the car radio. Going against Momma's wishes, Maybelle listens to her radio dad's new show, when he announces he'll be the judge of a singing contest in Nashville, she signs up. Great for Middle School students.
Becoming a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery
Sy Montgomery has had many teachers in her life: some with two legs, others with four, or even eight! Some have had fur, feathers, or hooves. But they’ve all had one thing in common: a lesson to share. The animals Sy has met on her many world travels have taught her how to seek understanding in the most surprising ways, from being patient to finding forgiveness and respecting others. Great for Elementary students.
Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers
Rather than focusing on going to bed this book explores all of the dreamy, wonderful, strange things the next day might bring. Whimsical, witty, and hopeful, Tomorrow Most Likely is a revolutionary rewriting of a classic goodnight book. Great for Elementary students.
The Bear and the Duck by May Angelo
One late winter day, a strange noise startles Bear out of his slumber. Grumpily searching for the source, he finds Duck, trapped in the thicket—but not for long. Bear frees Duck with a few scoops of his big paws, and their friendship begins. The more time the two spend swimming, exploring, and telling stories, the less Bear wants to go back to his lonely old life. As spring turns to summer, and summer turns to fall, what else will change? Great for Elementary students.
The Lonely Heart Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Eleven-year-old Maybelle Lane collects sounds. She records the Louisiana crickets chirping, for example. But in her collection there is a sound she didn't collect herself: a recording of her dad's warm-sunshine laugh, saved on a voicemail. It's the only thing she has of his, and the only thing she knows about him. Until the day she hears that laugh out of the car radio. Going against Momma's wishes, Maybelle listens to her radio dad's new show, when he announces he'll be the judge of a singing contest in Nashville, she signs up. Great for Middle School students.
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she is determined to keep growing into the name her parents gave her. She is all about being a good daughter, sister, and friend. But Ryan has a lot on her mind. For instance: Dad finally has a new job, but money is still tight. That means some changes, like moving houses and Dad working night shifts. And with the fourth-grad talent show coming up, Ryan wonders what talent she can perform on stage in front of everyone without freezing. Great for Middle School students.
The House that Lou Built by Mae Respicio
Lou Bulosan-Nelson is going to build her dream home. Then Lou discovers that it's not so easy to build a house, not when her beautiful land may not be hers for much longer and her mom may want to move them out of state. But she won't give up on her dream, and her friends and family won't give up either. Great for Middle School students.
Follow the Moon Home by Phillipe Cousteau
A triumphant story of environmental activism, community, and friendship. Follow Viv, who has a new home and a new school by the sea and follow her as she finds her way in a new place and helps bring together a whole community to save the sea turtles of the South Carolina coast. Great for Elementary students.
How to Tie a Shoe by Skip Hill
Every kid knows that tying a shoe can be a big adventure, especially in a world full of spaghetti, birds’ nests, camping trips, and seeing old friends after summer break. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Detectives and Mysteries
Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
It’s unnerving, how beauty is complicated, and objects have histories, and you can be looked at without ever being seen. But real danger, crimes of passion, the kind of stuff where someone gets killed—it only mostly happens in the movies, Sydney is sure. Until the night something life-changing happens on the stairs that lead to the beach. A thrilling night that goes suddenly very wrong. Great for High School students.
William and the Missing Masterpiece by Helen Hancocks
Debonair cat-detective William finds himself at the center of a mysterious theft when the Mona Cheesa is stolen from a Parisian gallery. Can William put the clues together and solve the crime? Fans of Helen Hancocks’s Penguin in Peril won’t be disappointed in this hilarious tale of cat and mouse. Great for Elementary students.
Penultimate Quest by Lars Brown
Far across the Western Ocean on a mist-shrouded island guarded by giant sea monsters, heroes come to explore the mysterious dungeons that lie below the surface. None have yet to reach the bottom and return to tell the tale. Great for High School students.
Alex Rider: Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz
When his relaxing holiday with Sabine Pleasure and her family is interrupted by a ruthless attack, teenage MI6 agent Alex Rider knows it’s no accident. Great for Middle School students.
The 3.2.3 Detective Agency by Fiona Robinson
On the 3:23 Express to Whiska City, five unlikely friends meet and decide to form a detective agency. There is Jenny the wise donkey, Roger the gourmet dung beetle, Priscilla the theatrical penguin, Slingshot the hyperactive sloth, and Bluebell, the shy but brave rat. Great for Middle School students.
The In-Between by Rebecca Ansari
Cooper is lost. Ever since his father left their family three years ago, he has become distant from his friends, constantly annoyed by his little sister, Jess, and completely fed up with the pale, creepy rich girl who moved in next door and won’t stop staring at him. So when Cooper learns of an unsolved mystery his sister has discovered online, he welcomes the distraction. Great for Middle School students.
Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth Bunce
Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England. Great for Middle School students.
Chapter Two is Missing by Josh Lieb
Debonair cat-detective William finds himself at the center of a mysterious theft when the Mona Cheesa is stolen from a Parisian gallery. Can William put the clues together and solve the crime? Fans of Helen Hancocks’s Penguin in Peril won’t be disappointed in this hilarious tale of cat and mouse. Great for Elementary students.
Alex Rider: Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz
After learning a terrible secret about his father, teen spy Alex Rider travels to Venice to uncover the truth about his past. But the truth lies with a criminal organization known as Scorpia. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Mythical Creatures
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis
Aventurine is a brave young dragon ready to explore the world outside of her family's mountain cave . . . if only they'd let her leave it. Her family thinks she's too young to fly on her own, but she's determined to prove them wrong by capturing the most dangerous prey of all: a human. Great for Middle School students.
Tales of the Feathered Serpent by David Bowles
Sayam has always been different from other kids―he’s very short for his age, his best friend is a monkey, and most curious of all: he was born from an egg! His grandmother, a witch, found him and taught him all the ancient magic she uses to help her people. Great for Middle School students.
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. Great for Middle School students.
Do You Believe in Unicorns? By Bethanie Deeney
Is that a horse wearing a hat? It’s definitely not a unicorn in disguise — that would be ridiculous, right? It’s probably just a horse that’s having a bad hair day. Or trying to keep the sun out of its eyes. Or perhaps this horse just really likes hats! If you follow it long enough, maybe it will take off its hat and you’ll finally know for sure. Great for Elementary students.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelly Armstrong
Twelve-year-old Rowan is destined to be Queen; her twin brother, Rhydd, to be Royal Monster Hunter. Rowan would give anything to switch places, but the oldest child is always next in line, even if she is only older by two minutes. Great for Middle School students.
Pegasus Quest by Jordan Quinn
When a shooting star streaks across the night sky, Prince Lucas makes a wish for an epic adventure. Little did he know it would come true! As Lucas and Clara set out to investigate some mysterious happenings in Wrenly, they find a Pegasus that is lost and in danger. Great for Middle School students.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander's classic compendium of magical creatures will let you know where the Thunderbird lives, what the Puffskein eats, and why shiny objects should always be kept away from the Niffler. Great for High School students.
Unicorn is Maybe Not So Great After All by Bob Shea
You remember Unicorn. You know, Goat's friend? The one who can fly, make it rain cupcakes, and turn things into gold? On the first day of school, Unicorn expects to make his usual big splash. But no one pays him much attention--the other kids are much more interested in the latest trend in toys: rubber bands that look like other things. Great for Elementary students.
Unicorns 101 by Cale Atkinson
Unicorns! You love them, but how much do you really know about them? Join Professors Glitter Pants, Sprinkle Steed, Star Hoof, and Sugar Beard, plus their trusty lab assistant, Pete, as they reveal mind-blowing unicorn facts. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Heroes, Heroines, and Antiheroes
Harley Quinn Breaking Glass by Steve Pugh
Harley: outspoken, rebellious, and eccentric fifteen-year-old. With five dollars to her name, she's sent to live in Gotham City after battling a lot of hard situations as a kid. But everything changes when Gotham's finest drag queen, Mama, takes her in. Great for High School students.
Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse
Princess Diana of Themyscira believes that her 16th birthday will be one of new beginnings--namely, acceptance into the warrior tribe of the Amazons. But her birthday celebrations are cut short when rafts carrying refugees break through the barrier that separates her island home from the outside world. Great for High School students.
Awesome Man by Michael Charon
Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. Great for Elementary students.
Superbad by Aaron Blabley
The Bad Guys have strangely acquired superpowers! But their powers might be, well, defective. They can only do things like blow their own pants off in public. Not exactly what you'd call hero-caliber skills. Great for Middle School students.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Shannon Hale
Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green moved from sunny California to the suburbs of New Jersey. She must start at a new school, make new friends, and continue to hide her tail. Yep, Doreen has the powers of . . . a squirrel! After failing at several attempts to find her new BFF, Doreen feels lonely and trapped, liked a caged animal. Great for Middle School students.
Cape by Kate Hannigan
Josie O’Malley does a lot to help out Mom after her father goes off to fight the Nazis, but she wishes she could do more—like all those caped heroes who now seem to have disappeared. If Josie can’t fly and control weather like her idol, Zenobia, maybe she can put her math smarts to use cracking puzzles for the government. Great for Middle School students.
Batman Nightwalker by Stuart Moore
This action-packed graphic novel based on the New York Times bestselling book by Marie Lu transports readers to the shadowy gates of Arkham Asylum, where Gotham City's darkest mysteries reside...and which now threatens to imprison Bruce Wayne. Great for Middle School students.
Green lantern Legacy by Minh Le
When Tai inherits his grandmother's jade ring, he soon finds out it's more than just a piece of jewelry. Suddenly he's inducted into a group of space cops known as the Green Lanterns. He is about to learn that being a superhero takes more than just a ring. Does Tai have the willpower and the imagination to uphold the legacy. Great for Middle School students.
Villain by Michael Grant
Dillon Poe wanted to be a comedian once... but everyone made fun of him. Dillon the loser. Dillon the freak. Now he can control anyone with the power of his voice and he’s preparing to send thousands to their deaths. Who’s laughing now?Great for High School students.
Theme: Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs Can’t Roar by Layla Beason
Rex, a cute Tyrannosaurus Rex with a big imagination and even bigger attitude, meets a friendly paleontologist and soon discovers the latest scientific findings … like dinosaurs can't roar! Great for Elementary students.
Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs by Mike Lowery
Discover a wealth of weird, wacky, and wild facts about dinosaurs, told in Mike Lowery's signature comic style with bright and energetic artwork, fresh framing devices, and hilarious jokes. Great for Middle School students.
Small and Tall Dinosaurs by Emily Kington
Meet fascinating dinosaurs sure to be favorites, from the show-stopping Spinosaurus―the largest walking predator from the dinosaur era―all the way to the weird-looking Stegosaurus. Readers will discover what makes each one special, where and when they lived, who they feared, and who they preyed upon. Great for Middle School students.
The Dinosaur Expert by Margaret McNamara
Join Mr. Tiffin's class as they learn about dinosaurs big and small, feathered and scaly, winged and ocean-dwelling. And root for Kimmy, the dinosaur expert… who might just learn something about herself. Great for Elementary students. Great for Elementary students.
The First Dinosaur by Ian Lendler
Dinosaurs existed. That’s a fact we accept today. But not so long ago, the concept that these giant creatures could have roamed Earth millions of years before humans was unfathomable. People thought what we know as dinosaur bones were the bones of giant humans. Of large elephants. Of angels, even. Great for High School students.
Do-You-Think-He-Saurus? By Aaron Blabley
The Bad Guys have flown through outer space, made it back to Earth, and managed to land in exactly the right place... but exactly the wrong TIME. Who knew alien escape pods were capable of time travel?!? And now that they're 65 million years in the past, they must avoid being eaten by dinosaurs and fix their broken time machine if they ever want to get back home before an evil alien destroys the whole world! Great for Middle School students.
Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct by Drew Sheneman
The latest research shows that the dinosaurs didn’t all go extinct. They’re still around us now. In fact, you’ve probably seen dinosaurs at the park, eaten dinosaurs for dinner, and maybe even cleaned dinosaur poop off your family’s car. Great for Elementary students.
Chick-o-Saurus Rex by Daniel Jennewein
Little Chick just wants to belong, but the bullies of the barnyard—Little Donkey, Little Pig, and Little Sheep—won’t let him play in their tree house because he is a chicken, and chickens are not strong and brave. Little Chick sees their point: What have chickens done besides invent the chicken dance and cross the road? But when his father shows Little Chick the family photo album, he learns something HUGE: He is related to the Tyrannosaurus rex! Great for Elementary students.
Some Dinosaurs Are Small by Charlotte Voake
Some dinosaurs are small and slow. They take their time in the prehistoric jungle, collecting fruits and leaves and using their tiny teeth to munch them. Some dinosaurs are big and fast. With huge teeth and claws, they steal food from small dinosaurs, and they’re always hungry for more. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Mental Health Awareness
Birdsong by Julie Flett
When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But when she meets an elderly woman artist who lives next door, named Agnes––her world starts to change. Katherena and Agnes share the same passions for arts and crafts, birds, and nature. But as the seasons change, can Katherna navigate the failing health of her new friend? Great for Elementary students.
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee
Sometimes, the world is too much for Mona Starr. She’s sweet, geeky, and creative, but it’s hard for her to make friends and connect with other people, and her depression seems to take on a vivid, concrete form. She calls it her Matter. Great for High School students.
Share Your Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Have you ever thought about telling your own personal story, whether it be true or imagined? Are you interested in writing, illustrating, or both? If the answer is yes, this fun, colorful, and interactive guide is for you! With guidance from Raina herself, brainstorm ideas, make lists, paste in personal photos, and use your insight abilities like never before to share your story. Great for Middle School students.
Pity Party by Kathleen Lane
There's a story about a mood ring that tells the absolute truth. One about social media followers who literally follow you around. And one about a kid whose wish for a new, improved self is answered when a mysterious box arrives in the mail. There's also a personality test, a fortune teller, a letter from the Department of Insecurity, and an interactive Choose Your Own Catastrophe. Come to the party for a grab bag of delightfully funny and dark stories that ultimately offers a life-affirming reminder that there is hope and humor to be found amid our misery. Great for High School students.
Heads up by Melanie Siebert
Featuring real-life stories of people who have found hope and meaning in the midst of life’s struggles, Heads Up: Changing Minds on Mental Health is the go-to guide for teenagers who want to know about mental health, mental illness, trauma and recovery. For too long, mental health problems have been kept in the shadows, leaving people to suffer in silence, or worse, to be feared, bullied or pushed to the margins of society where survival is difficult. Great for High School students.
A Last Goodbye by Elin Kelsey
How do we say goodbye to a loved one after they die? How do we find the way to deal with grief? This book broaches a difficult topic in a heartfelt way by exploring the beauty in how animals mourn. From elephants to whales, parrots to bonobos, and lemurs to humans, we all have rituals to commemorate our loved ones and to lift each other up in difficult times. Great for Elementary students.
Awesomely Emma by Amy Webb
Emma has limb differences, but different isn't bad, sad, or strange. It's just different! But when some accessibility problems get in the way at the local art museum, it ruins the fun of a class trip...and then Emma's friend Charley makes things even worse! In the middle of a really bad day, Emma has to call upon her sense of inner awesome to stand up for herself and teach everyone a lesson about the transformative power of feeling awesome in your own skin. Great for Elementary students.
The End of Something Wonderful by Stephanie Lucianovic
Children love their pets very much—and when the animals die, that loss can be hard to process. This book helps kids handle their feelings when they’re hurting and can’t find all the right words. In a warm, understanding, sometimes funny way, it guides children as they plan a backyard funeral to say goodbye, from choosing a box and a burial spot to giving a eulogy and wiping away tears. Most of all, it reassures them that it’s not the end of everything… and that Something Wonderful can always happen again. Great for Elementary students.
I Go Quiet by David Ouimet
Here is the story of an introverted girl, hiding in silence in a world that seems overpowering, loud, and hostile. In the power of imagination and the pages of books, she sees possibilities for herself and discovers a place where her words ring loud and true. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Gardening and Farming
Bugs by Pamela Hickman
his beautifully illustrated book about bugs introduces young readers to ants, honeybees, dragonflies and more! It covers the basic body parts of different kinds of bugs, their life cycles, their range of unique habitats and even teaches how to tell them apart. Great for Middle School students.
Alice’s Farm by Mary Rosewood
When a new family moves into Prune Street Farm, Alice and the other cottontails are cautious. The new owners are from the city; the family and their dog are not at all what the rabbits expect, and soon Alice is making new friends and doing things no rabbit has done before. Great for Middle School students.
The Last Peach by Gus Gordon
Summer’s almost over, and there’s one peach left.
There’s also one big question in the air: Should someone eat it?
What if it’s rotten inside?
But what if it’s juicy?
Should the bug who saw it first get to eat it?
Should both bugs share it with their friends? Great for Elementary students.
Honeybee by Candace Fleming
The confining walls of the hive fall away as Apis takes to the air, finally free, in a brilliant double-gatefold illustration where the clear blue sky is full of promise-- and the wings of dozens of honeybees, heading out in search of nectar to bring back to the hive. Great for Middle School students.
Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures by Tricia Springstubb
As Khalil looks for buried treasure in the yard, Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden. Both help each other navigate language — whether it be learning new words or remembering those forgotten. Before long, an unlikely friendship is born, full of treasure, thoughtfulness, and chocolate cake. Great for Elementary students.
Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger
Rhino-B is a brash, but sweet guy. Stag-B is a calm and scholarly adventurer. Together these two young beetles make up the Bug Boys, best friends who spend their time exploring the world of Bug Village and beyond, as well as their own - sometimes confusing and complicated - thoughts and feelings. Great for Middle School students.
Rosie, Stronger Than Steel by Lindsay Ward
Built by women in the United States and sent to England to dig and plow alongside female farmers during World War II, Rosie the tractor does whatever is needed to support the war effort. She works day and night to help grow crops for the troops…even when she has to hide in the fields. This is because she knows, like the women who built her and the women who farm with her, that they all must do their part. Great for Elementary students.
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Brigg
Will Allen is no ordinary farmer. A former basketball star, he's as tall as his truck, and he can hold a cabbage--or a basketball--in one hand. But what is most special about Farmer Will is that he can see what others can't see. When he looked at an abandoned city lot in Milwaukee he saw a huge table, big enough to feed the whole world. Great for Middle School students.
A Way With Wild Things by Larisa Thule
Poppy loves nature, and can be found carrying on conversations with ladybugs or singing with cicadas, but good luck spotting her indoors and around people! She's a master of camouflage, always finding a way to blend into her surroundings. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Protecting Nature
Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman
One girl. One boy. Their lives couldn't be more different. While she turns her shoulder to sandstorms and blistering winds, he cuffs his pants when heavy rains begin to fall. As the weather becomes more severe, their families and animals must flee to safety--and their destination shows that they might be more alike than they seem. Great for Elementary students.
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul
Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. Isatou Ceesay was that change. She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community. Great for Elementary students.
Engineering Solutions for Droughts by Avery Hurt
As global warming intensifies, experts warn of an increase in the number and severity of droughts around the world. This volume uses accessible language and engaging examples to inform middle-grade readers of what drought is and how scientists and engineers are learning ways to predict where it will occur and mitigate its consequences. Great for Middle School students.
Engineering Solutions for Wildfires by Carol Hand
This revealing volume begins with an overview of the 2018 California fire season. Readers then investigate the causes and effects of wildfires and learn about the methods engineers use to predict including the reliance on computer fire models and satellites. Great for High School students.
One Earth by Anuradha Rao
One Earth profiles Black, Indigenous and People of Color who live and work as environmental defenders. Through their individual stories, the book shows that the intersection of environment and ethnicity is an asset to achieving environmental goals. Great for High School students.
How to Catch a Clover Thief by Elise Parsley
All Roy the wild boar wants is to enjoy his precious patch of delicious clover… but every time he turns around, his tasty treasure seems to be shrinking! Who's stealing his favorite meal from right under his snout? Great for Elementary students.
Floods by Martha London
Vivid photographs and easy-to-read text explore the science behind how floods form, where they most commonly occur, and how people can best stay safe during one. QR Codes in the book give readers access to book-specific resources to further their learning. Great for Middle School students.
Beehive by Jorey Hurley
With just one word on each page and the vivid illustrations Joey Hurley is known for, Beehive showcases the cycle of bees making honey. Detailed backmatter further explains this fascinating natural process. Great for Elementary students.
Camp Tiger by Susan Choi
Every year, a boy and his family go camping at Mountain Pond. Usually, they see things like an eagle fishing for his dinner, a salamander with red spots on its back, and chipmunks that come to steal food while the family sits by the campfire. But this year, a tiger comes to the woods. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Wild and Wonderful Animals
Eye by Eye by Sara Levine
What kind of animal would you be if you had eight eyes? Or if your pupils were the shape of the letter W? Keep an eye out for weird and surprising facts in this playful book, which brings together anatomy with guessing games. Great for Elementary students.
Nature’s Ninja by Rebecca Johnson
Did you know that some animals have natural ninja-like talents? In this book, you'll learn all about them. Geckos can grip almost any surface―including walls and ceilings―with their amazing toes. And when collector urchins are attacked, they release tiny, sharp objects that bear a striking resemblance to throwing stars. Great for Middle School students.
Becoming a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery
The animals Sy has met on her travels have taught her how to seek understanding in surprising ways, from being patient to finding forgiveness and respecting others. Gorillas, dogs, octopuses, tigers, and more all have shown Sy that there are no limits to the empathy we can find in each other if only we take the time to connect. Great for Elementary students.
The Line Tender by Kate Allen
Wherever the sharks led, Lucy's marine-biologist mother followed. In fact, she was on a boat far off the coast of Massachusetts, collecting shark data when she died suddenly. Lucy was seven. Since then Lucy and her father have kept their heads above water. But June of her twelfth summer brings more than the end of school and a heat wave, it also brings tragedy. Will she be able to look beyond what she's lost and toward what's left to be discovered? Great for Middle School students.
The Screaming Hairy Armadillo by Matthew Murrie
What's in a name? This book is jam-packed with creatures notable for their bizarre and funny names. Meet the White-Bellied Go-Away Bird, whose cry sounds like someone screaming, "Go away!" Or the Aye-Aye, whose name means "I don't know" in Malagasy because no one wants anything to do with this bad-luck creature. Great for Middle School students.
Lone Wolf by Sarah Kurpiel
Maple the husky is a valued member of the team, but strangers always seem to think she’s a wolf! It’s true: Maple can hunt, she can howl, and she can dig, just like wolves can. Oh, no! What if she is a wolf and doesn’t belong with her family after all? Great for Elementary students.
Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler
Just behind an ordinary house filled with too little fun, Ernest D. decides that today will be the day he explores the depths of his pond. Beyond the pond, he discovers a not-so-ordinary world that will change him forever. Great for Elementary students.
Nesting by Henry Cole
In this black-and-white picture book highlighted with robin’s egg blue, the reader will follow two robins as they build a nest with twigs and grass. Then mother robin lays four beautiful blue eggs and will keep them warm in the nest until they hatch into four baby robins. Great for Elementary students.
Lion and Mouse by Jairo Buitrago
One day, the mouse marches into the lion’s den without an invitation. Before the lion can eat him for breakfast, the mouse begs for mercy. “If you let me go, I might be able to return the favor.” The lion laughs at the idea of such a small creature helping him out, until the next day when the mouse frees the lion from a hunter’s trap. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Engineering Feats
Great Big World of Science by Bill Nye
Science educator, TV host, and New York Times–bestselling author Bill Nye is on a mission to help kids understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Featuring a range of subjects—physics, chemistry, geology, biology, astronomy, global warming, and more—this profusely illustrated book covers the basic principles of each science, key discoveries, recent revolutionary advances, and the problems that science still needs to solve for our Earth. Great for High School students.
Construction People by Lee Bennett
How does an empty lot transform into a new hotel? This book begins with a busy construction site, and an architect's (and her daughter's) dreams drawn on blueprint paper. Next, workers with huge machines roll in. Poems full of noise and action describe every step of the construction process. From welders and carpenters building the skeleton of the building to plumbers and electricians making its insides work, this book celebrates people and equipment working together to build something magnificent. Great for Elementary students.
How We Got to the Moon by John Rocco
This exquisitely researched and illustrated book tells the stories of the 400,000 unsung heroes -the engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers- and their innovations and life-changing technological leaps forward that allowed NASA to achieve this unparalleled accomplishment. Great for High School students.
Jumbo by Chris Gall
Jumbo details the story of the world’s first wide body passenger jet, which could hold more people than any other plane at the time and played a pivotal role in allowing middle class families to afford overseas travel. Author and illustrator Chris Gall, himself a licensed pilot, shows how an innovative design, hard work by countless people, and ground-breaking engineering put the Jumbo jet in the air. Great for Middle School students.
Shape Up, Construction Trucks! By Victoria Allenby
It’s no secret that all toddlers love big vehicles. Shape Up, Construction Trucks! uses rhyming verse and bright photographs to celebrate this enthusiasm in a unique take on conceptual shape books. Each spread highlights geometric shapes hiding in plain sight on excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and more. Great for Elementary students.
Genomics by Whitney Stewart
Over the past 50 years, scientists have made incredible progress in the application of genetic research to human health care. Innovative tools and techniques, including gene therapy and editing, can treat inherited disorders that were previously untreatable, or prevent them from happening in the first place. You can take a DNA test to learn where your ancestors are from. And some doctors are using new medical techniques for unprecedented procedures. Great for High School students.
Solar System by the Numbers by Steve Jenkins
Through infographics and illustrations, readers will learn about the unfathomably huge and fascinating topic of solar systems. Explore the galaxy that surrounds our planet through astounding numbers, facts, and figures. Great for Middle School students.
Skyscrapers - Heights of Engineering by Johnny Kerschbaum
Join a pair of superheroes as they uncover the secrets of skyscrapers, from the great Egyptians pyramids to the world’s tallest building. Read along and learn how skyscrapers are a bold combination of applied physics, ingenuity, and a lot of hard work! Great for Middle School students.
Machines that Think! by Don Brown
Machines That Think! explores machines from ancient history to today that perform a multitude of tasks, from making mind-numbing calculations to working on assembly lines to guiding spaceships to the moon. This book includes fascinating looks at the world’s earliest calculators, the birth of computer programming, and the arrival of smartphones. From the abacus to artificial intelligence, machines through the ages have pushed the boundaries of human capability and creativity. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: School Life
Wink by Rob Harrell
Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh-grader. He doesn’t want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don’t know what to say to “the cancer kid.” But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, blending in is off the table. Great for Middle School students.
The Pigeon Has to Go to School Too! by Mo Willems
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns too much? Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon! Great for Elementary students.
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements--and then wake up to start another day. Great for Elementary students.
Something to Say by Lisa Moore
Jenae doesn't have any friends. At home, Jenae has plenty of company: mama; her older brother, who is home from college after an injury; and grandpa. Then a new student shows up at school--a boy named Aubrey, with a smile that won't quit. Jenae can't figure out why he keeps popping up everywhere she goes. The more she tries to push him away, the more he wants to be her friend. Despite herself, she gets used to having him around. But when the two are paired up for a debate about the name change for their school, Jenae knows this friendship is at stake. Aubrey wants to win and get a spot on the debate team. There's one problem: Jenae would do almost anything to avoid speaking up in front of an audience—and risking the first friendship she's ever had. Great for Middle School students.
On the First Day of First Grade by Tish Rabe
From choosing books to read to building things with clay to performing in a play, there are many exciting firsts to look forward to. Saying good-bye to mom and dad can be hard, but when the school bus pulls up, it’s time for some first-grade fun! Great for Elementary students.
The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein
Jake's middle school is about to be shut down--unless someone can figure out how to save it. When Jake spies a bowl of jellybeans at the hotel where his mom works, he eats them. But those weren't just jellybeans, a scientist at his mom's conference is developing the world's first ingestible information pills. That’s what he ate. Before long, Jake is the smartest kid in the universe. When word gets out about this new genius, people want him. The government. The corporations. Not all of them are good people! Can Jake navigate the ins and outs of his newfound geniusdom to save his school? Great for Middle School students.
Under Pressure by Tanya Lloyd
Adolescents are no strangers to stress. This book helps them explore the science behind that sweaty, heart-racing, under-pressure feeling they sometimes get as they struggle to navigate their changing world. By examining how pressure affects the human body and different ways to manage it, this book allows students to get a handle on what normal stress is and isn't --- and how to deal with it either way. Because knowing the facts can make all the difference. Great for Middle School students and High School students.
Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds
Miranda is an animal expert. Or at least, she watches a lot of Nature Joe. Nature Joe is incredible. He rescues animals, returning them to their natural habitat. Mrs. Birdley is a teacher. The natural habitat of a teacher is a classroom. So when Mrs. Birdley escapes school and ends up wild, loose, and confused at the local grocery store, Miranda knows just what to do: she must use her brain, her guts, and her extensive knowledge of Nature Joe to rescue Mrs. Birdley—at any cost! Great for Elementary students.
Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone
Molly is fed up. Olivia was yelled at for wearing a tank top. Liza got dress coded and Molly didn't, even though they were wearing the exact same outfit. Jessica was pulled over by the principal and missed a math quiz, and her teacher gave her an F. Because it's impossible to find shorts that are longer than her fingertips. Because middle school is hard enough. Molly channels her anger into creating a podcast where girls can tell their stories, and before long, her small rebellion swells into a revolution. Because now the girls are standing up for what's right, and they're not backing down. Great for High School students.
Theme: The Spring Festival
A New Years Reunion by Yu Li Qiong
Little Maomao, whose father works in faraway places, barely recognizes him when he comes home for his annual visit for Chinese New Year, but she quickly warms to him amidst the excitement of the holiday, and it seems the time passes much too quickly until he must leave again. Great for Elementary students.
Lunar New Year by Alina Chau
After the winter solstice each year, it’s time for a celebration with many names: Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, and Lunar New Year! With beautiful artwork by Chinese illustrator Alina Chau, this festive board book teaches readers that Lunar New Year invites us to spend time with family and friends, to light lanterns, and set off fireworks, dance with dragons, and live the new year in harmony and happiness. Great for Elementary students.
The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang
On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to the market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead, he brings home an empty, but magic, wok that changes their fortunes forever. Great for Elementary students.
When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
Before spring comes, the trees are dark sticks, the grass is brown, and the ground is covered in snow. But if you wait, leaves unfurl and flowers blossom, the grass turns green, and the mounds of snow shrink and shrink. Spring brings baby birds, sprouting seeds, rain and mud, and puddles. You can feel it and smell it and hear it—and you can read it in this book too! Great for Elementary students.
Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade by Lyla Lee
Mindy is excited to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Even though it’s the first one without her mom, Mindy is determined to enjoy the day. She decides to make traditional Korean New Year food, a rice cake soup that’s her favorite. But things aren’t going quite to plan, and the celebration doesn’t feel the same as it did before. Great for Elementary students.
Love, Love by Victoria Chang
Frances Chin, a 10-year old Chinese-American girl, lives in the suburbs of Detroit with her immigrant parents and older sister, Clara. At school Frances copes with bullies and the loneliness that comes with not quite fitting in. At home, she feels a different kind of aloneness. Her parents are preoccupied with work and worry about Clara, whose hair is inexplicably falling out. But, with the help of her friend Annie, Frances is determined to play solve the mystery of Clara’s condition. Although she struggles to speak up, Frances’s powerful inner voice resonates in gorgeous imagery and evocative free verse. Great for Middle School students.
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lee
Mindy Kim just wants three things: A puppy, to fit in at her new school, for her dad to be happy again. But, getting all three of the things on her list is a lot trickier than she thought it would be. On her first day of school, Mindy’s school snack of dried seaweed isn’t exactly popular at the lunch table. Luckily, her new friend, Sally, makes the snacks seem totally delicious to Mindy’s new classmates, so they decide to start the Yummy Seaweed Business to try and raise money for that puppy! Great for Elementary students.
Po Po’s Lucky Chinese New Year by Virginia Loh
PoPo introduces her granddaughter to the age-old joys of welcoming the Chinese New Year in this intergenerational picture book that's as warm as a grandma's hug. Great for Elementary students.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage and hard work to get through. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams? Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Friendship
Pea, Bee & Jay Stuck Together by Brian Smith
Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it. But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course...and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly. Great for Middle School students.
Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata
Being a quadruplet can make it hard to stand out from the crowd. Becca's three brothers all have something that makes them...them. Becca is the only one with nothing to make her special.But when she finds a tiny, sick piglet on the side of the road, Becca knows this is it. She names the piglet Saucy and between her own pleading and Saucy's sweet, pink face, Becca convinces her family to take her in. Soon, Saucy is as big a part of the family as anyone else, and getting bigger. Some tough and funny decisions need to be made about Becca's pet. Great for Middle School students.
Pea, Bee & Jay Stuck Together by Brian Smith
Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it. But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course...and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly. Great for Middle School students.
Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli
Baloney and friends step into the spotlight and embody all the charm of childhood in three short tales and three mini-comics that invite readers to join the fun! Giggle with Baloney as he performs some questionable magic, give him a boost when a case of the blues gets him down, cheer him on as he braves the swimming pool! Great for Elementary students.
Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks
It can get pretty dull living on a small, out-of-the-way station like Wilnick SS. Best Friends Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega do their best to relieve the monotony of every day space life by finding adventures, solving mysteries, and taking turns getting each other into and out of trouble. But when Sanity's latest science project-an extremely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten-escapes from the lab and starts causing havoc, the girls will have to turn the station upside down to find her-before the damage becomes irreversible! Great for Middle School students.
Unstoppable by Adam Rex
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Well, what if the answer was: All of them! When a bird narrowly escapes the clutches of a hungry cat, a nearby crab admires the bird's ability to fly, while the bird admits a longtime yearning for claws. And, just like that, they team up. Pretty soon, the team includes every animal in the forest who's ever wanted someone else's special trait. But how will these animals stop humans from destroying the forest for a megamall? It's going to take claws, wings, and Congress together to be truly Unstoppable! Great for Elementary students.
Two Dogs on a Trike by Gaby Snyder
Count up to 10 and back down again in this picture book starring 10 traveling dogs and one very tenacious cat! One by one, each dog escapes its yard and joins the adventure in this hilarious counting story. Vehicle-obsessed readers will love seeing all the modes of transportation that the pups use—until the family cat decides to round them all up to go back home. Great for Elementary students.
Peter and the Tree Children by Peter Wohlleben
Piet the squirrel feels all alone in his forest home. Luckily, Peter the Forester has the perfect plan to cheer him up: a search for tree children. You can’t be lonely in a forest full of friends! As they wander, Peter shares amazing facts about trees, how they communicate and care for each other, and the struggles they endure. Soon, the little squirrel is feeling much better—especially when he realizes he’s helped the tree children grow. Great for Elementary students.
Alien vs. Bad Guys by Aaron Blabley
The Bad Guys are vanishing! A creature with tons of teeth and way too many butts is stealing them, one by one. Is this the end for the Bad Guys? Maybe. Will it be funny? You bet your butts it will! Great for Middle School students.
Theme: The Passing of Time
The Night Box by Louise Greig
When a little boy opens the Night Box, darkness swoops out, a fox uncurls, and a thousand stars sparkle and shine. Night flows freely then, cavorting and exploring, caring for all its creatures until morning comes, and it’s time for Night to rest again. Great for Elementary students.
The Reason for Seasons by Ellie Peterson
Winter, spring, summer, fall -- we all have a favorite season. But what makes the seasons happen in the first place? Ellie Peterson's clear, concise language and bold, kid-friendly illustrations bring science to life through narrator Joulia Copernicus, a strong and adventurous kid scientist. Kids will laugh while learning at the same time about the science behind the changing of the seasons throughout the year. Great for Middle School students.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
This hilarious, tongue-in-cheek exploration of metamorphosis will make you flutter with glee, while also providing real facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies. Great for Elementary students.
Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin
Most eight-year-olds are about five times as tall as this book . . . but only half as tall as an ostrich, which is half as tall as a giraffe . . . twenty times smaller than a California Redwood! How do they compare to the tallest buildings? To Mt. Everest? To stars, galaxy clusters, and . . . the universe? Great for Middle School students.
This Was our Pact by Ryan Andrews
It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back. Great for High School students.
Dinosaurs Are Not Extinct by Drew Sheneman
A long time ago, planet Earth was full of dinosaurs. Giant dinosaurs that ate plants, meat-eating dinosaurs that walked on two feet, dinosaurs with armored frills, and more. Until an asteroid appeared in the sky. A big one. When it hit it was the end of most life on Earth… Or was it? the latest research shows that the dinosaurs didn’t all go extinct. They’re still around us now. In fact, you’ve probably seen dinosaurs at the park, eaten dinosaurs for dinner, and maybe even cleaned dinosaur poop off your family’s car. Great for Middle School students.
Darwin’s Tree of Life by Michael Bright
From the first living things six billion years ago to the animals living around the world today, explore how the huge diversity of the life on Earth came to be. Follow the branches of Charles Darwin’s “Tree of Life” and discover how plants and animals have evolved in many amazing ways. Great for Middle School students.
In my Garden by Charlotte Zolotow
A young girl and her older companion watch birds, fly a kite, plant flowers, and play in the snow, watching flowers bloom and leaves fall as the year passes. This book explores the natural marvels of the world around us and encourages young readers to think about what they love best throughout the year. Great for Elementary students.
The Most Amazing Bird by Andrew Qappik
As the seasons change in full, the ravens leave and are replaced by seagulls, cranes, geese, ducks, and swans—all of them far more elegant than the “Ugly Bird.” But where Aggataa once thought the ravens odd for visiting during the harshest part of the year, she now finds herself watching the horizon, waiting for the return of the most amazing bird. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Culture of North America
Kodi by Jared Cullum
atya and her Meema are spending another summer at their cottage in Alaska, when a chance accident leaves Katya face-to-face with the biggest creature she's ever seen... an enormous kodiak bear with a gentle heart and a knack for fishing. But when Katya must suddenly return home to Seattle, the two are torn apart, leaving Kodi to do whatever it takes to reunite with his fragile human friend. It's a wild journey packed with breathtaking views, brave new companions, and adventure around every turn. Great for Middle School students.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office. Reflecting on the presidency, he offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of both the awesome reach and the limits of presidential power, as well as singular insights into the dynamics of U.S. partisan politics and international diplomacy. Great for High School students and Adults.
Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt
Newell is always getting into trouble--whether it's showing up tardy for most of the year, or mocking his teachers while authoritarian Mr. Todd is standing right behind him. When disaster strikes and Newell finds himself on track to summer school, he's given one last minute option to get out of it--participating in the upcoming Talent Show. The only problem is that he doesn't technically have a talent to show. Great for Middle School students.
History Smashers, The Mayflower by Kate Messner
In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn, right? Wrong! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day. Did you know that the pilgrims didn't go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way--and almost stayed forever! Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock. Explore the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving. Great for Middle School students.
Beauty Mark by Carole Boston
From the day she was born into a troubled home to her reigning days as a Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe lived a life that was often defined by others. Here, in a luminous poetic narrative, acclaimed author Carole Boston tells Marilyn’s story in a way that restores her voice to its rightful place: center stage. In a story at once riveting, moving, and unflinching, the book tells a tale of extraordinary pain and moments of unexpected grace and perseverance, as well as the inexorable power of pursuing one’s dreams. Good for High School students.
Bring Back the Wolves by Jude Isabella
An unintended experiment in Yellowstone National Park, in which an ecosystem is devastated and then remarkably rehabilitated, provides crucial lessons about nature's intricate balancing act. In the 1800s, hunters were paid by the American government to eliminate threats to livestock on cattle ranches near Yellowstone National Park. They did such a good job that, by 1926, no gray wolf packs were left in the park. So, starting in 1995, in an attempt to reverse course, the government reintroduced gray wolves to the park. Great for Middle School students.
Summer at Meadow Wood by A. Rebecca Tan
Vic Brown did not want to go to camp this summer. Even though it’s nice being back with her friends at Meadow Wood, Vic still can’t forget about the secret reason her mom wanted her and her brother out of the house—or how much her family is going to change. When her home life is blowing up, it can be hard to focus on campfires and canoeing. But there is something about summer and surprises that go together like blueberry pancakes and maple syrup. And soon, Vic starts to feel like—just maybe—a summer at Meadow Wood was exactly what she needed. Great for Middle School students.
Claude by Jennifer Smith
Claude is a celebrity alligator, mascot for San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. 25 Years ago in Louisiana, he hatched out of his egg to discover he looked different. They were green and Claude was white. The other hatchings avoided him, and his color made him vulnerable to predators. So Claude went to a special zoo that cared for alligators where he lived in a pen by himself. Now he was safe--but alone. Claude began to interact with the five enormous snapping turtles who shared his swamp. The turtles didn't mind that Claude was different! And neither do the millions of people who visit him every year. Great for Elementary students.
Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake
No one wants a skunk. They are unwelcome on front stoops. They should not linger in Important Rock Rooms. Skunks should never, ever be allowed to move in. But Skunk is Badger’s new roommate, and there is nothing Badger can do about it. When Skunk plows into Badger’s life, everything Badger knows is upended. Tails are flipped. The wrong animal is sprayed. And why-oh-why are there so many chickens? Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Fantasy
It’s Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk
Hansel and Gretel will not listen to their storyteller. For one thing, who leaves a trail of bread crumbs lying around, when there are people starving? Not Hansel, that’s for sure! And that sweet old lady who lives in a house made of cookies and candy? There’s no way she’s an evil witch! As for Gretel, well, she’s about to set the record straight―after all, who says the story can’t be called Gretel and Hansel? Great for Elementary students.
Goddess in the Machine by Lora Johnson
When Andra wakes up, she's drowning. Not only that, but she's in a hot, dirty cave, it's the year 3102, and everyone keeps calling her Goddess. When Andra went into a cryonic sleep for a trip across the galaxy, she expected to wake up in a hundred years, not a thousand. Worst of all, the rest of the colonists--including her family and friends--are dead. They died centuries ago, and for some reason, their descendants think Andra's a deity. She knows she's nothing special, but she'll play along if it means she can figure out why she was left in stasis and how to get back to Earth. Great for High School students.
The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd
When Tomas discovers a old tree at the bottom of this grandpa's garden, he doesn't think much of it. But he takes the funny fruit from the tree back into the house - and gets the shock and delight of his life when a tiny dragon hatches! The tree is a dragonfruit tree, and Tomas has got his very own dragon, Flicker...
Tomas soon finds out that life with Flicker is great fun, but also very... unpredictable. Yes, dragons are fiery, fantastical and dazzling, but they also set fire to your toothbrush and singe your porridge. Tomas has to learn how to look after Flicker - and quickly. and then something extraordinary happens - more dragonfruits appear on the tree. Tomas is growing dragons...Great for Middle School students.
Starcrossed by Julia Demos
She was made of blood and bones, and he was made of space and stars. Back in a time when there were still students of the stars, there were two friends, Acamar and Eridani. Eridani was a star pupil studying the night skies, and Acamar... well, he was made of the stuff she studied. In a star-crossed twist of fate, these long-distance friends find they’ve wished themselves into unexpected new worlds. Filled with stardust and moonglow, this cosmic adventure shows us how even the most brilliant wishes can have a mind of their own—and that true friendship can endure, despite time and space. Great for Elementary students.
Me vs. The Multiverse by S.G. Wilson
It all starts with a note folded into the shape of an origami octopus: “Hi, Me. Yes, you. You’re me, and I’m you.” If you believe this and the other origami notes that follow–which Meade Macon does not–the concept of parallel dimensions is true, and there is a convention full of alternate versions of Meade waiting for his RSVP. It’s got to be a joke. Could the parallel universes be a real thing? And should he go as requested by the Origami Octopus? Great for Middle School students.
It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood! by Josh Funk
Little Red likes to play by the rules. So when the narrator comes along and asks her to follow the story set out in her fairy tale, she grabs the basket for Grandma and goes. After all, she loves her grandma. But unfortunately, none of the other characters are quite what they’re expecting. As Little Red attempts to follow the narrator’s directions (which, frankly, seem kind of dangerous!), she is beset by fill-in characters, confusing instructions, and even a fierce battle! Will Little Red ever make it to Grandma’s house? And who will she find when she gets there? Great for Elementary students.
Lightfall by Tim Probert
Will these two unexpected friends find the beloved Pig Wizard and prevent eternal darkness from blanketing their world? Great for High School students.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased. But as much as Tien’s mother’s English continues to improve as he reads her tales of love, loss, and travel across distant shores, there’s one conversation that still eludes him—how to come out to her and his father. Is there even a way to explain what he’s going through in Vietnamese? And without a way to reveal his hidden self, how will his parents ever accept him?Great for High School students.
Catalyst by Sarah Durst
Zoe named the kitten Pipsqueak, because she was so tiny, and promised to always take care of her. Then the kitten grew. And grew. Now she’s bigger than a horse—and talking as well! Fleeing into the woods to escape the curious eyes of the Internet, Zoe and her best friend, Harrison, must keep the giant cat hidden as they desperately search for a way to return her to normal size. If they don’t succeed, Pipsqueak may never be safe again. But why did she grow so large in the first place? Great for Middle School students.
Theme: African Cultures
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life. Great for Middle School students.
Hockey night in Kenya by Claudia Davila
Kitoo and Nigosi, spend their days studying, playing soccer, helping their elders with chores and reading from the limited selection of books in their library. When the librarian gives Kitoo a copy of Sports Around the World he becomes fascinated by an image of the Canadian national men's ice hockey team. Then one day the fates align and Kitoo finds a pair of beat up old roller blades, he teaches himself to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey like the men in his book. But you can’t play ice hockey in Kenya, can you? Great for Middle School students.
Shuri and the Vanished by Nic Stone
Shuri, the Princess of Wakanda (and sister to the Black Panther), sets out to save a group of kidnapped girls. With the heart-shaped herb thriving, a group of Wakanda's finest engineers working on expanding her dome technology, and the borders more fortified than ever, Princess Shuri can finally focus on what matters most: her training. Soon, a bigger problem rears its head. The princess hears whispers of talented young girls across the world going missing. A young environmental scientist in Kenya, a French physics prodigy- the list of the missing keeps growing and growing. There are lost girls out there somewhere, and Shuri is determined not to let them be forgotten. Great for Middle School students.
Shuri by Nic Stone
Shuri is a skilled martial artist, and a master of technology. But, she's also a teenager. And a princess. This story follows Shuri as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda. For centuries, the Black Panther has gained his powers through the juices of the Heart-Shaped Herb. Much like Vibranium, the Heart-Shaped Herb is essential to the survival and prosperity of Wakanda. But something is wrong. The plants are dying. No matter what the people of Wakanda do, they can't save them. And their supply is running short. It's up to Shuri to travel from Wakanda in order to discover what is killing the Herb, and how she can save it. Great for Middle School students.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. Great for Elementary students.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future… but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day. Great for High School students.
Zimbabwe by Sean Sheehan
Formerly known as Rhodesia, the state of Zimbabwe evokes wonder. There, Gold hunters have looked for the biblical king Solomon's mines. Historians and archaeologists explore ancient sites to uncover clues about early humans. Nature lovers admire they are awesome wildlife including one of the largest wild elephant populations in the world. Great for Middle School students.
The Secret Rhino Society by Jonathan Jacobs
Meet Hudson, a hippo. Fran, an earthworm. And Jean, a lightbulb. They have one thing in common: a profound appreciation for rhinos. So, they form a Secret Rhino Appreciation Society, in which a key activity it wearing paper horns. But when they meet their first real, live rhino and ask her to do rhino-y things, she doesn’t want to charge or snort- she is not what the society expected, but can they learn to appreciate her for who she is? Great for Elementary students.
Small Mercies by Bridget Krone
Mercy lives in South Africa with her foster aunts―two elderly sisters so poor, they can only afford one lightbulb. A nasty housing developer is eying their house. And that same house suddenly starts falling apart―just as Aunt Flora starts falling apart. She’s forgetting words and even how to behave in public. But when a classmate frames her for stealing the school’s raffle money, Mercy's teachers decide to take a closer look at her home life. When they take Mercy to visit a statue of Gandhi in the middle of the city, who spent a cold and lonely night in the train station over a hundred years ago. It marked the beginning of his life’s quest for truth…and the visit to his statue marks Mercy’s realization that she needs―just like Gandhi―to stand up for herself. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Halloween
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay
Paola Santiago and her two besties, Emma and Dante, know the rule: Stay away from the river. It’s all they’ve heard since a kid drowned there a year ago. Pao is embarrassed to admit that she has been told to stay away for even longer than that, because her mother is constantly warning her about La Llorona, the ghost woman who wanders the banks of the river. Despite her mother’s warnings, Pao organizes a meet-up to test out her new telescope near the river, since it’s the best stargazing spot. But the warnings came for a reason. Great for Middle School students.
The House of Madame M by Clotilde Perrin
Are you lost? Come in! You’re in luck―there’s no one here just now. Shhh... Be as quiet as you can, and very, very careful!
In The House of Madame M, we explore a strange house: hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Each room is full of surprises to make even the bravest child shiver. Are we in the house of an ogre? A witch? Something else altogether?Great for Elementary students.
Beneath the Bed by Max Brallier
What is hiding under the bed? What is scratching at the window? Find out in this scary stories collection. These five spine-chilling stories will have beginning readers everywhere begging to stay up late to read (with the light on!). With authentically scary, easy-to-read text and creepy, full-color artwork throughout, this book is perfect for young children who crave lite scares. Great for Elementary students.
Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Drago
Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? Great for Elementary students.
Ghost by Illustratus
Featuring the only true ghost stories in existence (as the book itself will tell you), readers discover 13 eerie encounters that are perfect for sharing—if they dare. With tales about a finger against the inside of a mirror, a wooded area where the trees look back, and a basement door blocked by a brick wall so thick it stifles the screams from below, this book is sure to haunt anyone who can't resist a spooky story. Great for High School students.
Whispering Pines by Heidi Lang
Rae’s father vanished—and Rae knows what happened to him. But no one believes her when she says that her father was actually taken. Now, a year later, Rae’s mother decides they need a fresh start, so they move to a new town in the hope that life can return to normal. The problem is, there is nothing normal about the town of Whispering Pines. No one knows this better than Caden. He’s lived there his entire life, and he’s seen many weird things—starting with his own family, as the town is the perfect home base for his mother’s ghost hunting business. When several kids go missing and then show up like zombies, many locals brush it off. Just another day in Whispering Pines. But Caden has a dark secret, one that may explain it all. Great for Middle School students.
Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs. When Cass accidentally awakens a strong spirit, she must rely on her skills as a ghosthunter -and turn to friends to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out. And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever. Great for Middle School students.
Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay
When Mia and Uly are separated from their litters, they discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow… and other things too scary to mention. Great for Middle School students.
Yorick and Bones by Jeremy Tankard
Yorick is a skeleton who was just dug up after a few hundred years of sleep. He speaks like it too. “Forsooth, my joy, I barely can contain!” Bones is the hungry dog who did the digging. Though he cannot speak, he can chomp. What will become of these two unlikely companions? Will Yorick ever find the friend he seeks? Will Bones ever find a tasty treat that does not talk back? The course of true friendship never did run smooth. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Southeast Asian Cultures
Fly on the Wall by Remy Lai
Henry Khoo's family treats him like a baby. He’s not allowed to go anywhere alone. And he definitely can’t take a journey halfway around the world all by himself! But that’s exactly his plan. After his family’s annual trip to visit his father in Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he doesn’t want to be at home with his overprotective family. Plus, he’s hiding a secret: he’s the creator of an anonymous gossip cartoon, and he's risking getting caught. Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure ever… hoping it won’t turn into the greatest disaster ever. Great for Middle School students.
The Life of the Buddha by Heather Sanche
This classic tale follows Prince Siddhartha’s journey of truth-seeking and discovery, including his life-altering encounters with human suffering and his realization of the Four Noble Truths. Today, millions of people all over the world follow the Buddha’s teachings on meditation, selflessness, and compassion. Rendered here in exquisite original watercolor illustrations, this inspiring story is brought to life for young readers curious about one of history’s most monumental and influential figures. Great for Middle School students.
Battle for Skyline Ridge by James Parker
The first complete account of the battle of Skyline Ridge, when a ragtag Laos-Thai army supported by the CIA threw back a vast army. In late 1971, the People's Army of Vietnam launched Campaign "Z" with the aim of defeating the last Royal Lao Army troops. Despite the odds being overwhelmingly in the enemy’s favor, the battle did not go to plan. It raged for more than 100 days, the longest in the Vietnam War, and it all came down to Skyline Ridge. Whoever won Skyline, won Laos. Against all odds, the Vietnamese lost, their 27,000-man invasion force decimated. James Parker served in Laos, and over many years he pieced together his own knowledge with CIA files and North Vietnamese after-action reports in order to tell the full story of the battle of Skyline Ridge. Great for High School students.
The Food of Myanmar by Saw Lwin
Myanmar has over 130 ethnic groups and has been called a meeting point for peoples around Asia. This diversity is reflected in the various types of foods that are eaten around the country. This unique Burmese cookbook featuring over 60 recipes, collected from all over the country, reveals the treasures of Burmese cooking. Discover a cuisine that is unique yet acknowledges the culinary traditions of its great neighbors: China and India. Stunning photography coupled with detailed information on ingredients, as well as fascinating insights into the culture of this enigmatic land, make The Food of Myanmar the perfect companion for your adventure into Burmese cuisine. Great for High School students.
Little Sid by Ian Lendler
This charming and accessible picture book offers a heart-warming account of the childhood of the Buddha. A spoiled young prince, Siddhartha got everything he ever asked for, until he asked for what couldn’t be given―happiness. Join Little Sid as he sets off on a journey of discovery and encounters mysterious wise-folk, terrifying tigers, and one very annoying mouse. Little Sid weaves traditional Buddhist fables into a classic new tale of mindfulness, the meaning of life, and an awakening that is as profound today as it was 2,500 years ago. Great for Elementary students.
Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan
It’s Singapore in 1940, war is just around the corner―but 12-year-old Lizard doesn’t know that. He lives in Chinatown above a tailor’s shop, surviving on his wits and hustling for odd jobs. When he steals a small teak box containing a Japanese code book from a Raffles Hotel suite, he finds himself in a dangerous world of wartime espionage. Lizard doesn’t know who to trust. How is the mysterious book inside the box connected to his friend Lili, a girl full of secrets and fighting skills? Can he trust her, or will she betray him in the end? Great for Middle School students.
Sri Lanka by Lonely Planet
The best travel guide to endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavorful food make Sri Lanka irresistible. Great for High School students.
Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig
This is the story of Benny and Khin, husband and wife, and their daughter Louisa, in 1950s Burma. After attending school in Calcutta, Benny settles in Rangoon, then part of the British Empire, and falls in love with Khin, a woman who is part of the Karen ethnicity. World War II comes to Southeast Asia, and they must go into hiding in the eastern part of the country during the Japanese Occupation. After the war, the British authorities make a deal with the Burman nationalists, whose party gains control of the country. Benny and Khin's eldest child, Louisa, has a danger-filled, tempestuous childhood and reaches prominence as Burma’s first beauty queen. As Louisa navigates her fame, she must deal with her family’s past, the West’s ongoing covert dealings in her country, and more challenges. Great for High School students.
Laos by Lonely Planet
Laos by Lonely Planet is your passport to all the secrets of the land of the Lotus eaters amid the bloated development of its neighbors, a country that brings together the best of Southeast Asia in one bite-sized destination. Great for High School students.
Thukpa for All by Praba Ram
Tsering can’t wait to taste his grandmother’s delicious noodle soup, called Thukpa. He invites a string of friends and neighbours home. But as preparations get underway, there is a power cut and the house is plunged into darkness. Will Abi be able to put together the much-anticipated Thukpa? Told from a blind child’s perspective, this tale is accompanied by stunning and heart-warming illustrations. Great for Elementary students.
Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship by Chitra Soundar
Being a wise and just ruler is no easy task. That’s what Prince Veera discovers when he and his best friend, Suku, are given the opportunity to preside over the court of his father, King Bheema. Some of the subjects’ complaints are easily addressed, but others are much more challenging. How should they handle the case of the greedy merchant who wishes to charge people for enjoying the smells of his sweets? And can they prove that an innocent man cannot possibly spread bad luck? Are the two clever boys up to the challenge? Great for Middle School students.
Fauja Singh keeps going by Simran Jeet
Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential. At the age of 81, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the most gruelling races. Great for Elementary students.
It's a tree by Susan Batori
It is a tree. It is a wall. It is a snake. It is a fan. A zebra, a giraffe, a turtle, and other animals play a party game. In this tale of Indian origin, blindfolded, they guess what's in the room by feeling alone. Could it be a wall? A rope? A fan? No. It's an elephant! This very easy-to-read story, based upon the ancient Indian parable about the blind men and the elephant, teaches point-of-view, and reinforces the simple vocabulary with bright illustrations of the different objects the animals guess. Perfect for new readers to practice on their own! Great for Elementary students.
Out of the way! By Uma Krishnaswamy
A young boy spots a baby tree growing in the middle of a dusty path in his village. He carefully places rocks around it as the local mango seller rushes past shouting, “Out of the way! Out of the way!” As the tree grows bigger, people and animals traverse the path until it becomes a lane, flowing like a river around the tree — getting out of its way. Over time, the lane becomes a road, and a young man crossing the road with his children remembers the baby tree from long ago. By the time he is an old man, the tree has become a giant. The city traffic continues to rattle past, noisier and busier than ever, but sometimes the great tree works its magic, and people just stop, and listen. Great for Elementary students.
Binny's Diwali by Thrity Umrigar
Binny is excited to talk to her class about her favorite Indian holiday. But she struggles to find the words.Taking a deep breath, she tells her classmates about the fireworks that burst like stars in the night sky, leaving streaks of gold and red and green. She shares with them delicious treats. And she shows them clay lamps, called diyas, which look so pretty all the children ooh and aah. Great for Elementary students.
The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Seghal
This book brings a twist to the beloved nursery rhyme, The Wheels on the Bus, by bringing you aboard a busy three-wheeled taxi in India! Anything can happen as the tuk-tuk rolls through town—from an elephant encounter to a tasty treat to a grand fireworks display. And in the midst of all the action, one thing’s for sure: passengers young and old love every minute of their exciting ride as the wheels of the tuk-tuk go round and round! Great for Elementary students.
The night diary by Veela Hiranandani
It's 1947, and India, newly independent of British rule, has been separated into two countries: Pakistan and India. The divide has created much tension between Hindus and Muslims, and hundreds of thousands are killed crossing borders. Half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn't know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it's too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Aisha and her family become refugees and embark first by train but later on foot to reach her new home. The journey is long, difficult, and dangerous, and after losing her mother as a baby, Nisha can't imagine losing her homeland, too. Great for High School students.
Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
Mimi Mackson wants to win a baking contest to prove she’s not the least talented of her large Inidan-American family. But when Mimi’s dad returns from a business trip, he’s mysteriously lost his highly honed sense of taste. Without his help, Mimi will not be able to bake something impressive to propel her to gastronomic fame. One day, drawn into the woods behind her house by a familiar song, Mimi meets a boy who brings her to parts of the forest she’s never seen. Who knew there were banyan trees and wild boars in Massachusetts? Together they discover exotic ingredients and bake them into delectable and enchanting treats. Will these new findings help her win the baking contest? Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Animals & Pets
All the Dear Little Animals by Ulf Nilsson
After an encounter with “something sad and tragic”—a dead bee—Esther buries the insect, then makes a solemn pronouncement. “Someone unselfish must make sure all these dead things get buried,” she decides. So they start a business, Funerals Ltd. The boy is a reluctant undertaker but a good writer and he contributes a short poem for each funeral, while the other children take care of all the animal funerals around them. Great for Middle School students.
Lupin Leaps In by Georgia Dunn
Picking up where they last left off in Breaking Cat News, are Elvis, Puck, and Lupin reporting on the news that matters to cats. Together, they're back to break headlines on mysterious man "tails," all things holiday-related, new cat friends, and all the daily happenings in and outside their home. Great for Middle School students.
The Littlest Voyageur by Margi Preus
t is 1792 an intrepid squirrel, Jean Pierre Petit Le Rouge, sneaks onto a canoe of French settlers in Canada. Le Rouge is soon discovered because he can't contain his excitement--mon dieu he is so enthusiastic. The smells! The vistas! The comradery! The voyageurs aren't happy to have him because Le Rouge rides, but he does not paddle. He eats, but he does not cook. He doesn't even carry anything on portages. What kind of voyageur is that? Great for Middle School students.
Good Boy by Sergio Ruzzier
This is the story of a boy and his sweet dog. Or is it a dog and his boy? Either way, it’s a playful story of friendship and adventure! Great for Elementary students.
Breaking Cat News by Georgia Dunn
Cats reporting on the news that matters to cats with stories such as The Vacuum Cleaner Is Back!, The Woman Is Cooking Bacon!, and The Ceiling Cats Are Everywhere Tonight! Cynical, no nonsense Elvis and shy, sweet, sensitive Puck are the reporter kitties in the field, while the jokester Lupin serves as anchor cat. Great for Middle School students.
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
According to the rumors, Snap's town has a witch. But in reality, Jacks is just a crocks-wearing, internet-savvy old lady who sells roadkill skeletons online―after doing a little ritual to put their spirits to rest. It’s creepy, sure, but Snap thinks it’s kind of cool, too. They make a deal: Jacks will teach Snap how to take care of the baby opossums that Snap rescued, and Snap will help Jacks with her work. But as Snap starts to get to know Jacks, she realizes that Jacks may have real magic―and a connection with Snap’s family’s past. Great for High School students.
Harvey Comes Home by Colleen Nelson
A dog’s world is a world of scents, of curiosity and adventure. When a runaway West Highland Terrier named Harvey wanders out of his old life guided only by his nose and his heart, lives begin to converge. Great for Middle School students.
Little Fox by Edward Van de Vendel
Little Fox frolics with butterflies, scavenges for food, and searches for new friends—despite his father's warning that danger lurks all around. Then one day he takes a tumble, bumps his head, and starts dreaming of things that reflect both the beauty he's seen and the scary things he's heard. Great for Elementary students.
Brooklyn Bailey by Amy Sohn
t's a busy morning in the city. Yotam and his mom stop in at their local café on the way to school, tying their dog's leash to an outside chair as usual. But today isn't usual. Bailey the dog gets startled by something and is suddenly dashing down Henry Street, freed of her leash and frantic. Before Yotam can catch up with her, she has disappeared. And that's when lots of neighbors get involved, joining in the search for the missing dog and offering all kinds of support and love. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Life by the Water
Cannonball by Sacha Cotter
As one boy searches for the secret to executing the perfect cannonball, it's only by listening to his own voice that he finds his unique style and pulls off a truly awe-inspiring cannonball. Great for Elementary students.
In Waves by Aj Dungo
In this visually arresting graphic novel, surfer and illustrator AJ Dungo remembers his late partner, her battle with cancer, and their shared love of surfing that brought them strength throughout their time together. With his passion for surfing uniting many narratives, he intertwines his own story with those of some of the great heroes of surf in a rare work of nonfiction that is as moving as it is fascinating. Great for High School students.
The Water Bears by Kim Baker
While Newt loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to middle school on the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he won't feel isolated, and he won’t have to drive the former taco truck–a gift from his parents–or perform in the talent show. Most importantly, on the mainland, he never has bad dreams about the bear attack he survived not long ago. Great for Middle School students.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Ariel is a spirit of the air who can fly, ride on clouds, and glow bright as fire. When his master, the magician Prospero, is overthrown by his brother as the Duke of Milan, Ariel joins Prospero and his baby daughter on a journey that will bring them to a beautiful island ruled by the monstrous Caliban — and to a series of events that cause a vengeful storm. Great for Middle School students.
Into the Deep by Christy Peterson
Containing 97 percent of Earth's water supply, the ocean plays a huge role in regulating global temperatures, supporting plant and animal life, and contributing to the livelihoods of millions of people. But in spite of all this, the ocean remains drastically unexplored, and the details of its impact on human lives aren't fully understood. Great for High School students.
The Ocean Calls by Tina Cho
Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast of Jeju Island to pluck treasures from the sea–generations of Korean women have done so for centuries. To Dayeon, the haenyeo are as strong and graceful as mermaids. To give her strength, Dayeon eats Grandma’s abalone porridge. And when Grandma suits up for her next dive, Dayeon grabs her suit, flippers, and goggles. A scary memory of the sea keeps Dayeon clinging to the shore, but with Grandma’s guidance, Dayeon comes to appreciate the ocean’s gifts. Great for Elementary students.
The Ocean in Your Bathtub by Seth Fishman
Did you know that oceans cover 71 percent of our planet and contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water? That seven out of every ten breaths you take contains oxygen that comes from oceanic plant life? No matter how far from the ocean you live, it is part of your life, every single day. And you are part of the ocean’s life, too. Every time you flush the toilet or throw something away, you might be sending it to the ocean—and every time you do a good deed, such as pick up litter or recycle, you are helping the ocean! Great for Elementary students.
Little Blue House Beside the Sea by Jo Bogart
What child doesn’t love walking in the surf, feeling the water steal the sand from beneath her toes as a wave retreats? Who doesn’t love the salty smell of the air and the sight of ships far out on the horizon? What happens in the oceans is critically important to life on Earth. That’s why the girl in her little blue house wants to believe that the children gazing back from far over the horizon love the oceans as she does and wants to keep them safe, alive, and beautiful. color throughout. Great for Elementary students.
Of Salt and Shore by Annet Schaap
Every evening Lampie, the lighthouse keeper's daughter, must light a lantern to warn ships away from the rocks, but one stormy night disaster strikes. The lantern is not lit, a ship is wrecked, and someone must pay. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Get up and move!
Bouncing Back By Scott Ostler
Back in his old basketball league, before the car accident, Carlos Cooper owned the court, sprinting and jumping and lighting up the scoreboard as everyone watched in amazement. But now, Carlos feels completely out of his league on his new wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin' Rats. After all, how can he make a layup when he's still struggling to learn how to dribble? But when the city's mayor threatens to tear down the Rollin' Rats' gym, Carlos realizes that he can't stay on the sidelines forever. Because without a gym, the team can't practice, and if they can't practice, they can kiss their state tournament dreams goodbye. Great for Middle School students.
Move your mood! By Brenda Miles
Move Your Mood invites kids and adults to twist, wiggle, shake, hop…and smile! Reading this book with your child is an active and fun way to teach your child about emotions, and introduce the idea that moving our bodies affects the way we feel inside. Ready to start feeling better? Move and groove your way into a better mood! Great for Elementary students.
The Crossover By Kwame Alexander
"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is sizzling. My sweat is drizzling. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of sports, rythm and family. Great for High School students.
Camp Average By Craig Battle
A group of 11-year-olds arrives to spend six weeks playing sports at Camp Avalon―which they affectionately call Camp Average, because they never win at any sport. And that’s the way they like it. But this summer, new camp director Winston―who hates losing―has some hyper-competitive ideas about how to improve their performance, whether they want to or not!Led by main character Mack and his friend Andre, the boys of Cabin 10 decide to reclaim their summer and revolt by losing spectacularly at every game they play. Great for High School students.
Lili Macaroni By Nicole Testa
Lili Macaroni loves running around, drawing butterflies, counting the stars, and being herself. That is, until she starts kindergarten. There her classmates tell her that her that she moves too much, her eyes are squinty blueberries, and her laugh is like a parrot’s squawk. She has never felt such unhappiness before. It makes her want to erase herself and draw a brand new Lili. But she will learn to stay true to herself because that's the version of herself she loves most. Great for Elementary students.
Kickball Queen By Ella McKeen
First grader Ella McKeen is the undisputed kickball queen until a new girl named Riya shows up―and shows her up at recess. How does Ella handle losing? By throwing herself on the grass and screaming while the rest of the class watches her fall apart. Yikes! Great for Elementary students.
Skip By Molly Mendoza
As Bloom and Gloopy skip through dimensions and encounter weeping giants, alligator islands, and a topsy turvy 2D world, they find comfort in each other and learn that sometimes, your greatest fear reveals where your strengths lie. Great for High School students.
Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue By Paula Harrison
Kitty is special. Her mother is a superhero with catlike powers that Kitty and her little brother Max will someday inherit. But being a superhero involves going on daring adventures at night, and Kitty doesn’t know if she’ll ever be brave enough for that! One night though, Kitty finds a cat waiting at her window. When he introduces himself, Kitty is shocked to realize she can understand him—her powers have arrived! The cat, Figaro, has a problem, and he needs her help. Great for Middle School students.
Astrid the Unstoppable By Maria Parr
Speed and self-confidence, that’s Astrid’s motto. Nicknamed “the little thunderbolt,” she loves to spend her days racing down the hillside on her sled, singing loudly as she goes, and visiting her godfather, who makes hot chocolate from real chocolate bars. She just wishes there were other children to share adventures with. But Astrid’s world is about to be turned upside down by the arrival of a new family, then a mysterious, towering woman who everyone seems to know but Astrid. She is not too happy about some of these events but she has a plan to set things right. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Space Exploration
Take Me to Your Leader by Emily Calandrelli
Third grader and inventor extraordinaire Ada Lace likes nothing more than to tinker with mechanics like her robot, George. Her latest project is to fix up a ham radio, something that she could use to contact people on this plane and beyond. The only problem is that she just can’t get it to work properly. During a sleepover, Ada and her best friend fix it, and the first sound they hear is a distant voice that says, “Release the swarm!” convincing Nina that aliens are about to invade planet Earth. Great for Middle School students.
Astro Bunnies by Christine Loomis
Measuring comets and gathering moondust is nothing compared to floating weightless and meeting the three-eared bunnies from another planet! But no matter where Astro Bunnies roam, they will always come back home, especially when it's time to snuggle down for the night. Great for Elementary students.
Life on Mars by Jon Agee
A young astronaut is absolutely sure there is life to be found on Mars. He sets off on a solitary mission, determined to prove it. But when he arrives, equipped with a package of cupcakes as a gift, he sees nothing but a barren planet. Finally, he spies a single flower and packs it away to take back to Earth as proof that there is indeed life on Mars. But as he settles in for the journey back home, he discovers that someone has eaten them all! Who did it? Great for Elementary students.
Destination Moon by Richard Maurer
Only now, it is becoming clear how exceptional and unrepeatable Apollo was. At its height, it employed almost half a million people, many working seven days a week and each determined that “it will not fail because of me.” Beginning with fighter pilots in World War II, Maurer traces the origins of the Apollo program to a few exceptional soldiers, a Nazi engineer, and a young eager man who would become president. Great for High School students.
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. She wanted to be an astronaut. Her mom told her that If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible. Great for Elementary students.
Hidden figures by Margot Lee
Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good. They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world. Great for High School students.
Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” In 1969, Neil Armstrong said those iconic words when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. But it wasn’t just one man who got us to the moon—there was a whole team of people, plus centuries of discoveries and technologies that came before, that made it possible. This book reveals which “bombs bursting in air” inspired the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” why Russia wanted launched a dog into Earth’s atmosphere, and how exactly astronauts are able to go to the bathroom while in a rocket far off in space! Great for Middle School students.
Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd
Twelve-year-old Mallie knows better than to dream. In Coal Top, you live the story you’re given. That means boys toil in the mines and girls work as servants. Mallie can’t bear the idea of that kind of life, but her family is counting on her wages to survive. It wasn’t always this way. Before the Dust came, the people of Coal Top could weave starlight and moonlight into cloth. They’d wear these dreaming clothes to sleep and wake up with the courage to seek adventure. But now nothing can penetrate Coal Top’s blanket of sorrow. So when Mallie is chosen for a dangerous competition in which daring children train flying horses, she jumps at the chance. Maybe she’ll change her story. Maybe she’ll even find the magic she needs to dream of the stars again. Great for Middle School students.
Endurance by Scott Kelly
The veteran of four spaceflights and record holder for consecutive days spent in space, Scott Kelly has experienced things very few have. He describes navigating the extreme challenge of long-term spaceflight, both life-threatening and mundane: the effects on the body; the isolation from everyone he loves and the comforts of Earth; the catastrophic risks of colliding with space junk; and the
haunting threat of being unable to help should tragedy strike at home. Great for High School students.
Theme: Lifelong Learners
Grown-ups Never Do That by Davide Cali
Forgetting to do chores? Running late? Burping? No adult would ever behave so poorly! At least, that's what you might think. An honest and hilarious reminder that we're all human—yes, even grown-ups. Great for Elementary students.
Why? By Laura Vaccaro
Bear just wants to water his flowers, but Rabbit needs to know: why? Bear is looking forward to a peaceful night of stargazing, but all Rabbit cares about is: why?
As spring passes into summer, and Rabbit continues to wonder why?, detailed, lush watercolor illustrations encourage the reader to figure out the reason for each question. This story is a reminder that even when there are no answers for our questions, we can count on trust and love-- and sometimes, that's more than enough. Great for Elementary students.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
As one artist incorporates accidental splotches, spots, and misshapen things into her art, she transforms her piece in quirky and unexpected ways, taking readers on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas—and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too. Great for Elementary students.
The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair
As the focus of the family has turned to the glow of the screen—children constantly texting their friends or going online to do homework; parents working online around the clock—everyday life is undergoing a massive transformation. Easy access to the Internet and social media has erased the boundaries that protect children from damaging exposure to excessive marketing and the unsavory aspects of adult culture. Parents often feel they are losing a meaningful connection with their children. Children are feeling lonely and alienated. The digital world is here to stay, but what are families losing with technology's gain?Great for Young Adults and Parents.
Pigeon Math by Asia Citro
Telling a story about pigeons should be simple. But what's a narrator to do when the number of feathered friends is constantly changing? Can our intrepid storyteller use math facts to keep up with the unstable quantities... or is this pigeon-centric tale doomed? Great for Elementary students.
It Began With a Page by Kyo Maclear
Growing up quiet and lonely at the beginning of the twentieth century, Gyo learned from her relatives the ways in which people lacked opportunity. Her teachers and family believed in her and sent her to art school, where her talent flourished. But while Gyo's career grew and led her to work for Walt Disney Studios, World War II began. Gyo never stopped fighting -- for herself, her vision, her family and her readers -- and later wrote and illustrated the first children's book to feature children of different races interacting together. Great for Elementary students.
Goliath by Ximo Abadia
Goliath always knew that he was much bigger and stronger than any of his friends or family. Tired of feeling out of place he goes on a journey to find a place where everyone looks like him–a place where he belongs. Out in the big world he meets the sea, the sun and the moon who help Goliath realize that everyone is different and this is what makes us special, no matter how we look. Great for Elementary students.
Switch by Chip Heath
Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives? The primary obstacle is a conflict that's built into our brains. our minds are ruled by two different systems-the rational mind and the emotional mind-that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants three more cookies. This book explains how to solve this conflict and achieve major changes. Great for Young Adults and Parents.
Gender and Our Brains by Gina Rippon
On a daily basis, we face deeply ingrained beliefs that sex determines our skills and preferences, from toys and colors to career choice and salaries. This book is a breakthrough work in neuroscience—and an incisive corrective to a long history of pseudoscience—that debunks the myth that there is a hardwired distinction between male and female brains. Great for High School students and Young Adults.
Theme: Africa
Akissi: Tales of Mischief By Marguerite Abouet
Poor Akissi! The neighborhood cats are trying to steal her fish, her little monkey Boubou almost ends up in a frying pan, and she's nothing but a pest to her older brother Fofana. But Akissi is a true adventurer, and nothing scares her away from hilarious escapades in her modern African city. Great for Elementary students.
The Girl Who Smiled Beads By Clemantine Wamariya
Clemantine Wamariya was six years old when her family began to speak in whispers, when neighbors began to disappear, and when she heard the loud, ugly sounds her brother said were thunder. In 1994, they escaped the Rwandan massacre and spent the next six years migrating through seven African countries, searching for safety— hungry, imprisoned and abused, enduring and escaping refugee camps, finding unexpected kindness, witnessing inhuman cruelty. When she was twelve, she and her sister were granted refugee status in the United States. She seemed to live the American dream: attending private school, taking up cheerleading, and, ultimately, graduating from Yale. Yet the years of being treated as less than human, of going hungry and seeing death, could not be erased. Great for High School students.
Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta By James Rumford
Ibn Battuta was the traveler of his age—the fourteenth century, a time before Columbus when many believed the world to be flat. Like Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta left behind an account of his own incredible journey from Morocco to China, from the steppes of Russia to the shores of Tanzania, some seventy-five thousand miles in all.
Great for Middle School students.
Orange for the Sunsets By Tina Athaide
Asha and Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave Uganda, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see—not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game. Determined for her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise of a better future. Great for Middle School students.
Tutankhamun By Demi
Born to a pharaoh who had the revolutionary idea that all of Egypt must worship only one god, Tut allowed his subjects to worship either the one god, Aten, of his father or the many shapes and forms of the sun god, Amun, whom they had worshiped since ancient times. Using research that includes the artifacts in King Tutankhamun’s tomb, this book shares the rich details of the king’s life, from ostrich to lion hunts, to the challenges of ruling his Kingdom. Great for Middle School students.
Ariba: An Old Tale About New Shoes By Masha Manapov
Marcus’ joy over his new pair of shoes reminds his grandfather of an old story about a boy named Ariba who has the most unusual relationship with an extraordinary pair of shoes. Because no matter how many times Ariba tries to get rid of his shoes, they always seem to find their way back to him. After all, why would shoes caked, baked and layered with stories ever want to find a new owner? For in life, just as we claim a few precious things as our own, there are also those rare things that claim us. Great for Elementary students.
Gerald the Lion By Jessica Souhami
One day in the dark, dark jungle, a big, bold lion called Gerald sets out in search of adventures. He meets hungry crocodiles, friendly giants and fire-breathing dragons. But then he gets lost! Does Gerald really want to be a big, bold lion? Funny and reassuring, this beautifully crafted picture book is perfect for sharing. Great for Elementary students.
Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela
The children's version of Nelson Mandela's autobiography, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison-and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country. Great for Middle School students.
Princess Arabella Is a Big Sister By Mylo Freeman
Princess Arabella can't wait to have a younger sibling to play with. But what would be most fun- a brother or a sister? Sisters seem great... until she meets Prince Mimoen's sister. A brother then? Princess Ling's brothers seem like too much trouble! Great for Elementary students.
Theme: The Arts
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead she's the set designer for the drama department, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage and offstage drama that occurs once actors are chosen. Great for Middle School students.
The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History By Robert Esdel
The same author of The Monuments Men, brings this story to young readers for the first time in a sweeping, dynamic adventure detailing history's greatest treasure hunt.As the most destructive war in history ravaged Europe, many of the world's most cherished cultural objects were in danger. Peak into the astonishing true story of 11 men and one woman who risked their lives to save churches, libraries, monuments, and works of art that for centuries defined the heritage of Western civilization. Great for High School students.
Me and Banksy by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Dominica's private school is covered in cameras, and someone is hacking into them and posting embarrassing moments for the whole school to see. When Dominica quickly changes her shirt from inside out in what she thinks is the privacy of a quiet corner in the library, she's shocked to discover a video has captured this and is currently circulating. Who has access to the school security cameras and why are they doing this? Dominica and her best friends, Holden and Saanvi, are determined to find out, and in the process start an art-based student campaign against cameras in the classroom. Great for Middle School students.
I Wish I Didn't Have to Sleep by Keith Harring
This collection of Keith Haring’s playful artwork will help you see his paintings through fresh eyes. Children’s reactions to art can be incredibly insightful and few artists attract a young audience as much as Keith Haring, who used thick black lines, bright colors, and striking symbols to create paintings that are as open to interpretation as they are joyful and fun. This engaging book records children’s reactions to Haring’s most imaginative drawings, and the results are as unpredictable and profound as the work itself. Along the way, the book encourages its readers to let their own imaginations run wild. By exploring Haring’s life, technique, and creativity, the book will inspire readers of all ages to express themselves. Great for Elementary students.
Fabergé by Geza Von Habsburg
Faberge's unparalleled creativity and craftsmanship won him the recognition of the Russian Imperial Court. Few objects are as impressive as his jewel-encrusted Easter eggs crafted for the czars of Russia. The book is a selection of his most celebrated works. Easter eggs are just a portion of this master's prodigious production which comprised over 150,000 jewels, silver pieces, and objects of art. Great for High School students.
The Carnival of the Animals by Jack Prelutsky
The illustrator of the Harry Potter books and America's youngest poetry laureate turn these classic rhymes into a picture-book fun fest. The book invites children to tromp like an elephant, hop like a kangaroo, glide like a swan. Great for Elementary students.
Sandy's Circus by Tanya Lee Stone
As a boy, Alexander - Sandy - Calder was always fiddling with odds and ends, making objects for friends. When he got older and became an artist, his fiddling led him to create wire sculptures. One day, Sandy made a lion. Next came a lion cage. Before he knew it, he had an entire circus and was traveling between Paris and New York performing a brand-new kind of art for amazed audiences. Great for Elementary students.
The Music of Life by Elizabeth Rusch
Bartolomeo Cristofori coaxes just the right sounds from the musical instruments he makes. Some of his keyboards can play piano, light and soft; others make forte notes, strong and loud, but Cristofori longs to create an instrument that can be played both soft and loud. His talent has caught the attention of Prince Ferdinando de Medici, who wants his court to become the musical center of Italy. The prince brings Cristofori to Florence, where the loudest hammers used by the goldsmiths of the city will unlock the most harmonious notes under Cristofori's guidance. Great for Elementary students.
Henri's Scissors by Jeanette Winter
The young Henri drew pictures everywhere, and when he grew up, he moved to Paris and became a famous artist around the world. But late in life a serious illness confined him to a wheelchair, and amazingly, it was from there that he created among his most beloved works—enormous and breathtaking paper cutouts. Great for Elementary students.
Theme: Islamic Culture
IMG_1031
Born in Mecca in 570, Muhammad grew into a sensitive and thoughtful man.
In his fortieth year, Muhammad experienced a revelation from an angel that he, Muhammad, was the messenger of God. Over the next 23 years, he received many such revelations, all of which were to become the Koran, the sacred scripture of Islam, a religion that is practiced by a quarter of the world's population. Clear text and stunning illustrations based upon the traditional Islamic expression, this book introduces the remarkable life of Muhammad to young readers. Great for Elementary students.
Islamic Arts By Jonathan Bloom
From the magnificent Taj Mahal to the stunning Alhambra, from intricate rugs and textiles to illuminated copies of the Koran and dazzling jewelry, the vastness and complexity of Islamic art is undeniable. Written in a lively and accessible style, and illustrated throughout with photographs, maps and plans, this book brilliantly captures the essence of Islamic culture as expressed in it's buildings, books, and applied arts, and provides an essential introduction to the subject for both the student and the general reader. Recommended for High School students and Young Adults.
Our Favorite Day of the Year By Rahele Jomepur
Musa's first day of schoo makes him nervous since he doesn't know any of the other kids in his class. When he meets Moisés and Kevin, Musa isn't sure they'll have much in common. But through the year, the boys learn about each other, the holidays they celebrate, their favorite foods, and what they like about school. In this story of friendship, readers discover how a sharing yourself openly brings people together. There is a calendar of holidays at the end of the book that will help children identify special days they can celebrate with friends throughout the year. Excellent for Elementary students.
My First Ramadan By Karen Katz
It's time for Ramadan to begin. Follow along with one young boy as he observes the Muslim holy month with his family. This year, the narrator is finally old enough to fast, and readers of all ages will be interested as he shares his experiences of this special holiday. Great for Elementary students.
Laila's Lunchbox By Reem Faruqi
Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them for lunch. Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make friends who respect her beliefs. Great for Middle School students.
Once Upon an Eid By Aisha Saeed
This collection of short stories showcases brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. For those who cherish this day, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. Great for Middle School students.
The Librarian of Basra By Jeanette Winter
In the Spring of 2003, Alia Muhammad Baker was the city of Basra’s real-life librarian. She was the keeper of cherished books and her library was a haven for community gatherings. But with war imminent in Basra, Iraq, what could this lone woman do to save her precious books? With lyrical, spare text and beautiful acrylic illustrations, Jeanette Winter shows how well she understands her young audience. This true story of one librarian’s remarkable bravery reminds us all how, throughout the world, the love of literature and the respect for knowledge knows no boundaries. Recommended for Elementary students.
Meet Yasmin! By Saadia Faruqi
Yasmin Ahmad is a spirited second-grader who's always on the lookout for those "aha" moments to make her life more fun. Taking inspiration from her surroundings and her big imagination, she boldly faces any situation, assuming her imagination doesn't get too big, of course! A creative thinker and curious explorer, Yasmin and her Pakistani American family will delight and inspire readers. Great for Elementary students.
Arabian Nights By Multiple Authors
Every night, Sherezade told a story to entertain the King. Over a thousand and one nights, she kept the King enthralled with her storytelling, and the stories, gathered through centuries as The Arabian Nights, have become one of the world’s classics. Famous stories as Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, The Keys of Destiny, and other 12 are included in this book. Great for Middle School students.
Theme: Indigenous Peoples of the World
Thunder Boy Jr. By Sherman Alexie
Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name...one that's all his own. Dad is known as big Thunder, but little thunder doesn't want to share a name. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he's done like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder. But just when Little Thunder thinks all hope is lost, dad picks the best name...Lightning! Their love will be loud and bright, and together they will light up the sky. Great for Elementary students.
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States By Roxanne Dunbar
In An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, the author exposes how policies against the Indigenous peoples in the United States were designed to seize the territories of the original inhabitants, purposefully displacing or eliminating them. These policies were praised in popular culture, through writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, and in the highest offices of government and the military. Shockingly, as the genocidal policies reached its zenith under President Andrew Jackson, its ruthlessness was best articulated by US Army general Thomas S. Jesup, who, in 1836, wrote of the Seminoles: “The country can be rid of them only by exterminating them.” Great for High School students and Young Adults.
The Journey Of The Kayah People By Lat Swan Htan
The Karen, also known as the Kayah people of Myanmar, are heirs to a long-held oral storytelling tradition. This beautiful folktale narrates one of the foundational myths of the Kayah, that of the journey in search of more fertile lands to settle their growing population. Animals help them with their wisdom all the way through; bees and birds fly across mountains to find water sources and shelter; horses, buffalos, and elephants help them pull heavy rocks out of their way and relocate trunks. Join the Kayah on this homecoming journey through nature. Great for Elementary students.
The Queen of Water By Laura Resau
Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her Indigenous community, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta—stupid Indian—by members of the privileged class of Spanish descendants. When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her home to be a servant, she has no idea what the future holds. In this poignant novel based on her own story, the inspiring María Virginia Farinango has collaborated with acclaimed author Laura Resau to recount one girl's unforgettable journey to find her place in the world. It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope. Great for High School students.
The Tribes of Burma By Richard Diran
In the isolated, mountainous regions of Burma live more than thirty tribes protected from modernity by terrain, linguistic differences, and cultural variation. Undisturbed for centuries, today their unique way of life is threatened with extinction, as economic development, intensive agricultural practices, and climate change threaten them. The brilliant photographs in this book may well represent the last time these unique cultures are documented in their native territories. Great for High School students.
The Marrow Thieves By Cherie Dimaline
Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden—but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves. Great for High School students.
The Princess and the Warrior By Duncan Tonatiuh
Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—a man who did not offer riches but could stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a warrior, but he recognized his bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—overlook Mexico City. They have always been admired and revered, and have formed the basis of many creation myths in Mexico. Great for Elementary students.
I Can Make This Promise By Christine Day
All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers. Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her. Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now? Great for Middle School students.
Hawatha and the Peacemaker By Robbie Robertson
Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, the author learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Hiawatha was a strong and bright Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution. Great for Middle School students.
Swatch By Julia Denos
In a place where color ran wild, there lived a girl who was wilder still. Her name was Swatch, and color was her passion. From brave green to in-between gray to rumble-tumble pink, Swatch wanted to collect them all. But colors don’t always like to be tamed... This is an exuberant celebration of all the beauty and color that make up our lives. Great for Elementary students.
Imagine! By Raul Colon
After passing a city museum many times, a boy finally decides to go in. He passes wall after wall of artwork until he sees a painting that makes him stop and ponder. Before long the painting comes to life and an afternoon of adventure and discovery unfolds, changing how he sees the world ever after. Great for Elementary students.
Poetree By Shauna LaVoy
The snow has melted, the buttercups are blooming, and Sylvia celebrates winter's end by writing a poem. She ties her poem to a birch tree, hoping that it doesn't count as littering if it makes the world more beautiful. But when she returns, a new poem is waiting for her. Could the tree really be writing back? Sylvia decides to test her theory, and so begins a heartwarming poetic correspondence. Great for Elementary students.
Humpty Dumpty By Derek Hughes
This classic tale gets a modern twist. This time Humpty is ready for battle, with a secret mission and a touch of mischief. Can all the King's horses and all the King's men help put Humpty together again? Or maybe the mission, no matter how small, is simply to question the point of a wall? Great for Middle School students.
The Other Ducks By Ellen Yeomans
This Duck and That Duck were best friends. They did everything together but sometimes they wanted more friends to join their adventures. When This Duck declares that he wishes there were Other Ducks around so they could waddle in a line (a very ducky thing to do), That Duck is quite confused. That is until This Duck and That Duck go swimming, look down, and finally meet The Other Ducks. Unfortunately, The Other Ducks never seem to come out of the water!
Poppy Pickle By Emma Yar
Poppy has the most extraordinary imagination. When she is sent upstairs to clean her room, she just can't help imagining, and suddenly... her imagination literally comes alive. Soon her room is jam-packed with all kinds of weird and wonderful creatures. There are a few problems, though: the mammoth puts his foot through the floor, and the hungry crocodile thinks Poppy would make a tasty snack. Poppy needs to get rid of all these creatures fast. But how? Great for Elementary students.
This is Sadie By Sara O'Leary
Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. In her imagination, she has lived under the sea and also raised by wolves. She has had adventures in wonderland and visited the world of fairytales. She whispers to the dresses in her closet and talks to birds. She has wings that take her anywhere she wants to go, but that always bring her home again. She likes to make things -- boats out of boxes and castles out of cushions. But more than anything Sadie likes stories, because you can make them from nothing at all. Great for Elementary students.
By Nights By John Allison
Home to high school best friends Jane Langstaff and Heather Meadows, Spectrum is a boomtown that’s long since stopped booming, with nothing to show for its former glory but the abandoned Charleswood Estate, its dwindling sprocket millions, and the story of the disappeared industrialist who founded the place… But deep within Charleswood, unbeknownst to anyone, there is a device called the Eidolon, which can open up a doorway to an otherworldly dimension. And Heather and Jane are about to go knocking. Great for Middle School students.
Quichotte By Salman Rushdie
Inspired by the Cervantes classic, Sam DuChamp, mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television who falls in impossible love with a TV star. Together with his (imaginary) son Sancho, Quichotte sets off on a picaresque quest across America to prove worthy of her hand, braving tragicomic perils. Meanwhile, his creator, has equally urgent challenges of his own. Just as Don Quixote satirized the culture of his time, the author takes the reader on a ride through a world facing constant moral challenges. Great for High School students.
Theme: Humanity’s Environmental Impact
Plastic By Susan Frenkel
Plastic built the modern world. Where would we be without bike helmets, baggies, toothbrushes, and pacemakers? But a century into our love affair with plastic, we’re starting to realize it’s not such a healthy relationship. Plastics draw on dwindling fossil fuels, leach harmful chemicals, litter landscapes, and destroy marine life. As journalist Susan Freinkel points out in this engaging and eye-opening book, we’re nearing a crisis point. We’ve produced as much plastic in the past decade as we did in the entire twentieth century. We’re drowning in the stuff, and we need to start making some hard choices. Great for High School students.
Blue Chicken By Deborah Freedman
In this deceptively simple picture book, author-illustrator Deborah Freedman has created an irresistible character that springs to life and wreaks havoc in a farmyard with a pot of blue paint. The innocent chicken just wants to help, but things get worse and worse-and bluer and bluer--the more she tries. Playing with colors and perspective, and using minimal text, this richly layered story reveals new things to see and laugh about with each reading. Great for Elementary students.
Follow Your Stuff By Kevin Sylvester
Our cellphones, our clothes, our food: All are everyday things we consider essential, but we seldom think of what and who is involved in making them and getting them into our hands. Using familiar examples, easy-to-follow charts and graphs, and a big helping of humor, the authors introduce young readers to concepts such as relative value and fair wages and how to think critically about our purchasing decisions. Great for Middle School students.
On the Origin of Species By Charles Darwin
The first-ever picture-book retelling of Charles Darwin's On The Origin of Species; this accessible work brings evolution to the younger generation through stylish illustrations and a simple, easy-to-understand text. On The Origin of Species has been the definitive explanation of the theory of evolution since it was first published in 1859. Now molecular biologist and illustrator Sabina Radeva unites her two passions to create a 48-page retelling of this seminal text. Pulling together Darwin's observations from his travels around the world and his groundbreaking - and controversial - explanation of how species form, develop and change over hundreds of thousands of years, On The Origin of Species is as relevant and important now as it ever was. Great for Middle School students.
Most of the Better Natural Things By Dave Eggers
A tiger carries a dining room chair on her back. But why? Where is she going? With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams. An enigmatic investigation of our world's most beautiful places from bestselling author Dave Eggers, beautifully illustrated by debut artist Angel Chang. Great for Elementary students.
The Energy We Use By Georgia Amson
Introduce young readers to the ways we get energy from the environment, from oil and coal to hydropower and solar farming. Readers will learn that not all energy sources are created equal. Through full-color photographs, dynamic spotlight facts, and "Solve It!" activities, students will learn about the problems with each type of energy production, then think critically about potential eco-friendly solutions for the future. This volume informs readers and engages their problem-solving skills and creativity. Great for High School students.
Biodiversity By Laura Perdew
This book introduces middle schoolers to the evolution of life on Earth, beginning with the first single-celled organisms that emerged 3.8 billion years ago to the complex, multi-celled organisms that exist today and make up the tree of life. Biodiversity is found everywhere on the planet—on land, in the water, and even in extreme environments such as ice and volcanoes. Biodiversity can also be discovered by looking through a microscope at tiny worlds of organisms that can’t be seen with the human eye. There are whole microbiomes beneath our feet, in puddles, and even in our belly buttons! Great for Middle School students.
Crows By Kyla Vanderklugt
Did you know that crows make their own tools, lead complex social lives, and never forget a human face? Scientists are just beginning to unlock the secrets of the crow's brain to discover how these avian Einsteins can be as smart as some primates, and even perform some of the same cognitive feats as human children! Crows have problem-solving skills that will make you rethink what it means to be a bird brain! Great for Middle School students.
Biodiversity Eco Facts By Izzi Howell
The huge variety of plants and animals that live on Earth is called biodiversity. As ecosystems are destroyed by climate change and human activity, plants and animals are becoming endangered and even extinct. Find out how the loss of biodiversity affects food chains and natural habitats, why it is important to humans, and how its loss threatens the health of all living things on the planet" Great for High School students.
Theme: Pan-American Heritage
The Queen Of Salsa By Veronica Chambers
In the Hispanic Caribbean countries, everyone knows the flamboyant, larger-than-life Celia Cruz, the extraordinary salsa singer from Cuba. There is a magical vibrancy to the Cuban salsa singer. to hear her voice or to see her perform was to feel her life-affirming energy deep within you. Relish the sizzling sights and sounds of her legacy in this glimpse into her childhood and her inspiring rise to worldwide fame and recognition as the Queen of salsa. Her inspirational life story is sure to sweeten your soul. Great for Elementary students.
Each Tiny Spark By Pablo Cartaya
Emilia Torres has a wandering mind. It's hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom asks. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels. Dad shuts himself in the back of their family's auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear. But as Emilia finds a way to repair the relationship with her father at home, her community ruptures with some of her best friends at the center of the conflict. Great for Middle School students.
Love Sugar Magic By Anna Meriano
Leonora’s family owns the best bakery in town. They spend their days baking delicious desserts for any occasion. Leo hopes that this time gets to participate in the year's most important day; but, once again, she is told she’s too young. Sneaking out of school back to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have been keeping a big secret: they’re brujas—witches of Mexican ancestry—who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything they make. Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business—even if she can’t let her mama and hermanas know about it yet. And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It’s just one little spell, after all…what could go wrong?Great for Middle School students.
Anacaona By Edwidge Danticat
Haiti's Queen Anacaona was the wife of one of her island's rulers, and a composer of songs and poems, making her popular and loved among her people. Haiti was relatively quiet until the Spanish conquistadors invaded the island and began to settle there in 1492; such violent settling ultimately wiped out the native Taino population. The Spaniards treated the natives very cruelly, and when the natives revolted to defend themselves, the Spanish governor of Haiti ordered the arrests and executions of several native nobles, including Anacaona, who was subsequently captured and hanged publically at 29 years old, to the horror of her people. Recommended for Middle School students.
The Dragon Slayer By Jaime Hernandez
How would a kitchen maid fare against a seven-headed dragon? What happens when a woman marries a mouse? And what can a young man learn from a thousand leaf cutter ants? Read these beloved folktales with bold, stunning, and utterly contemporary comics to find out. This book for young readers brings the sights and stories of Latin America to a new generation of graphic-novel fans around the world. Great for Middle School students.
Sal & Gabi By Carlos Hernandez
Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but for this sleight of hand, he relied on a talent no one would guess, except Gabi, whose sharp eyes never miss a trick. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken--including his dead mother--and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk. How will they fix it? Recommended for Middle School students.
Dream Drum Girl By Margarita Engle
Girls cannot be drummers, or at least that's what she has been told since she showed interest in drums and music. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule―until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream. Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere. Excellent for Elementary students.
Lowriders to the Center of the World By Cathy Camper
Lupe Impala, Elirio Malaria, and El Chavo Octopus are living their dream at last. They're the proud owners of their very own garage. But when their beloved cat Genie goes missing, they need to do everything they can to find him. Little do they know the trail will lead them to the realm of Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the Underworld, who is keeping Genie prisoner! With cool Spanish phrases on every page, a glossary of terms, and an action-packed plot that sneaks in science as well as Aztec lore, Lowriders to the Center of the Earth is a linguistic and visual delight. Great for Middle School students.
Moon Rope By Lois Ehlert
Fox really wants to go to the moon. Mole does not as much--at least not until he hears about the huge worms waiting up there for him to eat. So the two of them set off on their adventure, with a little help from a rope of grass and their friends the birds. With text in English and Spanish and bold art, the author brings to life this Peruvian folktale that explains why moles are more active on full moon nights, and why they are so scared of foxes. Great for Elementary students.
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040