Just the Stacks

  Grace Hopper wasn’t just ahead of her time, she was the one helping to create the future. In Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code , Laurie Wallmark and illustrator Katy Wu bring to life the story of a woman who refused to take “no” for an answer, pioneering programming languages, and reshaping how we interact with computers. While this book is often labeled for younger readers, its engaging narrative and bold illustrations make it an excellent gateway text for middle and high school students to explore topics in mathematics, technology, problem-solving, and gender equity in STEM. Curriculum Connections Mathematics Grace’s work on computer programming required precise logic and an understanding of binary systems. Use the book as a springboard to explore: Number bases (binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal) Algorithms and step-by-step problem solving Debugging as a form of mathematical reasoning Technology & Computer Science Grace coined the term debugging aft...

Clear, engaging, and beautifully illustrated, Tiny Creatures introduces readers to the invisible world of microbes. With accessible language and vibrant visuals, this picture book explores what microbes are, where they live, how they grow, and their role in our everyday lives. While it’s a favorite for elementary grades, it can be a surprisingly effective anchor text for middle and high school science discussions, especially in biology, health, and environmental science units. Curriculum Connections Science – Biology  Microorganisms : Use the book to introduce or reinforce lessons about bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Scale and Size : Compare microbial sizes to cells and larger organisms. Create a classroom chart or drawing that visualizes microbial scale. Ecosystem Roles : Examine the positive and negative roles microbes play in decomposition, digestion, fermentation, and disease. Health and Wellness Germs and Hygiene : Tie into units on disease preventio...

Poetic, bold, and visually striking, We Came to America celebrates the rich diversity of people who have made the United States their home. In just a few lyrical verses, Faith Ringgold reminds readers that America’s story is a story of immigration, resilience, and cultural contributions. With evocative art and powerful repetition, this picture book affirms that while we came for different reasons and from different places, we all belong here. This book is a powerful entry point for older students to engage in deep, reflective conversations about identity, history, and belonging. Curriculum Connections Social Studies (Middle & High School) Immigration History : Use the book to launch discussions about waves of immigration, reasons people migrate, and the impact of immigration on U.S. history. Primary Source Comparison : Pair the book with historical documents, immigration interviews, or Ellis Island records for analysis and critical thinking. Contemporary Issues : Facili...

What do pinecones, sunflowers, and seashells have in common? The answer lies in a pattern of numbers discovered nearly 800 years ago. Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci tells the story of Leonardo of Pisa,  boy mocked for his questions and curiosity, who grew up to uncover the famous Fibonacci Sequence, a set of numbers that appears over and over again in the natural world. With witty narration and playful illustrations, this biography introduces students to the idea that math is not just about calculations. It is about seeing the world in a completely different way. Curriculum Connections Math Curriculum  Pattern Recognition : Use Fibonacci’s sequence to introduce recursive and explicit formulas. Math in Nature : Invite students to research and present examples of the sequence in natural objects like pinecones, pineapples, sunflowers, and seashells. Golden Ratio Exploration : Dive deeper into the relationship between the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio. Have...

From the moment she was told to “act like a lady,” Bella Abzug decided she’d do the exact opposite. Abzuglutely! is a bold, vivid picture book biography that tells the story of Bella Abzug, lawyer, activist, Congresswoman, and unapologetic trailblazer. She was a force for feminism, a fighter for civil and human rights, and a powerful voice in American politics who just happened to wear wide-brimmed hats and speak her mind without apology. Curriculum Connections Social Studies & Civics  Bella Abzug’s life is a roadmap for civic engagement. This book is ideal for middle and high school students studying: The Civil Rights Movement Women’s Liberation LGBTQ+ Rights American Government & Lawmaking Post-WWII Political History Use it to launch discussions about the roles of protest, political representation, and the power of individuals in shaping democracy. Students can compare Abzug’s legislative legacy with modern figures in Congress and explore how activism...

Elizabeth Rusch’s Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved Our Planet , beautifully illustrated by Teresa Martínez, tells the true story of Mexican-American scientist Mario Molina , who helped uncover the dangers of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and contributed to saving the ozone layer. This powerful biography highlights not only a major scientific discovery but also the perseverance, collaboration, and global citizenship it takes to protect the planet. Curriculum Connections Science & Chemistry  Mario’s story is a stellar fit for middle and high school classrooms focusing on: Atmospheric science and environmental chemistry The ozone layer and UV radiation CFCs and global environmental policy Scientific inquiry and ethics in research Pair the book with lessons on: The Montreal Protocol Current environmental challenges (e.g., climate change, plastic pollution) Lab simulations that model how CFCs affect ozone molecules Chemistry units on comp...

What happens when a game we’ve all played becomes a window into economic history, feminism, and intellectual property rights? Tanya Lee Stone’s Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented uncovers the surprising and often overlooked origins of Monopoly and the woman behind it. Before Parker Brothers and Hasbro turned it into a best-selling board game, Monopoly began as The Landlord’s Game , invented by Lizzie Magie , a progressive thinker who wanted to highlight the dangers of monopolies and the growing divide between rich and poor. The story traces how her game was co-opted, rebranded, and sold, without credit to her, by Charles Darrow during the Great Depression. This nonfiction picture book tells a multi-layered story of invention, economic justice, and erasure with vivid illustrations and accessible text. Curriculum Connections Math & Financial Literacy Connections While Pass Go and Collect $200 centers on the social and historical story of Mono...

  Who invented crayons? And how did a humble factory owner turn wax and pigment into a product that changed childhood (and art classes) forever? The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons introduces students to Edwin Binney, a curious and determined innovator who solved a problem: how to create a colorful, affordable, and safe drawing tool for children. This nonfiction picture book blends biography, science, art, and history into a story of invention and color that goes far beyond the elementary classroom. It’s a powerful read-aloud and an even stronger jumping-off point for STEM and STEAM learning in grades 6–12 . Curriculum Connections Science and Chemistry Binney was not just an inventor, he was a materials scientist. His development of Crayola crayons required experimentation with: Pigments and natural dyes Waxes and binders Chemical stability and safety Use this story to introduce concepts like: Solubility & binding agents ...

  The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read tells the true story of Mary Walker, who learned to read at the astonishing age of 116. Born into slavery in 1848, Mary lived through the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Although she longed to read as a child, circumstances denied her that opportunity for over a century. Still, she never gave up. Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s powerful writing and Oge Mora’s warm, textured collage illustrations bring Mary’s journey to life with dignity, resilience, and heart. This story is an inspiring celebration of perseverance, the power of education, and the belief that it is never too late to learn. Curriculum  Connections Historical Context Mary Walker’s life spans some of the most significant events in U.S. history: slavery, Emancipation, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. Use the book to explore historical literacy barriers,  especially for Black Americans in the South. Dis...

Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer is a captivating illustrated biography of one of the most influential scientists you’ve (possibly) never heard of. Written and illustrated by graphic novelist and artist Danica Novgorodoff, this book introduces readers to Humboldt’s 18th- and 19th-century journeys across Latin America, his groundbreaking scientific observations, and his revolutionary ideas about the interconnectedness of the natural world. With beautiful visuals and accessible text, this picture book brings Humboldt’s passion for the Earth and the beginning of modern environmentalism to life. It's a perfect choice for introducing middle and high school students to the power of scientific observation, ecological thinking, and the spirit of exploration. This is not just a story of one man’s journey. It’s a vibrant and engaging way to introduce core science concepts through biography. Humboldt’s life connects directly to the heart of environme...

  Let the Children March is a powerful picture book that tells the true story of the 1963 Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement. Narrated from the perspective of a young Black girl, the story follows the brave children who marched for freedom, knowing they might be met with police dogs, fire hoses, and jail cells. Monica Clark-Robinson’s lyrical text and Frank Morrison’s expressive illustrations create a narrative that honors the courage, conviction, and collective power of youth activism. The story gives voice to the children who helped change the world and challenges today's students to consider their own role in shaping a more just society. Curriculum Connections Social Studies: Civil Rights Movement & Primary Sources Historical Context : Use the book to introduce or deepen understanding of the Birmingham Campaign, the Children's Crusade, and key civil rights figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend James Bevel. ...

Who knew bubble gum had such an unexpected backstory? Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum tells the delightful and true tale of Walter Diemer, a shy accountant at the Fleer Chewing Gum Company in the 1920s who accidentally invented the first bubble gum. Meghan McCarthy’s bold illustrations and clear, engaging text take readers into a world of trial and error, strange experiments, and a sugary pink breakthrough that quite literally changed the way America chews. This playful yet fact-packed book is more than just fun. It is a launchpad for cross-curricular exploration into chemistry, public health, advertising, invention, and 20th-century American culture. Curriculum Connections Science: Chemistry & Experimentation  Chemistry in Action : Diemer’s process is a great way to discuss real-life applications of chemistry, emulsification, polymers, viscosity, and elasticity. Use this book to introduce or extend units on physical properties of materials and chemical processes. T...