Just the Stacks

Lydia M. Sigwarth’s heartfelt picture book Dear Librarian is a moving love letter to the role libraries and librarians play in children’s lives. Based on the author’s own childhood, the book tells the story of Lydia, whose family faced homelessness and instability. Through it all, she found safety, comfort, and a sense of belonging in the library, thanks to the kindness of a librarian who welcomed her. Years later, Lydia grew up to become a librarian herself, inspired by that early experience. This beautiful story is not just about books, it’s about resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of libraries as community spaces. While perfect for elementary readers, Dear Librarian also resonates with middle and high school students, especially in discussions about empathy, social justice, and the importance of public institutions. Curriculum Connections Social Studies Community & Civic Engagement : Explore the role of public libraries as essential community resources....

Spirit Week is a time for students to come together in celebration and fun: pajama day, crazy socks, and of course, Silly Hair Day. But what happens when a child doesn’t have hair? What’s Silly Hair Day With No Hair? by Norene Paulson, illustrated by Camila Carrossine, takes this question and turns it into a thoughtful story about creativity, friendship, and inclusion. The story follows Cody, a boy without hair, who wonders how he can participate in Silly Hair Day at school. While it first feels like a challenge, Cody and his best friend come up with an imaginative solution that makes the day meaningful. With warmth and humor, the book shows how differences can become opportunities for connection and resilience. As we recognize  Alopecia Awareness Month in September, it’s important to share stories that foster empathy, celebrate uniqueness, and help students see the many forms that beauty and identity can take. Curriculum Connections Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Self-Awa...

  Aimée Sicuro’s beautiful picture book If You Find a Leaf is an invitation to see the world with wonder. The story begins with a simple, everyday object, a leaf, but transforms it into endless possibilities: a crown, a boat, a mask, even a hot-air balloon. Through poetic language and whimsical illustrations, the book celebrates imagination, creativity, and the treasures that can be found in nature. Although designed for younger children , If You Find a Leaf also works wonderfully with middle and high school students as a springboard for writing, science investigations, and artistic expression. Its blend of nature and creativity makes it a rich interdisciplinary resource. Curriculum Connections Science Life Science : Students can collect and identify leaves from their local environment, learning about tree species, plant structure, and ecosystems. Seasons & Climate : Explore why leaves change color in autumn, the science of photosynthesis, and how seasonal cycles imp...

Raj Haldar’s This Book Is Banned , illustrated by Julia Patton, is a clever and engaging picture book that invites readers into a playful yet powerful conversation about censorship. Through humor and absurd scenarios, the book explores what happens when certain words, ideas, or images are “banned.” It’s a gentle but pointed reminder of the importance of access to stories and information, a topic that resonates deeply in today’s climate of increasing book challenges and restrictions. Though designed for younger readers, this book provides an excellent entry point for middle and high school students to critically examine freedom of expression, intellectual freedom, and the consequences of limiting access to diverse voices. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / Civics    Constitutional Rights : Connects directly to the First Amendment and discussions of free speech. Democracy & Civic Responsibility : Encourages dialogue about why intellectual freedom matters in a d...

Until Someone Listens: A Story About Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission , written by Estela Juárez with Lissette Norman and illustrated by Teresa Martínez, is a moving picture book memoir that gives voice to the experiences of immigrant families and the power of young people to speak up for justice. Based on Estela Juárez’s real-life story, the book shares how, at just eight years old, she began writing letters to lawmakers and leaders after her mother was deported to Mexico. Estela’s heartfelt words gained national attention, proving that even the youngest voices can spark change. This story combines themes of resilience, activism, and love of family, offering a timely entry point for students to discuss immigration, borders, and the importance of civic engagement. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / Civics   Immigration Studies : Provides a child-centered narrative to understand the realities of U.S. immigration policy. Government & Advocacy : Encourage...

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter by Aida Salazar, with bold illustrations by Molly Mendoza, introduces readers to the extraordinary life of Jovita Valdovinos , a young woman in early 20th-century Mexico who defied expectations and gender norms to fight for freedom during the Cristero War (1926–1929). Told in lyrical prose, the book recounts how Jovita resisted her father’s insistence that she wear traditional dresses, choosing instead to wear pants and later take up arms as a soldier. Her story is one of resistance, courage, and determination. A reminder that heroes come in many forms, and that fighting for justice often means daring to be yourself. Curriculum Connections Hispanic Heritage Representation : Spotlights a Mexican heroine rarely taught in traditional history classes. Cultural History : Connects students to the Mexican Revolution and Cristero War, deepening understanding of Latin American struggles for justice and identity. Heritage Mo...

Cantora by Melisa Fernández Nitsche is a powerful picture book inspired by the women of Argentina’s Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Through poetic language and striking illustrations, it tells the story of women who raised their voices in protest during Argentina’s “Dirty War” (1976–1983), when thousands of people, many young students, were taken by the military government and never returned. These women gathered in Buenos Aires, wearing white scarves and singing for justice, until the world could no longer ignore them. Though written for young readers, Cantora offers middle and high school students a moving entry point into history, human rights, and the power of collective action. Curriculum Connections Hispanic Heritage Cultural Awareness : Highlights Argentina’s history and the resilience of its people, especially women, during a time of political violence. Voices of Women : Elevates women’s role in shaping history and preserving memory in Latin America. Global Connec...

Dare the Wind: The Record-breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud by Tracey Fern, with watercolor illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully, tells the inspiring true story of Eleanor “Ellen” Prentiss Creesy, the first female navigator to chart and guide a clipper ship around Cape Horn. In 1851, Ellen and her husband sailed the Flying Cloud from New York to San Francisco in just 89 days, setting a record that stood for more than a century. Ellen’s love of the sea, her skill in mathematics and navigation, and her determination to trust both science and instinct make this a powerful teaching tool across multiple disciplines. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / History Maritime History : Explores the Gold Rush era, clipper ships, and global trade in the mid-19th century. Women’s History : Highlights Ellen Prentiss Creesy’s groundbreaking role in navigation, making connections to women breaking barriers in STEM fields today. Geography : Students can trace the ...

14 Cows for America  by Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, tells the extraordinary true story of how, after the September 11 attacks, the Maasai people of Kenya offered a powerful gift of comfort and solidarity to the United States: fourteen cows, symbols of life, peace, and healing in their culture. Told through the eyes of Kimeli Naiyomah, a young Maasai man who studied in America and returned home to share the tragic events of 9/11, this picture book highlights the power of empathy and global connection. For middle and high school classrooms, it opens meaningful conversations about cultural values, international perspectives, and the shared humanity that binds us all. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / History Global Perspectives on 9/11 : Encourages students to see how a U.S. tragedy resonated around the world. World Cultures : Offers insight into Maasai traditions, values, and the symbolic importance of cows. Global Citizenship : Highlights the role...

  Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 by Julie Gassman tells the little-known story of the boatlift that rescued nearly half a million people from lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. When bridges, tunnels, and subways shut down after the attacks, ordinary boat owners, fishermen, ferry captains, and tugboat operators, rushed into New York Harbor to carry people to safety. It was the largest boat rescue in history, even surpassing the evacuation at Dunkirk during World War II. This picture book is a moving reminder that in times of crisis, everyday people step forward with extraordinary courage. For middle and high school classrooms, it provides a human-centered, hopeful way to discuss one of the most difficult days in American history. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / History   9/11 Education : Offers students a personal and community-based entry point into learning about the attacks. Maritime History : Connects the rescue to o...

  This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin tells the moving story of the “Survivor Tree,” a Callery pear tree that was buried under the rubble of the Twin Towers after the September 11 attacks. Despite being burned, broken, and thought to be lost, the tree was rescued, nursed back to health, and replanted at the 9/11 Memorial as a symbol of resilience, hope, and renewal. Told from the perspective of the tree itself, this picture book helps young readers and older students, too grapple with the tragedy of 9/11 while focusing on themes of healing, growth, and community. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / History  9/11 Education : Provides an accessible entry point into teaching about September 11th, especially for middle and high school students who were not alive during the events. Contemporary History : Encourages discussion of how historical memory is preserved through memorials, monuments, and symbols. Civic Engagement : Open...

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick is much more than a charming picture book. While it appeals to young readers with its beautiful illustrations by Sophie Blackall  and the story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, it also provides rich opportunities for middle school and high school students to explore history, literature, and social-emotional learning. The book tells the true story of Harry Colebourn, a Canadian veterinarian who, during World War I, adopts a bear cub he names Winnie. Winnie travels with Harry and becomes a beloved companion for the soldiers. Eventually, Harry donates Winnie to the London Zoo, where a young Christopher Robin Milne meets her sparking the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh. The author, Lindsay Mattick, is Harry’s great-granddaughter, and the story is framed as a family narrative, connecting past to present. Curriculum Connections Social Studies / History    World War I Connections : Stude...

  Pura Belpré was more than a librarian she was a storyteller, cultural ambassador, and bridge-builder whose words planted seeds of pride and identity in countless young readers. In Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré , author Anika Aldamuy Denise and illustrator Paola Escobar weave together rich text and vibrant imagery to share the life of New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian. Belpré brought bilingual books, folktales from Puerto Rico, and culturally relevant programming to the public library system, transforming the way communities saw themselves in stories. Her legacy still blooms today, in classrooms, libraries, and the annual Pura Belpré Award honoring outstanding Latino/Latina creators of children’s books. Curriculum Connections English Language Arts Analyze how the author’s language choices evoke imagery and emotion. Compare Pura Belpré’s folktales to traditional tales from other cultures. Explore narrative nonfiction as a...