Just the Stacks

Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer is a compassionate and honest picture book that helps children understand what happens when a loved one faces a serious illness. Written by breast cancer survivor Diane Davies, this story approaches a difficult topic with warmth, honesty, and hope. While ideal for elementary students, it also provides meaningful discussion opportunities for middle and high school students about empathy, family, and resilience. Jeannie Ann adores her grandmother, but everything changes when Grandma is diagnosed with breast cancer. Through Jeannie Ann’s eyes, readers see the family’s journey: doctor visits, hair loss, and moments of sadness balanced by courage and love. The book reassures young readers that it’s okay to feel scared or confused, while showing how families can come together to support one another through illness. Curriculum Connections   Health Education / SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) : This book opens the door to discussions a...

Jane Yolen’s Encounter , brought vividly to life by David Shannon’s illustrations, offers a powerful retelling of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas—but from the perspective of a young Taíno boy. Far from the triumphant narrative often told, this story reveals fear, foreboding, and loss. It is a deeply moving picture book that challenges students to think critically about history, perspective, and whose voices are heard. In this story, a Taíno boy dreams of strangers arriving from across the sea. When Columbus and his men reach shore, the boy’s warnings to his people go unheeded. The visitors seem friendly, but the boy senses danger. Told through the lens of Indigenous experience, Yolen’s narrative complicates the myth of Columbus’s “discovery” and asks readers to reconsider the impact of colonization. Curriculum Connections   Social Studies / History : Encounter provides an essential counter-narrative to traditional Columbus Day stories. Students can analyze...

Picture books like Crack Goes the Cascarones by Sara Andrea Fajardo offer joy, rhythm, and cultural celebration for younger readers but they also hold powerful teaching opportunities for middle and high school classrooms. This festive story about family, tradition, and identity becomes an entry point for older students to explore cultural heritage, symbolism, and how traditions connect to history and social issues. Cascarones are brightly decorated eggs filled with confetti, often cracked over loved ones’ heads during celebrations to bring joy and good fortune. In this vibrant picture book, readers are taken into the heart of a family fiesta, where music, laughter, and color fill the pages. The cracking of each cascarón highlights tradition, unity, and the beauty of cultural expression. Curriculum Connections  Hispanic Heritage Month / Social Studies : Students can investigate the origins of cascarones in Mexican culture, tracing their history back to Spain, Italy, and even A...

What happens when your abuela announces that “ropa vieja” is for dinner? In Old Clothes for Dinner , Natalie Alonso brings humor, family warmth, and cultural tradition to the table. This lively picture book is an engaging way to introduce readers of all ages to Cuban cuisine and the importance of family traditions. Old Clothes for Dinner   has rich potential for middle and high school classrooms. Food studies connect naturally to cultural identity, immigration, and history, all themes that resonate in secondary-level social studies, world language, and literature courses. For older students, pairing this picture book with primary sources (oral histories, family recipes, cultural essays) or contemporary discussions of food and identity can elevate it into an interdisciplinary exploration. Curriculum Connections   Hispanic Heritage Month : This book provides an accessible entry point into conversations about Cuban and broader Latinx traditions. Older students can e...

Barb Rosenstock’s Dorothea’s Eyes: Dorothea Lange Photographs the Truth , illustrated by Gérard DuBois, introduces readers to the life and legacy of photographer Dorothea Lange. Known for her powerful images of the Great Depression, Lange used her camera to shed light on the struggles of ordinary people, giving voice and visibility to those often overlooked. Rosenstock’s lyrical text and DuBois’s expressive illustrations highlight both Lange’s artistic eye and her deep empathy for others. This picture book biography is a rich resource for middle and high school classrooms, connecting to social studies, art, English Language Arts, and social-emotional learning (SEL) . Curriculum Connections Social Studies     The Great Depression : Use Lange’s photographs to explore the economic and social impact of this era on American families. American History Through Artifacts : Discuss how primary sources like photographs give us insight into history. Social Justice : Ex...

Will Hubbell’s Pumpkin Jack is a fall favorite that blends holiday fun with scientific discovery. The story follows Tim, who carves his first jack-o’-lantern and names it Jack. Instead of throwing Jack away when the pumpkin begins to rot, Tim places it in the garden and observes what happens. Over time, Jack decomposes, and new pumpkin plants grow, showing children the fascinating life cycle of a plant from seed to sprout to harvest. This picture book is a wonderful way to connect seasonal celebrations like Halloween with science and botany concepts, making it a perfect cross-curricular resource for October. Curriculum Connections Science / Botany Plant Life Cycle : Explore the stages of decomposition, germination, growth, flowering, and fruiting. Ecosystems & Decomposition : Discuss how organic matter breaks down and enriches the soil. Observation Skills : Encourage students to conduct their own pumpkin decomposition experiment, recording changes over time. Socia...