Author Archives: Nancy O'Brien

Celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with Youth Lit

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August 9th is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a holiday commemorated to raise awareness of and celebrate the contributions and continued importance of Indigenous persons across the globe. To help celebrate, this month’s S-Collection blog features children’s books authored and/or illustrated by Indigenous persons and about the Indigenous experience. The picture book selection features stunning art styles, including stonecut printing and painting, alongside stories about nature, culture, and tradition. The juvenile fiction texts introduce readers to engaging Indigenous characters who learn more about themselves and their families and even meet spirits, monsters, and talking animals as they embark on quests for justice. Finally, the juvenile nonfiction texts go into depth regarding many Indigenous thinkers, inventors, and movers who changed the course of the world. The S-Collection has what you need to celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples this August!

Picture Books

Morgan, Sally
Illustrated by: Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr
The River. 2021. Picture Book.
This picture book inspires a sense of wonder in children through its description of the animal life you can find in a river. From fish to frogs to lizards, young readers will get an introduction to Australian animals and nature. Written by Australian Aboriginal author Sally Morgan and illustrated by Australian Aboriginal artist and performer Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr.
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Rendon, Marcie R.
Illustrated by: Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Stitches of Tradition. 2024. Picture Book.
This inspirational book showcases different Ojibwe traditions, including naming ceremonies and the creation of ribbon skirts to mark momentous occasions. The text is accessible for young readers but supplemented by back matter that further explains the important role that ribbon skirts play in this indigenous culture. Written by Native American author and poet Marcie R. Rendon. Illustrated by First Nations artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley.
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Tagaq, Tanya
Illustrated by: Cee Pootoogook
It Bears Repeating. 2024. Picture Book.
This creative book serves as an introduction to both counting and the Inuktitut language. It starts with just one polar bear, waking up and greeting the brand-new day. By sunset, there are ten bears getting ready for a winter’s nap. Includes backmatter with a link to a video of the author reading the book in a storytime format. Written by Inuk author and throat singer Tanya Tagaq and illustrated by Inuk printmaker and sculptor Cee Pootoogook.
Q. S.513.211 T126it

Juvenile Fiction

LaPensée, Elizabeth
Illustrated by: KC Oster
Rabbit Chase. 2022. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
In this twist on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Anishinaabe preteen Aimâee is transported to a magical realm of Indigenous figures. Lewis Carroll’s white rabbit is a Trickster figure in this creative graphic novel, and Aimâee teams up with them to gain the support of the Paayehnsag, or water spirits, in order to protect the natural landscape threatened by industrialization. Written by Irish, Anishinaabe, and Métis author Elizabeth LaPensée and illustrated by Ojibwe-Anishinaabe artist KC Oster.
S.741.5971 L312ra

Smith, Cynthia Leitich
On a Wing and a Tear. 2024. Juvenile Fiction.
Bat, the lovable lovable animal sidekick of Indigenous preteens Mel and Ray, needs to travel from Chicago to Georgia to participate in a legendary flying race between birds and flying mammals like himself. Luckily, Mel, Ray, and Ray’s grandfather are up to the task of helping Bat make this long journey. A roadtrip novel commences as the tight-knit group crosses the country, learning more about their ancestry along the way. Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation.
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Young, Brian
Healer of the Water Monster. 2021. Juvenile Fiction.
Living with his grandmother in her crowded mobile home during a hot New Mexico summer is not as dull as teenager Nathan expects in this debut novel. While wandering the barren desert one day, Nathan encounters Pond, a Water Monster from one of his grandmother’s Navajo creation stories. Pond has been sickened by radiation poisoning and desperately needs help, a plotline that mirrors Nathan’s uncle Jet’s struggles with addiction. Nathan must seek healing for those he cares about in an adventure that takes him to fascinating new worlds. Written by Diné and Navajo author Brian Young.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Habrelock, Deirdre and Edward Kay
Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge. 2023. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book takes a deep dive into the contributions that Native Americans have made to the fields of agriculture, ecology, math, engineering, and more, from before 1492 to present day. The ways that white settlers took Native American ideas and knowledge and adopted them as their own are exposed, and specific inventors and creators receive mini biographies throughout. Photographs, recipes, lists of inventions and their legacies, simple science experiments, Indigenous science organizations, and more create a rich reading experience. Written by author Deidre Havrelock, a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, and illustrated by Canadian artist Edward Kay.
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Sorrel, Traci
Illustrated by: Frané Lessac
We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know. 2020. Young Adult Nonfiction.
In 1871, the United States government ended a nearly 100-year old tradition of creating treaties with Native American groups, which effectively prevented tribes from being recognized as independent nations. This nonfiction text explores the ramifications of this decision, tracking how laws, treaties, and government decisions have impacted Native Americans and their acts of resistance. Written as though students are giving classroom presentations about the different subjects, the book covers topics such as land allotment, forced assimilation, and more, ultimately reminding readers that although the government may try to eliminate Native American culture, they have failed, as Indigenous persons continue to exist and resist today. Written by Traci Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrated by artist Frané Lessac.
Q. S.973.0497 So683we

Yellowhorn, Eldon and Kathy Lowinger
Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories. 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This sprawling book describes the accomplishments of Indigenous people across the Americas in different realms such as activism, art, and anthropology. Featured figures range in background, from Mayan to Métis to Inuit, as well as time period, from historical figures to those still alive and working today. The authors even bring in stories and experiences from their own lives to show that the stories of indigenous people are “ours to tell.” Written by author and professor Eldon Yellowhorn, a member of Piikani Nation, and Canadian author Kathy Lowinger.
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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources and Books for Youth

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Although mental health and wellness is always important, it takes the spotlight in the month of July during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance draws attention to the unique mental health struggles of minorities, which are highlighted in the books selected in this month’s S-Collection blog. The picture book selection features books that center mental health and wellness, as well as coping strategies towards healing, through the lens of non-white characters. Similar voices are centered in the young adult fiction selection, but these books are more gritty, graphic, and honest when it comes to mental health and its impact on children’s lives, making these books best suited for older readers. Finally, the nonfiction texts offer more straightforward guides to understanding and improving one’s mental health. Whether you’re looking for a simple and lighthearted introduction to mental health struggles or something more intense, the S-Collection has what you need to mark Minority Mental Health Awareness Month this July!

Picture Books

Mendes, Eva
Illustrated by: Abbey Bryant
Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries. 2024. Picture Book.
Young Desi is certain that there is a monster under her bed. After her mom assures her that she already cleaned out all of the monsters, the two begin to talk about anxiety. According to Desi’s mom, anxiety can feel like a bully in your brain that makes you think things you do not want to think. Together, the two practice calming techniques, such as deep breathing that can blow away negative thoughts, so that Desi can get a good night’s sleep. From actor Eva Mendes.
Q. SE. M5226de

Percival, Tom
Ruby Finds a Worry. 2019. Picture Book.
While playing outside one day, the happy-go-lucky Ruby discovers something she hasn’t seen before: A small yellow monster, called a Worry. The Worry begins to follow Ruby, growing larger and larger and sucking the color and joy out of her life. At first, Ruby thinks it would be best to ignore the Worry and pretend she doesn’t see it. However, after meeting someone who has a Worry of their own, Ruby learns that speaking about her Worry can help shrink it back into the shadows.
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Subisak, Tracy
Jenny Mei is Sad. 2021. Picture Book.
To most students, Jenny Mei is a class clown who never has a bad day. Her friend, however, knows that even Jenny is sometimes sad. One day, Jenny acts out in class and has to stay after school to talk to the teacher, and her best friend knows just what to do to show Jenny she cares. She waits for Jenny to come out, buys her a popsicle, plays a game with her, and comforts her when she cries. The simplistic yet evocative illustrations help show how true friends stand by each other on good days as well as bad.
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Young Adult Fiction

Arango, Andrea Beatriz
Iveliz Explains it All. 2022. Young Adult Fiction.
12-year-old Iveliz is a poet, and this novel, told in verse, is presented through pages from her journal. Iveliz’s father recently passed away, and ever since his death, she has been dealing with anxiety and depression. Iveliz has trouble opening up and attempts to alleviate her symptoms by going to therapy and taking medications. Her voice and spirit shine through in this deeply personal novel that follows her as she navigates her mental health, family relationships, and friendships.
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Chand, Jyoti
Illustrated by: Tara Anand
Fitting Indian. 2025. Young Adult Graphic Novel.
Nitasha is struggling with her parents’ expectations and constantly compares herself to her brother, a successful doctor. This begins to take a toll on her mental health. Seeking solace in anything she can find, Nitasha turns to drinking and self-harm. When a video of Nitasha drunk at a party goes viral and even reaches her family’s eyes, she spirals even further. This book is intense and at times graphic, providing a frank look at the mental health struggles of teens.
S.741.5973 C3611fi

Qureshi, Aamna
When a Brown Girl Flees. 2023. Young Adult Fiction.
Desperate to control her own destiny, 18-year-old Zahra books a one-way flight to New York City to avoid the threat of marriage and the weight of her mother’s expectations. Fleeing California doesn’t mean Zahra is without problems, however, as she continues to struggle with her mental health. A visit to a local mosque connects her to other Muslims and helps her begin to recreate the community she lost. Mental health in religious communities is explored in this emotional and honest coming-of-age novel.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Davis, Rachael and Islenia Mil
A Mind Like Mine: 21 Famous People and their Mental Health. 2022. Juvenile Nonfiction.
Those struggling with their mental health may feel alone and as though there is no one out there like them. This book aims to fix that by revealing how 21 famous and influential people struggled with their mental health while making positive and long-lasting impacts on society. Featured individuals include Florence Nightingale, Michelangelo, Greta Thunberg, Jameela Jamil, and more. In addition to the short biographies about these figures, this book includes suggestions on how readers can navigate mental health struggles in their own lives.
Available online

Siebert, Melanie and Belle Wuthrich
Illustrated by: Belle Wuthrich
Heads Up: Changing Minds on Mental Health. 2020. Young Adult Nonfiction.
This comprehensive yet concise handbook is perfect for teens just beginning to understand the role that mental health plays in their lives. Using anecdotal stories from the author and from other individuals with various mental health struggles, this book explains mental health as a concept, discusses historical and current treatment strategies, and confronts taboo topics with kindness. Illustrations and simple definitions make this book engaging and accessible. Included at the end are resources and a glossary of useful terms.
S.616.8900835 Si152he

Speller, Katherine
The Beasts in Your Brain: Understanding Living with Anxiety and Depression. 2023. Juvenile Nonfiction.
Prompted by the increase in mental health issues in teens during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book serves as a guide to living with anxiety and depression. The author characterizes these as “beasts” that one must acknowledge and battle rather than go unnamed and ignored. Actionable steps, such as speaking to professionals and developing healthy coping mechanisms, are detailed throughout. Battling your inner beasts is made possible through this thorough and approachable nonfiction text.
Available online

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Happy World Music Day! Music and Musicians in Youth Lit

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The summer solstice is in June, and on this day, the world also celebrates World Music Day! On World Music Day, musicians both expert and amateur are encouraged to sing songs and play instruments in public. This month’s S-Collection blog features books about music to help young readers celebrate this holiday and appreciate everything music has to offer! The picture book selection includes books about bands, songs, and songwriting, while the juvenile fiction selection includes longer books about the impact that music can have on our lives. Finally, the juvenile nonfiction selection dives deeper into the history of music and instruments, the science behind our love of music, and some of the figures who stand out in music history. Whether you’re looking for picture books, chapter books, or nonfiction books, the S-Collection has what you need to celebrate World Music Day this June!

Picture Books

Alexander, Kwame and Randy Preston
Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
How To Sing a Song. 2024. Picture Book.
This collaboration between acclaimed children’s book author Kwame Alexander and singer, songwriter, and composer Randy Preston celebrates the joy of music. Through lyrical poetry and unique illustrations that are partially comprised of sheet music, the natural music of the world that you can hear from birds, frogs, and trees is compared to the music that people create. Children will be encouraged to listen, dance, and sing after reading this lively picture book.
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Baptist, Kelly J.
Illustrated by: Jenin Mohammed
The Band in Our Basement. 2024. Picture Book.
Kenny and his sister are supposed to be sleeping, but their dad’s jazz band is practicing in the basement, and they can’t resist getting up to dance along with the music! Wanting to listen more closely, the two carefully sneak downstairs and discover that the singer in the band is none other than their mom. Soon, the kids are coaxed out of hiding and invited to join in on the fun, banging on drums and singing into mics themselves. The fun of making music with family is highlighted in this colorfully illustrated rhyming picture book.
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Weatherford, Carole and Jeffrey
Illustrated by: Ernel Martinez
Rap it Up! 2025. Picture Book.
This picture book doubles as a step-by-step guide on how kids can start writing their own raps. The text encourages readers to pick up a pen and start writing, looking to the world around them and their own lives for motivation and inspiration. The fun of rhythm, poetry, and rhyme is made obvious in the upbeat text. Rap-specific terms such as onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and more are defined in the back-matter.
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Juvenile Fiction

Broach, Elise
Illustrated by: Ziyue Chen
Duet. 2022. Juvenile Fiction.
Mirabelle is a goldfinch who loves to spend her days listening to Mr. Starek, a formerly-famous Polish pianist who has been in a musical rut since the death of his sister. When gifted pupil Michael shows up to get lessons from Mr. Starek, Michael is initially resistant to play, as he misses his previous teacher. However, when Mirabelle begins to sing along to Michael’s music, Michael becomes inspired and begins to prepare for the upcoming Chopin Festival. The trio learns about Chopin and the beauty of music in this whimsical ode to duets.
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Granillo, Ashley Jean
Cruzita and the Mariacheros. 2024. Juvenile Fiction.
It’s summer, but Cruzita doesn’t get to relax and vacation like other tweens. Following the death of her beloved uncle, the struggling family business is short-staffed, so Cruzita must spend her time pitching in at Lupe’s Bakery. Hoping to lift Cruzita’s spirits and connect her to her Mexican heritage, Cruzita’s grandmother signs her up to play violin in a mariachi band. Although Cruzita is initially nervous that she will not fit in, given she doesn’t know Spanish or how to play the violin, she soon starts to grow in her musical confidence and gets an idea for how to save the bakery by competing in a local talent show.
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Sekaran, Shanthi
Boomi’s Boombox. 2023. Juvenile Fiction.
Following her dad’s death from COVID-19, Boomi is struggling through the grieving process and losing interest in her passions, like ballet. When her dad’s friend gives her a magical boombox and a mix-tape, however, Boomi is transported back in time to her dad’s childhood in 1980s England. In the past, Boomi reconnects with her father and her grandmother, who is nonverbal in the present, and begins to discover a potential way to change the future. As Boomi jumps back and forth through time, she learns more about her family and the music that defines them. Each chapter is named after a song from her father’s mix-tape, meaning this book comes with a built-in playlist to listen to while reading.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Cross, Alan and Emme, and Nicole Mortillaro
The Science of Song: How and Why We Make Music. 2021. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This detailed book covers music and songwriting from a variety of different angles, including the science of sound, the history of instruments, and the famous composers and singers who have defined musical history. Groundbreaking musical inventions from the cassette tape to the MP3 player are explored, and playlists of songs are included at the end of each chapter. Thorough back-matter opens avenues for further research, making this book perfect for curious readers who are interested in learning more about humanity’s love of music.
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Oliver, Carmen
Illustrated by: Lluisa Uribe
Building an Orchestra of Hope: How Favio Chávez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash. 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
In the impoverished town of Cateura, Paraguay, members of the community make money by salvaging trash from the landfills and selling it. Musical educator Favio Chávez wanted to bring joy to the children of Cateura and make use of the excess trash, which led to him creating the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura. Using materials such as pipes, kitchen utensils, keys, and more, Chávez helped kids craft their very own instruments and taught them how to make music together. Under Chávez’s mentorship, this makeshift orchestra has now performed with some of music’s biggest stars, but this book looks back at its humble beginnings to reveal how music can bring hope to communities and children alike.
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Pimentel, Annette Bay
Illustrated by: Madison Safer
Before Music: Where Instruments Come From. 2022. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This beautifully illustrated oversized picture book explores the history of musical instruments from around the globe, including the chigufe, sitar, shell horns, and more. The book describes the unique materials people have used to make sounds, including turtle shells, clay, and gourds, and helps readers envision those sounds by describing them phonetically (swzswz, ptptptp, ssssss). Children can try their hand at making instruments themselves with the steps and suggestions provided in back-matter.
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May the Fourth Be With You! Sci-Fi in Youth Lit

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Each year on May 4th, sci-fi fans celebrate Star Wars Day, the date chosen because May the fourth sounds like the start of the Star Wars quote “may the force be with you!” This month’s S-Collection blog features books perfect for sci-fi fans who are interested in reading about futuristic technology, aliens, and galaxies far, far away. The picture books tell lighthearted stories about lovable aliens and space travel perfect for young readers, while the juvenile fiction books feature aliens that are a little scarier and stakes that are much higher. Finally, the nonfiction texts tell the stories of real-life space heroes, from astronauts to engineers, in addition to exploring the practice of space-travel in more depth. Whether you’re looking for picture books or chapter books, the S-Collection has what you need to celebrate Star Wars Day with some sci-fi this May the fourth!

Picture Books

Boruch, Grace and Lily Murray
Let’s Tell a Story! Space Adventure. 2021. Picture Book.
This story-building book invites readers to tell a sci-fi story themselves. Each page asks the reader to make decisions about the story, such as which hero goes on the adventure – maybe an alien, a scientist, or an astronaut – and where they decide to visit – maybe Planet Cheese, the Unicorn Planet, or the brightest star in the sky. Readers dress their heroes in the proper clothes, pack their bags, pick out their crew, and eventually encounter an enemy to defeat. Endless options for endless stories await in this space-themed adventure book that encourages kids to use their imagination.
Available online

Hong, C. J.
Illustrated by: A. J. Smith
Greetings, Floof! 2024. Picture Book.
In this interactive picture book, renowned scientist Dr. Greta Goodnote teaches her audience all about Floof, a fluffy, cuddly alien from the planet Ploof. As you read, Dr. Goodnote encourages listeners to wave hello, blow kisses, help dry Floof off, and more. At the end of the adventure, Floof flies back to Ploof to tell the other aliens all about the fun you can have on earth. Perfect for storytimes.
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Kowal, Mary Robinette
Illustrated by: Diana Mayo
Molly on the Moon. 2022. Picture Book.
This evocative picture book follows Molly and her family as they move from Earth to the Moon. Although Molly is excited to move to a new place, the rocket they travel in limits how many things they can bring, so Molly and her brother Luke can only pick one toy each. Molly chooses a stuffed lamb, and Luke chooses blocks. Molly uses her imagination to create even more toys for herself from the objects around the rocket, such as tin cans and crates. However, when Luke tries to take her beloved stuffed lamb, Molly has to learn to see things from Luke’s point of view. Includes backmatter with facts about the moon and space travel.
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Juvenile Fiction

Brooks, Nick
Everything Interesting Keeps Happening to Ethan Fairmont. 2024. Juvenile Fiction.
This book is the third in the Ethan Fairmont series, which follows Ethan and his group of friends as they fight to keep their beloved home of Ferrous City safe from alien invaders. Some of the aliens are allies, such as the lovable purple Cheese, while others are enemies, like the evil light-thieves. Although Ethan normally likes to keep the details of their adventures hidden from his family, these particular aliens are dangerous enough that Ethan learns there is no shame in getting support from others to save the planet.
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Guojing
Oasis. 2025. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
DiDi and his sister JieJie live in a desolate, forgotten landscape outside of the beautiful city of Oasis. Their mother is far away, working in an underground factory to earn her family admission into Oasis, and the siblings spend their time taking long walks to water and waiting in their desert hut. One day, DiDi and JieJie discover a broken-down AI-powered robot, which the ingenious JieJie is able to fix. After activating the robot’s Mother mode, the children begin to grow attached to their nonhuman caretaker. Beautiful and evocative illustrations add to the eerie and hopeful narrative about humanity and artificial intelligence.
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Wilgus, Benjamin A.
Illustrated by: Rii Abrego
Grace Needs Space! 2023. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
Preteen Grace is a child of divorce living with her mom, Evelyn, who is an engineer on a futuristic space station. Grace’s “fun” mom, Kendra, hasn’t seen Grace in over a year and works as a captain on a freighter ship. When Grace finally gets the chance to spend time with Kendra on Titan, the moon of Saturn, she hopes the two will bond and spend time exploring together. However, Kendra is too focused on work just like Evelyn is, and Grace soon finds herself alone in an unfamiliar place. Family dynamics are explored in this colorfully illustrated graphic novel set in a sci-fi world.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Grush, Loren
The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts (Young Reader’s Edition). 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book is an adaptation of the 2023 adult title and makes the stories of the first women astronauts – Anna Fisher, Shannon Lucid, Judy Resnik, Sally Ride, Rhea Seddon, and Kathy Sullivan – accessible for teen readers. These astronauts all had to overcome societal and personal obstacles to rise in the ranks of NASA and eventually travel to space. Space disasters and the science behind them are also explored in this exciting narrative about trailblazing women.
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Levinson, Cynthia and Jennifer Swanson
Who Owns the Moon? and Other Conundrums of Exploring and Using Space. 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book explores unique questions about the complicated nature of space travel, including the titular question: What country, if any, owns land on the moon? This book looks at space travel’s past, such as the Cold War space race and old laws such as the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to make predictions about the future of space travel, technology, and tourism. Perfect for young readers fascinated by all things space.
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Wells, Allen R.
Illustrated by: DeAndra Hodge
Yvonne Clark and her Engineering Spark. 2025. Picture Book Biography.
This biography of NASA engineer Yvonne Clark was written by one of her former students and details her love and knack for all things science that landed her an important position at NASA. Clark got her start as a child by fixing toasters, and after years of careful study and determination, Clark turned her sights to the stars. Clark was discredited, overlooked, and undervalued because of her status as a Black woman, but she persisted in the male- and white-dominated field of mechanical engineering, eventually proving pivotal in the creation of the Saturn V rocket.
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Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month with Children’s Lit

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Every April, the United States celebrates Arab American Heritage Month to bring attention to the history and contributions of Arab Americans. This month’s S-Collection blog features books about Arab American characters that showcase the culture of countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and more. The picture books introduce topics such as immigration and holiday celebration through the lens of children, making them perfect for younger readers. The juvenile fiction selection goes more in-depth into the experience of being an Arab immigrant to America. Finally, the nonfiction selection details personal and autobiographical stories of Arab American resilience and excellence. Whether you’re looking for picture books or chapter books, featuring characters real or imagined, the S-Collection has what you need to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month this April!

Picture Books

Esnaashari-Charmatz, Farnaz
Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali
Babajoon’s Treasure. 2023. Picture Book.
Every summer, Miriam visits her grandfather, or Babajoon, at his beautiful home, and the two share tea, picnics, and stories. This year, after seeing Babajoon speak in a language she doesn’t recognize, sing to a parrot, and drop a mysterious gold coin, she begins to suspect of Babajoon is really a pirate! When she confronts him, she instead learns about Babajoon’s past. He is an immigrant from Iran who crossed the sea to find a different life for himself and his future family, like Miriam. Miriam learns about her Iranian heritage and the Farsi language in this engaging picture book.
Q. SE. Es56ba

Khalil, Aya
Illustrated by: Rashin Kheiriyeh
The Night before Eid: A Muslim Family Story. 2023. Picture Book.
On the last day of Ramadan, there is a feast, and this year, Zain’s grandma has traveled from Egypt to show him how to make her famous cookies! As Zain and his family bake the cookies for him to bring to his classmates, he learns all about his Egyptian heritage and the way his grandmother celebrates this holiday back in Egypt. Finally, Zain brings his delicious cookies to school so everyone can try them! If you would like to bake them for yourself, this book concludes with a recipe and further information about Ramadan.
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Moushabeck, Hannah
Illustrated by: Reem Madooh
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine. 2023. Picture Book.
In this picture book, inspired by the author’s own life, a father tells his three children about growing up in East Jerusalem. His childhood was full of delicious food, a thriving family café, exciting trips to the market, and beautiful music, and he remembers all of it fondly. His children have never been to Palestine, and although the book does not end with the return to their homeland that the family dreams of, the children are full of hope that someday they will see the sights their father described.
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Juvenile Fiction

Hitchcock, Shannon and N. H. Senzai
Flying Over Water. 2020. Juvenile Fiction.
Set against the context of the 2017 Muslim travel ban, this book tells the story of Noura Alwan, a Syrian immigrant to the United States. Although the Alwans are welcomed by a kind host family and Noura makes fast friends with their daughter, Jordyn, Noura’s time in America is marred by the growing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments of her classmates. Together, Noura and Jordyn confront their fears, help each other through hardship, and stand up for what is right.
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Nye, Naomi Shihab
Illustrated by: Betsy Peterschmidt
The Turtle series. Juvenile Fiction.
The Turtle of Oman. 2014. S. N984tu
The Turtle of Michigan. 2022. S. N984tumi
This series follows Aref, who loves his home in Muscat, Oman, but misses his father, who moved to Michigan. In the first book, Oman spends time with his beloved grandfather and travels around his home country so he can bring memories with him when he immigrates to America. In the sequel, Aref and his mother make the journey to Ann Arbor and adjust to their new life. Aref is a lighthearted and curious protagonist who works hard to make friends at school and enjoy his new home, although he still longs for the presence of the grandfather he left behind.

Warga, Jasmine
Other Words for Home. 2019. Juvenile Fiction.
Jude and her family immigrate from Syria to the United States to escape a broiling war, but Jude’s problems do not get left behind when she lands in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her cousin isn’t kind to her and the students at her new school don’t speak her language, and Jude begins to wonder if there is anywhere on earth she really belongs. However, Jude eventually finds another student, Layla, who also speaks Arabic and is from the neighboring country Lebanon. Throughout the story, told in poetic verse, the two girls navigate being Arab immigrants to the United States.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Marwan, Zahra
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home. 2022. Picture Book Autobiography.
This picture book tells the true story of its author, Zahra, and her immigration to the United States from Kuwait. She loves her home in Kuwait and doesn’t understand why her family must leave a place so beautiful. Although she is initially sad in her new home in New Mexico, she finds comfort in the river near her house that reminds her of the ocean shore, and frequent calls home connect her to the family she left behind.
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McCarthy, Cory
Illustrated by: Ekua Holmes
Hope is an Arrow: The Story of Lebanese American Poet Kahlil Gibran. 2022. Picture Book Biography.
Kahlil Gibran is an Arab-American poet who immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century and eventually wrote The Prophet, which is one of the best-selling books of all time. This picture book biography tells his story for younger readers, highlighting how he used his love of his home country of Lebanon to inform his paintings, art, and poetry.
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Tlaib, Rashida and Adam, and Miranda Paul
Illustrated by: Olivia Aserr
Mama in Congress: Rashida Tlaib’s Journey to Washington. 2022. Picture Book Autobiography.
Rashida Tlaib is the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress, and this picture book biography, cowritten by Tlaib and her son, explains how she rose to prominence in Washington. Tlaib has always been a hard worker and was the first in her family to graduate from high school. This book reveals how she uses her passion for justice and for doing what is right as she serves in her government position.
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Wonderful Weather: Climate and Climate Change in Children’s Lit

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March is a month known for notable weather events, with one old adage even stating it goes in like a lion and out like a lamb – or vice versa, depending on the year. This March, the S-Collection blog features all sorts of different books about weather and weather patterns around the globe. These books also detail how climate change and global warming are one of the most significant influences on weather patterns today and empower children to combat global warming themselves. The included picture books tell stories about weather and its impact on people’s lives, while the juvenile fiction selection focuses on those who have a passion for weather and protecting the environment. Finally, the nonfiction selection will help readers learn more about varying weather patterns and how they can become a climate activist. The S-Collection has what you need to learn more about climate and climate change this March!

Picture Books
Archer, Micha
Wind Watchers. 2025. Picture Book.
The magic of wind is explored in this lyrical picture book. Different seasons are described, as well as how fun wind can be to a kid. From chasing dandelion seeds to kite flying in the warmer months, to big storms and blustering snow in the colder ones, the wind is a source of endless wonder. Beautiful illustrations from Caldecott Honoree Micha Archer add to the joy of this weather-themed picture book.
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Serafino, James
Penelope Weathervane’s Grumpy Day. 2025. Picture Book.
When Penelope Weathervane wakes up, she instantly knows she’s going to have a bad day just by looking at the gray clouds in the sky. Penelope’s hair is also a fluffy cloud, and as one inconvenience after another happens, her hair grows stormier and stormier. Soon, it’s raining, and even after Penelope’s tears dry up, a dreary fog continues to dampen her mood. However, calming breaths help the sun shine once more in this cartoony picture book that uses weather as an allegory for mood.
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Echenique, Sara E.
Illustrated by: Ashley Jane Vargas
Our Roof is Blue. 2023. Picture Book.
The unnamed protagonist of this book loves hearing her brother Antonio’s stories each night before they go to sleep. During this year’s hurricane season, however, the storm blows off their roof, and Antonio stops speaking all together. They replace the roof with a bright blue tarp, and she and her brother find peace in imagining that the tarp and its shadows are calming ocean waves and birds. Eventually, they get a new roof, and Antonio re-finds his voice. Scary weather events and preparedness are explored in this touching picture book.
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Juvenile Fiction

Axelrod-Contrada, Joan and Ann Malaspina
Illustrated by: Paula Becker
Zeke the Weather Geek (series). Juvenile Fiction.
There’s a Lizard in my Blizzard! 2023. S. Ax223zeli
There’s Mud in my Flood! 2025. S. Ax223zemu
There’s one thing that Zeke loves more than anything else in the world, and it’s studying weather! In this series, Zeke tries to win a winter photo contest, creates a weather station in his back yard, and even gets to meet his favorite meteorologist, Freeze Jones. Watch Zeke explore different types of weather as the seasons change and learn more about weather events such as blizzards, storms, and floods.

Doyle, Bill H.
The Race to Erase. 2023. Juvenile Fiction.
In this series, readers get to become the “Fifth Hero” and make decisions alongside climate superheroes Jarrett, Malik, Agnes, and Freya. The Calamity Corporation believes that the Earth is not worth saving and humans should leave it behind all together to seek a new planet in space. These superheroes disagree, and after being imbued with different powers – including wind- and weather- themed ones – they set out to save the Earth and stop the Calamity Corporation before it is too late. As the “Fifth Hero,” the reader is prompted to make choices and help them in their journey to protect the Earth from certain disaster.
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Frank, Steven
Global Warning. 2023. Juvenile Fiction.
The temperature is rising, and seventh-graders Sam, Alistair, Catalina, Jaesang, and Zoe want something to be done about it. As weather patterns shift and ice caps melt, they are soon forced to realize that adults aren’t coming to save their futures. With the guidance of a retired children’s rights lawyer and an activist grandmother, the children set out to get an amendment in the US Constitution affirming Americans’ right to live in a safe and pollution-free planet. With allusions to real-world politicians and a climactic climate protest, the effect that weather has on the lives of kids is illuminated in this exciting children’s novel.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Crowder, Melanie and Megan Benedict
Illustrated by: Khoa Le
Great Gusts: Winds of the World and the Science Behind Them. 2024. Nonfiction Picture Book.
Through a series of poems that vary in style, these poets describe different types of wind across the world. The pages jump from Great Britain to Hawaii to Canada and beyond, and the poems are accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Additionally, sidebars and back matter provide facts about the different winds of the world for anyone who wants to learn more.
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Davies, Nicola
Illustrated by: Catherine Rayner
Emperor of the Ice: How a Changing Climate Affects a Penguin Colony. 2023. Nonfiction Picture Book.
This narrative work of nonfiction follows a pair of emperor penguins as they raise a chick in the harsh Antarctic climate. The couple lays an egg and then takes turns incubating it while the other fishes for food. Eventually, their chick is big enough to stay warm on its own. While everything worked out for this penguin couple, the book points out that climate change is endangering the emperor penguin species as a whole. As the climate gets warmer, the ice caps on which the penguins make their homes melt and crack, which can be devastating to entire penguin colonies. The importance of protecting Antarctic environments by combating global warming is made apparent in this moving picture book.
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Reynolds, Emma
Drawn to Change the World: 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists. 2023. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book profiles 16 activists who are working to combat climate catastrophe. All of these activists are children, which shows that this is a fight that anyone can join. The book describes what sorts of issues global warming causes and will cause, as well as potential solutions to these problems. Each activist has a short series of comics drawn by different artists, meaning each page offers a new and exciting style that makes for a consistently engaging read.
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Happy Valentine’s Day! All Kinds of Love in Children’s Lit

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this month’s S-Collection blog includes picture books, juvenile fiction, and young adult fiction that feature love! While the picture books primarily show children witnessing and celebrating the love of the adults in their lives by attending weddings or preparing for new siblings, the books for older readers detail the ups and downs of young love and crushes. Online relationships, coming to terms with one’s sexuality, becoming your most lovable self, and other topics are explored in this diverse collection. The S-Collection has what you need to celebrate Valentine’s Day this February!

Picture Books

Ferry, Beth
Illustrated by: Joseph Kuefler
Caveboy Crush. 2019. Picture Book.
The word “crush” is used literally in this wordplay-filled romp about young love in the prehistoric era. Neander loves Neanne from the moment he sees her, and he decides the best way to impress her is to crush larger and larger objects, such as bouquets, shells, and rocks. Eventually, Neander’s efforts work when he carves her a sculpture that Neanne gets to “crush” on her own.
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Love, Jessica
Julián at the Wedding. 2020. Picture Book.
In this sequel to Julián is a Mermaid, also located in the S-Collection, Julián attends an outdoor wedding, oohs and ahs at the brides’ beautiful gowns, and makes friends with the flower girl, Marisol. Playing with Marisol is too much fun, however, and they don’t notice that Marisol’s gown is covered in mud until it is too late! Luckily, Julián knows a thing or two about clothing and dress-up and has an idea on how to make things right. Colorful illustrations and themes of love and acceptance abound in this lighthearted picture book.
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Shawn, Christina
Illustrated by: Shahrzad Maydani
And Then Came You: When Families Grow, Love Grows Too. 2025. Picture Book.
The child in this book gets to learn about all the kinds of love that exist in a family in this beautifully illustrated picture book. It was already hard enough for this child to adjust to getting a new stepdad, but now he also has to prepare for the arrival of a baby sibling. Luckily, his parents explain to him that there will always be enough love for him to go around, no matter how many new family members join them.
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Juvenile Fiction

Heart, Lee
Meet Me At Sunset. 2025. Juvenile Fiction.
It’s summertime, and young Julie has a “Love Plan” designed to win over her crush, James. Her perfect summer at the beach is made more difficult, however, when her mom unexpectedly invites her friend’s daughter Sophia into Julie’s life. On top of that, Julie has a new friend, Liam, who is making her reconsider her Love Plan all together. The complexities of young love and friendship are explored in this tween romance.
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Horne, Maggie
Noah Frye Gets Crushed. 2024. Juvenile Fiction.
Noah wants to fit in at school this year, and one of her strategies involves choosing a boy to have a crush on so she can better relate to the other girls. She eventually selects Archie, who likes dogs and volunteering just like she does. However, as much as Noah tries, she never develops a crush on Archie. Meanwhile, Noah grows closer and closer to her new friend Jessa and begins to wonder if the perfect crush for Noah to have might not be Archie, after all.
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Moon, Sarah
Family Week. 2025. Juvenile Fiction.
Avery, Lina, Mac, and Milo have been friends since they were young. Every summer, they and their parents meet up at the Provincetown Family Week at their queer family celebration, and this summer, each teen is dealing with issues of their own. Twins Milo and Lina are dealing with their changing relationship to one another following Milo’s invitation to a boarding school, Mac is struggling with his recent discovery that he has a learning disorder, and Avery is wondering what her relationship with Lina will be like this year after Lina sent her a love letter. Issues of self-acceptance and changing families are explored in this honest look at young love and friendships.
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Young Adult Fiction

Geron, Eric
Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart. 2025. Young Adult Fiction.
Leo Martino has never had a boyfriend, despite having many promising crushes. Deciding that he must be the issue, Leo sets out to improve himself and become the perfect boyfriend by tracking down all of his past crushes to figure out where he went wrong. As his “Boyfriend Material Checklist” grows longer and longer, Leo begins to wonder if he truly wants to be with someone who wants him to change who he is and learns an important lesson about loving himself first.
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Jaigirdar, Adiba
The Dos and Donuts of Love. 2023. Young Adult Fiction.
Shireen has been bummed following her breakup with Christina, but things start looking up when she lands a spot on her favorite baking reality show. Unfortunately for Shireen, however, Christina has been cast in the same show, and now they have to work together to get beyond the first round. Further complicating things is Shireen’s budding crush on another competitor, Niamh, and the pressure of keeping her family donut business afloat. Readers will love rooting for the upbeat and talented Shireen in this romcom.
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Stringfield, Ravynn K
Love in 280 Characters or Less. 2025. Young Adult Fiction.
Sydney is going through a lot of changes in her life: It’s her freshman year of college, she’s moved away from her best friend and her family, and she’s navigating romantic relationships for the first time. Sydney turns to blogging to have an outlet for her thoughts and eventually catches the attention of a fellow social media user. At the same time, she starts falling for fellow comic book lover Xavier, another student at her school. On top of it all, Sydney has to decide whether she’ll pursue a law degree, as her mother wants, or her passion for fashion. Love and relationships are explored with care in this mixed-media novel, which is told through blogs, social media posts, and more.
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International Day of Education: Schools and Learning in Children’s Lit

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On Saturday, January 24th, the world celebrates the International Day of Education to draw attention to the positive impact of learning and school. For some, education is simply a given, while for others, it may be a hard-fought struggle. For all, it is an important way to promote children’s agency and empower them to seek change in the world. This month’s S-Collection blog includes picture books, juvenile fiction, and juvenile nonfiction books that will help young readers learn more about education in America and beyond. Whether it be through the lens of school safety, education access, or even who has a right to teach what to whom, these books illuminate the power and importance of education for all. The S-Collection has what you need to celebrate the International Day of Education this January!

Picture Books

Beaty, Andrea and Dow Phumiruk
One Girl. 2020. Picture Book.
A young girl learns about the magic of reading in this beautifully illustrated picture book. After being inspired by a magical book she finds, she heads to school and decides to write a story of her own. Soon, all of her classmates are writing stories and sharing them with others, demonstrating the power of education, especially for young girls who are denied educational opportunities. From the author of the Questioneers series.
Available online

Friedland, Aaron and Ndileka Mandela
Illustrated by: Andrew Jackson Obol
The Walking School Bus. 2023. Picture Book.
In a rural South African village, young students Nandi and Shaka always walk to school with their father. However, he receives a job in a different town, meaning they now must make the dangerous walk without him. Realizing that they do not have to travel alone, however, they organize with their neighborhood children to form a “walking school bus” of many children who can look out for each other on the long journey. A reminder of the importance of education and how difficult it may be for some to receive it.
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Vasco, Irene
Illustrated by: Juan Palomino
Translated by: Lawrence Schimel
Letters in Charcoal. 2023. Picture Book.
In this small Colombian village, very few people know how to read or write. When young girl Gina begins receiving letters from a doctor who once visited their community, she and her sister slowly begin to learn the alphabet by asking those around them. They practice their new skill by writing letters in charcoal on the ground, and once they can successfully read the doctor’s messages, they decide to dedicate themselves to increasing literacy in their town. This story, translated from the original Spanish, shows how education can be a hard-fought journey for some around the world.
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Juvenile Fiction

Pinkney, Andrea Davis
The Red Pencil. 2014. Juvenile Fiction.
Told in verse, this powerful story follows Amira, a young Sudanese girl who wants more than anything to attend school. Her mother disapproves, but her father sees potential in her, always telling her to imagine what else is possible beyond what has been handed to her. When her village is attacked by militants, Amira must flee to the Kalma refugee camp. There, a kind teacher gives her the titular red pencil, which inspires her to create art. Newly able to express herself, Amira slowly begins to achieve the potential that her father always knew she had.
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Saeed, Aisha
Omar Rising. 2022. Juvenile Fiction.
Omar is a young Pakistani boy who comes from a poor family, but he is given the opportunity of a lifetime when he receives a scholarship to the prestigious Ghalib Academy for Boys. Initially excited, Omar eventually realizes that scholarship students like himself are treated as second-class citizens at Ghalib, as they are forced to do chores around the school and barred from joining clubs and other extracurricular activities. What’s more, scholarship students are held to nearly impossible academic standards, leading Omar to realize that the school specifically designed the first year of his program to be so grueling that he would drop out. Refusing to let this happen, Omar bands with his classmates to fight for his right to an education.
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Kadarusman, Michelle
Girl of the Southern Sea. 2019. Juvenile Fiction.
Young Nia wants nothing more than to become a writer. Unfortunately, her mother passed away and her father struggles with alcoholism, meaning Nia must spend her days trying to support her family by selling fried bananas on the streets of Jakarta. After surviving a minibus accident, however, the community comes to believe that Nia has supernatural good luck, and Nia decides to use this as a marketing strategy to sell more fruit at her cart so that she can afford the expensive school fees. How hard some must work for the opportunity of education is brought to the forefront in this engaging book.
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Nonfiction

Chan, Marie
Illustrated by: Sian James
Mamie Takes a Stand. 2024. Nonfiction Picture Book.
The year is 1884 and Mamie Tape and her mother, Mary, are living in San Francisco. Mamie is excited to attend primary school in the fall, but when her parents attempt to enroll her, she is denied by the school principal for being Chinese. Luckily, Mamie’s parents decide to fight this segregation in court. The case of Tape vs. Hurley was a landmark one in the fight for equal rights for Asian Americans in the United States and is viewed by many as a precursor to Brown vs. the Board of Education. Learn more about the long struggle for racial equality, specifically in education, in this inspiring nonfiction picture book.
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Levy, Debbie
A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight over Science in Schools. 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
In 1925, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expressed interest in holding a so-called test case, which is a court case designed to set precedent for further cases, regarding the constitutionality of teaching evolution in American public schools. High school science teacher John Scopes eventually became their subject, and he acted as a defendant on the national stage for his role in instructing students about Charles Darwin, which violated the recently passed Butler Act. What followed was a convoluted media circus surrounding a trial that eventually became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. With an engaging narrative and a passionate, research-oriented tone, this work of narrative nonfiction spotlights education as a political fighting ground in the United States.
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Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux
Small Shoes, Great Strides: How Three Brave Girls Opened Doors to School Equality. 2024. Nonfiction Picture Book.
Many remember Ruby Bridges as the public face of school desegregation, but this story points the spotlight on three first grade students across town who similarly were forced to overcome obstacle after obstacle to attend elementary school. Young girls Leona, Gail, and Tessie faced protestors and constant harassment throughout their entire first year at McDonogh Public School, and the parents of their white peers withdrew all of their fellow classmates in retaliation of the district’s decision to let them learn. The result was that the students shared a classroom with only their instructor, Miss Meyers. Despite the circumstances, the girls carried on, growing close to their teacher and refusing to give up their right to an education.
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Baking with Kids in Children’s Lit

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With winter holidays on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about what delicious baked goods to make to celebrate the season! Kids especially may be eager to cook something up in the kitchen, which is why this month’s S-Collection blog offers suggestions for children’s literature about baking with kids. The fictional picture books will help kids get excited to bake through fantastical or personal stories about how fun baking can be, while the juvenile fiction selection highlights the healing role that baking takes in many peoples’ lives. Finally, three juvenile cookbooks are suggested to give a perfect, kid-friendly way to get kids involved in holiday baking this winter season. The S-Collection has what you need to celebrate baking and even try it yourself this December!

Fictional Picture Books

Kurtz, Devin Elle
The Bakery Dragon. 2024. Picture Book.
While other dragons are preoccupied with scaring and stealing from the local villagers, this dragon learns that he might be destined for other things. After a baker shelters him from a terrible storm, the dragon begins to learn how to bake loaves of bread so delicious that they are worth their weight in gold.
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Quintero, Cristina
Illustrated by: Sarah Gonzales
The Only Way to Make Bread. 2023. Picture Book.
Bread takes a different form across different cultures, and this picture book introduces readers to tons of delicious ways to bake bread from around the world. The dough may be loose or firm, the outcome may be sweet or savory, and the ingredients may vary wildly, but one thing is clear at the end of this stunningly illustrated and mouth-watering picture book: The only way to bake bread is with love! Ends with recipes for different types of bread, from bao to sourdough to arepas.
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Sterling, Michelle
Illustrated by: Dung Ho
A Sweet New Year for Ren. 2022. Picture Book.
Ren is very excited for the Lunar New Year because this year, she is going to bake her favorite pineapple cake all by herself! However, it isn’t long before the kitchen is a mess and Ren is getting frustrated with the recipe’s instructions. Luckily, her family is happy to lend a hand and guide her through the process, and Ren ends the holiday proud of what she was able to learn and accomplish. A recipe for the pineapple cakes is included at the end.
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Juvenile Fiction

Amos, Shawn
Cookies & Milk. 2022. Juvenile Fiction.
It’s 1976, and 11-year-old Ellis’s life is rapidly changing. His parents have recently divorced, he’s about to attend a new school and is nervous he will be the only Black kid in attendance, and his dad is suddenly undertaking a new business venture: Starting the first ever chocolate chip cookie store in Hollywood. The building that his dad has picked for the store is run-down and dirty, and Ellis isn’t even sure that a business that only sells cookies will ever get off the ground. Despite this, Ellis spends the summer with his dad baking cookies and fixing up the storefront, learning more about himself and his family in the process. Ends with a recipe for Ellis’s dad’s famous cookies.
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Guerrero, Tanya
All You Knead is Love. 2021. Juvenile Fiction.
Twelve-year-old Alba isn’t the happiest at home with her emotionally distant mother and her cruel, domineering father. One summer, however, she is sent to live with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona, where she gets a new lease on life. In Barcelona, she becomes close with the local baker and begins to learn the art of making bread. When the bakery is under threat of closing, Alba must team up with her new friends and even her family to save her newfound passion.
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Larson, Kirby and Quinn Wyatt
Gut Reaction. 2024. Juvenile Fiction.
There’s nothing that eighth grader Tess loves more than baking. Her cookies, cakes, and pies have made her a strong contender for her town’s baking competition; additionally, baking is simply a calm, relaxing activity she loves to do to cheer herself up. This is what makes it all the more difficult when Tess is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. However, Tess is undeterred and still hopes to participate in the competition, even though intense stomach cramps can make it hard for her to get through the day. This book is made even more personal because its author is also diagnosed with Crohn’s and used insights from her own life to make Tess’s struggle feel real.
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Baking for Kids

Atherton, David
Illustrated by: Rachel Stubbs
Bake, Make, and Learn to Cook: Fun & Healthy Recipes for Young Cooks. 2021. Juvenile Cookbook.
In 2019, home baker David Atherton won season 10 of the Great British Bake Off. Two years later, he published his first cookbook, which is meant to help inspire young cooks. The recipes are both kid-friendly and tasty and they range from main dishes to desserts. Aspiring bakers in particular will be drawn to the recipes for brownies, cakes, French toast, and more!
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Good Housekeeping Institute
Kids Bake!: 100+ Sweet and Savory Recipes. 2018. Juvenile Cookbook.
This book is a follow-up to Good Housekeeping’s Kids Cook!, and it focuses entirely on baking. In addition to introducing kids to baking techniques and safety, the book contains over 100 tasty recipes to try for yourself. Check this book out to learn how to make tons of delicious baked goods, from pies to pizzas to rolls to cookies.
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Koch, Falynn
Bake Like a Pro! 2019. Juvenile Graphic Novel and Juvenile Cookbook.
This unique title isn’t just a recipe book—it also has a fun cast of characters that readers get to learn alongside as they attend a magical wizarding academy focused on baking! Sage is a new witch who hasn’t yet learned how to master her powers, but throughout the book, she learns about the magic—both literal and metaphorical—that one can create in the kitchen. As she learns how to make cookies, biscuits, and cake, the chemical processes at work in the baking process and recipes are included so readers can follow along on her journey.
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Beyond the Founding Fathers: Lesser-Known US History in Children’s Lit

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The United States has a rich past that goes well beyond the Founding Fathers, so this November’s S-Collection blog draws attention to children’s books about lesser-known figures in US history. For younger readers, check out one of the stunningly illustrated and engaging picture book biographies that tell the stories of baseball player Roberto Clemente, librarian Augusta Baker, revolutionary Mary Katherine Goddard, and more. Older readers can try longer-form juvenile nonfiction to learn about athlete and activist Tommie Smith, dancer Arthur Mitchell, dozens of ingenious inventors, and more. Whether you are looking for picture books or chapter books, the S-Collection has what you need to learn about lesser-known US history this November!

Picture Book Biographies

Alonso, Nathalie
Illustrated by: Rudy Gutierrez
Call Me Roberto! Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos. 2024. Picture Book Biography.
Fans of sports history have likely heard of famous baseball players Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, but Roberto Clemente may be a lesser-known – although equally influential – player worth researching! Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934 and developed a passion for baseball when he was very young, initially playing with just a tin can and a piece of wood. As his talents grew, he was recruited to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955. Although Clemente faced prejudice from journalists and fans throughout his career due to his Afro-Latino heritage, he found solidarity and support from other Black players in the league and quickly rose to MVP status. Learn about Clemente’s athleticism and his devotion to justice and charity in this engaging picture book biography.
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Blumenthal, Karen
Illustrated by: Jen McCartney
Revolutionary Mary: The True Story of One Woman, the Declaration of Independence, and America’s Fight for Freedom. 2025. Picture Book Biography.
There are 56 signatures on the United States’s Declaration of Independence, and none of those belong to a woman. However, a woman’s name does appear on the bottom of some of the first-ever printed editions of this document. That woman is Mary Katherine Goddard, an early publisher who was very active in the American Revolution. Once the Declaration was crafted, Goddard quickly offered to print it so that it could reach a wider audience, and she even showed her support for the document by signing her own name at the bottom. Young readers will learn about the importance of the free press in this fascinating biography.
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Davids, Sharice and Nancy K. Mays
Illustrated by: Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman. 2021. Picture Book Autobiography.
November is also Native American Heritage Month, making it a great time to read about Native American persons who have made a positive impact on U.S. history. One such figure is Sharice Davids, who was not only one of the first Native American women elected to Congress but also the first lesbian congressperson in the Kansas legislature. The book follows Davids from childhood to her time in law school to her decision to run for Congress, highlighting the importance of perseverance, hard work, and speaking up for what is right.
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Hubbard, Rita L.
Illustrated by: Oge Mora
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read. 2020. Picture Book Biography.
Through beautiful collage artwork and lyrical prose, this book tells the story of Mary Walker, who grew up enslaved on a plantation in Alabama. Following the Emancipation Proclamation, Walker was freed, but the obligations of family and work prevented her from achieving her goal of learning how to read. At the age of 116, however, Walker enrolled in a literacy class. Through determination and an overwhelming desire to succeed, Walker successfully developed her literacy skills and enjoyed the pleasure of reading books for the last years of her life. Readers will walk away from this inspiring story knowing that you are never too old to learn something new.
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McDaniel, Breanna J.
Illustrated by: April Harrison
Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller. 2024. Picture Book Biography.
At her job as a New York librarian circa 1937, Augusta Baker noticed a glaring issue in the collection: There was a severe lack of books that accurately and respectfully represented the many young Black patrons who entered the library every day. Refusing to let this continue, Baker dedicated her life to promoting Black children’s literature and uplifting those in her community through the power of books. This picture book biography is made even more fascinating through its colorful multi-media illustrations.
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Juvenile Nonfiction

Gansworth, Eric
Apple: Skin to the Core: A Memoir in Words and Pictures. 2020. Juvenile Memoir.
This memoir uses stunning verse to discuss Native American history through the lens of the author’s own life. Gansworth discusses issues regarding boarding schools, cultural appropriation, and rampant racism against indigenous communities, often in the context of his own family or those around him. In this way, this book is both incredibly personal and a historical text, bringing an individual perspective to Native American history. Art throughout enhances this story of one man’s experience being indigenous in America.
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Johnson, George M.
Illustrated by: Charly Palmer
Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known. 2024. Juvenile Nonfiction.
Although one may have heard of the Harlem Renaissance, the mission of this book is to bring even more attention to this monumental political and artistic movement by specifically discussing its Black queer leaders. Figures discussed include Countee Cullen, Ma Rainey, Claude McKay, and many more. The author ultimately relates these stories back to their own experience of growing up Black and queer in America, bringing light to how knowing history can rejuvenate those living in the present.
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Smith, Tommie and Derrick Barnes
Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice. 2022. Juvenile Graphic Memoir.
This graphic novel memoir tells the author’s story of how he became an Olympic gold medalist and activist. Tommie Smith is perhaps best well-known for his performance at the 1968 summer Olympics, wherein he not only beat a world record but used his moment on the winner’s podium to raise his fist and draw attention to anti-Black racism around the globe and in America in particular. This book goes beyond this act, explaining Smith’s life, philosophy, and work within the Black community both prior to and post the games, and is perfect for sports fans and budding activists alike.
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Thimmesh, Catherine
Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women. 2000. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book spotlights women inventors throughout history who improved the world with their inventions. Highlighted women include Ann Moore, Ruth Wakefield, Madam C. J. Walker, and many more, all of whom changed people’s day-to-day lives through their ingenious ideas. Find out who we can thank for inventing white-out, the Snugli, radio systems, hot water heaters, hair-wave machines, and more throughout this engaging illustrated book!
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Valby, Karen
The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History. 2025. Juvenile Nonfiction.
This book is the young adult adaptation of Valby’s earlier published adult version of this novel. It tells the overlooked story of Black dancer Arthur Mitchell, who, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., decided to fight anti-Black racism by creating a dancing community in Harlem where Black dancers could succeed. Mitchell’s Dance Theater of Harlem started in a church basement but soon ballooned to massive proportions. Using grants and his own savings, he kept expanding his venture, eventually creating stars out of the five women most closely profiled in this book. While this history may be lesser-known, that is all the more reason to check this book out and learn something new about Black art and artists in America.
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