Libraries replenish collections with books that meet the needs of the students

Katonah-Lewisboro elementary school libraries have updated and replenished their collections!  

 “We have new books on engineering—to support the district’s STEAM initiative (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics),” said Juli Hoffman, librarian at Increase Elementary School, “as well as new biographies about children’s favorite sports figures for several reading levels.”

“We replaced our non-fiction books on topics like countries and cars,” said Nick Grasso, librarian at Meadow Pond Elementary School. “We also have new fiction that includes characters with blended families, divorced parents, and disabilities.”

“We extended our collections in several popular series,” said Jeanne Hand, librarian at Katonah Elementary School. “We also looked for characters and settings not typically represented in children’s books to help students learn how much they have in common with others around the world.”

See below for elementary school librarians’ top picks of the new books.

Increase Miller Elementary School

 Leaders Doing Headstands series by Mark Weakland. "This series of narrative nonfiction biographies  incorporates fascinating and surprising facts from the lives of inspirational figures. With titles like 'When Thomas Edison Fed Someone Worms' and 'When Amelia Earhart Built a Rollercoaster,' these beautifully illustrated titles capture the interest of all readers."

Zoey and Sassafras series by Asia Citro. "Incorporating cultural diversity and celebrating girls in science, this easy reader series is sure to please students and parents alike as it incorporate magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure while aligning to Common Core/Next Generation Science Standards."
 
"Most People" by Michael Leannah. "This picture book supplements IMES' character development initiative. It emphasizes the kindness and goodness in human beings and provides reassurance that there are more people that would rather help one another than hurt one another."
 
- Librarian Juli Hoffman

Katonah Elementary School

  “After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again),” a picture book written and illustrated by Dan Santat. “I love this author and illustrator. Kids get as much from the story as from the illustrations. It teaches them contextual skills.”

Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer. “These biographies are written in the first person and as graphic novels. They give kids opportunities to learn about someone famous in a fun and accessible way.”

“Islandborn” / “Lola,” a picture book by Junot Diaz, published separately in English and Spanish. “The Latina character is from the Dominican Republic—a place we don’t visit in many children’s books. I hope the Spanish version will be used by our families that share books in Spanish at home.”

- Librarian Jeanne Hand

Meadow Pond Elementary School

 “I Am Gandhi,” one of the books in the Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer. “This first-person autobiography can be read aloud to younger children or it can be read by a second grader. The whole series is fun. Kids love them.”

“Towers Falling,” a novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes. “In this contemporary story, the main character, a fifth grader from a Jamaican background, has many Muslim-American classmates. She learns about their family’s experiences through the events of 9-11 and what changed in their lives because of it.”

“Aru Shah and the End of Time,” the first book in the Pandava series by Roshani Chokshi. “This fantasy adventure story is introduced by Rick Riordan, famous for the Percy Jackson series. It has a female protagonist of color and introduces children to Indian mythology.”

 - Librarian Nick Grasso