Stories to share with your community on Juneteenth and beyond

On June 19, 1865 in Galveston, TX, enslaved African Americans were finally informed of their freedom, despite the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior. Juneteenth is also referred to as “Freedom Day”, “Emancipation Day”, and “Juneteenth Independence Day.” The first celebrations of Juneteenth were about honoring former enslaved people. Today celebrations of Juneteenth consist of gathering with family, BBQs, parades, festivals, beauty contests, and other celebratory events to remember the lives of their enslaved ancestors.

For those who would like to learn more, we recommend reading “Juneteenth: The Growth of an African-American Holiday” and “So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?

Learn more about these books →

Phillip Hoose Teacher’s Guides

Download the teacher’s guides for these must-read nonfiction books by Philip Hoose,
perfect for your classroom library!

Phillip Hoose is an award-winning author of books, essays, stories, songs and articles. Although he first wrote for adults, he turned his attention to children and young adults in part to keep up with his own daughters.

His newest book, Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird, is story of the impactful partnership between humans and mockingbirds, both scientifically and culturally over the centuries. His book Claudette Colvin won a National Book Award and a Newbery Honor. He is also the author of It’s Our World, Too!; The Race to Save the Lord God Bird; The Boys Who Challenged Hitler; and We Were There, Too!, a National Book Award finalist, and Attucks! He has received a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, a Christopher Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and multiple Robert F. Sibert Honor Awards, among numerous honors.

Download teacher’s guides here →

Remixed Classics Educator’s Guide

In the Remixed Classics series, authors from diverse backgrounds take different literary classics from centuries past and reinterpret them through their own unique cultural lens. This collection will serve young adult readers as both a series of fun, engaging reads as well as a subversive overall look at what our society has deemed “classic”— works that are overwhelmingly cishet, white, and male.

Learn more about how to use Remixed Classics in the classroom and find nonfiction pairings for each book in the series in this new educator guide!

Download a discussion guide for So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow here!

Download a discussion guide for A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix
by C.B. Lee here!


Click the covers to learn more about these books:


More Remixed Classics Coming Soon!

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix
By Cherie Dimaline
On sale September 5, 2023

Celebrating Indigenous Voices for National Native American Heritage Month

Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month in your school or library! Keep reading to find more book recommendations, watch a presentation by Firekeeper’s Daughter author Angeline Boulley, download the We Are Water Protectors activity kit, and watch a read-aloud of Fry Bread by author Kevin Noble Maillard!

Watch author Angeline Boulley discuss her inspiration, storytelling, and research process for her bestselling debut novel Firekeeper’s Daughter. Plus, educator Kit Robinson shares how teachers can use Firekeeper’s Daughter in the classroom.

Find Ojibwe language translations, correct spellings, and audio pronunciations for Firekeeper’s Daughter in this Anishinaabemowin resource center, created by Margaret Noodin, a professor at UW-Milwaukee.

Find more books for National Native American Heritage Month here →

Celebrate 10 Years of the Grishaverse with Leigh Bardugo!

Join us on Tuesday, October 4th at 1pm ET/ 10am PT
to celebrate 10 Years of the Grishaverse!


A decade after the publication of Shadow and Bone, #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and educator Rose Brock will explore the creation of her wildly popular and immersive fantasy world, the Grishaverse, which now spans 10 books and a Netflix original series, Shadow and Bone. Plus, Leigh will talk with illustrator Dani Pendergast about the next chapter: Demon in the Wood, a new graphic novel about the origins of the Darkling, on sale September 27th.

Please invite your classrooms to join us for this event! 
Students will have the chance to flex their knowledge of the Grishaverse in a trivia game and submit questions for Leigh to answer live during the event.

Have you pre-ordered Demon in the Wood yet? You could score an exclusive pre-order gift! Keep reading to learn more.

Pre-order DEMON IN THE WOOD →

Bilingual Activity: The Coquíes Still Sing / Los coquíes aún cantan by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles; translated by Amparo Ortiz

The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding by Karina Nicole González; illustrated by Krystal Quiles

A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, written by debut author Karina González and illustrated by Krystal Quiles.

Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family’s beloved mango tree—their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, “You are home, you are safe.” But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows.

As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans.

“González’s melodic text sings, like Elena’s beloved coquíes, while Quiles’ gouache and acrylic artwork pops with vibrant hues and textures. . . A heartfelt reminder that even in the most difficult times, dreaming of a better tomorrow strengthens family and community.“–Kirkusstarred review

What a story of resilience and community! The Coquies Still Sing gives the reader the opportunity to recognize the things that we can do together to rebuild our lives and take care of our beloved communities. This book is more than beautiful.”–Yuyi Morales, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator of Dreamers


Los coquíes aún cantan: Un cuento sobre hogar, esperanza y reconstrucción cuento por Karina Nicole González; ilustrado por Krystal Quiles; traducido por Amparo Ortiz

Los coquíes aún cantan es un libro ilustrado para niños sobre el hogar, la comunidad, y la esperanza, inspirado por la reconstrucción de Puerto Rico luego del Hurricán María en Septiembre 2017. Este hermoso y emotivo libro fue escrito por Karina Nicole González, illustrado por Krystal Quiles, y traducido al español por Amparo Ortiz.

¡Co-quí, co-quí!
 Los coquíes le cantan a Elena desde el amado árbol de mango de su familia—sus llamadas son tan conocidas que es como si estuvieran cantando, “Estás en casa, estás a salvo.” Pero de repente, su hogar no es tan seguro cuando un huracán atenta con destruir todo lo que Elena conoce.

Con el paso del tiempo, Elena, junto a su comunidad, comienza a reconstruir su hogar, sembrando semillas de esperanza en el camino. Cuando los sonidos de los coquíes regresan gradualmente, reflejan la resiliencia y fuerza de Elena, su familia, y sus compatriotas puertorriqueños.

“El texto melódico de González canta, como los queridos coquíes de Elena, mientras que la obra de arte en gouache y acrílico de Quiles resalta con tonos y texturas vibrantes. . . Un recordatorio sincero de que incluso en los momentos más difíciles, soñar con un mañana mejor fortalece a la familia y la comunidad.”–Kirkus, reseña destacada

¡Qué historia de resiliencia y comunidad! Los Coquíes Aún Cantan le brinda al lector la oportunidad de reconocer todo lo que podemos hacer juntos para reconstruir nuestras vidas y cuidar a nuestras queridas comunidades. Este libro es más que hermoso.”—Yuyi Morales, homenajeada al Caldecott y creadora de Dreamers, reconocido en la lista de mejores vendidos del New York Times.