It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Here are some stories that celebrate the teachers that go above and beyond for their students!

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Because You Are My Teacher by Sherry North

In illustrations and verse, lists some of the places a teacher would take her students if she had the means, from a hot-air balloon trip over China's Great Wall to an airboat ride in the Everglades to observe alligators.

I Love My Teacher by Giles Andreae

Teacher makes sure every school day is the best! This sweet and simple story follows a typical school day, from morning hello's to hometime.

The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shante

A young girl worries about entering the third grade because she's put into the noisy classroom, but she learns that school can be both fun and educational in nontraditional classes.

Thank You, Mr Falker by Patricia Polacco

At first, Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until, in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

Teachers Rock! by Todd Parr

A celebration of the ways in which teachers change the world, from encouraging creativity, to making students laugh, to helping them form friendships, always wanting everyone to succeed and making the classroom a great place to be.

A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson

A letter from someone who was once an exasperating second-grader reveals her experiences with a teacher who brought out the best in her.

Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3 by Gretchen McLellan

At the end of the school year, the children of Room 3 and Mrs. McBee find their own ways of helping each other get ready to leave and say good-bye.

Dear Teacher A celebration of people who inspire us by Paris Rosenthal

Filled with gratitude, Dear Teacher, thanks all the people that empower and inspire little ones to be themselves and overcome all of life's obstacles.

You Have A Voice by Vera Ahiyya

A teacher encourages their students to speak up when they see or experience racism, because their voices can make a difference.

Looking for some personalized selections? Fill out thisform and you’ll receive a customized list direct to your inbox!

    Youth Services Assistant Librarian Claire 

Dear Middle Grade Students,

Are you stuck inside 'cause of COVID? Wanna write but don't know where to start? Just plain bored? Here are 31 journal-writing prompts (a whole month's worth!) to get you started.

By the way, don't worry about word count or anything like that -- express yourself how you want, as much as you want.

1. Describe two people you look up to or admire: one real, one fictional. Why do you admire them? How are they different? How are they the same?

2. What's something that always makes you laugh, whether you're feeling happy or sad?

3. Write about a mistake you made recently. Did you learn anything from it? What did you learn?

4. If you could have any fictional creature as a pet, what would it be and why?

5. Pick your least favorite character from your favorite book and write from their point of view.

6. What was your least favorite thing about quarantine? What was your favorite thing?

7. What's a food you could eat every day for the rest of your life? Do you think you'd get tired of it? Why or why not?

8. If you could learn another language, what would it be? Why? How would you use it?

9. Write a poem about your happiest memory.

10. Write a poem about a sad memory.

11. Do you have a favorite song? If you do, describe what you love about it, how it makes you feel.If not, why? How does music make you feel?

12. If you could talk to your future self, what would you say? Would you want to learn about what happens in your life, or would you want to keep it a surprise?

13. If you could talk to your past self, what would you say? Is there anything you'd suggest they do differently?

14. If it's nice out, find a safe spot outside. Sit down. Close your eyes. Listen to the world around you. What do you hear?If you can't go outside, find a spot by a window. Sit down. Close your eyes. Listen to the world outside. What do you hear? How does it make you feel?

15. Write about something you're proud of, even if you don't think it's a big deal.

16. If you have a hobby, write about why you enjoy it and what got you into it in the first place. If you don't have a hobby, write about one that sounds fun.

17. What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

18. What calms you down when you're upset?

19. Is there anything that worries you about the future? How do you think you'll handle it? Is there anything you can do about it now?

20. Describe three things you enjoy about today, no matter how small.

21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

22. Imagine you have access to a time machine. Would you go to the past or the future? What do you think it would be like?

23. Write your autobiography in only six words.

24. What is one thing that excites you about the future?

25. Close your eyes. Imagine your favorite color. Now describe it as if you were talking to someone who's never seen it before.

26. What are 5 things you'd like to accomplish during your lifetime?

27. What do you like about the city you live in? What would you change?

28. What are 3 things you will never forget? Why?

29. Write a letter to someone who will never read it.

30. What is something you'd change about school? Why? How do you think students would deal with the change? What about the staff?

31. What is your best quality? Why? If you want to be extra ambitious, write this entry in the form of a one-page comic.

And there we have it -- a whole month of journal prompts. Don't feel like you need to do them all -- just do as many as you'd like.

One last thing: after you're done journaling, think about what you've written. Did you learn anything new about yourself?

Looking for recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.

  Youth Services Librarian Chris