Library
Welcome to the Stevens Library
The Stevens Library is a comfy, cozy, colorful space to browse, explore, lounge and linger! Please use the following menu to learn more about our expanding Library program and ways you can help us continue to update, expand and refine our increasingly inclusive and diverse collection.
Summer Reading Lists
We start with our own Stevens Bibliophile Bingo!
“Bibliophile Bingo” is a game sheet of fun, simple activities designed to encourage perusing different types of reading material, wherever you are! Students completing any # of boxes (that’s right, ANY # of boxes) are encouraged to return the form in the fall to participate in our Stevens Bibliophile Bingo Bash and receive a free book pick. Students completing ALL 25 boxes receive an EXTRA surprise!
SPL’s Summer of Learning
Visit Seattle Public Library’s Summer of Learning page or visit any library location to learn more and participate in their summer youth programs! Visit a local branch locations to learn more and get your own colorful “Time Traveler Summer” action guide!
Seattle Arts & Lectures: Summer Book Bingo
Visit the above page for more information and links to adult Bingo cards, Student Bingo cards and Spanish Bingo card.
Half-Priced Books Summer Reading Camp
Click on the above link to access various on-line activities and/or visit a Half-Priced Book location to pick up a reading log. While there are no locations left in Seattle, there are several a short drive away in Bellevue, Redmond, Lynnwood & Tukwila. And while you’re there, maybe shop for some good condition used books!
Reading Lists
Washington Library Association book awards page with links to the Otter Award, Towner Award, Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award and Sasquatch Award pages.
The Conscious Kid Book Lists — superb collection of books lists promoting diverse characterization as well as thought and discussion about race, inequity and bias
The Horn Book Summer Reading List — great collection of new titles geared towards various ages
American Library Association Summer Book List — from the American Library Association (always good!)
We Are Teachers Summer Reading List — very good list of some of the best books published the last few years
Spotlight Books
(each title available thru the Stevens Library Catalog)
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. 5th grader Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot walk, talk or write. She has a memory, is smarter than most adults she encounters, yet is dismissed by most as mentally challenged because she cannot communicate otherwise. All that changes as she gains the ability to speak via a personalized laptop and enters a team knowledge competition, yet the bullying and prejudice persists. An absolutely heart-wrenching, thought provoking read about how much our impressions are based solely on what we see and erroneous assumptions.
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Wow! Part folklore, part social commentary, part sci-fi, 2022’s Newbery Award winner is fantastic! Earth is destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children, including Petra and her family, have been selected to journey to a new planet to ensure survival of the human race. While Petra and her family are in hyper sleep (for hundreds of years), a questionable group, knows as “The Collective”, have taken over the ship and wiped all Earthly memories in its attempt to erase human evil. As Petra awakes she is the only one who remembers beauty of humanity, as well, including her abuela’s storytelling. Can’t wait to discuss this one with readers!
The Dragon Masters series by Tracey West. While grown-ups might not want to read past #2, students are devouring these books as they quickly become one of the most popular series in our library. Eight-year old Drake is taken to King Roland’s castle where he finds out he is to be trained as a Dragon Master and has his very own dragon (no way!). At the castle, he meets Ana, Rori and Bo, also training to uncover their dragons’ special powers. As the gain knowledge, they are sent on a mission by King Roland — but is he a good king or is this mission to further his own power?! With 21 (and counting) books in the series, a great selection for shorter read-alouds and to build independent reading.
eBooks, Booklists, and Collections
The Seattle Public Library has many recommended reading lists with some titles available as eBooks and AudioBooks. With Library Link, students have access to all of these books! Visit SPL’s Library Link to learn more. Need help? Just ask! tkkamila@seattleschools.org
Highlighted SPL reading lists
- Seattle Public Library: Staff picks for kids
- The Kid Activist’s Bookshelf
- Pride for Kids – LGBTQ+ books for kids and families
Looking for more books to share with your family?
Check out the Stevens Library Collections to view various recommended reading lists including Stevens Staff picks, Biographies, the Pura Belpre Award, Social Justice titles & Girl Power selections. These collections are growing every month as we continue to organize our material by genre and add more books to our library. Visit our Book Award Nominees page for further recommendations, including the Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award. Remember, “You are NEVER too old for a good picture book!”
Help Our Library Collection Grow!
The Stevens Library strives to be a place of refuge, comfort and inclusion. The right book can be a temporary and welcome escape from the doldrums and/or worries of today. Know that much time is being devoted to building and refining our collection to ensure our library is a source of different voices, stories and interests.
You can help by purchasing books for the library from our Stevens Library Powell’s Wishlist. Most of these selections have been requested by the students and are good-condition USED copies, in line with our GTCC (Green Team Climate Change!) school-wide goals to Reduce & Reuse. Also included on our list are book award nominees, favorite authors and favorite series. Thank you for your consideration!
The Bibliophile Riffraff Book Club
After being sorely missed during the 2022-23 school year, we hope to bring this very popular opt-in club back for 2023-24. In the meantime, please visit Bibliophile Riffraff Book Club to learn more about our past clubs.
The Seattle Public Library!
Seattle Public Library (SPL) – Library Link
A reminder that our AWESOME, award-winning public library system is humongous source of reading material and resources for your family. Each student has access to SPL’s Library Link program, an on-line library account available to all Seattle Public School students. A Library Link account gives your child instant access to eBooks and Student Research Resources, including one of my favorites, CultureGrams. Please visit Library Link to learn more.
**Please note: a Library Link account is for on-line materials only. Want to checkout print materials? See below links for obtaining a library card.
Using your SPL card to get Museum Passes!
Did you know that having a Seattle Public Library card gives you free admission to the Burke Museum, MoPop, The Museum of Flight, the National Nordic Museum, the Seattle Aquarium & the Wing Luke Museum?! You can reserve one pass to a museum once every 30 days from the date of your visit. New passes are available every day after 9 p.m.
Don’t have a SPL Library card yet?
It’s easy to do and gives you instant access to both on-line and print materials (as well as those museum passes above!)
More information about how to get started with an SPL library card.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Library has missed its assistants! If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please e-mail me at tkkamila@seattleschools.org