Keep students learning all year long with 20 must-read titles!

Shannon McClintock Miller, a well-known teacher librarian, selected 20 Learn All Year Long titles from Capstone Publishing as must-reads for young readers. With a variety of topics and subject matters, there’s something every student will be motivated to read and engage with on this list!

African Elephant vs. Woolly Mammoth (Beastly Battles)

By Charles C. Hofer

Upper Elementary

It’s a battle between two massive animals with treacherous tusks: the African elephant, today’s largest land animal, vs. the ancient woolly mammoth! Learn what makes these similar creatures so powerful, then decide which would triumph in a battle.

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Bring Your Pet to School Day (Jade’s Pet Dinosaur)

By Natasha Deen 

Lower Elementary

Can Jade persuade her suspicious classmates that her best buddy, Indigo, is just an unusual reptile, or will their secret that he’s actually a dinosaur be revealed? Follow their adventures in this chapter book series about friendship and loyalty!

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Caitlin Clark: Basketball Phenom (Sports Illustrated Kids: Stars of Sports)

By Matt Chandler

Upper Elementary

From her early days getting recruited to play college basketball before she even started high school, to her professional career when she was picked first in the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark has always been remarkable. In this inspirational sports biography, learn all about how she’s changed women’s basketball forever.

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Cheers-a-Lotl Blows Up (Axolotls!)

By C.W. Estes

Lower Elementary

When the first ice crystal forms in the water, Cheers-a-Lotl is already setting out her favorite festive inflatables. But when she forgets to tie them down and a current sweeps them away, how can she stay in jolly spirits? Find out in this silly chapter book for young readers!

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Hugs-a-Lotl Can’t Show the Love (Axolotls!)

By C.W. Estes

Lower Elementary

Hugs-a-Lotl loves nothing more than giving a warm embrace to friends. But after jumping rope too fast at school, the axolotl’s little arms pop right off! Losing the limbs isn’t a problem. They’ll grow back. Hugs is only worried about one thing: Who will hug for him? 

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I Am on Indigenous Land

By Katrina M. Phillips

Lower Elementary

With simple, lyrical text from author Katrina Phillips (Ojibwe citizen) and vibrant panoramic illustrations by illustrator Sam Zimmerman (Ojibwe direct descendant), this picture book explores the beauty and resources of 13 ancestral Indigenous lands and how we all use those lands each day. 

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Juneteenth with Yasmin (Holidays and Celebrations with Yasmin)

By Saadia Faruqi

Lower Elementary

During a trip to a Black history museum, protagonist Yasmin is so amazed by the exhibits that she gets lost! As Yasmin looks for help, she discovers that family togetherness is an important part of celebrating Juneteenth.

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Make 10 Marvelous Machines with STEM (10 Ways to Build with STEM!)

By Chelsey Luciow

Upper Elementary

Engineers know there’s always more than one way to solve a problem. The step-by-step projects included in this book will introduce readers to the STEM concepts that are at the heart of making machines. 

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My Gray Whale Migration Journey (My Animal Migration Story)

By Jamee-Marie Edwards

Lower Elementary

Swim along on a gray whale’s annual migration journey. Travel from chilly Alaskan waters all the way to the warm bays of Mexico and learn how these majestic creatures swim nonstop to reach their destination.

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Snacks-a-Lotl Gets the Hungries (Axolotls!)

By C.W. Estes

Lower Elementary

Snacks-a-Lotl loves making yummy treats with her mom and then enjoying them at school. But one day, the young axolotl opens her bag and sees there aren’t any snacks packed inside! What’ll Snacks do till lunchtime?

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Sonia’s Digital World (ISTE Young Innovators)

By Shannon Miller

Lower Elementary

Find out how we are all connected with a bird’s-eye view as Sonia, her friends, and her community chat, create, and play together with digital tools. Follow along on the virtual trail as she makes discoveries and connections!

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Sumaya Solves the Droopy Gift Problem (Sumaya Solves It)

By Aisha Ahmed

Lower Elementary

Sumaya’s cousin is graduating from high school, and Sumaya wants to give her a flowering plant as a gift. But the plant begins to droop before graduation day. Can Sumaya solve her droopy plant problem before it’s too late?

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The Glam World Tour

By Rachel Werner

Lower Elementary

On the glam world tour, the stunning variation of beauty norms around the world are showcased and celebrated as inclusive, not divisive. Written in the spirit of spoken word, author Rachel Werner’s compelling picture book reminds us that true beauty comes from accepting everyone.

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The Lip-Sync Scandal (Cyber Sleuths)

By Natasha Deen

Upper Elementary

The Cyber Sleuths, an online network of tech-savvy kids, are wired in and ready to take on the internet’s worst scams, fakes, and bad actors! This time, four friends investigate whether their favorite singer is a fraud when he is accused of lip-syncing.

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Thinks-a-Lotl Says Cheese (Axolotls!)

By C.W. Estes

Lower Elementary

One day, Thinks-a-Lotl wonders if he can turn his signature axolotl smile upside down. He manages the impossible, but now a frown is frozen on his face. Can Thinks regain a cheery outlook before he gets in front of the camera for picture day at school?

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This Journal Belongs to Little Red: A Little Red Riding Hood Fractured Fairy Tale (Fairy Tale Journals)

By Monica Clark-Robinson

Lower Elementary

Little Red is determined to win the Storyland Bake-Off this year, no matter what! Follow along as she journals about her taste-testing with her awesome Granny G, their surefire recipe, and the final showdown at the big baking competition.

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Travis Kelce: Superstar Tight End (Sports Illustrated Kids: Stars Of Sports)

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Upper Elementary

Get all the details about Travis Kelce’s legendary football career, from being a quarterback in high school, to college, where he moved to the tight end position, and finally, his notable time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Treats Across Cultures: Recipes From Around the World (Cooking Across Cultures)

By Chelsey Luciow

Upper Elementary

From Brazilian truffles to Somali mango shakes to Australian fairy bread, these easy-to-make recipes are sure to satisfy a reader’s sweet tooth. Dive deeper into the recipes and the cultures they come from with relevant cultural facts and vocabulary, as well!

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Up, Up High: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere

By Lydia Lukidis

Upper Elementary

Using spare, lyrical language, author Lydia Lukidis takes readers on an imagined journey up, up high to discover the surprising and wonderous things flying, floating, and happening between the treetops and the stars in this STEM-based picture book.

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Write Here, Write Now

By Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Lower Elementary

Author Rebecca Gardyn Levington inspires everyone to find joy in writing – in any form – in this rhyming picture book. Her inspirational approach celebrates imagination and self-expression, proving everyone can be a writer.

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Don’t delay! Keep students reading all year long by sprucing up your classroom’s library with these top titles from Capstone Publishing.

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About Shannon McClintock Miller

Teacher Librarian, Van Meter Community School, Iowa and Spokesperson of Future Ready Librarians®

Shannon McClintock Miller is an international speaker, consultant and author who has a passion for education, librarianship, advocacy, technology, social media and making a difference in the world and lives of others, especially children. 

Shannon serves as the Preschool-12th Grade District Teacher Librarian and innovation Director of Library Media and Instructional Technology at Van Meter Community School District in Iowa. She currently serves as the Future Ready Librarians Spokesperson and Future Ready Schools National Faculty Member working with librarians, educators, and students around the world every day.  She is a Follett Thought Leader and Capstone's Teacher Librarian Community Leader.

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