National Network for Equitable Library Service

In 1831, Prudence Crandall opened a school for girls in Canterbury, Connecticut. When an African-American girl named Sarah Harris asked if she could attend, Prudence agreed. But Prudence wasn't prepared for how the town would react. Parents of Prudence's white students were outraged that a black girl would be allowed to sit beside their children. They threatened to withdraw their daughters from the school if Prudence did not expel Sarah Harris. So, with the support of prominent anti-slavery activists, Prudence turned her schoolhouse into a school for only African-American girls.

Laban Carrick Hill, the bestselling author of the National Book Award Finalist Harlem Stomp, here delivers an inspiring and lyrical story of a gifted craftsman who lived in South Carolina two centuries ago. Dave's superb artistry and the deeply observant poetry he carved onto his pots reveal how he transcended the limitations he faced as a slave.

Learn about animals, both domestic and wild, who have become heroes when they came to the rescue of humans

Is a painting of a can of soup really art? Born in 1928 to immigrant parents, Andy Warhol became famous for paintings of things once deemed unworthy of "art," like soup cans, celebrities, and dollar bills. As a child, Andy loved to draw. He took classes at the Carnegie Museum of art, where his teacher told the class,"everything you look at has art." In college, many teachers didn't appreciate Andy's understanding of art. He annoyed them by doing things his own way-like by cutting a painting into four parts and submitting it as separate assignments.

Rosanna Hansen explains the work that she and others are doing to protect cheetahs.

Readers learn about Mattel Toys and the background behind Barbie's concept and development, how it was a solution for girls who wanted to imagine adult roles rather than just play mother, and details about inventor Ruth Handler.

A search down a wooded path for a well-hit baseball turns into an encounter between Pamela and a veteran soldier standing in front of a monument. The statue commemorates the heroism of Sgt. Tommy Prince, the most decorated Aboriginal soldier in Canada. Pamela is curious, and the veteran is happy to regale her with the story of the expert marksman and tracker, renowned for his daring and bravery in World War II and the Korean War.

For Tyrese, history class is the lowest point of his school day. This is, until his friend Levi reveals a secret - a secret that brings history alive, in the form of one Gabriel Dumont. Through Dumont, a great Metis leader of the Northwest Resistance, the boys experience a bison hunt, a skirmish with the Blackfoot, and encounter with the great Louis Riel, and, ultimately, a great battle at Batoche, Saskatchewan.

Although Kathy loves poetry, she is far too shy to recite it in front of her class. But the story of Pauline Johnson, renowned as the Mohawk Princess, inspires Kathy to overcome her stage fright. Pauline, from the Grand River Reserve in Ontario, crisscrossed the country, reciting her poems to far-flung communities, making her among the most beloved literary figure of the Edwardian era. Tales from Big Spirit is a unique six-book graphic novel series that delves into the stories of six great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history -- some already well known and others who deserve to be.