Centennial
Elementary School
Library
Welcome to the Centennial Library
The mission of the Centennial Elementary Library is to develop lifelong learners by creating a safe, encouraging, and empowering environment where students can collaborate and create, while offering high-quality lessons and resources that foster a love of reading, build information literacy, and prepare students for success in the 21st century.
Meet the Librarian
- Library Hours
- Weekly Checkout Guidelines
- Students are Expected to:
- Online Catalog and Databases
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Book Fairs (need update)
- Library Lessons and MakerSpace
- Book Clubs and Author Visits
Library Hours
Ms. McKee is in the library daily from 7:00 until 3:00. Students come to the library every week with their classes at a scheduled time. Additionally, they may come to the library for checkouts at the following times:
- 7:25-7:40 (check in with classroom teacher first)
- During lunch and recess times (with teacher permission)
- 2:30-2:55 (at the end of the school day, with teacher permission)
- Parents who wish to visit the library during the school day or after school should make an appointment with Ms. McKee.
Weekly Checkout Guidelines
- Kindergarten - one book
- 1st Grade - two books
- 2nd Grade - two books
- 3rd Grade - three books
- 4th Grade - three books
- 5th Grade - three books
All students are encouraged to check out a variety of both fiction and non-fiction books each week. I show them how to search for books in our online catalog, which is accessible via Webdesk. Students also learn how to place holds for books and how to locate books on the shelves.
PLEASE NOTE: Parents and community members are welcome to check out books from our school library. Up to FIVE items at a time may be checked out for a period of 30 days. A valid phone number and email address are needed to set up an account for check-out. Please email Mrs. Berry for more information.
Students are Expected to:
Online Catalog and Databases
Did you know you can access our Centennial Library resources from home? Our district subscribes to multiple resources and databases such as PebbleGo, National Geographic Kids, a variety of e-books, Britannica online encyclopedias, and more. Your student can access these resources at school and at home via Webdesk.
Volunteer Opportunities
We love our LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS!
Library volunteers will help keep the library organized and welcoming by shelving and straightening books, performing shelf reading, and bringing books to the front of the shelves. They will assist students by helping with check-outs, guiding them in looking up books in LS2, and helping them locate books on the shelves. Volunteers also support library maintenance and assist during Makerspace lessons and other student activities.
In addition, all library volunteers must have either attended the in-person training with Ms. McKee or reviewed all of the provided slides and completed the accompanying quiz on page 32 of the slideshow:
Two daily volunteer spots available:
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th
- 12:50 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. - 1st, 2nd, 5th
Book Fairs (need update)
Library Lessons and MakerSpace
Your child will check out and enjoy many great books from our library this year, but they will do and experience so much more as well! Each library class enjoys a targeted library lesson each week. Some of the lesson topics will include learning the basics of digital citizenship and information literacy, using online databases for research, learning about and interacting with authors and illustrators, identifying features of non-fiction books, honing reading and comprehension skills, practicing computer coding, and much more.
Also, the Centennial Library will feature MakerSpace activities, which is a time when your students can explore STEAM activities (STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) in the library space. These activities will encourage your students to ask questions, create, and collaborate through the use of fun, curricular-related activities. An updated donation list for items needed in MakerSpace will be made available via grade level newsletters.
Book Clubs and Author Visits
The Centennial Comets Book Club will be made available to select upper grades during some lunch and after-school times throughout the year, as time and scheduling permit. These clubs are a great way to delve deeper into great books and to share the love of reading with friends.
Stay tuned for our author visits this school year.
Reading Challenges
- 2025-2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award
- 2025 Little Maverick Reading List
- 2025 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List
- 40 Book Challenge
2025-2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award
Reading List
- A Game of Noctis, by Deva Fagan.
- A Plate of Hope, by Erin Frankel; illustrated by Paola Escobar.
- Dogtown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko; illustrated by Wallace West.
- Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knight, by Rey Terciero; illustrated by Monica M. Magaña.
- Ernö Rubik and His Magic Cube, by Kerry Aradhya; illustrated by Kara Kramer.
- Haiku, Ew! Celebrating the Disgusting Side of Nature, by Lynn Brunelle; illustrated by Julia Patton.
- Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective, by Janet Tashjian; illustrated by Jake Tashjian.
- Invisible Isabel, by Sally J. Pla.
- It Came from the Trees, by Ally Russell.
- Legendarios: Wrath of the Rain God, by Karla Arenas Valenti; illustrated by Vanessa Morales.
- Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All, by Chanel Miller.
- Nimbus, by Jan Eldredge.
- Pedro’s Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys, by Rob Peñas; illustrated by Carl Angel.
- Scare School Diaries: Welcome to Scare School, by Jarrett Lerner.
- Stuntboy, In-Between Time, by Jason Reynolds; illustrated by Raúl the Third.
- Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag Flex, by Justina Ireland.
- The Girl Who Figured It Out, by Minda Dentler; illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin.
- The Liars Society, by Alyson Gerber.
- The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines, by Mo Netz.
- Volcanoes, by Nell Cross Beckerman; illustrated by Kalen Chock.
2025 Little Maverick Reading List
Grades K–5
How to Read This List
- Committee Favorite: Selected as a top title by the selection committee
- Unanimous Selection: All committee members voted for this title
- Series Title: The book is part of a series
Symbols used in the original document have been replaced with words to improve accessibility for screen readers.
Grades K–5 Titles
- Batcat: Sink or Swim by Meggie Ramm (Amulet Books, 2024). Fantasy. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Bizard and the Big Bunny Bizness by Chrissie Krebs (Holiday House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- Cloud Puppy by Kelly Leigh Miller (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Frankie and the Beastly Bog Song by Caitlin Rose Boyle (Oni Press, 2024). Adventure, Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe (Simon & Schuster, 2024). Humor, Mystery, Animal Fantasy. Series Title. Unanimous Selection.
- It's Her Story: Sacajawea by Randy’l He-Dow Teton, illustrated by Aly McKnight (Sunbird Books, 2023). Biography.
- Looking for Peppermint or Life in the Forest by Maxwell Eaton III (Holiday House, 2024). Science Nonfiction, Adventure.
- Monti and Leo: A Newcomer in Pocketville by Sylvie Kantorovitz (Walker Books US, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Nancy Spector, Monster Detective: The Case of the Missing Spot by Stephen W. Martin (Algonquin Young Readers, 2024). Fantasy, Mystery.
- Poetry Comics by Grant Snider (Chronicle Books, 2024). Poetry. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Rover and Speck: Splash Down! by Jonathan Roth (Kids Can Press, 2023). Science Nonfiction, Science Fiction. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
Grades K–2 Titles
- Animal Heroes: Superdads by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper (Candlewick Press, 2024). Science Nonfiction. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Animal Heroes: Supermoms by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper (Candlewick Press, 2023). Science Nonfiction. Series Title. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Birtle and the (Very) Unwelcome Garry by Tara J. Hannon (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- The Best Worst Camp Out Ever by Joe Cepeda (Holiday House, 2024). Adventure, Humor.
- Boom! by Paul Meisel (Holiday House, 2023). Humor, Realistic Fiction.
- Elves Are the Worst by Alex Willan (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- I Like This Color!: A Silly Story About Listening by Liz Goulet Dubois (Sourcebooks, 2023). Animal Fantasy, Humor.
- Kitten Ninja by Colleen A. F. Venable and Marcie Colleen (Andrews McMeel, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- The Light Inside by Dan Misdea (Penguin Workshop, 2023). Fantasy.
- The Lost Mitten by Jannie Ho (Holiday House, 2023). Animal Fantasy.
- Mika and the Gurgler by Agata Loth-Ignaciuk (Oni Press, 2023). Realistic Fiction.
- A New Car for Pickle by Sylvie Kantorovitz (Holiday House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor.
- One Cool Duck: Summer Games by Mike Petrik (Hippo Park, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor, Sports. Series Title.
- One Giant Leap by Thao Lam (OwlKids Books, 2024). Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Adventure. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone by Airlie Anderson (Little, Brown, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Otis and Peanut: Forever and Ever by Naseem Hrab (OwlKids, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- Owl and Penguin: Here and There by Vikram Madan (Holiday House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor.
- Pocket Peaches by Dora Wang (Andrews McMeel, 2023). Manga-style, Animal Fantasy.
- Really Bird Stories: It's Really Cold Outside! by Harriet Ziefert (Red Comet Press, 2023). Animal Fantasy.
- Reggie: Penguin in Charge by Jen De Oliveira (Little, Brown Ink, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- Scroll by Hui Li (Little, Brown, 2023). Realistic Fiction, Fantasy.
- Simone by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Minerva, 2024). Realistic Fiction.
- Sky and Ty: Howdy, Partner by Steve Breen (Pixel+Ink, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- Super Small: Miniature Marvels of the Natural World by Tiffany Stone (Greystone Kids, 2023). Poetry, Science Nonfiction.
- Tig and Lily: Up Late! by Dan Thompson (Random House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- Vamos! Let’s Go Read by Raúl the Third (Versify, 2023). Animal Fantasy.
- Zips & Eeloo Make Hummus by Leila Boukarim (Andrews McMeel, 2024). Fantasy, Humor.
- Zooni Tales: A Friend Till the End by Vikram Madan (Holiday House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor, Science Fiction, Sports. Series Title.
Grades 3–5 Titles
- All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn (Harper Alley, 2023). Scary, Mystery.
- Alterations by Ray Xu (Union Square Kids, 2024). Realistic Fiction.
- Ant Story by Jay Hosler (Harper Alley, 2024). Fantasy, Science Nonfiction.
- Anzu and the Realm of Darkness by Mai K. Nguyen (Viking, 2024). Fantasy, Manga-style.
- Atana and the Firebird by Vivian Zhou (Harper Alley, 2023). Fantasy, Adventure. Series Title.
- Blue Stars Mission 1: The Vice Principal Problem by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2024). Realistic Fiction. Series Title.
- Break by Kayla Miller (Harper Alley, 2024). Realistic Fiction. Series Title.
- The Brinkley Yearbooks: Tryouts by Sarah Sax (Random House, 2024). Realistic Fiction, Sports. Series Title.
- Bruce Wayne: Not Super by Stuart Gibbs (DC Comics, 2023). Fantasy, Adventure. Series Title.
- Club Kick Out!: Into the Ring by Steph Mided (Harper Alley, 2023). Realistic Fiction, Humor, Sports.
- Curveball by Pablo Cartaya (Disney Hyperion, 2024). Sports, Realistic Fiction.
- The Dark!: Wild Life in the Mysterious World of Caves by Lindsey Leigh (Penguin Workshop, 2024). Science Nonfiction. Committee Favorite. Unanimous Selection.
- Dear Dad by Jay Jay Patton (Graphix, 2024). Biography.
- Detective Sweet Pea: The Case of the Golden Bone by Sara Varon (First Second, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Mystery. Series Title.
- DnDoggos: Get the Party Started by Scout Underhill (Feiwel and Friends, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor.
- Dog Trouble by Kristin Varner (First Second, 2024). Realistic Fiction, Humor.
- Doña Quixote: Flight of the Witch by Rey Terciero (Henry Holt, 2024). Fantasy, Adventure.
- Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsong (Kokila, 2024). Realistic Fiction. Committee Favorite.
- Frights from Feral: Last Exit to Feral by Mark Fearing (Holiday House, 2023). Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure. Series Title.
- The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr (HELVETIQ, 2024). Historical Fiction.
- Hilo: Rise of the Cat by Judd Winick (Random House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Science Fiction. Series Title.
- I Survived: The Battle of D-Day, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis (Graphix, 2024). Historical Fiction. Series Title.
- Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp (Greenwillow, 2023). Fantasy, Historical Fiction. Committee Favorite.
- Jurassic Jeff: Race to Warp Speed by Royden Lepp (Random House, 2024). Science Fiction, Humor, Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- Lion Dancers by Cai Tse (Simon & Schuster, 2024). Realistic Fiction. Committee Favorite.
- Lovely Muco! Vol. 1 by Takayuki Mizushina (Vertical Comics, 2023). Manga-style, Realistic Fiction, Humor.
- Max Meow: Attack of the Zombees by John Gallagher (Random House, 2023). Animal Fantasy, Adventure. Series Title.
- Meems & Feefs by Liza N. Cooper (Andrews McMeel, 2023). Science Fiction, Animal Fantasy.
- Mia and Friends: Mia Hamm and the Soccer Sisterhood That Changed History by Karlin Gray (First Second, 2024). Biography, Sports.
- Monkey King and the World of Myths by Maple Lam (Putnam, 2024). Fantasy, Adventure. Series Title.
- The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln (Dial, 2024). Fantasy, Mystery. Committee Favorite.
- Noodle and Bao by Shaina Lu (Harper Alley, 2024). Realistic Fiction, Manga-style.
- Officer Clawsome: Crime Across Time by Brian Smith (Harper Alley, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Adventure. Series Title.
- Paws: Priya Puts Herself First by Nathan Fairbairn (Razorbill, 2023). Realistic Fiction. Series Title.
- Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol (First Second, 2024). Fantasy. Committee Favorite.
- Racc Pack by Stephanie Cooke (Simon & Schuster, 2024). Animal Fantasy. Series Title.
- Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sanchez (Flying Eye, 2024). Fantasy, Manga-style.
- Sink or Swim by Lee Durfey-Lavoie (Random House, 2024). Realistic Fiction, Sports.
- Spirited: Go, Ghoul, Go! by Liv Livingston (Little Simon, 2024). Fantasy. Series Title.
- The Squad by Christina Soontornvat (Graphix, 2024). Realistic Fiction, Sports.
- Stories of the Islands by Clar Angkasa (Holiday House, 2023). Fantasy. Committee Favorite.
- Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem by Megan Wagner Lloyd (Random House, 2024). Animal Fantasy, Humor. Series Title.
- Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz (Holiday House, 2024). Realistic Fiction.
- Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments by Victoria Grace Elliott (Random House, 2023). History and Science Nonfiction. Committee Favorite. Series Title.
- Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse (Random House, 2024). Fantasy. Committee Favorite.
- Tiffany’s Griffon by Magnolia Porter Siddell (First Second, 2024). Fantasy, Adventure.
- Unhappy Camper by Lily LaMotte (Harper Alley, 2024). Realistic Fiction.
- Unico: Awakening by Samuel Sattin (Graphix, 2024). Fantasy, Manga-style.
- Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan (Roaring Brook, 2024). Biography.
- Wagnificent: The Adventures of Thunder and Sage by Bethanie Murguia (Roaring Brook, 2024). Realistic Fiction. Series Title. Committee Favorite.
- We Are Big Time by Hena Khan (Random House, 2024). Sports, Realistic Fiction.
- Whatever After: Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski (Graphix, 2024). Fantasy. Series Title.
2025 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List
2x2 Reading List
- A Pinecone! written & illustrated by Helen Yoon; Candlewick Press
- Adela’s Mariachi Band, written by Denise Vega & illustrated by Erika Rodríguez Medina; Charlesbridge Publishing
- AHOY! written & illustrated by Sophie Blackall; Anne Schwartz Books/Penguin Randomhouse
- Bear’s Lost Glasses, written & illustrated by Leo Timmers; Gecko Press/Myrick Marketing & Media
- Duck Goes Meow, written by Juliette MacIver & illustrated by Carla Martell
- Kane Miller EDC Publishing /Scholastic
- Go and Get with Rex, written by David LaRochelle & illustrated Mike Wohnoutka; Candlewick
- I’m Sorry You Got Mad, written by Kyle Lukoff & illustrated by Julie Kwon;
- Dial Books /Penguin Randomhouse
- Into Goblin Market, written by Vikki VanSickle & illustrated by Jensine Eckwall; Tundra Books
- Lefty: A Story That is Not All RIght, written by Mo Willems & illustrated by Dan Santat; Union Square Kids
- Look, written by Gabi Snyder & illustrated by Samantha Cotterill; Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
- Lucky Duck, written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli; Knopf Books for Young Readers/Penguin Randomhouse
- Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden, written and illustrated by Christy Mandin; Orchard Books/Scholastic
- Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm, written by Lindsay H. Metcalf & illustrated by Xin Li; Astra Young Readers
- Pickle Words: Crunchy, Punchy, Pickles, & Poetry, written by April Pulley Sayre & illustrated by Jialei Sun; Charlesbridge Publishing
- Spider in the Well, written & illustrated by Jess Hannigan; Katherine Tegen Books/Harper Collins
- The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals, written by Deborah Underwood & illustrated by LeUyen Pham; Clarion Books/Harper Collins
- The Spice Box, written by Meera Sriram & illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat; Penguin Randomhouse / Knopf Books for Young Readers
- There Are No Ants in This Book, written by Rosemary Mosco & illustrated by Anna Pirolli; Tundra Books
- Towed by Toad, written & illustrated by Jashar Awan; Tundra Books
- We Are Definitely Human, written & illustrated by X. Fang; Tundra Books