Contact buildyourstack@ncte.org with any questions. We’d also love to hear your book recommendations on social media using #BuildYourStack.

Join us at the 2026 Annual Convention in Philadelphia for the following programming:

Thursday, November 19

Build Your Stack^® Reading Room Workshop – Graphic Novels 
The Build Your Stack Committee and authors Jason DeHart and Victoria Jamieson
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Register here.

Build Your Stack Stage in the Exhibit Hall

Any registered Convention attendee is welcome to attend any session. Just show up to the stage, take a seat, and enjoy! 

Friday, November 20

The Search for Home and Belonging in Picturebooks
Kathy G. Short
11:00 – 11:20 A.M.

In times of uncertainty, we seek comfort and security, especially in places where we feel surrounded by love. Home can be a physical space, but it’s also the values and relationships that establish a safe space in a world of constant upheaval. Picturebooks explore home as multiple places in the heart of immigrants, as multiple perspectives within a family, and as connected to housing insecurity.

New Poetry Picturebooks Presented by the NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee 
11:30 – 11:50 A.M.

In this presentation, the NCTE Poetry Awards Committee will introduce new poetry picturebooks published in 2025–2026.

Imagining an Alternative: Neurodivergent Middle Grades Books That (Re)Create Neuroinclusive Worlds
Jennifer Slagus
12:00 – 12:20 P.M.

Despite slow-growing social acceptance for neurodiversity, many neurodivergent people (especially those with intersectional identities) remain on the margin. Recent middle grades books by/about neurodivergent people are imagining an alternative. These stories disrupt the dominant narrative that positions neurotypicality as superior, instead inspiring the (re)creation of more neuroinclusive worlds.

Read. Wonder. Research. Repeat: Books That Launch Inquiry for You and Your Readers
Sara Ahmed and Kristin Ziemke
12:30 – 12:50 P.M.

What happens when a book is so good it leads to more questions? In a word, INQUIRY! Kristin Ziemke and Sara Ahmed were raised as inquiry-based teachers and center it in all they do! Come hang out on the rug as we build a stack of titles (preK to professional) that can turn reading into a launchpad for deeper inquiry, curiosity, and conversation.

Disability and Joy in Children’s Literature
Kimberly Kulasekaran and Ashanka Kumari
1:00 – 1:20 P.M.

Kim Kulasekaran searches for books that authentically mirror the lives and joy of her students who have disabilities in the Boston Public Schools. Drawing on her experience as a Charlotte E. Huck Award judge, she shares actionable criteria for curating books based on representation, agency, and joy.

Lyrical Storytelling: Middle Grades Novels in Verse
Aida Salazar
3:00 – 3:20 P.M.

What sets a good novel in verse apart is how well the author/poet can use artful language to tell the story. The novel must balance the typical elements of story such as plot, setting, narrative tension, etc. while using poetry to explore the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters. The verse novels featured in this book stack are lyrical standouts while also delivering compelling plot. Educators can explore poetic techniques such as economy, metaphor or simile, imagery, and musicality, etc. while also exploring traditional storytelling techniques. Excellent for reluctant readers, students with attention challenges, and new ELA learners.

Family Treasures: Books That Connect Grandparents, History, and Memory
Yoojin Grace
3:30 – 3:50 P.M.

How can clothes be stories? How can objects hold memories? This theme explores picturebooks for preK–3, highlighting intergenerational storytelling that passes on personal stories, heritage, and culture. These books allow families and classes to learn about heirlooms that hold priceless value—not because of their inherent worth, but because of treasured memories—with a focus on joy and wonder.

Build a Stack Where Every Reader Belongs
Rachael Gabriel and Kate Roberts
4:00 – 4:20 P.M.

Every reader deserves to be seen. Kate Roberts and Rachael Gabriel share a stack of LGBTQIA+ picturebooks, novels, graphic novels, and nonfiction, plus what research suggests about inclusive texts and belonging. In the spirit of imagine. innovate. inspire., leave with books to share, classroom moves to use tomorrow, and the confidence to defend your choices.

Picturebooks Full of Black Aliveness and Flourishing
Brooke Harris Garad and Wintre Johnson
4:30 – 4:50 P.M.

This presentation will highlight realistic fiction picturebooks that feature Black characters that are living full lives. This presentation will discuss the importance of utilizing contemporary children’s literature that centers Black children, youth, and families thriving outside of the white gaze and unencumbered by antiblackness.

Saturday, November 21

Beyond the Textbook: Building Historical Literacy through Authentic Voices in US History
Mona Mustafa
11:00 – 11:20 A.M.

How can we help students see themselves in history while strengthening literacy skills? This interactive Build Your Stack session introduces a curated collection of fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, poetry, graphic novels, and informational texts that can be paired with every major unit of a US history course to deepen historical understanding and shed light on the voices often left out.

Rally around the West Indies: Celebrating Caribbean Voices
Lois Barker
12:00 – 12:20 P.M.

Experience the full depth of Caribbean culture, history, and spirituality, free from inauthentic lenses. This session honors stories written by powerful Caribbean voices across the K–12 spectrum. From picturebooks like Malaik’s Costume to YA gems like American Street and (S)KIN, gain meaningful recommendations that bring true heritage and living traditions to life.

Family Secrets
Andrew J. Rodbro
12:30 – 12:50 P.M.

Every family has its secrets. While the expression “family secrets” conjures images of the Dollanganger children hidden away in the attic, more often it means something innocent: a special bond shared between siblings, a family inside joke, or an untold story of a family elder. The stories featured in this session are about family and how people learn about and grow into their family. They include recent releases as well as a dusty few that deserve to be revisited.

Modern Odysseys: Contemporary Translation and Adaptation for Young Readers
David Bowles and Carrie Santo-Thomas
1:00 – 1:20 P.M.

With the surge in interest in Greek epics and translation, teachers have a great opportunity to channel students’ interest into the study of classical and modern literature from around the world. Join us as we take an exciting trip through the largely uncharted waters of global kid lit that often connects to the cultural heritage of our diverse student population.

Stacking Imagination: Picturebooks That Build Belonging and the Courage to Create Futures
Surati Abas
2:00 – 2:20 P.M.

Imagination is not a luxury; it is how readers picture who they might become. This stack pairs picturebooks that celebrate belonging with ones that stretch the known, plus quick classroom moves for each. Leave with titles and ideas to build your own stack that helps students dream, question, and create.

Growing Knowledge about Relationships to Grow Interpersonal Skills, Empathy, and Awareness
Amanda Hartman and Michelle Yang-Kaczmarek
2:30 – 2:50 P.M.

In this session we explore books about building, growing, and sustaining relationships: intergenerational, solidarity, siblings, friendships, and mentors. Spanning picturebooks, chapter books, narrative nonfiction, and adult titles, this text set will provide space to discuss how characters navigate the world so that we can build stronger relationships in our own lives.

Books That Inspire, Ideas That Ignite: Building a Stack of Possibilities for Student Writing
Michele Haiken
3:00 – 3:20 P.M.

In this Build Your Stack session, the author of New Realms for Writing, 2nd Edition: Inspire Student Expression with Digital Age Formats will share books, podcasts, and multimodal texts that inspire students to be creative communicators and empowered learners. The author will discuss units and activities from the book that inspire reading, writing, and curiosity in the classroom. Discover practical ways to turn texts that spark curiosity into engaging writing experiences that ignite creativity, amplify student voice, and inspire learners to share their ideas with the world.

Multilingual Books in the ELA Classroom: Building Literacy across Languages PreK–12
Mandy Stewart
3:30 – 3:50 P.M.

Create a multilingual ELA classroom to support deeper engagement with literacy for all your students—even if you don’t speak their languages! Learn about different kinds of multilingual books and how you can bring them into your instruction based on what real teachers have done. Discover new possibilities as you lean into the multiple, beautiful, rich languages represented in your ELA classroom.

Learn more about finding books and resources for your classroom with these helpful resources:

• NCTE’s Statement on Classroom Libraries
• NCTE’s Statement on Independent Reading
• The Classroom Corridors website
• NCTE’s Book Rationale Database
• NCTE’s Children’s Book Awards (and booklists for the Charlotte Huck Award, the Orbis Pictus Award, and Notable Children’s Poetry and Verse Novels List)
• The Mathical Book Prize (and booklist)

LEARN MORE ABOUT PREVIOUS YOUR STACK® VIRTUAL EVENTS AND FIND BOOKLISTS HERE.

WHAT KINDS OF BUILD YOUR STACK SESSIONS CAN I EXPECT AT NCTE’S ANNUAL CONVENTION?

Join us each year at the Annual Convention for dozens of sessions, taking place on the Build Your Stack® stage in the exhibit hall. Join us at the 2026 Annual Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.