It’s often said, "a reader lives a thousand lives." According to research, reading fiction shows us different viewpoints, increasing empathy and understadnding, and shaping how we relate to others.  Fiction has the capacity to transport us into a character’s mind, allowing us to see and feel what they do, exposing us to life circumstances that are very different from our own. That’s because literary fiction is essentially an exploration of the human experience, Words on a page can introduce us to what it's like to be swept up in a war, born into poverty, or immigrate to a new country, and more. This can influence how we relate to others in the real world.

 HCSD librarians have compiled a compelling list of captivating stories for students – books that give our kids an opportunity to walk a mile in some else’s shoes, and understand themselves and the world better.

READ ALONG WITH OUR LIBRARIANS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR 2024!   

We All Belong                                                          Celebrating Difference

Finding Common Ground                                           Being an Upstander