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About
| Library Hours | |
| Mon. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
| Tue. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
| Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
| Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | |
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Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
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The Thayer Academy Middle School Library is dedicated to enriching the school community through a carefully curated collection that reflects diverse viewpoints, authors, and reading preferences. Our mission is to ensure every student finds a literary companion resonating with their interests, while providing opportunities for students to explore and learn about different perspectives and experiences.
Collaborating with faculty members, the Middle School Librarian aligns instruction with class assignments, integrating information literacy into the academic curriculum. This synergy provides students with valuable insights into research methodologies to foster independent research skills.
The Middle School Library is a dynamic and welcoming space for students and faculty.
Summer break is a great time for reading! Please click on the "Find a Book" tab to explore TAMS student book recommendations or search for award winning books to find your next great read.
Author Spotlight: Pam Munoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan is an American author and the 2026 U.S. nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. She is the author of Echo, a Newbery Honor book and the recipient of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books, including the novels Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi, Leon, Riding Freedom, Paint The Wind, The Dreamer, Echo, and Mañanaland. She is the author recipient of the National Education Association’s Civil and Human Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for Multicultural Literature, and is twice the recipient of the Pura Belpré Medal and the Willa Cather Award.
Books by the author: Click on each book cover to read the review
. 
Find a Book
Award-winning Reads
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a dynamic division of the American Library Association, is a great way to discover your next favorite book. As avid advocates for young readers, YALSA curates and publishes an array of prestigious awards and compelling lists annually. Dive into their specially crafted Teen Book Finder Database, a literary treasure trove described as a one-stop shop for finding selected lists and award winners. The Teen Book Finder Database includes curated lists and awards from a diverse array of organizations:
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Amelia Bloomer Book List
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American Indian Library Association
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Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association
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Association of Jewish Libraries
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Chinese American Librarians Association
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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table
In addition, within the database you can find books included on the following yearly lists that YALSA publishes:
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Best Fiction for Young Adults, which includes yearly "Top Ten" lists
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Great Graphic Novels, which includes yearly "Top Ten" lists
Please note: Middle School summer reading books can be purchased at local bookstores Buttonwood Books and Frugal Bookstore.
Student Reading Recommendations
While teachers, parents, and librarians often curate reading lists, this section offers a unique twist. Here, you'll find a compilation of books that resonate with middle grade and Y.A. readers, representing a diverse array of genres and interests beyond their required school literature.
Organized and compiled with support from Middle School English Department Head, Brian Cibelli, this compilation serves as a valuable guide for 10-14 year-olds searching for new literary adventures. What sets this collection apart is that it's entirely student-generated – a testament to their genuine enthusiasm for these books. Our Middle School English Department hasn't edited any titles here. If a book received a sincere recommendation from a student, it earned its place.
Grades 5 & 6 Reading Recommendations
Hoops
by Matt Tavares
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like girls basketball or women in power."
Nikhil Out Loud
by Maulik Pancholy
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like relatable growing up stories, and LGBTQ+ storylines."
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel
by Madeleine L'Engle and Hope Larson
(Graphic Novel)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like family."
A Long Walk To Water
by Linda Sue Park
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like like stories of hardship and resilience."
Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like stories about overcoming past dilemmas or problems."
Keeper of the Lost Cities
by Shannon Messenger
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like fantasy!"
The Girl Who Drank The Moon
by Kelly Barnhill
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like mythology (Magician Mythology to be specific similar to Harry Potter)."
Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD
by Allison Britz
(Nonfiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like reading about teenage life."
Grade 7 Reading Recommendations
The Inheritance Games
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
"You should pick up and read this book if you like mysteries and riddles."
The Berlin Boxing Club
by Robert Sharenow
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like historical fiction."
New Kid
by Jerry Craft
(Graphic Novel)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like comics/high school comedy."
The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like adventure and mythology."
A Gentleman in Moscow
by Amor Towles
(Historical Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like history."
Nikki on the Line
by Barbara Carroll Roberts
"You should pick up and read this book if you like basketball and you're into realistic fiction."
One of Us is Lying
by Karen M. McManus
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like Mystery/Teen Drama Books."
Renegades
by Marissa Meyer
"You should pick up and read this book if you like dystopian fiction or superhero books."
Grade 8 Reading Recommendations
Between Shades of Gray
by Ruta Sepetys
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like historical/realistic fiction."
Happy Place
by Emily Henry
"You should pick up and read this book if you like summer."
100 Days of Sunlight
by Abbie Emmons
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like books about characters who overcome troubles in their lives."
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
by Holly Jackson
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like any kind of murder case. The author really did a good job of making you be with them and be involved."
A House With Good Bones
by Urusla Vernon
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like modern horror and do not mind suspense."
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like older books that are fiction but more serious in their meaning."
All The Bright Places
by Jennifer Niven
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like stories about finding hope in dark times."
Dune
by Frank Herbert
(Fiction)
"You should pick up and read this book if you like science fiction books with immaculate world-building and complex themes."
For Students
Read, Listen & Explore at the Middle School Library
Discovered a page turner? Suggest a book to share with your peers!
* Required
Helpful Links
| Tech Time | |
| Mon. 10:00 a.m. - 10:32 a.m. | |
| Tue. by appointment only help@thayer.org | |
| Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 10:32 a.m. | |
| Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 10:32 a.m. | |
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Fri. 11:25 a.m. - 12:12 p.m. |
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IT members are available every day to troubleshoot all your tech needs. If you have other specific questions or miss Tech Time hours please feel free to email the Tech Center help@thayer.org
For Faculty
Faculty Resources
Research Tools
Access the New York Times or the library databases to research current or historical information to assist in curriculum development.
Library Catalog - login as guest under catalog link
Digital Theatre+ - to access use login, to set-up login email help@thayer.org
Enhance your students' learning experience by scheduling library instruction sessions for your classes. Complete this form to schedule planning time with the Middle School Librarian for your research project and library instruction sessions for your classes.
Explore a curated selection of the latest nonfiction titles available in the Middle School Library. Discover a diverse array of resources tailored to support and complement your class curriculum.
Discovered a page-turner? Suggest a book to share with your colleagues!
Suggest a book below
* Required
Music
Music and Technology:
A Historical Encyclopedia
by James Perone
Library Call Number: REF 780.3 PER
Technology
Everything You Need to
Ace Computer Science
and Coding in One Big
Fat Notebook
by Grant Smith
Library Call Number: 005.13 SMI
Author Visits
Visiting Authors
Visiting authors are an integral part of the Middle School Library program. Interacting and learning from published authors enriches and inspires students. An all-school summer reading book is selected each year and in the fall, the author of the book visits with the entire Middle School student body. Throughout the academic year, authors visit different grade levels and conduct writing workshops both in person and virtually.
Previous Visiting Authors:
- Ira Marcks - August 2024
- Shark Summer - 2024 all-school read
- 5th & 6th grade graphic novel drawing workship
- Megan Freeman - April 2024
- Verse Novel: Alone
- "Could You Survive Alone?" presentation
- Victoria Grace Elliott - March 2024
- Discussion of her graphic novel Yummy, which was a part of the 5th grade Art class curriculum
- Discussion of her graphic novel Yummy, which was a part of the 5th grade Art class curriculum
- Janet Costa Bates - December 2023
- 5th grade writing workshop - Creating Characters
- 5th grade writing workshop - Creating Characters
- Jennifer De Leon - October 2023
- 8th grade writing workshop
- 8th grade writing workshop
- Christina Soontornvat - September 2023
- The Last Mapmaker — 2023 all-school summer read
Author Spotlight: Elly Swartz 
Award winning author Elly Swartz visited with Thayer students, faculty and parents! Her novel, Hidden Truths, was selected as one of the summer reads for the 5th and 6th grades. Students met Ms. Swartz during a meet and greet lunch, learned about her writing process, attended a writing workshop and had the opportunity to get their copy of her book signed. “Swartz discussed the power of books. The capacity for books to empower young readers and help them articulate, understand, and navigate the big and sometimes confusing emotions and moments that come with life in middle school”.
Author Spotlight: Lauren Wolk. 
Award winning author Lauren Wolk visited with Thayer 7th grade students at the beginning of the school year! Her novel, Beyond the Bright Sea, was selected as an all grade read for the 7th grade class. Students met Ms. Wolk virtually, during her presentation, students learned about Wolk’s extensive research to bring this historical novel set in the Elizabeth Islands, M.A. to life. Through Crow’s adventures, readers explore themes of belonging and the meaning of family.
Books by our Visiting Authors
Shark Summer by Ira Marcks
Alone by Megan Freeman
Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott
The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Borderless by Jennifer de Leon
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer De Leon
Time for Bed, Old House by Janet Costa Bates
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat