To honor and commemorate Anne Stavney’s 14 years as Head of School, the Blake community came together to curate a special collection of books in her name.
Students presented Dr. Stavney with a gift edition of the collection at the closing ceremony of Legacy Day, an annual tradition that brings together the entire school for service and celebration. Jon Van Bergen, Middle School industrial arts teacher, crafted a wooden chest for the collection. Brian Sago, Upper School visual arts teacher, created letterpressed belly bands for each book that feature nautical artwork representing Dr. Stavney’s love of sailing.
Students presented Dr. Stavney with the book their grade had selected for the collection. Below are quotes from the students and the text that appears on each belly band.
The Anne Stavney collection is available in all of Blake’s libraries.
Pre-K: “The Day the Books Disappeared,” Joanna Ho
“‘The Day the Books Disappeared’ is funny, and it made us laugh. All the books go missing and everyone is confused. It feels like a big mystery!”
Pre-K students learn about likes, dislikes, love of reading and sharing what they love in this bookish tale of wish fulfillment and reader enthusiasm.
Kindergarten: “Creepy Pair of Underwear!,” Aaron Reynolds
“‘Creepy Pair of Underwear!’ is a funny and spooky book. The underwear glows in the dark and won’t go away, and that is super silly and kinda scary!”
Kindergarteners adore this creepy fun story about Jasper Rabbit, his ghoulish green glow-in-the-dark underwear, overcoming fears and learning to be a big kid.
First Grade: “We Are Definitely Human,” X. Fang
“‘We Are Definitely Human’ is a funny book about three visitors who say they are human, but they act kinda strange. People were kind and tried to help them even when things didn’t make sense. The pictures and story make you laugh.”
In this first grade favorite and 2024 BEARdecott winner, aliens crash land on earth, insist they are non-threatening humans and are met with kindness by the local townsfolk…who don’t quite have the wool pulled over their eyes.
Second Grade: “It's Okay to Be Different,” Todd Parr
“‘It's Okay to Be Different’ is a happy book that shows all the ways people can be different, and that is a good thing. We like how it says it’s okay to be yourself, even if you feel a little different from others. It’s a smart book because it teaches kindness and helps everyone feel included.”
Second graders honor the many stories and experiences that shape our classroom, recognizing that our differences are what weave us into a strong, welcoming community where everyone truly belongs.
Third Grade: “Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey,” Erin Entrada Kelly
“‘Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey’ is a really good book about a girl who is a little scared of some things but still tries to be brave. We liked how Marisol thought about things in a creative way, even when she was nervous. We like that it shows that being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared.”
In this third grade read-aloud, students learn what it means to be a good friend and root for Marisol as she finds the courage to face her fears.
Fourth Grade: “The Tiger Rising,” Kate DiCamillo
“‘The Tiger Rising’ is a story about a boy who has big feelings and he keeps them locked inside. We liked how Rob and Sistine became friends and helped each other be brave. Even though parts of the story were a little sad, it shows that sharing your feelings can help you feel less alone.”
Fourth graders come to understand that although life inevitably brings moments of pain, the presence of true friends helps us fully appreciate the world’s beauty and joy.
Fifth Grade: “Fish in a Tree,” Lynda Mullaly Hunt
“‘Fish in a Tree’ is a story about a girl named Ally who struggles in school but is actually very smart in her own way. We liked how her teacher and friends helped her see her strengths and not just her challenges. Some parts made us feel frustrated for her but also really hopeful. It shows that everyone learns differently, and that doesn’t mean you’re not smart.”
“Fish in a Tree” encourages empathy, builds confidence and reminds readers that everyone has unique gifts.
Sixth Grade: “The Crossover,” Kwame Alexander
“‘The Crossover’ is an awesome book about basketball, family and growing up. We liked how it was written in poems because it made the story full of energy, like a real game. The relationship between the brothers was cool and some parts were actually pretty emotional. It shows how sports and family can both be really important even when things get tough.”
Basketball-playing twins navigate family, friendship and growing up in this accessible novel in verse that captures the emotional complexity of middle school relationships.
Seventh Grade: “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Jenny Han
“We chose ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ because it is a really good book and kind of emotional. It’s about Belly spending summers with the same family, but things change as she grows up and they all start seeing each other differently. We like the drama and romance and how they both helped to keep this book really interesting. It also showed how complicated growing up can be.”
Fifteen-year-old Isabel, called Belly, navigates first love, changing friendships and growing up during transformative beach-house summers in this coming-of-age novel.
Eighth Grade: “One of Us is Lying,” Karen M. McManus
“Our class chose the book ‘One of Us Is Lying,’ and it is super intense and hard to put down. It’s about five kids in detention but only four come out alive, and everyone becomes a suspect. It's cool how each chapter shows a different character’s point of view because it makes the mystery even more interesting.”
When a high schooler on the verge of launching an explosive gossip app dies during detention, his five classmates from different social circles become murder suspects in this gripping mystery thriller.
Ninth Grade (tie): “Ace of Spades,” Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & “When the Emperor Was Divine,” Julie Otsuka
“The ninth grade class was tied so we have two books. We also feel like in a way the books complement each other by giving different perspectives on discrimination and resilience, one modern and one historical. Both of these books are strong in their exploration of identity.”
“Ace of Spades” is the story of two Black students at a fancy school dealing with a secret bully, showing how racism and secrets affect people. The book explores the distinct, complex challenges of being both Black and queer, emphasizing that while it brings challenges, it also includes joy, tenderness and self-acceptance.
“When the Emperor Was Divine” follows a Japanese-American family in an internment camp during World War II, showing how unfair treatment changes lives. The story focuses on the psychological toll of silent, obedient suffering rather than outright rebellion, showing how families tried to maintain normalcy in impossible situations.
Tenth Grade: “The Tangled Lands,” Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias S. Buckell
“‘The Tangled Lands’ is an exciting and unique story set in a world full of dangerous magic and tough choices. The book weaves together several stories, each showing how characters try to do the right thing even when the world is against them. It made us think about the consequences of our actions.”
The narratives of “The Tangled Lands” highlight characters who persevere, finding small glimmers of hope and love while fighting to protect their families in a dying world.
Eleventh Grade: “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” Zora Neale Hurston
“‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ is about Janie figuring out who she really is while dealing with love, friendships and life’s ups and downs. The story really shows how hard it can be to stand up for yourself, but it’s also inspiring. It showed the importance of loving yourself over seeking validation from outside sources.”
The story of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” emphasizes the importance of internal validation over external validation, promoting the idea that finding love in oneself is essential.
Twelfth Grade: “A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories,” Lucia Berlin
“‘A Manual for Cleaning Women’ is a collection of stories that feels real and honest, showing what life is like when things get messy and complicated. The characters deal with struggles, mistakes and tough situations, but they also find strength, humor and small victories along the way. It makes you think about how everyone has challenges and experiences that shape who they are even when no one sees them.”
The stories in “A Manual for Cleaning Women” focus on the lives of working-class women, alcoholics and others on the fringes of society, offering a voice for those who are often overlooked.
Parent Association: “Walking the Old Road: A People's History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe,” Staci Lola Drouillard
“We chose ‘Walking the Old Road’ because it illustrates how the Grand Marais Anishinaabe built enduring bonds to land, family and community—reflecting similar qualities in Anne's leadership at Blake, where she has nurtured relationships across the Blake community, fostered belonging of students and supported the Parent Association.”
