Eckstein Library
Eckstein Library
We read. We listen. We explore. We create. We play. We share.
- Eckstein Library Reading Contests!
- Reading Contests
- 2025-2026 Eckstein Eagles Read
- How to use the online library catalog: Get book suggestions, search for books, and put them on hold from the Eckstein Library!
- Book suggestions in a lot of different categories!
- A note about reading at the middle school level
- Library Link
- Eckstein Social Media Accounts
- Library Purpose Statement
- Interesting Links

Library Lunch Clubs: Maker Mondays, Books & Bites on Tuesdays
All students are invited to participate in Maker Mondays or Books & Bites on Tuesdays during both lunches in the library. On Maker Mondays, students use the crafting supplies to make things or the lego wall to build things. The puzzle table and board games are available during this time as well! During Books & Bites, students talk about books they like and play games. Sign-up on for one or both on the Library Schoology page!
Check Schoology for more details!
Eckstein Library Reading Contests!
Fall 2025 – Homeroom
- Friday, October 3 – 5 Shelftakers = custom sticker and buttons!
- Friday, November 7 – Read a Horror Book + Write a 2-sentence horror short story = worms in dirt treat!
- Friday, December 12 – Read 3 Eagles Read books = hot chocolate bar!
Also! Eagles Read has begun!
Read an Eagles Read book, fill out a form, get a book button + candy!
Check Schoology for more details!

Reading Contests
Need a good book to read? Talk to Ms. Sterling to get a suggestion either via email or stopping by. Want a little motivation? Try one of the library’s reading promotion contests! Upcoming fall reading contests:
- Friday Oct. 3rd during homeroom: If you write 5 shelf talkers Before Oct. 3rd, come to the library during homeroom to celebrate by getting a custom sticker and button!
- Friday, Nov. 7th during homeroom: If you read a horror book and wrote a 2-sentence horror short story Before Nov. 7th, come to the library during homeroom to celebrate by getting a worm in dirt cup! (Gummy worms in chocolate pudding). Alternate prizes will be available for those with food allergies.
- Friday, Dec. 12th during homeroom: If you read 3 Eagles Read books by Fri. Dec. 12th, you will be invited to the Eckstein Library hot chocolate bar! Hot chocolate plus some of your favorite toppings. Alternate prizes will be available for those with food allergies.
Seattle Public Library Digital Card
All students have a digital library card with Seattle Public Library. More information about how students can log in!
Donations!
Eagles Read wishlist! Eagles Read is the reading promotion where 50 new books are chosen every year in a variety of genres and students are encouraged to read books off the list!
Student request wishlist! These are specific titles students have requested if you want to purchase a library book directly asked for by students.
MakerSpace Wishlist! The Eckstein Library MakerSpace is used by students during Maker Mondays and teachers with classes! Some of the supplies need to be replenished every year.
We accept gently used or new book donations of popular books published in the past few years.
Drop off at main office with Eckstein Library noted on the box or email Ms. Sterling at emsterling@seattleschools.org.
Overdue and Lost Books
Students get 3 weeks to check out a book before it becomes overdue. Students can renew books on their library account by going to Follett Destiny Discover from the Clever Portal or talking to Ms. Sterling! Overdue notices are sent out every Monday via email. There are no fines for overdue books. If a book is overdue for over 3 months, then it becomes marked as lost and has a fine. However, the fine goes away if the book is turned in! If the book actually is lost, then the fine will show up on The Source and SchoolPay. Lost books can be paid for via SchoolPay or a check/cash to Eckstein Middle School or a replacement copy can be brought in. Sometimes lost books from elementary school show up on a student’s account. If those books are brought in, Ms. Sterling can return them to that school. Otherwise you have to contact that school. We make human errors, so if you think there’s a mistake, email Ms. Sterling at emsterling@seattleschools.org.
2025 Eckstein 6th Grader’s Favorite Books
Ms. Sterling’s favorite books from 2024-2025!
2025-2026 Eckstein Eagles Read
Want to check an Eagles Read book out? Check out the library catalog collection here!
Every year, Ms. Sterling picks 50 books that represent a variety of genres and interests to encourage students to read. For every Eagles Read book students read, they receive a button of the book and every month 2 students are randomly chosen to win an Italian soda in a color-changing cup. If students read 10 Eagles Read books by the end of each semester, they will be invited to a pizza party. Students can fill out the form if they read one of the Eagles Read on the library Schoology page!
Note: the books that are marked as YA are young adult books, which means that they may have more mature themes or language. Every student and family is different, so students are encouraged to read what they are comfortable with and there is no incentive to read ALL of the Eagles Read. Happy reading!
How to use the online library catalog: Get book suggestions, search for books, and put them on hold from the Eckstein Library!
Log into Follett Destiny Discover from the Clever Portal and search for books. Click hold to put them on hold and a TA will deliver them to you or you can stop by to pick them up!
Book suggestions in a lot of different categories!
- Realistic fiction about tough issues like The Hate You Give
- Heartwarming realistic fiction like Wonder
- Mystery thrillers like One of Us is Lying
- Mystery adventures like Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series
- Horror books if you like Stephen King
- Funny books if you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Funny lighthearted books if you like Stand Up, Yumi Chung
- Funny Sci-Fi books if you like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
- History nonfiction if you like Unbroken
- Historical middle grade fiction if you like The War That Saved My Life
- Historical young adult fiction if you like Last Night at the Telegraph Club
- LGBTQ2IA+ books if you liked Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
- Tearjerkers if you like They Both Die at the End
- Survival stories if you like Hatchet
- Graphic novels if you like Smile
- Graphic novels if you like Amulet
- Historical graphic novels if you like Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales
- Memoir graphic novels if you like Almost American Girl
- Sports books if you like Ghost
- Novels in verse if you like Other Words for Home
- Lighthearted fantasy if you like Keeper of the Lost Cities
- Mythological fantasy if you like Rick Riordan’s books
- Fantasy romance if you like Throne of Glass.
- Manga at Eckstein
- Eckstein students’ favorite books of 2021-2022
A note about reading at the middle school level
Middle school is a wonderful age to be a reader. Children’s and young adult publishing is at the highest it’s ever been and the quality is superb.
There is literally a great book for everyone!
Books published as children’s literature or middle grade literature tend to be books I could recommend to kids in elementary school and up, which does not mean that there is not a wide variation within that category or that they are written at a much lower level but rather that the content is accessible for all. Books published as young adult literature sometimes have more mature content and situations, such as language, romantic/sexual relationships, violence, or difficult issues facing teens. Every student and every family is different. Contact the librarian Erin Sterling at emsterling@seattleschools.org if you want help choosing the right book for you!
Library Link
Visit the Seattle Public Library’s Online Resources via the LINK program!
- Your library barcode: 990000 + Student ID #
- found on the Source
- Your library pin: birthday (mmdd)
- example January 2 = 0102
Take a look at:
Eckstein Social Media Accounts
- Library: @ecksteinlibrary
- TikTok: @ecksteinlibrary
- ASB/Leadership: @insideeckstein
- Yearbook: @ecksteinyearbook
Library Purpose Statement
The Eckstein library‘s mission is to create a sophisticated 21st century learning environment that offers a full range of print and electronic resources that provide equal learning opportunities to all students. The library is a place of opportunity that offers students access to a collection of classic and contemporary print and electronic resources, as well as the chance to explore technology that they can integrate into their learning.