No More Chairs, written by Dan Gill and illustrated by Susan Gal. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages

"Steve's mother answered the door. She said 
nothing at first, just looked at us carefully. 
I wondered if there was something on my 
jacket or if my shirt was untucked. Finally, 
she spoke. 

"You can come in to the party, Daniel, but
your friend cannot, because there are no 
more chairs.""

This is a book I would love to share as a middle years readaloud on the first day of every school year. It is a perfect way to set the tone for the coming year. Creating an empathetic and caring community right from the start should be a goal in every classroom. Only then do our kids recognize the importance of each voice in discussions; they learn that those voices have a place for offering thoughts and opinions that matter. If, in the beginning, they are shy to speak up, they will see that it is a safe place for having a say when they are ready. I think I would first read it without showing Susan Gal's remarkable digital artwork, and let the students ponder the events of the story. Read it once, then read it again showing the images. 

It is the first day of school in Mr. Gill's middle years classroom; the students are seated and take note that there is an empty seat at the front. Wondering who it is for, they ask their question. Mr. Gill answers with a story from his past: 

Growing up in New York City, his best friend was Archie. One Saturday, the two were invited to a birthday party for their friend Steve. Dressed to the nines and laden with gifts, they excitedly made their way to Steve's apartment building ... a very posh place. The elevator operator took them quickly up to the seventh floor. When Steve's mother answered the door, she took a careful look. She invited Daniel in, then explained there were no more chairs. Archie would have to leave. Dan offered solutions; none were acceptable. Finally understanding the problem and fighting back tears, the boys left their presents and went to Dan's home where there was never a problem with the number of chairs available for friends. The two discussed how it felt to want to speak up, but not do it. Archie, as any good friend would do, made a promise to Dan. 

"Archie paused. "Well, next time you have trouble, 
I will speak up for you - because that's what friends 
are for.""

Mr. Gill's decision to always have an empty chair in his classroom lasted through 40 years of teaching, and is explained in a personal author's note following the story. The illustrative details that grace every page were created using pencil, ink, and watercolor and assembled digitally. Archival photos of the two best friends, and a dedication 'to the memory of Archie Shaw' add to the impact.