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Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Date: September 2, 1999
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction
Themes: Perseverance, Identity, Great Depression

Synopsis: Bud is a boy growing up during the Great Depression who sets out on his own to find his father. He believes a jazz musician in Michigan might be the one. Bud’s journey is full of ups and downs, but he never gives up. I liked his smart, funny way of thinking and how brave he was, even when things got scary. It shows how kids can be strong even in tough times.

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Author: Varian Johnson
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Date: March 27, 2018
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Mystery/Historical Fiction
Themes: Racism, History, Friendship

Synopsis: Candice finds a letter in her grandmother’s attic about a hidden fortune connected to a past injustice in their town. With the help of a friend, she follows clues and learns about racism in the 1950s South. The mystery was really fun to follow, and I liked how the story taught history through a puzzle. It made me think about how the past still affects people today.

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Author: Tae Keller
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Date: January 28, 2020
Grade Level: 4–6
Genre: Children's Magical Realism
Themes: Family, Korean Folklore

Synopsis: Lily moves in with her sick grandmother and discovers a magical tiger from one of her halmoni’s stories. The tiger offers her a deal to save her grandmother, and Lily must decide whether to believe in magic and face painful truths. I thought the mix of real life and Korean mythology was beautiful, and it made me appreciate how family stories can hold so much meaning.

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Author: Christina Soontornvat
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: March 24, 2020
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Themes: Justice, Freedom, Inequality

Synopsis: In this story, Pong escapes from a prison for children and hides in a city ruled by a leader who controls light. As he tries to stay free, he realizes he must fight against the unfair system. The story is inspired by Les Misérables but takes place in a fantasy version of Thailand. I really liked how it made me think about how one kid’s actions can make a big difference.

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Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Clarion Books
Date: March 3, 2020
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction
Themes: Racism, Identity, Resilience

Synopsis: Hanna is a half-Chinese girl in the 1880s who moves to a small town in the Dakota Territory with her white father. She dreams of becoming a dressmaker, but people in town treat her unfairly because of her race. I thought this book was powerful because it told the kind of pioneer story we don’t usually see. It showed how someone could be brave and kind even when others aren’t.

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Author: Grace Lin
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: January 1, 2006
Grade Level: 3–5
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction
Themes: Cultural Identity, Friendship

Synopsis: Pacy Lin starts the Chinese Year of the Dog hoping it will be her lucky year. She deals with being one of the only Asian American kids at her school and tries to figure out what she’s good at. The book mixes real stories from the author’s life with Pacy’s fictional journey, and I liked how it helped me learn about Taiwanese culture while also still being super relatable.

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Author: Jasmine Warga
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Date: October 4, 2022
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Science Fiction
Themes: Empathy, Exploration

Synopsis: Resilience, or “Res,” is a Mars rover built to explore the planet, but he starts to experience human emotions. As Res prepares for his mission, the book also shares letters from Sophie, the daughter of one of the scientists, who connects with him in a unique way. I liked how the story showed both the scientific side of space and the emotional side of the people (and machines) involved.

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Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Date: March 18, 2014
Grade Level: 5–8
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse
Themes: Family, Sports, Sibling Rivalry

Synopsis: This novel tells the story of twin brothers Josh and Jordan, who are both basketball stars. As they grow up, their bond is tested by competition, girls, and a family crisis. The poetry format makes it a fast read, but the emotions are deep and real. I really liked how the rhythm of the writing matched the energy of the basketball scenes.

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Author: Kelly Yang
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: May 29, 2018
Grade Level: 4–7
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction
Themes: Immigration, Family, Social Justice

Synopsis: Mia Tang helps her parents run a motel where they secretly let other immigrant families stay for free. Mia wants to be a writer, but her parents want her to focus on math. She’s brave and clever, even when life gets really tough. I learned a lot about what it’s like for immigrant families in America and how kids can stand up for what's right.

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Author: Peter Brown
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: April 5, 2016
Grade Level: 3–6
Genre: Children's Science Fiction/Fantasy
Themes: Technology, Identity, Adaptation

Synopsis: A robot named Roz wakes up alone on an island and has to learn how to survive in the wild. At first the animals are afraid of her, but she starts to learn their ways and even becomes a parent to a gosling. The story made me think about what it means to be alive and how we all have to adapt in new environments. It’s exciting, thoughtful, and surprisingly emotional for a book about a robot.

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Author/Painter: Dav Pilkey
Publisher: Orchard Books
Date: September 1, 1996
Grade Level: K–2
Genre: Children’s Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Responsibility, Routines, Independence

Synopsis: This story is about a boy and his dog who wake up early to deliver newspapers before the sun rises. It’s not a loud or exciting book, but that’s kind of what makes it special. It shows the beauty in quiet routines and the way kids can take on real responsibilities. The illustrations give a calm, peaceful feeling.

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Author/Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Date: October 14, 2001
Grade Level: K–3
Genre: Children’s Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Cultural Identity, Belonging

Synopsis: Unhei is new to America from Korea and is worried that kids won’t be able to pronounce her name. She thinks about choosing a new name from a jar, but in the end, she decides to keep her real name. I thought it was really touching because it shows how scary it can be to stand out, but also how important it is to stay true to yourself.

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Author/Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date: April 10, 2018
Grade Level: PreK–2
Genre: Children’s Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Names, Family History, Identity

Synopsis: Alma thinks her name is too long, so her father tells her the story behind each part of it, explaining the relatives and ancestors she’s named after. Each name has meaning, and Alma starts to feel proud of who she is. I thought it was a sweet way to show how names can tell a story and make you feel more connected to your family.

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Author/Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: April 10, 2018
Grade Level: 1–4
Genre: Children’s Historical Fiction, Picture Book

Themes: Change, Nature

Synopsis: This book follows a lighthouse keeper’s life over the years as he lives by the sea with his family. It shows storms, daily routines, and even the moment the lighthouse becomes automated. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful. It felt kind of peaceful but also sad, almost like a goodbye to a way of life that doesn’t exist much anymore.

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Author: Junot Díaz
Illustrator: Leo Espinosa
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Date: March 13, 2018
Grade Level: K–3
Genre: Children’s Realistic Fiction
Themes: Immigration, Identity, Culture

Synopsis: Lola was born on an island but left when she was a baby. She doesn’t remember it, so she interviews family and neighbors to find out more for a school project. Through their stories, she learns about the beauty, music, and even the struggles of the island. I thought it was really interesting how memories and community helped her connect to a place she had never actually seen.

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Author: Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Grade Level: K–3
Genre: Children’s Realistic Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Self-Love, Asian Culture, Family

Synopsis: A young Asian girl notices that her eyes are different from her classmates, but instead of feeling bad, she thinks about how her eyes look just like her mother’s and grandmother’s. The book shows how beauty comes in many forms and how powerful it is to love your own reflection. I loved how poetic and positive it was—like a love letter to family and culture.

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Author/Illustrator: Brendan Wenzel
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
Grade Level: PreK–2
Genre: Children’s Fiction, Concept Picture Book
Themes: Perspective, Observation, Diversity
Synopsis: A cat walks through the world, and everyone sees it differently: a child, a dog, a mouse, a bee. Each page shows a totally new way of looking at the same cat. The story made me think about how people can look at the same thing and still see it in totally different ways. It’s simple, but also very complex at the same time.

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Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Versify
Date: April 2, 2019
Grade Level: 3–6
Genre: Children’s Poetry, Historical
Themes: Black History, Strength, Perseverance

Synopsis: This book is a poem celebrating Black excellence throughout American history. It recognizes athletes, artists, activists, as well as everyday people who have fought against injustice. The illustrations are amazing and really bring the poem to life. It made me think more deeply about how much strength it takes to overcome racism and still rise to greatness, and how it is still a problem today.

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Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michael Basquiat

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Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michael Basquiat

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Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Author/Illustrator: Javaka Steptoe
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: November 8, 2016
Grade Level: 1–4
Genre: Children's Biography,
Themes: Art, Creativity, Identity

Synopsis: This book tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a young Black artist who grew up in New York City and later became famous for his unique, bold paintings. The art in the book reflects Basquiat’s style, with bright colors and textures. I thought it was inspiring how the story shows that even though he faced struggles, like his mother’s illness and racism, he never stopped creating and became a renowned artist.

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Author: Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Publisher: Denene Millner Books
Date: October 10, 2017
Grade Level: K–3
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction
Themes: Confidence, Self-Worth, Identity

Synopsis: This book is all about how amazing a fresh haircut can make you feel. The boy getting his cut imagines all the great things he can do because he feels confident and sharp. The language is poetic and powerful, and the illustrations are bold. I loved the representation in this book and know that many of my future students would relate!

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Author: Isabel Quintero
Illustrator: Zeke Peña
Publisher: Kokila
Date: May 14, 2019
Grade Level: K–4
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction
Themes: Family, Community

Synopsis: Daisy loves riding around her neighborhood with her dad on his motorcycle. As they ride, she notices how her community is changing, with some places closing, and others being rebuilt—but the ride helps her feel connected to her dad and her roots. The book is full of life and made me think about how our hometowns shape who we are, even when they change.

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Author/Illustrator: Grace Lin
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: August 28, 2018
Grade Level: PreK–2
Genre: Children's Fiction, Folklore
Themes: Lunar Phases, Family, Imagination

Synopsis: Little Star’s mom bakes a big mooncake and tells her not to touch it, but each night Little Star sneaks a bite. As the mooncake slowly disappears, the illustrations cleverly show the phases of the moon. It felt like a magical bedtime story that also teaches something about science and culture without being super obvious. The relationship between mother and daughter felt warm and very sweet.

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Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Date: September 10, 2019
Grade Level: K–4
Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction,
Themes: Identity, Confidence, Cultural Identity

Synopsis: Faizah admires her big sister Asiya, who wears her hijab for the first time. Some kids at school make rude comments, but Asiya stays strong, and Faizah feels proud of her too. The book describes how something as simple as a scarf can carry deep meaning and how important it is to be proud of your culture. I liked how it showed strength through calm confidence instead of fighting back, as this is a great conflict management strategy to portray to students.

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Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: Harper & Row
Date: November 9, 1963
Grade Level: K–3
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Themes: Imagination, Emotions
Synopsis: Max gets sent to his room after causing trouble, and while he’s there, he imagines sailing away to an island full of wild creatures. They make him their king, but even though it’s exciting, Max starts to miss home and realizes he wants to be where someone loves him best. I liked how the story uses fantasy to show how kids sometimes need to process their feelings and how imagination can be a safe place to do that.

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Author: Andrea Wang

Illustrator: Jason Chin

Publisher: Neal Porter Books

Date: March 30, 2021

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Children's Historical Fiction

Themes: Family Heritage, Cultural Identity, Empathy

Synopsis: In this story, a Chinese American girl feels embarrassed when her parents stop the car to gather wild watercress on the side of the road. She doesn’t want anyone to see them doing something so different from what other families do. But when her mom tells her a personal story about growing up in China and how watercress helped them survive, the girl begins to understand the importance of her family's history and starts to feel proud. I think this book does a great job of showing how learning about your culture can really change how you feel about your identity.

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Author: Matt de la Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Publisher: Penguin Books

Date: January 8, 2015

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction

Themes: Community, Gratitude, Urban Life

Synopsis: CJ and his grandma take the bus across town after church, and he wonders why they don't have a car or why their neighborhood looks different from others. His grandma helps him see the beauty in the world around them and appreciate what they do have. I thought the story did a great job showing that happiness doesn’t come from having a lot of stuff.

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Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Date: September 1st, 1991

Grade Level: K–2

Genre: Children's Realistic Fiction

Themes: Self-Esteem, Bullying, Identity

Synopsis: Chrysanthemum thinks her name is perfect until she starts school and the other kids make fun of her for having such a long, unusual name. She feels really bad until her music teacher, who has an even longer name, shows her that being different can be special. I liked how the story showed that it's okay to be proud of who you are.

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Author/Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Publisher: Viking Press

Date: 1962

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Picture Book

Themes: Exploration, Diversity

Synopsis: This book follows a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after a fresh snowfall. He notices his footprints in the snow, tries to save a snowball, and has small adventures throughout the day. I thought it was really cool how it captures the simple joy of being outside in the snow and also how it was one of the first picture books to show a Black child as the main character without the story being about race.

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Author/Illustrator: Cece Bell

Publisher: Amulet Books

Date: September 2nd, 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel, autobiography

Grade Level: 3-7

Themes: disability awareness, friendship, inclusion, and acceptance

Synopsis:

El Deafo is a memoir that tells the story of Cece Bell's experience as a child growing up with hearing loss. She lost her hearing due to an illness at the age of 4 and received a hearing aid as a result. This made her feel different from other kids, and so to try and fit in, she imagines that she is a superhero, "El Deafo". Throughout this experience,e Cece learns that her disability makes her stronger and her uniqueness is what is so special about her.

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Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: October 27th, 2000

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade Level: 4-7

Themes: Immigration, hope, adversity, family

Synopsis:

This book is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression. When a 12-year-old girl, Esperanza, tragically loses her father and her privileged life in Mexico, she and her mother are forced to flee to the United States. Esperanza and her mother become farmworkers in California and must adapt to harsh labor conditions as well as poverty. Through this experience, Esperanza overcomes adversity and learns the value of hard work and hope.

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Author: Kate DiCamillo

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: March 9th, 2000

Grade Level: 3-7

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Friendship, family, forgiveness, community

Synopsis:

Connections:

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Author/Illustrator: John Steptoe

Publisher: Lee & Shepard Books

Date: October 9th, 1987

Grade: K-4

Genre: Folktale, Fiction

Themes: Kindness vs. Beauty, family, reward

Synopsis:

This story is an African folktale-inspired story about sisters Nyasha and Manyara, who live with their father, Mufaro. The king announces that he is seeking a wife, prompting both sisters to travel to the city. Later in the story, it is revealed that the king set tests for the sisters along the way, which resulted in Nyasha displaying kindness and humility and Manyara being selfish and rude. Nyasha is rewarded by becoming the queen.

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Author: Katherine Applegate

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: January 17th, 2012

Grade Level: 3-7

Genre: Animal Fantasy Fiction

Themes: freedom, animal rights, art, friendship

Synopsis:

Inspired by a true story, this book follows Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in captivity at a mall. He is fairly content with his life, as he spends his days watching TV, painting, and hanging out with his friends, a dog, Bob, and an elephant, Stella. A younger elephant named Ruby arrives at the mall, and Ivan makes a promise to Stella to protect her. He uses his artwork and determination to help himself and Ruby escape from the mall.

Connections:

My mom read this book to me when it came out, and we were both in tears several times throughout. It is such a moving story, and I think one that is so easy for children to empathize with, especially because it revolves around animals.

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Author: Beverly Cleary

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

Date: September 28th, 1955

Grade Level: 2-5

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: sibling dynamics, family relationships, growing up, forgiveness

Synopsis:

In this story, Beezus Quimby is 9 years old and is struggling with her very energetic and exasperating 4-year-old sister, Ramona. Beezus is a rule follower who tries hard to be well behaved, but she feels like Ramona gets in the way of that with her antics. Such as drawing in library books, ruining her birthday cake, and riding her tricycle indoors. By the end of the story, Beezus learns that even though her sister can be frustrating, their bond is special, and she loves her despite her antics.

Connections:

I really enjoyed the entire Ramona series as a child because I felt like I could relate to Ramona. I was often the annoying younger sibling and fought with my older brother, so seeing Beezus' perspective in these books reminded me to have grace for my sibling.

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Author: E.B. White

Publisher: Harper & Brothers

Date: October 15, 1952

Grade Level: 3-6

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: Friendship, kindness to animals, change

Synopsis:

Charlotte's Web is about a runt pig, Wilbur, who is saved from the slaughter by a young farm girl named Fern Arable. Wilbur is sent to live on a farm where he befriends a very wise spider named Charlotte. Charlotte attempts to save Wilbur from his fate by doing tricks in secret or writing messages in her web to make Wilbur famous. Wilbur's life is saved, but Charlotte's life cycle comes to an end, leaving behind her children.

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Author: Natalie Babbitt

Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Date: October 3rd, 1975

Grade Level: 4-7

Genre: Fantasy, Coming-of-age

Themes: immortality, the circle of life, actions and consequences

Synopsis:

Tuck Everlasting is about a young girl named Winnie Foster who accidentally meets the Tuck family. Winnie learns the family's secret, that they drank from a magical spring that made them immortal. Throughout her friendship with the Tucks, Winnie learns about why they made this decision, but also the difficulties of their life and how they are impacted by their immortality. While Winnie is contemplating whether or not she should also drink from the fountain, she is being inquired by a man who wants to exploit the family's secret.

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Author: Kate DiCamillo

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: August 25, 2003

Grade Level: 4-7

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: hope, forgiveness, adventure

Synopsis:

This book follows the story of a brave little mouse named Despereaux Tilling. He was born with strangely large ears and has a love for music and stories. He falls in love with a human princess, Princess Pea, and is then banished to the dungeon. Once there, he must go on a journey to save the princess and himself.

Connections:

I read this book in school when I was in the 5th grade and can remember loving it. The adventure aspect of it makes it exciting and engaging while also discussing or portraying meaningful topics in a way that students can understand.

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Author: Virginia Hamilton

Illustrators: Leo and Diane Dillon

Publisher: Square Enix

Genre: African American Folktale

Grade: 3-5

Themes: resilience, oppression, the fight for freedome

Synopsis:

"The People Could Fly" is a collection of African American folktale stories. The one that I read explained how there was an old legend that many people in Africa had wings and could fly before they were forced into slavery. They would shed their wings or hide them to fit on the boats and live as slaves. The beginning of the story focuses on a young slave woman carrying a crying baby on her back as she works. When placed in a bad situation with the slave master that puts her baby and her in danger, she suddenly gains the ability to fly up and away to safety. The rest of the short story explains how this phenomenon continued until nearly all of the enslaved people on the farm had risen, sprouted wings, and were flying in a flock to freedom, led by a man named Toby. Those who did not have the ability to fly, and were forced to stay on the plantation, passed on this story for generations.

Connections:

I always enjoyed learning about folktales in school and found them to have very strong underlying meanings. This book, for example, had underlying tones of resilience and the desire enslaved people had for freedom. From reading it, I learned more about the importance of folktales and stories like this, of hope and resistance in the face of adversity, to African American culture specifically, but to all cultures as well.

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Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: August 1st, 2004

Grade: 3-5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Themes: bravery, facing adversity, and hope

Synopsis:

Two Jewish sisters who have escaped from the Warsaw ghetto are trying to successfully deliver food to those still starving in the ghetto. The girls and the others working on this plan are faced with a challenge when the Gestapo plan to intercept the food delivery. To combat this interception, the girls put the food on the backs of the cats that roam Krasinski Square, and they scatter quickly, successfully reaching the ghetto through holes and cracks in the walls.

Connections:

I thought this story was a very powerful and age-appropriate way to introduce students to the violence and suffering of WWII. These stories are important because student's can relate to the young characters, and therefore empathize with their struggles.

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I really enjoyed this book, it was one that I read in elementary school, but didn't necessarily remember the message of. The themes of compassion, friendship, and perseverance are something that I would really like to showcase in my classroom and encourage in my students.

My drawing is a depiction of Ivan's journey, in short, from the time he was taken captive and forced to live in the mall, to when he and Ruby are liberated after the mall closes. This story would be a great read-aloud in class, or a book to encourage students to read, as it gives students perspective on the lengths people will go to for their loved ones or friends.

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The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse

Personal Response/Value:

I really enjoyed this story and thought it was a great way to introduce important and difficult topics to students in a way they understand. The characters were young sisters that children can relate to, and their strength in the face of adversity is an inspiring story for students. This book would be a good threshold for introducing historical events like WWII and the Holocaust and could be followed up with an activity similar to this one.

Effectiveness:

I think this activity would be very effective, especially for younger students. It is direct enough that students are actually reflecting on the book and showing their understanding, but flexible enough that students can also be creative and have fun with it.

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Author: Meg Medina

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: September 13th, 2022

Grade: 3-7

Genre: Middle-Grade Children's Fiction

Themes: Family, friendship, school, and coming-of-age

Synopsis:

This book is part of the Merci Suarez trilogy. Merci is an eighth-grade Cuban-American girl in Florida. She navigates friendships, increased responsibilities, overnight field trips, and several other age-appropriate changes. These changes take her on a journey of self-discovery.

Connections:

The young girl that I babysit loves for me to read this trilogy to her and we just finished the series. I have really enjoyed reading it and found myself connecting to her feelings and dilemmas throughout the books.

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Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Date: August 28, 2018

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Grade: K-3

Genre: Children's Fiction

Themes: self-confidence, courage, diversity and inclusion

Synopsis:

A young girl named Angelina is introducing times when she has felt like she doesn't belong. This then prompts her classmates to share times when they have felt similarly. This discussion allows all of the students to embrace their differences and connect with one another.

Connections:

I really enjoyed reading the story this week. I related in different ways than specifically portrayed in the story, but have definitely dealt with feeling differently. I have always been just a little bit "weird" and quirky and that didn't always sit right with people, so sometimes I found myself being the outcast. This story echoed the way my mom used to speak to me whenever I was feeling like I wasn't good enough. She would always tell me that there would come a day when it would finally click that no one's opinion of me matters besides my own, and I'd look back on these times with empathy.

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Author: Doan Phuong Nguyen

Illustrator: Olga Lee

Publisher: Lee & Tow Books

Date: September 24th, 2024

Grade: 4-7

Genre: Children's Fiction Chapter Book

Themes: cultural identify, adaptation, immigration journey

Synopsis:

This novel follows Bom, a young Vietnamese immigrant in Nashville, Tennessee. After the Vietnam War, Bom and her family are looking for a better life in America. Soon, five years pass and Bom is composing a memoir for her younger sister Bo, who she is concerned is losing touch with their cultural identities. With this memoir, she aims to remind her sister of their background and heritage and where they came from.

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Author/Poet: Chris Harris

Illustrator: Andrea Tsurumi

Date: September 26th, 2023

Grade: 3-6

Genre: Comedy/ Children's Poetry

Themes: comedy, nonsense poetry

Synopsis:

This book is a collection of incredibly creative poems, geared towards children. Each poem was funny and witty, allowing students and children to engage with poetry in a way that is developmentally appropriate and fun. The illustrations also added an extra layer of humor and depth to the book. This book is a great comedy novel for students/children in elementary school and could be used to supplement early poetry lessons.

I really enjoyed this book and found the poems to be very funny and engaging. This is something I think would be great to share when introducing poetry to the class.

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Author: Laurel Goodluck

Illustrator: Jonathan Nelson

Date: October 18th, 2022

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Grade: K-3

Genre: Children's Fiction

Themes: Family/friendship, cultural identity

Synopsis:

This story is about two cousins who are also best friends, Kara and Amanda. Kara and her family move out to a reservation, and they are worried they won't see each other or be close anymore. During their next family reunion, the girls are brought back together by their family's cultural traditions and become closer.

Connections:

I really enjoyed this story. I grew up very close to my cousins and considered them my best friends. As we began getting older, I felt those same nerves and worried that we wouldn't be as close. I have learned over time that that connection never really fades and we will always love each other.

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Author: Deborah Diesen

Illustrator: Dan Hanna

Publisher: Macmillian Publishers

Date: 2008

Grade: K-2

Genre: Children's Fiction

Themes: having a positive outlook, finding happiness

Synopsis:

This book is about a little fish who swims around with a big pouting frown on his face. He tells everyone around him that he is only capable of frowning, until he is kissed by another fish and becomes a "Kiss-Kiss Fish". It is a sweet book about seeing the bright side and being able to change your mindset.

This book has been highly critiqued, and I can understand why. I think the story is sweet and funny, the illustrations are beautiful. However, it would be important to make sure that children get the message as well with this book that it's okay to not be okay as well, and no one can force you to be happy.

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Author: Meg Medina

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Publisher: Candlewick

Date: September 13th, 2022

Grade level: 6-8th

Genre: Children's Fiction

Themes: navigating family life, sports, coming-of-age

Summary: This book follows an eighth-grade girl, Merci Suarez, who is facing a lot of changes in her life. She is navigating new and changing friendships at school, as well the fact that her grandfather, Lolo, is in poor health. Because of her grandfather's illness, Merci must also figure out new household responsibilities.

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Author: Xelena Gonzalez

Illustrator: Adriana M. Garcia

Publisher: Cinco Punto Press

Date: October 17th, 2017

Grade: K-2nd

Genre: Children's Fiction

Themes: Culture, family, life cycles and nature

Synopsis:

The book follows a young girl and her grandfather as she tells the story of how her grandfather explains the circle of life. He tells her that in their family their believe that circles are all around them in life, and the book explores the different circles in the natural world and how they all connect to one another.

I thought this book was very beautifully written in terms of the literature. I connected to the family relationship between the girl and her grandfather. She strived to carry on their family's traditions and culture and was eager to learn from her grandfather.

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Just Ask! Be Brave, Be Different, Be You

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Just Ask! Be Brave, Be Different, Be You

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Author: Sonia Sotomayor

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Publication Date: 09/03/2019

Publisher: Philomel Books

Grade Level: 1-2

Genre: Children's Literature

Themes: diversity, disabilities, kindness

This book is narrated by the author, Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, where she explains that she has a disability, diabetes, that she uses medicine for, and asks if anyone else uses medicine. This then prompts the rest of the book where students share their differences. The book covers topics of blindness, deafness, wheelchair-use, Tourette syndrome, and several more, all while explaining how these differences make us special.

I loved the message of this book and thought that it touched on some very important topics. The first thing that came to my mind was that if my classes had read books that addressed disabilities and differences in our peers by name and explained them properly like this, many of my classmates would've likely learned better ways of interacting with each other, despite their differences.

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"Be Your Own Best Friend Forever!"         

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"Be Your Own Best Friend Forever!"         

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Author/Illustrator: Gary Robinson

Publisher: 7th Generation

Date: April 27th, 2021

Grade Levels: 1-5

Genre: Children's Fiction

Theme: Self-love and acceptance, positivity, and confidence

Synopsis:

This book follows the main character, Jayla, a young girl who explains why she is proud of who she is. Throughout the story, she shares advice aimed at empowering young girls specifically to embrace their differences. It deals with topics of self-doubt, body positivity, and positive self-talk.

I found this book to be very sweet and empowering for young girls. I connected to it because I would have enjoyed having something like this read to my class at that age so that I could have learned positive self-talk techniques sooner. I would like to ask my class after reading this to share how they think they could use Jayla's strategies in their own lives.