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The book I chose from the Boise Public Library list was "We're All Wonders" by R.J. Palacio, published by Puffins Books in 2017. There are 31 pages written for preschool to third-grade students. There is technically no physical setting for this book, as it is somewhat vague, but you can decipher that the kid lives in a city and seems to live a somewhat normal childhood despite only having one eye. This book is inspired by another novel called "Wonder," which is more aimed toward pre-teen/early teenage kids. I love the message in this novel, and this children's book seeks to convey the same message to a younger generation of children. There are no particular curricular connections I can think of, but this would be a great novel to read to students to convey the importance of confidence in the light of potential differences.

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The book I chose to read was Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesus Trejo, published on June 6, 2023. Concerning authorship, I did some further research on this book to discover that the book is loosely based on some of the author's actual childhood experiences. The main experience highlighted is Jesus's experience working with his father as a child, this is a good story to tell as it is a different experience from what most kids go through. The story is very believable, but it is the jug that is unbelievable. Thankfully at the end of the book, the father establishes that the jug does not contain any magic and that it is just motivation for Jesus to work with his dad. The details seemed rather accurate as it was simply just the work life of Jesus and his family. Seemingly, the values at the heart of the book are to appreciate the little things, such as water and time with family. It also teaches kids the value of hard work. I do believe that this book is accessible because it simplifies the experience of having to work as a child, and explains it well enough for the kids who never had to experience that.

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I studied the John Newbery Award, and I read the novel ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold. The book was published in 1953 by Thomas Y. Crowell Company. This chapter book is 256 pages, has 14 chapters, and aims towards grades 3-7.  The novel, set in Mexico, follows Miguel's life on the farm, particularly focusing on his role taking care of the sheep. He also has one big wish, which is to go to he top of the mountain, which he frequently asks his parents to do. Towards the end of the novel, Miguel finally reveals why he so strongly wants to go to the top of the mountain, he wants to see the ocean. I didn't particularly connect with this book, but it was a book that the kids I nanny really wanted me to read this past weekend and they thoroughly enjoyed it. They especially connected with the aspect of having to ask parents for something repeatedly, and they also really enjoy the mountains and the ocean. Many of the reviews I read gave the story a 3/5, saying they were really disappointed with the content in the book, saying it was far too repetitive and the narrator was unlikable. One activity that could engage children in learning about book awards would be to provide them with a list of awarded books and to have them point out all of the book titles that they recognize.

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Tikki Tikki Tembo was written by Arlene Mosel and illustrated by Blair Lent. It was published in 1968 by Henry Holt and Co. It is 48 pages long and it is intended for kids 3 and up, and it is the retelling of a Chinese folk tale. The story's controversial theme is that having a shorter name could save your life, despite the traditions and reputations of having a longer name.

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Tree Girl - Notable Books for a Global Society

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Tree Girl - Notable Books for a Global Society

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This week I chose to read Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelson. It was published by Philomel Books in October 2001, and it is 240 pages. It is targeted at kids 8 and up as it contains themes of murder, survival, and finding your identity. The book takes place during a war and follows the story of a Guatemalan girl who survived an attack during a war by climbing into a tree, and then moved to Mexico to flee the war.

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Heart of a Samurai was written by Margi Prues and published by Amulet Books in 2010. It is a historical fiction novel targeting grades 5-9. One main theme from the book is perseverance while dealing with adversity. The story follows a young boy from Japan, Manjiro Nakahama, and his journey that mistakenly takes him to the United States when his boat wrecks and some American sailors come to the rescue. This story was especially compelling to me because I am currently taking a class that studies ELL students and how being unable to fluently speak a language impacts their lives, so I was able to connect some of that class's content to this story. This book connects to many different curricular areas, especially language studies and world studies, as the journey includes his language journey but also his cultural journey and how he integrates himself into the United States. My only source for this is the book itself, as it is part of my collection.

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Title: Amina’s Voice

Author: Hena Khan

Illustrator: Not illustrated

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: March 14, 2017

Grade Level: 4th – 7th grade

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Themes/Topics: Identity, Friendship, Cultural Heritage, Family, Change, Self-Expression, Religious Tolerance

This story is a spin on the classic plot line of loving to sing but having major stage fright. Our character that we follow is Pakistani-American and in middle school, trying to navigate passion, friendships, family, cultural differences, and so many other things. By the end of the story, our character learns to rely on her community to get over her fears and enjoy her passion of singing, and share it with friends and family.

This novel touches on social studies, art, music, and language arts. While it mostly focuses on social studies and music, it is interwoven with the other two subjects. The main component of the social studies aspect is learning about cultural differences between Amina and her peers. The music piece is tied in by looking at and learning about her passion of singing.

My source for this book was the public library!

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Meg Medina was the author that I chose to watch. The book I chose to read written by Medina was Merci Suarez Changes Gears. This book was published by Candlewick Press in 2018. The book has 368 pages and is written for a 4th-7th grade audience. This is a fictional book written about the middle school experience as a young girl. Merci Suarez Changes Gears is a book about how to handle growing up and how to navigate middle school. There is also a great emphasis on how to grow and maintain relationships with those around you and how to get support from those relationships, family, and friends.

Meg Medina is a Cuban American who writes for all audiences, including all things from picture books to adult-oriented books. The character of the book I chose is also a Latin-American woman, the main difference simply being the age of the author versus the character.  The audience of the book might be able to connect to Merci Suarez by the differences between her and her classmates and also her desire to build connections to her peers and family.

The book uses hand-drawn and colored pictures that emphasize the vibrant colors, especially within Merci Suarez's outfits. The illustrations also use implied lines. These artistic styles help emphasize the more juvenile themes and contexts.

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I really enjoyed reading El Deafo this week. It was a nice escape from all of the textbook readings in my normal course load. On top of all of that, I got to better understand and analyze the benefits of using comic books to teach and understand material. The formatting of a comic book was the perfect way to tell this story, and it can reach almost all demographics with the chosen format.

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I read Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes. This book won the Honor Award for the Lee Bennet Hopkins Poetry Awards in 2017. It was published by Boyds Mills Press on October 4, 2016. It is targeted towards an audience of 8-10 year olds. The type of poetry in this book is called 'tanka' which is an ancient type of Japanese poetry. Its genre is fictional, containing themes of self-love, family dynamics, and knowing the power of your words and your voice.

Garvey's Choice follows the life of a boy named Garvey and his family struggles due to an ongoing conflict with his father about his body type and his interests. He is interested in literature, music, and other more artistic subjects, but his father wants him to be an athlete. The majority of the story follows Garvey as he joins the choir, makes friends, and gains confidence. At the end of the book, he is more confident in himself and builds a better relationship with his father.

Fun Facts About Nikki Grimes

1. She makes jewelry

2. She loves music and has even written books about some different music genres

3. She has been winning awards for her poetry since she was a little girl

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Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson

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Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson

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This book was published by Harper Collins publishing in 1955. It is 65 pages long and is targeted towards younger elementary-aged kids, ranging from Pre-K to 2nd grade. It focuses on the idea of imagination and creation. The little boy Harold has a crayon that helps him create his won world around him, all inspired by his imagination.

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The Day You Begin is written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This book has 33 pages and is targeted towards Pre-K to 3rd graders. It is such a colorful and engaging book, much thanks to the illustration and his choice of coloration and design. This book was published by Nancy Paulsen Books on August 28, 2018. This book discusses the idea of staying true to yourself despite being different from other people.

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Inside Out & Back Again was written by Thanhha Lai and published by Harper Collins on February 22, 2011. This book targets 4th – 8th grade and is considered Historical Fiction, Novel-in-Verse Poetry.

It covers the themes and topics of war and refugees, family, immigration, identity, language and belonging, and resilience. This book follows a child's journey of leaving their country and coming to America. You create a connection with the main character, Hà, by learning about their family and their struggles of learning English after arriving in the States by boat. I never moved countries, but I did move states and switch schools, so I understand their experience to a certain degree, especially when it comes to trying to fit in. This story could help students who also came here from other countries, and also help ELL students feel more safe and connected to school because it gives them a story to relate to.

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The One and Only Ivan - Fantasy/Science Fiction

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The One and Only Ivan - Fantasy/Science Fiction

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Title: The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Illustrator: Patricia Castelao

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 2012

Grade Level: 3rd – 7th grade

Pages: 336

Genre: Fiction, Animal Fantasy

Theme/Topic: Friendship, Courage, Kindness, Change, Hope, Captivity vs. Freedom

The One and Only Ivan is a powerful story of friendship and captivity, that follows a gorilla through his journey and using art to free himself from a sad life.

This story hit hard for me because I have always struggled with the concept of keeping animals in captivity. In juxtaposition to that, it is an inspiring story about breaking bounds with your passion.

This book connects to many different curricular aspects. Especially the social studies and science aspect of it, relating to animals and their habits, along with their rights and the issues with captivity.

I own this book so no other sources!

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I read Deep in the Woods by Christopher Carr. Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books on April 4, 2017. This story is a modernized retelling of the Russian folktale about a "little hideaway." It is targeted for kids 4-7, or Pre-K-2nd grade, sitting at 32 pages long. Over a short time, a large variety of animals all stumble upon a house in the woods and ask if they are allowed to come in! Ranging from squirrels to bears, they all join the group inside the house and get along.

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Author: Shirley Climo

Illustrator: Ruth Heller

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 1989

Grade Level: 2nd–5th grade

Genre: Folktale, Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Kindness, fate, justice, and cultural diversity in fairy tales

Connects heavily to cultural studies in the classroom, being able to compare and contrast the differences between the original Cinderella and the Egyptian version. I don't find much connection with the Cinderella concept at all, but find it rather frustrating.

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The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story

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The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story

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Author: Rebecca Hickox

Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand

Publisher: Holiday House

Publication Date: 1998

Grade Level: 2nd–5th grade

Genre: Folktale, Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Kindness, jealousy, fate, and justice

The classic Cinderella story but with a Middle Eastern twist, incorporating a red fish and gold coins. The red fish acts as the fairy god mother, giving advice and walking our Cinderella through her life struggles, I thought this was a great spin on a classic.

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The Golden Sandal- A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story

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This story is very impactful. It helps show how much your words can impact other people. This book can help teach children to be nicer to each other, but also teach children how to handle it when others are mean to them. This activity could be beneficial in a classroom by having kids demonstrate their understanding of a novel, while also having them show their takeaways from a story, as each kid will have a different perspective.

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The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Publisher: Philomel Books, 2013

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Picture Book, Humor

Theme: Creativity, Self-Expression, Problem-Solving

Duncan’s crayons go on strike, each writing him a letter explaining their grievances. Red is overworked, blue is tired of being used for just water, and peach feels embarrassed without a wrapper.

Response: The book is humorous and imaginative. It encourages empathy and thinking from different perspectives. Jeffers’s illustrations enhance the story’s charm. Some curricular connections include art through exploring colors and emotions, writing because of the persuasive letter writing, and social studies due to the emphasis on understanding different perspectives.

Source: YouTube Read-Aloud

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Author: Andrea Beaty

Illustrator: David Roberts

Publisher: Abrams Books, 2016

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Picture Book, STEM

Theme: Curiosity, Scientific Inquiry, Perseverance

This book follows a young girl through her curiosities regarding anything and everything to do with science. She does a lot of different scientific activities and has a very supportive family system to help her with her curiosities. As a woman who used to be a little girl who was very passionate about science, this book was so inspiring, and I wish I had had my hands on it when I was a kid, because then maybe my passion would have grown. Some curricular connections include math and science, she uses the scientific method and some equations in the book. I read this book through Epic!

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Title: Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade

Author & Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date: 2011

Grade Level: Suitable for ages 6 and up (Grades K–5)

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book, Biography

Themes/Topics: Creativity, Innovation, Engineering, American Traditions, Immigration, Perseverance

Award: Orbis Pictus Award

This book is about the man who had the idea for the parade balloons that are now used annually in the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. His inspiration is drawn from many places, especially his history-making Marionette dolls and puppets that he could manipulate, much like the original Macy's Day balloons.

I grew up watching this parade, so it was heartwarming to learn about how the balloons came to be. You could absolutely use this book as a teaching tool for younger kids and inspire them to watch the parade on Thanksgiving morning.

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Author/Illustrator: E.B. White / Illustrated by Garth Williams

Publisher: Harper & Brothers

Date: 1952

Grade Level: 2–5

Genre: Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Friendship, Loyalty, Life, and Death

Synopsis: Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur, a young pig living on Zuckerman’s farm, who becomes friends with a wise and caring spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur learns he is being raised for slaughter, Charlotte decides to save him by spinning words like "Some Pig" into her web to show how special he is. With the help of other barnyard animals, Charlotte’s clever plan captures the attention of the humans, saving Wilbur’s life. Their friendship is at the heart of this touching and bittersweet story about loyalty, bravery, and the circle of life.

Personal Connections: I grew up watching the original animated Charlotte’s Web movie, so reading this book again as an adult was very heartwarming and nostalgic. I have a strong connection to animals as well, so this book is just an overall amazing and emotional book for me.

Curricular Connections:  I think the best way to use this for a curricular activity would be to use it for a character study, maybe even in groups of kids.

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Author/Illustrator: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Publisher: Rand McNally (originally), now Albert Whitman & Company

Date: 1924 (revised in 1942)

Grade Level: 2–5

Genre: Mystery, Adventure Fiction

Theme/Topic: Family, Independence, Problem-solving

Synopsis: The Boxcar Children follows four orphaned siblings—Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden—who find an abandoned boxcar in the woods and turn it into a cozy home. Determined to stay together and avoid being sent to live with a grandfather they fear might be cruel, the children work hard, find food, and create a life of their own. Eventually, they are found by their kind grandfather, who surprises them by welcoming them warmly and even moving their beloved boxcar to his backyard so they can continue living the way they love.

Personal Connections:  Boxcar Children is another classic novel for kids to read, and I read it many times throughout elementary school. I love how no matter what challenge they face, they get through it and have a happy ending!

Curricular Connections: For this book, a timeline would be an amazing activity to teach students sequencing and comprehending information in the order of events.

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Author/Illustrator: Sara Pennypacker / Illustrated by Marla Frazee

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Date: 2006

Grade Level: 2–4

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Self-Acceptance, Family, Humor

Synopsis: Clementine is about a clever and imaginative third grader who always seems to be getting into trouble, even when she’s trying to help. During one wild week, she cuts her friend's hair, gets sent to the principal’s office multiple times, and thinks her parents might be trying to get rid of her. Through all the chaos, Clementine’s unique way of thinking—and the support of her loving family—helps her realize that being different is something wonderful.

Personal Connections:  I have always loved how wild Clementine is, but how she also tames by the end when she realizes that she was mistaken about her family’s feelings, and she does have lots of love and support.

Curricular Connections:  This would be a great novel to use for teaching kids some emotional skills, as they can witness how the main character sometimes mishandles her emotions, and the students could learn from her mistakes

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Author/Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: 2000

Grade Level: 2–5

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Friendship, Family, Healing

Synopsis: In Because of Winn-Dixie, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida, with her father, a quiet preacher. Feeling lonely in the new town, Opal meets and adopts a scruffy stray dog she names Winn-Dixie. With Winn-Dixie’s help, Opal begins to make friends with some of the town’s quirky residents and starts to heal from the loss of her mother, who left when Opal was very young. This heartfelt story explores themes of belonging, forgiveness, and the healing power of friendship.

Personal Connections:  I moved when I was around the same age, so a lot of Opal’s feelings resonate with me. I have had dogs my whole life, so I also understand the connection between her and the dog.

Curricular Connections:  Students could learn about all of the different types of communities and discuss what makes Opal’s new community unique.

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Author/Illustrator: Malala Yousafzai / Kerascoët
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: 2017

Grade Level: 1–5

Genre: Biography, Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Courage, Education, Activism
Synopsis: Malala dreams of a magic pencil to fix problems in the world. As she grows up in Pakistan, she realizes real change comes from speaking out. Main character: Malala. Setting: Pakistan. Plot: From childhood dreams to real-life activism, Malala's story inspires children to believe in their voices.

Personal Connections:  The activism in this book is very empowering and, as a woman, is very motivating to try and make a change in the world.

Curricular Connections:  This book would be a great opportunity to teach kids about different cultures and their different standards and expectations for people in society, and to teach kids that every culture has different values.

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Author/Illustrator: Yangsook Choi

Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Date: 2001
Grade Level: 1–4
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme/Topic: Identity, Immigration, Acceptance
Synopsis: Unhei, a Korean girl, moves to America and worries her classmates won’t be able to say her name. She considers choosing a new one from a "Name Jar," but ultimately embraces her identity. Main character: Unhei. Setting: Modern U.S. classroom. Plot: Unhei's journey toward pride in her cultural heritage.

Personal Connections:  I have a very long real name, and when I was younger, people always mispronounced it and definitely could never spell it, so I now have a nickname. I wish I had just embraced my full name when I was younger, like Unhei does in the story.

Curricular Connections:  Students could learn about the origins of their names as a social studies activity.

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Author/Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers

Date: 2014

Grade Level: 2–5

Genre: Nonfiction, Historical

Theme/Topic: Civil Rights, Equality, Education

Synopsis: Tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez and her family's fight to desegregate California schools before Brown v. Board of Education. Main character: Sylvia Mendez. Setting: 1940s California. Plot: The Mendez family's legal battle leads to an important step toward school integration.

Personal Connections:  I have always been a history buff and did a huge project on the case study of Brown v. Board of Education. Hearing the impacts of segregation from a child’s point of view was heartbreaking!

Curricular Connections:  Students could use this book as a way to learn about some of the things that happened relating to civil rights, as it is fully honest about what happened without being harsh or too blunt for kids to handle.

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Author/Illustrator: Jeanette Winter

Publisher: Beach Lane Books

Date: 2009

Grade Level: 1–4

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography

Theme/Topic: Education, Courage, Afghanistan

Synopsis: In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Nasreen’s world darkens after her parents disappear. Her grandmother enrolls her in a secret school where she finds hope. Main character: Nasreen. Setting: Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Plot: Hidden education offers Nasreen a chance to heal and dream again.

Personal Connections:  I have never done much research or reading on what the world looks like for those who were ruled by the Taliban, so reading this story was heartbreaking and important to read.

Curricular Connections:  This could be used to guide a social studies lesson regarding some of the historical events in Afghanistan.

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Author/Illustrator: Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali / Illustrated by Hatem Aly

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: 2019

Grade Level: K–4

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Identity, Hijab, Pride

Synopsis: Faizah watches her older sister Asiya wear her hijab for the first time with pride, despite others' unkind words. Main character: Faizah. Setting: School environment. Plot: A celebration of family, strength, and the beauty of identity.

Personal Connections:  I have an older sibling, too, and can relate to the fact that doing things is so much easier once you can take inspiration from an older sibling.

Curricular Connections:  This book could be used to teach students about different cultures and their values.

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Author/Illustrator: Miranda Paul / Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Date: 2015
Grade Level: 1–4
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Theme/Topic: Environmentalism, Community Activism
Synopsis: Based on the true story of Isatou Ceesay from Gambia, who transforms discarded plastic bags into something useful, sparking an environmental movement. Main character: Isatou Ceesay. Setting: Gambia. Plot: From pollution to positive change, Isatou’s creativity cleans her village and empowers women.

Personal Connections:  I have always been a big advocate for keeping the planet clean and taking even the smallest steps to rescue our environment. Reading this book gave me some hope for the information we are passing along to our children.

Curricular Connections:  This could be integrated into a science lesson to teach students about litter and pollution, and how they can help treat these issues.

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Author/Illustrator: Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed / Illustrated by Catherine Stock
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Date: 2009
Grade Level: 1–4
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Theme/Topic: Refugees, Identity, Cultural Pride
Synopsis: Sangoel, a Sudanese refugee, moves to the U.S. and struggles with people mispronouncing his name. He finds a creative way to teach them its importance. Main character: Sangoel. Setting: From Sudan to America. Plot: Sangoel reclaims his name and roots in a new land.

Personal Connections:  My full name is long and hard to pronounce correctly, but instead of finding a creative way to teach people how to say it, I just adopted a nickname instead. Part of me wishes I had done the same thing that Sangoel did when I was younger.

Curricular Connections:  This could be used to teach kids about where their names came from, or a lesson on other culture’s names

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Author/Illustrator: Shirin Yim Bridges / Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Date: 2002

Grade Level: 1–5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Gender Equality, Tradition, Education

Synopsis: In old China, Ruby wishes to attend university like her male cousins. Despite tradition, she fights for and wins the right to continue her education. Main character: Ruby. Setting: Historical China. Plot: Ruby’s determination challenges societal expectations and paves a new path.

Personal Connections:  I was also passionate about learning as a kid, so I cannot imagine how it must have felt not to legally have access to education. Ruby is very inspiring.

Curricular Connections:  This book could be used to teach students the importance of education and how not everyone in the world gets free education every day like they do.

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Author/Illustrator: Page McBrier / Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Date: 2001

Grade Level: 1–4

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Theme/Topic: Poverty, Education, Empowerment

Synopsis: Based on a true story in Uganda, Beatrice’s family receives a goat from Heifer International, helping them afford Beatrice’s school tuition. Main character: Beatrice. Setting: Rural Uganda. Plot: A simple goat leads to educational opportunities and family prosperity.

Personal Connections:  Beatrice was very passionate about learning, and I relate to that about her and admire her for doing whatever it took to get an education.

Curricular Connections:  Students could use this book to learn about farming or profits, and also to learn about how not every country provides free education for all students.

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Author/Illustrator: Heather Henson / Illustrated by David Small

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Date: 2008

Grade Level: 1–4

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Literacy, Perseverance, Great Depression

Synopsis: Cal, a reluctant reader in the Appalachian Mountains, is inspired by the dedicated Pack Horse Librarian who brings books to his remote home. Main character: Cal. Setting: Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression. Plot: Cal’s world opens up through books delivered by the "Book Woman."

Personal Connections:  I needed some inspiration and some pushing from others in order to find my love for reading. Cal has his ‘book woman,’ and I had my older brother. I really relate to this story.

Curricular Connections:  This book can be used to teach kids that there are books that appeal to everyone, no matter how hesitant they might be to read; they just have to work to find the books that appeal to them.

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Title: Fatty Legs: A True Story

Author: Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Illustrator: Liz Amini-Holmes

Publisher: Annick Press

Publication Date: 2010

Grade Level: 4–7 (ages 9–12)

Genre: Nonfiction / Memoir / Historical

Theme/Topic: Residential schools, resilience, cultural identity, colonialism, overcoming adversity

Synopsis: Fatty Legs tells the true story of Margaret Pokiak, an Inuit girl from the Arctic, who yearns to learn how to read. Against her parents' wishes, she persuades them to let her attend a Catholic residential school far from her home. Once there, Margaret faces harsh treatment, loneliness, and attempts to strip her of her cultural identity. A cruel nun, known as the Raven, singles her out for humiliation by making her wear heavy, ugly red stockings, leading to the nickname "Fatty Legs." Despite the hardship, Margaret remains strong, learns to read, and asserts her dignity and independence.

Personal Connections: I was raised in a catholic family and did not share the same beliefs, so hearing this story about how cruel they treated a little girl about her body was heartbreaking.

Curricular Connections: This book could be used to teach kids about how to treat their classmates and what not to say about other people because of how it might make them feel.

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Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Publisher: Harper & Row

Date: 1964

Grade Level: K–5

Genre: Picture book, Allegory

Theme/Topic: Selflessness, unconditional love, giving

Synopsis: A boy and a tree share a lifelong bond, with the tree giving selflessly to the boy as he grows from childhood to old age. As the boy's needs change, the tree offers everything it has—its apples, branches, and trunk—until only a stump remains, showing the depth of its love.

Personal Connections: This book gave me a good chance to reflect on my relationships with family and friends who have helped me for no reason other than to support me.

Curricular Connections: You could use this book to teach about conservation or building and supporting relationships.

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Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Publisher: Harper & Row

Date: 1963

Grade Level: PreK–3

Genre: Fantasy, Picture book

Theme/Topic: Imagination, emotions, family

Synopsis: After being sent to his room for misbehaving, Max imagines sailing to the land of the Wild Things, where he becomes their king. Though he enjoys the adventure, he eventually misses home and returns to find his dinner waiting, showing the enduring love of family.

Personal Connections: This book is such an enjoyable book about imagination and creativity, and embracing things that are classically seen as monsters or “wild.”

Curricular Connections: This book could be used to encourage creativity and active imaginations, maybe for a creative writing activity.

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Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

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Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

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Author: Kevin Noble Maillard

Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Date: 2019

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Nonfiction, Cultural story

Theme/Topic: Native American culture, family, food traditions

Synopsis: This story celebrates fry bread as a symbol of family, history, and community among Native American people. The book combines lyrical text and vibrant illustrations to show how fry bread ties generations together.

Personal Connections: My family has lots of traditions surrounding food, so reading this book made me miss home and miss my family's traditional foods!

Curricular Connections: This could be used to teach about Native Americans, and could encourage students to embrace their families cultures and their foods.

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Fry Bread- A Native American Family Story 

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Author: Matt de la Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Date: 2015

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Gratitude, community, social awareness

Synopsis: After church, CJ and his grandmother ride the city bus across town. Along the way, CJ asks questions about what they see and experience, and his grandmother gently teaches him to appreciate the beauty in everyday life and people.

Personal Connections: I have always been the kind of kid to ask questions about everything. I feel as though CJ and I are connected through our curiosity.

Curricular Connections: This could introduce students to different typesof communities, especially urban communities that they may not have ever experienced.

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Author: Vashti Harrison

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: 2023

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Picture book

Theme/Topic: Self-acceptance, growth, kindness

Synopsis: A young girl experiences both positive and negative attention for her size, eventually learning that "bigness" can mean strength, kindness, and self-love. Through simple yet powerful illustrations, she embraces her identity.

Personal Connections: I was often teased for how I look, so I completely relate to the main character.

Curricular Connections: This story teaches students how you should and should not treat each other, more of a social emotional lesson.

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Author/Illustrators: Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey

Publisher: Norton Young Readers

Date: 2020

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Perseverance, family, farming life

Synopsis: On a family farm, a hardworking truck helps a young girl and her family through changing seasons. As she grows up, the girl repairs and restores the old truck herself, continuing its story into the next generation.

Personal Connections: My family had an old truck while I was growing up, and I completely relate to the emotional ties to the truck due to the memories it holds.

Curricular Connections: This book could connect to an agriculture lesson and rural communities.

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Author/Illustrator: Jessica Love

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: 2018

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Picture book

Theme/Topic: Identity, acceptance, self-expression

Synopsis: After seeing three women dressed as mermaids, Julian is inspired to transform himself into a beautiful mermaid too. His abuela lovingly supports his creativity and self-expression, showing unconditional love.

Personal Connections: I love that his abuela is supportive of his self-expression and loves him unconditionally.

Curricular Connections: I would not necessarily provide this as curriculum to all students, but would suggest it to a student who is exploring their identity.

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Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Date: 1978

Grade Level: 2–5

Genre: Folklore, Picture book

Theme/Topic: Freedom, nature, Native American culture

Synopsis: A young Native American girl with a deep bond to horses is separated from her people during a storm. Finding her true place among the wild horses, she chooses to live freely among them, blending legend and love for nature.

Personal Connections: I have always been an animal lover, so this story was super adorable.

Curricular Connections: This book could teach students about animal behavior, native american culture, or agriculture.

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Author: Kwame Alexander

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Publisher: Versify

Date: 2019

Grade Level: 3–6

Genre: Poetry, Historical

Theme/Topic: Black history, resilience, heroes

Synopsis: Through powerful poetry and stunning art, this book celebrates the strength, perseverance, and contributions of Black Americans, honoring those who faced adversity and changed history.

Personal Connections: It was refreshing to hear stories about the contributions of Black Americans.

Curricular Connections: This book could be used to teach about poetry, civil rights, or black history month.

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Author: Kyo Maclear

Illustrator: Rashin Kheiriyeh

Publisher: Tundra Books

Date: 2020

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Fiction, Refugee story

Theme/Topic: Home, hope, resilience

Synopsis: Two young siblings on a refugee journey find comfort and hope through imagination. They create a "story boat" with everyday objects, carrying memories and dreams of home wherever they go.

Personal Connections: It was inspiring to hear a story so full of hope and resilience.

Curricular Connections: This story could be used to teach about immigration, and could support students who have just gotten here and might be struggling.

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Author/Illustrator: Gaia Cornwall

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: 2017

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Courage, perseverance

Synopsis: Jabari wants to jump off the diving board, but fear holds him back. With gentle encouragement from his father and his growing confidence, Jabari finally leaps.

Personal Connections: I used to be on a swim team and the worst part was the dive into the water during the races, it was the part where the most amount of things could go wrong, so I totally understand how he feels.

Curricular Connections: This book is great to teach kids about having a growth mindset, more of a social-emotional lesson.

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Author: Grace Byers

Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Date: 2018

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Affirmation, Poetry

Theme/Topic: Self-love, confidence, diversity

Synopsis: Through rhythmic and affirming text, this book celebrates the idea that each person is complete and worthy just as they are. It promotes self-love, resilience, and acceptance of others.

Personal Connections: It was so refreshing to read a book about self-love and to know that so many young children are reading this and learning how to love themselves at a young age.

Curricular Connections: A social-emotional lesson about self-love and confidence.

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Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: 2012

Grade Level: 1–5

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Kindness, regret, empathy

Synopsis: Chloe ignores a new girl at school, missing many chances to show kindness. When Maya leaves, Chloe realizes that even small acts of kindness matter—and that missed chances can leave lasting regrets.

Personal Connections: Sometimes when I am stressed, I feel the same way Chloe feels throughout this book.

Curricular Connections: This will teach students how to be kind to one another.

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Author/Illustrator: Vera B. Williams

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Date: 1982

Grade Level: K–3

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/Topic: Hard work, family, hope

Synopsis: After a fire destroys their home, Rosa and her mother save their coins to buy a beautiful, comfortable chair. It becomes a symbol of their resilience, love, and hope for a better future.

Personal Connections: I moved from my childhood home when I was in high school, and part of me felt like the world was going to end. I understand how the characters feel when they lose their home, despite the obvious circumstantial differences.

Curricular Connections: This could teach students about resilience and how to manage a rough family situation.

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Author: Matthew A. Cherry

Illustrator: Vashti Harrison

Publisher: Kokila

Date: 2019

Grade Level: PreK–2

Genre: Picture book

Theme/Topic: Family love, hair positivity, self-confidence

Synopsis: Zuri wants a special hairstyle for an important day, and her loving dad steps up to help. Together, they tackle the challenge, celebrating natural hair and the bond between a father and daughter.

Personal Connections: This is such an adorable book that I think is so important. It is amazing for a book to discuss something that makes some kids feel self-conscious.

Curricular Connections: This book could help students recognize other students differences.

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Chapter Books

1. And Now Miguel

2. Tree Girl

3. Heart of a Samurai

4. Amina’s Voice

5. Merci Suarez Changes Gears

6. The One and Only Ivan

7. Charlotte’s Web

8. The Box Car Children

9. Clementine

10. Because of Winn-Dixie

11. Fatty Legs

All Other Books

1. We’re All Wonders

2. Papa’s Magical Water Clock

3. Tikki Tikki Tembo

4. El Deafo

5. Garvey’s Choice

6. Harold and the Purple Crayon

7. The Day You Begin

8. Inside Out and Back Again

9. Deep in the Woods

10. The Egyptian Cinderella

11. The Golden Sandal

12. Baseball Saved Us

13. The Day the Crayons Quit

14. Ada Twist, Scientist

15. Balloons Over Broadway

16. Malala’s Magic Pencil

17. The Name Jar

18. Separate is Never Equal

19. Nasreen’s Secret School

20. The Proudest Blue

21. One Plastic Bag

22. My Name is Sangoel

23. Ruby’s Wish

24. Beatrice’s Goat

25. That Book Woman

26. The Giving Tree

27. Where the Wild Things Are

28. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

29. Last Stop on Market Street

30. Big

31. The Old Truck

32. Julian is a Mermaid

33. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

34. The Undefeated

35. Story Boat

36. Jabari Jumps

37. I Am Enough

38. Each Kindness

39. A Chair for My Mother

40. Hair Love