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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional...

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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional...

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Stories that show young readers that they are not alone in experiencing a changing world as they grow older.
This section has one Top 5 pick.

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The Earth has its music for those who listen...

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The Earth has its music for those who listen...

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Stories that highlight the natural and manmade wonders of the world and the many creatures that inhabit it.
This section contains two Top 5 picks.

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Stories that follow characters on a wide range of expeditions in a diverse set of environments.
This section includes two Top 5 picks.

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A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

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A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

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When their parents die in a house fire, siblings Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are orphaned to a man on the other side of town named Count Olaf. Count Olaf makes the children miserable, as he forces them to do various work for him, in exchange for little reward. When Count Olaf enacts a plan to steal the children's fortune by secretly marrying Violet, the kids must be very careful to protect their future.
This book is great for children to read, especially those who are in situations without their parents, because it demonstrates how sticking together in tough times helps you get through.

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A boy named Buzz adopts a pet fly. However, most people don't believe the fly is a legitimate pet, so Buzz must try to convince the masses that even a fly can be a valuable companion. In the end, Buzz's fly performs some impressive tricks, convincing everyone that the fly is undoubtably a pet.
This story is valuable for young readers because it demonstrates that even things that seem insignificant can mean a lot to someone, and that is perfectly fine.

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When war breaks out on the Korean peninsula, Sora and her younger brother, Young, are separated from the rest of their family by an incendiary bomb. When the dust settles, Sora and Young must endure the many dangers that are present during the Korean winter of the 1950s. Sora must lead the duo to safety in the South and reunite their family.
This is an important book for young readers to engage with, as it emphasizes how powerful of a trait perseverance is, even in the face of long odds. Additionally, the story highlights the strong bonds between family members and how this can be a source of strength during tough times.

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This story follows the titular characters of the classic fable, The Three Pigs, as they face the big bad wolf in a story that is a twist on a classic. The Pigs escape the wolf through the pages of other fairy tales and come back to teach him a lesson with some new friends.
This book is great for young readers as it opens the mind to creativity, even in spaces that seem to be set in stone.

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When the social outcast, Dwight, starts handing out advice through a finger puppet Yoda, Tommy and most of his friends and classmates are skeptical. However, once the kids see that the advice is actually very useful they look to put down Dwight for giving the advice and Tommy for listening to the Origami Yoda. Eventually, Tommy and Dwight learn to stop listening to what others think and end up better off for it.
That is really the key reason why this book is great for kids. It teaches you to stop listening to the people who don't believe in you or put you down, and to focus on trying to achieve what is really important to you.

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After the king kills his children, Hansel and Gretel, and has them brought back to life, the kids worry that if they stay in the castle for too long the King maybe tempted again. So, Hansel and Gretel leave the kingdom and embark on a journey full of challenges and gruesome encounters. Against all odds, together or apart, the kids are able to overcome every obstacle and return to the castle to face their parents.
This book is valuable for children to read as it demonstrates that great beauty can come from dire circumstances, so you should stick things out no matter how bad things may look.

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The cows on the farm have decided that the their living conditions are not adequate, and type a note to farmer Brown demanding some upgrades or they will no longer produce milk. Farmer Brown refuses, but when the chickens join and refuse to produce eggs, farmer Brown decides to trade for the cows' typewriter with some electric blankets. However, the ducks who were supposed to deliver the typewriter are now using it to request a diving board for their pond.
This story teaches young readers to stick up for themselves when it comes to being treated right, and that you should ask for the things you want in life.
This book was easily in my Top 5  for the humor and the great illustrations alone. Cows holding behind closed barn doors meetings is a great concept and the message is something that I often need to remind myself.

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This story follows a boy's grandfather, who ventured far from his home in Japan to experience a new life in America. Years later, the boy has now made a life for himself in America, and while his grandfather is now gone, the memories he imparted through story continue to inspire.
This book is important for children to read as it carries the message that you were given the life and comforts you have today by the hard work and sacrifice of those who came before you.
This was a Top 5 read for me this semester, as it reminded me of the stories of my great-grandfather coming to North America from Ireland to create a new life and start the family that I am a part of today.

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Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, is gifted to a young girl, Abilene, he is unable and unwilling to reciprocate the love she has for him. On a trip to America, Edward is launched overboard from the ship, setting off a winding journey that teaches Edward the true meaning of life and love. In the end,   Edward is reunited with Abilene and her daughter, finally ready to give them all the love they need.
This story is valuable for young readers to get an understanding of how valuable relationships truly are, and how they can be ripped from you at any second, so there is no time to waste in cherishing those you love.

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As the title implies, this story follows David and his mom telling him no. David gets into all sorts of trouble and is repeatedly denied satisfaction by his mother. In the end, David's mom assures him that even though she says no to him all the time, she still loves him.
Younger readers can get a lot of this book, as it helps them understand that just because their parents may tell them no, its not because they love them any less.

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A retelling of true events, this story follows a man living in New York who wishes to tight rope walk between the Twin Towers. One night, he was able to sneak into one of the towers and setup his tight rope, so in the morning he was able to perform for everyone to see. While the man was punished for this stunt, the judge had mercy and decided that he had to perform for anyone who wanted to watch in Central Park, as a punishment that wasn't really punishing. The story ends with a tribute to the towers, as while they are gone, the memories remain.
This story emphasizes the idea that sometimes, if something feels right, you just need to take a leap of faith and go for it, worrying about the consequences later.
While this concept isn't a blanket statement for all acts, this book made my Top 5 not only because the message of being spontaneous and ambitious is something that I would like my self to improve on, but also the message surrounding things we have lost. No one can take away the great memories you have with something or someone, even when they are long gone.

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This story follows Ella Sarah as she wants to make some interesting choices in attire while getting dressed. Her parents refuse to let her wear these mismatched clothes, but she doesn't listen and wears them anyway. Finally, when Ella Sarah meets her friends, they are all wearing crazy outfits as well, and they have a great tea party.
This story is a great reminder to be true to yourself and to find people who accept you for who you are.

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It is Christmas Eve and Chris sees a train pull up outside of this bedroom window. He decides to board the train and, in doing so, embarks on a journey to the North Pole and receive the first gift of Christmas. Chris decides to receive a bell from Santa's sleigh, which will only ring for those who truly believe. Now Chris is older, the bell no longer rings for his friends and family, but he can still hear its pleasant tone.
This book is a great book for young readers as it encourages them to believe in the extraordinary and lets their imaginations run wild.
This was my number one read of the semester, an easy Top 5 choice, as you are never too old to be reminded that it is okay to believe in things that are larger than life.

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A boy and his dog run around the town telling everyone about the first snow of the year, which most of the residents don't believe. Eventually, as the town transforms from grey to white, people and animals can be seen enjoying the snow along with the boy and his dog.
This story is valuable to young readers because it demonstrates that just people don't believe in what you are saying at first, this does not mean you are wrong. Often, you may just be able to see things in a way that people do not understand and they may come around to your way of thinking later.

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Viji and Rukku escape abuse from their father by fleeing their  home, but now face homelessness. They eventually stumble upon an abandoned bridge to live in, where they meet two boys, Arul and Muthu. They all struggle through hardships, and Rukku eventually passes away after an illness, forcing Viji to process her grief with the help of her companions.
This story has so many great messages for young readers, such as the destigmatization of homelessness and intellectual disability.
This book made it into my Top 5 because its story was complex and nuanced, keeping me entertained all the way through, while still being an attainable read for younger audiences to be exposed to powerful messages.

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There is a baseball game being played in the town of Mudville and the home team is down to their final outs. There are a few hits and then the star player, Casey, comes to bat as the winning run with two outs. While the entire town believes that Casey is going to win them the game, he ends up striking out to end the game.
This story is valuable to young readers, as it is a reminder that not everything will go as planned in your life. While it may seem strange that this book falls in the category of "Growing Up", this concept was so universal in my life growing up that I felt it fit here better than any other canategory.

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This story follows a mother duck and her children as they search for one lost duckling. The mother traverses a diverse wetland, asking many of its residents if they have seen her duckling. Eventually, the family is reunited, as the duckling is found safe and sound.
This story is valuable for children to read as it demonstrates the beauty of wetlands, a habitat that is endangered by human expansion, and emphasizes the importance of all the creatures that live there.

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Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

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Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

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This story follows the sun and the moon, and their friend the water. The Sun invites water and all their friends to the Sun and Moon's home. The water accepts the invitation, but once all of their friends begin to arrive, it is clear that there will not be enough room for them all. Eventually, Sun and Moon are forced onto the roof of the house and eventually into the sky, where they remain to this day.
This story is important for children, as it demonstrates the concept of “give an inch take a mile”, which is a great message to learn as a kid.