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Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Publisher: Philomel Books

Date: June 27, 2013

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Teamwork, individuality

Summary: This is a very humorous tale about a box of crayons that all leave individual notes for their owner, Duncan, detailing why they are quitting. Each of them has their own reasons for leaving, and each has their own special strengths and abilities. In the end, Duncan is able to come up with a way for all of them to feel appreciated.

Personal Response: This book made me chuckle out loud a couple of times, and the art was super engaging. I also appreciate the message that everyone has their own unique traits and abilities and should be valued for their differences.

Curricular Connections: This book would be a very fun way to teach kids about embracing our differences. This book clearly illustrates, through its use of crayons as characters, how even a group of completely different people can come together to create something great.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPkrhIEoOJg (Audiobook)

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Author: Todd Tarpley

Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees

Publisher: LB Kids

Date: June 8, 2021

# of Pages: 26

Grade Level: Pre K-K

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Overexertion, relaxing

Summary: Three little trucks are being urged to head home at the end of the day, but they repeatedly refuse, saying they have more digging to do. They keep refusing until eventually, they all break down as a result of overexertion. They then have to go home in order to be taken care of and reset for the next day.

Personal Response: I loved that the main character was a girl. Little details like that, where the character in charge of the construction trucks is a girl, from a young age really do help battle preconceptions and stereotypes as kids get older. I also thought this was a cute spin on children playing for too long and needing to go home.

Curricular Connections: This book is intended for a very young audience, many of which will not quite know how to read yet. The fact that the book uses so many high-frequency words, rhyme scheme, and repetition makes it very approachable and enjoyable for young kids learning how to read on their own.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZL8ocSkgfk&t=1s (Audiobook)

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Author: Jill Starishevsky

Illustrator: Angela Padron

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Date: April 10, 2014

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Body safety

Summary: This is another story I have read about body safety, and emphasizing to kids the importance of speaking up if something bad or inappropriate happens to them. This story is told from the perspective of a little girl, follows a rhyme scheme, and is aimed at a very young audience.

Personal Response: I know that rhyme schemes help young children who are learning to read begin to make predictions and comprehend what they are reading, so I love that addition to this story. This is another book about a very important subject- one that nobody wants to think about, but they should think about anyway in the interest of safety.

Curricular Connections: This book also makes me think of being spoke to by the counselor about body safety and being touched inappropriately. This book fits perfectly with that idea, and the rhyming also makes younger students more inclined to listen.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Natalia Maguire

Illustrator: Anastasia Zababashkina

Publisher: VLB

Date: June 17, 2020

# of Pages: 82

Grade Level: Pre K-1

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Emotional intelligence

Summary: This book aims to teach young children about the skill of emotional regulation by teaching them about their feelings, giving them names for their specific emotions, and providing them with activities and ideas for calming themselves down. It describes emotions as signals they get from their bodies based on what they are experiencing and how it is making them feel.

Personal Response: Emotional regulation is a vital skill for life and yet, I think we all too often just expect children to possess it without ever taking the time to teach them. I love that this book's approach is to teach them about emotions in the same way we would teach children any other subject.

Curricular Connections: Since it is aimed at a young audience, I think this book would be wonderful for working on emotional regulation skills in Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Maribeth Boelts

Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones

Publisher: Candlewick

Date: June 9, 2009

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Financial insecurity, materialism

Summary: Although his grandmother can't afford them, Jeremy desperately wants a new pair of shoes like the ones everyone at school wears. Eventually he finds a pair at a thrift store, but that pair is too small for him. He buys them anyway, and soon has the idea to pass them on to a friend of his who needs new shoes more than he does.

Personal Response: This was such a sweet story. I know from experience how tough it can be to navigate school when all your classmates are so focused on the coolest new clothing item to have, so I feel for the main character and his friend.

Curricular Connections: This book could be excellent for teaching students about community and taking care of one another. Rather than keeping the new pair of shoes he wanted so badly, Jeremy gave them to his friend in need. This message is really special for children to hear, and it helps children recognize that they have the opportunity to do something kind for someone around them.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGKYmjaYqhY (Audiobook)

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Author: Margaret M. Holmes

Illustrator: Cary Pillo

Publisher: Magination Press

Date: February 15, 2000

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Violent trauma, healing

Summary: This book is about Sherman Smith, a young boy who saw a terrible thing. Throughout the story, we see Sherman struggle to cope with what he saw, and eventually find an adult he feels comfortable opening up to about it. Once he opens up, it becomes easier to move on with his life despite the fact that he saw such a terrible thing.

Personal Response: I was very emotional after reading this book because of how gently it spoke of Sherman's trauma. I also loved that it explained that Sherman's bad behavior was a direct result of what he experienced. Too often, I think we forget that many kids who misbehave are doing so for a reason.

Curricular Connections: This is another book that does not exactly fit into a general curriculum. However, the way it speaks of Sherman's experience and to the reader make it so touching and impactful. If a child who was struggling with something similar heard this story, I think it could encourage them to speak up about it.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Chandra Ghosh Ippen

Illustrator: Erich Ippen Jr.

Publisher: Piplo Productions

Date: January 12, 2017

# of Pages: 64

Grade Level: K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Anxiety, trauma responses

Summary: Multiple animals share what has scared them and how they handled that fear. All of these responses to fear are intended to mimic children's real-life trauma responses. One of them hides and gets an upset stomach, one barks, one grabs on tightly to others, and one has trouble concentrating. By talking about their struggles, these animals are able to get help from grown-up animals to begin dealing with their fears in a healthy way.

Personal Response: The illustrations in this drawing are very cute and I felt that the different animal's responses to what they were afraid of were very applicable to real trauma responses from children. I love that such a variety of reactions was depicted and that adults were shown being reliable and helpful.

Curricular Connections: This book may not be applicable to the general curriculum for all kids, however, I definitely think that children who are demonstrating behaviors that are indicative of trauma would greatly benefit from reading this story. Oftentimes, if someone does not have the words to identify their reactions as trauma, then they do not understand them themselves, either. Understanding why they respond how they do could be the first step toward healing.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Cathleen Daly

Illustrator: Lisa Brown

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Date: June 17, 2014

# of Pages: 56

Grade Level: K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Coping, grief

Summary: Emily is a young, aspiring artist who is currently experiencing familial difficulties, as her parents are separated. She decides to emulate Picasso by only using blue for her art pieces in order to represent her sadness and frustration at her current situation.

Personal Response: This book uses humor to help tell the story, which makes it more light-hearted than some of the other books I have read involving trauma. I also think it is a very creative story, and I love its approach to such a common issue that many kids experience.

Curricular Connections: Emily choosing to only use blue in her art is a coping mechanism, and healthy coping mechanisms are very important for dealing with difficult situations. This book gives a positive example of self-expression being cathartic and healing, and even students whose parents are not separated could benefit from hearing examples of how they can channel negative emotions into artwork or activity.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Becky Bertha

Illustrator: Maja Kastelic

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Date: April 1, 2022

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Family separation, incarceration

Summary: This book is told from the perspective of multiple young children, and expresses some of the difficult feelings they may be having as a result of their parent being incarcerated. As it describes the difficult situations these children are put in as a result, it also gives the reader helpful tips for navigating difficult conversations and scenarios.

Personal Response: Incarceration is a heavily stigmatized topic, and I can only imagine how isolating it must feel to be a child with an incarcerated parent. As I read this story myself, I tried to imagine how I would have reacted in a similar situation as a child, and I experienced such a whirlwind of emotions. I'm glad children who are going through this have literature that reflects their experiences and can support them through a difficult time.

Curricular Connections: I think this book is more intended to be helpful and supportive for the children of someone in jail, not read as a classroom story. As such, I don't see many curricular connections, but I do think it would be very personally powerful for any children who can relate.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Lois Brandt

Illustrator: Vin Vogel

Publisher: Flashlight Press

Date: June 1, 2022

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-4

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Food insecurity

Summary: This book is about a little girl named Sofia whose best friend Maddi is struggling with food insecurity. When Sofia discovers that her fridge is empty, Maddi asks her not to tell anyone, and Sofia feels compelled to keep her friend's secret. This leads to Sofia becoming torn between keeping a secret her friend trusted her with, and saying something to an adult who could help.

Personal Response: Food insecurity is an unfortunately taboo subject, despite the fact that it is so common and it being stigmatized only makes it harder for victims to speak up about it. I thought this was such an endearing story of friendship and the ways in which we can help one another when given the chance.

Curricular Connections: I think this book is another excellent example of why sometimes, it isn't best to keep a secret. In the case of this story, Sofia needed to tell her mom about Maddi's hunger in order to help get her fed. This is a valuable lesson for children to learn.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To07TjBnrNY (Audiobook)

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Author: Jayneen Sanders

Illustrator: Craig Smith

Publisher: Educate To Empower Publishing

Date: January 11, 2011

# of Pages: 34

Grade Level: Pre K-5

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Body safety

Summary: This book is written as a preventative measure, intended to be read with children so that they understand what actions constitute sexual abuse and what they should do if someone ever harms them or makes them uncomfortable. It follows the story of a little boy who is touched inappropriately by an adult, and explains in an age-appropriate way what a child should do in a situation like this.

Personal Response: One thing I love about this book is that it breaks the traditional mold of predatory characters being someone scary and distant. Statistically, children are more likely to be harmed by someone they know, and it is important for parents to understand that reality and for children to know that no matter how much they care for someone, they do not need to keep that secret for them.

Curricular Connections: The conversations that arise from having read a book like this reminds me of my own experience in elementary school, when the school counselor came to my classroom to discuss this same issue. This book is one that could be used in this context in order to teach children about body safety.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Niki Daly

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Date: April 1, 1995

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: 1-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Alcoholism, substance abuse

Summary: This story follows two children of an alcoholic father, as they watch his drinking grow increasingly out of control until one night when he arrives to an event intoxicated and humiliates them. The story is handled very gently and carefully, with it still being evident that the children have a lot of love for their father and want to see him heal and get better.

Personal Response: I myself have many family members who have drank excessively for as long as I can remember, so this book was very close to home for me. Fortunately, I never experienced anything as severe as the characters in this story, but it still was touching to read a story made for kids about a situation I have experienced firsthand.

Curricular Connections: While I cannot think of any particular curricular connections for this book (as I'm not sure a book about an adult who drinks is appropriate for a classroom, anyways), I do think it would be a very comforting read for any children who do have family members who drink a lot.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Gayle Byrne

Illustrator: Mary Haverfield

Publisher: Abbeville Kids

Date: October 27, 2009

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Family, diversity

Summary: This story is told from the perspective of a little girl who lives with her Nonnie and Poppy (grandma and grandpa) rather than her parents. The little girl is very happy and bright, eager to tell stories about the time she spends with her guardians.

Personal Response: I think it's really important to have adequate representation in the media that kids consume, and family dynamics are no different. It's important for children to be able to look at literature they read and see someone who can relate to themselves, so I'm very glad this book exists and I came across it. I also love that this book frames this family in such a positive light.

Curricular Connections: This book could definitely be a tool for decreasing stigmatization of families that may not be traditional, and in that sense, I think it's valuable for all children to hear or read, regardless of who is raising them.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Annette Bay Pimentel

Illustrator: Micha Archer

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: February 6, 2018

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: 3-5

Genre: Biography

Theme/Topic: Determination, overcoming obstacles

Summary: This is the story of Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run in the Boston Marathon. Throughout her life, she was pushed away from physical activity because of her gender. Now, she disguises herself as a man in order to be allowed to run in the Boston Marathon. She changed everyone's perspective on what women are capable of, as prior to that event, it was believed women were incapable of running such a long distance.

Personal Response: This was such a powerful story of one woman beating the odds and setting an incredibly positive example for generations of women to follow. Bobbi Gibb is an excellent role model for young girls and women everywhere, existing as proof they can do anything a man can do.

Curricular Connections: This would be an enjoyable read in the classroom during Women's History Month, and would lead to a larger discussion on discrimination and gender stereotypes.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Alan Gratz

Publisher: Starscape

Date: May 1, 2018

# of Pages: 256

Grade Level: 3-5

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Censorship, advocacy

Summary: Amy Anne Ollinger is only in 4th grade when she decides to take a stand against censorship of books by the Parent Teacher Association. She creates a library of banned books that is ran out of a locker, leading to her being suspended from school and in further trouble with her parents. However, the incident gets many other students on her side in the fight against censorship of books.

Personal Response: This book is such a powerful and inspiring story of a young girl's courage. I never would have been as brave as she was when I was that age! I also think it is so important to spread the word on book banning, and how, despite the occasional good intentions, it is always extremely harmful to our ability to access information as a society.

Curricular Connections: Banned books are a frequent topic in schools nowadays, so I think it would be a great idea to use this book as a starting point for a class discussion. Being informed on events occurring around them is important, even for children.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Marcus Pfister

Publisher: North-South Books

Date: January 27, 1999

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Humility

Summary: The rainbow fish has beautiful sparkling scales that make him the most beautiful fish in the ocean. However, one day, another fish asks him for a scale. He responds rudely, and this display of poor character makes the other fish uninterested in him anymore. He eventually discovers that being friends with the other fish is more enjoyable for him than being more beautiful than them, and gives his scales away.

Personal Response: I remember seeing this book everywhere as a kid, and always touching the glittery scales on the front cover, but never reading it. I'm glad I did decide to read it now; this is a very age-appropriate story about a person's inner qualities mattering far more than their appearance, which is a timeless message.

Curricular Connections: This book would be great for teaching young children about the importance of sharing, and how being a good, kind person is far more important than how we look.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Arnold Lobel

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: February 18, 2003

# of Pages: 64

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Friendship

Summary: These books are compilations of short stories that follow two best friends, Frog and Toad, who have very different personalities.

Personal Response: My favorite story from this book was "The Story." I thought it was such a sweet and silly story, with Toad being completely desperate to come up with a story to tell his friend. This short story alone exemplifies the strong bond these two characters share.

Curricular Connections: These books are aimed at a young audience, and I think they would be very useful for teaching valuable lessons about friendship. These two character have a strong platonic love for another, which is very special and something that children should know is possible.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: August 29, 2017

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Change, making good choices

Summary: The bad seed has had a very hard, scary life, and it has led him to make very poor choices. He's rude and careless. However, over the course of the story, he makes the decision to make good choices, too. He's still not perfect, but he is trying to be good.

Personal Response: I loved "The Smart Cookie," another book by the same author, so I was drawn to this one. I love the message of this story that anyone can decide to be a better person by simply making better choices. Children especially need to know that they're not bad kids just because they have made bad choices.

Curricular Connections: This book empowers its reader to give themselves a second chance, which I think is a wonderful message for young readers. I think this would be an excellent read-aloud to teach about the power of our actions and how we can always make better choices.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTqme87cb4 (Audiobook)

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Author: Ann Stott

Illustrator: Bob Graham

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: August 7, 2018

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: Pre K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Conflict resolution, gender ideology

Summary: Jack and Alex meet at a playground almost every day to play together. Jack loves playing with truck toys, and Alex loves to play with dolls. They both share details about the kinds of toys they like best, however, they run into a disagreement when Alex argues that the dolls wouldn't be able to drive a crane and wear dresses. He eventually explains that the tutu of the dress won't fit in the driver's seat, so Jack changes his doll into overalls so that she can drive properly.

Personal Response: This story is an adorable and valuable one for younger children. When Jack and Alex begin to argue, they decide to make a compromise so that they're both pleased with the outcome, which is a great strategy to teach children for resolving conflict. Additionally, I love that the conflict is never about whether the toys they're using "belong" together, or whether only kids of certain genders can play with certain toys. Instead, the argument was just about the fact that the doll would not fit in the driver's seat.

Curricular Connections: This book is aimed at a very young audience, and I think it would be very useful for teaching them about playing together harmoniously.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Ali Benjamin

Publisher: Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: April 4, 2017

# of Pages: 352

Grade Level: 5-7

Genre: Realistic fiction

Theme/Topic: Grief, loss, guilt

Summary: Suzy and her best friend, Franny, had drifted apart slightly during their sixth grade year, leading to a falling out between the two girls. Before they have the chance to reconcile, Franny tragically drowns over the summer. Suzy believes that there must have been a reason for Franny's drowning, and begins forming a theory that she died as a result of a sting from a jellyfish.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed this novel's depiction of grief, particularly in a young preteen. Grief and guilt are both extremely difficult to grapple with at any age, but especially so when you are a child with a developing brain. Her obsession with proving that a jellyfish bite was responsible for Franny's death felt really realistic to me as a way of coping with tragedy and the guilt that she will never be able to apologize for what she did the year before.

Curricular Connections: Rather than an explicit connection to the curriculum, I think this book would be a wonderful read for students who may be experiencing feelings similar to Suzy's in the story. It could help them understand themselves and their emotions more thoroughly.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Joy Cowley

Illustrator: Elizabeth Fuller

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Date: October 10, 1997

# of Pages: 16

Grade Level: Pre K-K

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Animals, silly situations

Summary: This book introduces the reader to three different farm animals, a cow, a pig, and a duck. They all take turns playing in a mud puddle, so Mrs. Wishy Washy gives them all a bath to get them clean. Once she's no longer watching, they go right back to playing in the mud.

Personal Response:  I really enjoyed getting to read a story aimed at a much younger audience, because most of the books I've read for this class have been written for a slightly older audience.

Curricular Connections: This book is not only a quick and silly read to keep a young reader's attention, but it's also easy to follow along with and repetitive. The repetition would be really beneficial when teaching a young child how to read and engage with a story. The language used is primarily high-frequency words, and seems to be focused on encouraging phonetic awareness in young readers.

Source: Boise State Library

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Author: Adam Rex

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Date: June 28, 2016

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: 1-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: New beginnings

Summary: Frederick Douglass is a new elementary school just built over the summer break. One day, the janitor informs the school that soon, it will be filled with children. The school become nervous, and when the first day arrives, it is even more daunting than the school had imagined.

Personal Response: This book seems like a great story to read with children who may be nervous or unexcited to return to school. Many children can probably relate to the feelings of nervousness displayed by both the personified school and the little girl with freckles. By the end of the story, both of these characters start to enjoy school more and more, which would be comforting to students struggling with their nerves before the first day.

Curricular Connections: This book is a fun and interesting example of personification, which may be an engaging way to model the literary tool for students.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OND71PGW67Q (Audiobook)

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Author: Traci Sorell

Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Date: February 8, 2022

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: Pre K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Hope, culture

Summary: This story follows River, a young girl who typically dances at her tribal powwow every single year, but cannot this year due to an illness. Although never explicitly revealed, it's suggested that the illness is cancer, as River mentions that she wishes her hair would grow longer again. River attends the powwow with her family and watches with disappointment as all of her friends and family members are able to dance and participate. By the end of the story, however, River comes to the realization that once she heals, she will be able to dance again, and the story ends on a hopeful note.

Personal Response: This story is a wonderful way to introduce diversity and unfamiliar cultural practices in the classroom. "Powwow" is a word that has unfortunately made its way into everyday conversation, usually being used as a slang term for a meeting or conference. Due to this misuse of the word, it is especially important that children are educated on what a powwow truly is and how sacred it is to indigenous culture.

Curricular Connections: As I mentioned, this book is another wonderful example of introducing cultural awareness and respect into the classroom. Perhaps while learning about Native American history, students could also listen to this story in order to see an example of how their culture remains prevalent today.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFPQCT7vjVg (Audiobook)

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"POW WOW DAY", read by Books with Grandma

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Author: Ana Aranda

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: September 27, 2022

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: Pre K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Loss, culture

Summary: This heartwarming story follows two young sisters, Mar and Paz, as they celebrate Day of the Dead with their family. It goes into detail about the various traditions and practices that are customary for the holiday, as well as sharing details about the loved ones they have lost and the things that they loved about each of them.

Personal Response: This story was so sweet and enjoyable to read. I love that it makes a cultural practice that we do not see a lot of in the United States look so beautiful and inspiring, hopefully encouraging children who read this story to celebrate diversity amongst those they meet in life. In the United States in particular, I feel that we have a very different view of death from the view that is encouraged by holidays such as Day of the Dead; for children who may have lost a loved one and are struggling to cope, learning about this different cultural perspective of death and the cycle of life may be a really beautiful, powerful way to help bring them closure.

Curricular Connections: This book would be an excellent resource for teaching younger children about Day of the Dead as a way of expanding their cultural awareness.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Kwame Alexander

Publisher: Clarion Books

Date: March 18, 2014

# of Pages: 240

Grade Level: 5-8

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Family, growing up

Summary: This verse novel follows Josh Bell and his brother JB. Their dad was once a professional basketball player, and now they both love basketball as well. The story follows many events in their lives that signify them growing up; one of the most notable is JB getting a girlfriend, which makes Josh feel left out, lonely, and even beginning to feel like his brother doesn't love him anymore.

Personal Response: I imagine that having a book like this that is not too wordy and is about sports would be a great way to encourage a lot of middle-grade kids who usually do not enjoy reading to give it a try. The characters felt very real, and I was completely emotionally wrapped up in the story and all its difficult turns. The subject matter covered by this book will be relatable to a wide variety of students and the book being told in verse could help view reading in a new light by the time they finish it.

Curricular Connections: Again, this book is a great example of poetry that can appeal to everyone. Being given the option to read this book as part of a study of poetry could really open a lot of student's eyes to different genres.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Eric A. Kimmel

Illustrator: Pep Montserrat

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Date: February 5, 2008

# of Pages: 112

Grade Level: 1-5

Genre: Mythology

Theme/Topic: Ancient Greek beliefs

Summary: This is a collection of 12 famous tales from traditional Greek mythology. However, the stories are written in a way that is easy to understand and age-appropriate for younger children, as many of the original myths are inappropriate for a younger audience in terms of subject matter or reading level.

Personal Response: I love Greek mythology. I think it's so fascinating and has so many inventive stories that were told in order to explain natural events in the world that the Ancient Greeks could not otherwise understand. These myths also exemplify what the Greeks valued. I love that younger students can read collections like these and gain knowledge of such a fascinating historical period that will hopefully continue growing as they get older.

Curricular Connections: This is a great tool to use for building cultural awareness. Even though what they believed is very different from the monotheistic religious beliefs most people in America have today, there are still similarities to be found that can help children see all of us as equal human beings.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Ken Mochizuki

Illustrator: Dom Lee

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Date: October 16, 2018

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: 1-4

Genre: Historical fiction

Theme/Topic: Overcoming adversity

Summary: A young Japanese-American boy tells the story of how baseball provided an outlet to him and his community when they were forced into internment camps during World War II. They use baseball to get their energy out and to cope with the circumstances of their living.

Personal Response: This was not only an effective description of life in internment camps and the attitudes toward Japanese people in the U.S. at the time, but it also is a story of a boy learning to stand up for himself. I loved the way the narrative of the story was organized, with our narrator first hitting a home run in the internment camp with a guard watching him, and then doing it again after being teased at school.

Curricular Connections: This is another excellent example of a story that ties in well with American history. Unfortunately, the internment camps Japanese-Americans were forced into in the 1940s are not as commonly discussed as other atrocities in American history. I think it is very important for children to hear about these injustices through the lens of someone who experienced it firsthand.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Tim Tingle

Publisher: Roadrunner Press

Date: September 8, 2015

Number of Pages: 141

Grade Level: 4-7

Genre: Fantasy

Theme/Topic: Tragedy, death

Summary: This book follows a young Choctaw boy named Isaac. As his community learns that they soon will be forcibly moved from their homelands, he begins seeing premonitions foretelling how people will die. He realizes this when he sees a hallucination of people from his village burning alive, and they die in a fire set to their homelands the next day. From here, him and his family set off on the Trail of Tears, the forced displacement of multiple Native American groups in 1800s America. Eventually in the story, Isaac recalls the events of his own death, and continues his story from the perspective of a ghost helping lead his community to safety on a dangerous venture.

Personal Response: Not only does this book cover a very often overlooked tragedy in American history, but it also does so in a very creative way. The story is narrated by a dead character, who also begins the story by warning us that he does pass away during it. I expected it to be more depressing than it was, but it managed to avoid being overly depressing because it framed death through a very spiritual perspective.

Curricular Connections: This book ties in very well with Native American history- specifically how they were displaced and mistreated in the 1800s. I think this book would supplement a unit on Indigenous history well, especially for older students.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Dayna Lorentz

Publisher: Clarion Books

Date: January 18, 2022

# of Pages: 304

Grade Level: 3-6

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Justice, redemption

Summary: A young student named Gabe lights fireworks in the woods to impress friends, and ends up accidentally causing a forest fire. As a punishment, Gabe is in charge of cleaning up the forest. While doing so, he meets a coyote named Rill who got lost in the chaos of the fire. Until meeting Rill, Gabe thought it weird that so many people cared so much about the damage to the forest, but this chance encounter helps him understand the gravity of his actions.

Personal Response: This book is centered around the concept of restorative justice, which I think is such a powerful form of justice to focus on. It teaches kids to consider the effects and impacts of their actions and choices, rather than just teaching kids to behave a certain way out of fear of punishment. I also believe that this story is an accurate reflection of children who do bad things in real life; bad behavior and mistakes, no matter how large, do not make a child a "bad kid". This story took a very empathetic approach to Gabe's situation without absolving him of wrongdoing.

Curricular Connections: As I mentioned, the thematic content focusing on restorative justice is a really powerful message to send to kids and I think students would benefit from this book being read in class. It could show them a new perspective on the consequences of our actions that a lot of kids are more unfamiliar with.

Source: Amazon (Print)

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Author: R.J. Palacio

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date: February 14, 2012

# of Pages: 320

Grade Level: 3-7

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Kindness, self-acceptance

Summary: Auggie is a fifth-grade boy who has facial abnormalities. Up until this year, he has been homeschooled, but his mom wants him to start going to public school this year. He is met with a lot of bullying and mistreatment, but also makes some good friends as well. The book follows his first year in public school, with the narrator changing to different characters with each new chapter.

Personal Response: I have heard a lot of great things about this book over the years, and I can see why now having read it myself. Middle school is such a difficult time for most kids, and I think this is when a lot of bullying really starts to take place. I thought that the events and interactions described in Wonder were very realistic and could definitely happen. It was an uplifting story that had a very sympathetic protagonist.

Curricular Connections: This book's use of the different perspectives throughout would make it useful to read when learning about how differing perspectives can affect the way a story is told.

Source: Amazon (Print)

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Author: David Shannon

Publisher: Scholastic

Date: May 1, 2004

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: 2-3

Genre: Fantasy

Theme/Topic: Individuality, peer pressure

Summary: Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but refuses to eat them, even in the security of her own home. She knows other students don't like lima beans, and she very desperately wants to fit in. Eventually, this desire to fit in ends up causing her to break out in stripes, a condition which progressively gets worse the longer she denies her true enjoyment of lima beans.

Personal Response: When I was a kid, I always saw this book at the Scholastic book fair and it terrified me, so I wouldn't dare read it. Having watched it be read aloud on Storyline Online, I do definitely still think some of the content is a bit frightening for young children (or at least, it would have been for me at that age). However, I love the message that goes along with the book and I really appreciate the darkly humorous elements to it as well.

Curricular Connections: This book would be hard to fit into a general curriculum, because student responses to it would vary widely. Besides that, this book is an excellent tool for teaching students about peer pressure. When I was a kid, we really only discussed peer pressure in regards to being offered substances- we never talked about the other ways it may show up, especially for very young children.

Source: https://storylineonline.net/books/a-bad-case-of-stripes/ (Audiobook)

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Author: Jory John

Illustrator: Pete Oswald

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: November 2, 2021

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: PreK-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Individuality, self-confidence

Summary: The main character of this story is a cookie who has a very negative perception of herself. She struggles in school, so she does not think that she's very smart. One day, her teacher assigns a very broad creative assignment. This leads her to write a poem, and through this project she discovers what it is that she is very good at.

Personal Response: I love this book! It was so cute and age appropriate while still tackling a pretty serious subject such as self-image. The way we view ourselves is very important to our overall health, and it's important that children start viewing themselves positively at an early age.

Curricular Connections: I discovered this book because I am also currently in a class that is focused on teaching health to young students. I think this would be a great tool to teach students about their self-image and the power of positive self-talk.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb_mGdOaX5U (Audiobook)

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Author: Dan Santat

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Date: October 3, 2017

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: K-2

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Bravery, resilience

Summary: After his Great Fall, which is often mentioned in a nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty is terrified of heights. Now that he knows accidents can happen, he is too scared to try climbing back up again. This story is narrated by Humpty Dumpty himself, and follows him as he conquers his fears and climbs atop the wall again.

Personal Response: This is a very powerful, inspiring story about having the courage to try something again after experiencing a setback. I think this is a struggle almost anybody can relate to, and it was wonderfully executed for as young audience here. Additionally, I appreciate that the story is based on a nursery rhyme that many young readers will know.

Curricular Connections: I think it could be a fun classroom activity to have students write their own spin on a classic fairytale or nursery rhyme, like the author did here. This book could be used as an example.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUKt1a6I3yw (Audiobook)

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Author: Connie Porter

Illustrator: Dahl Taylor

Publisher: Pleasant Company

Date: January 1, 1993

# of Pages: 69

Grade Level: 3-4

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/Topic: Freedom, oppression, sacrifice

Summary: Addy is a 9 year old girl who is enslaved in North Carolina in the 1860s. When her father and brother are sent to work on a different plantation, her mother creates a plan for her and Addy to escape together to the North. They encounter multiple challenges on their journey, risking their lives to find freedom.

Personal Response: I found this story to be very inspiring. The courage that Addy and her mother demonstrate is so admirable. It was also an emotional book to read, because it talks about slavery from the perspective of a little girl. It's already horrific that slavery continued for so long in the United States, but reading about it from a little girl's perspective is uniquely upsetting.

Curricular Connections: This book is an excellent piece of historical fiction, and really helps the reader understand the time period that it takes place in. It provides a glimpse into one of the United States' greatest atrocities and introduces us to a character who we can sympathize with. It's really important for younger students especially to be exposed to events like this in order to educate them on the darker parts of history and help encourage a desire to seek justice as adults.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Shirley Climo

Illustrator: Ruth Heller

Publisher: Trophy Picture Books

Date: January 18, 1996

# of Pages: 48

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Karma, divine intervention

Summary: As the title suggests, this is a retelling of the classic tale of Cinderella through the perspective of a different culture. The main character, Pear Blossom, has an evil stepmother and stepsister who force her into servitude and assign her impossible tasks. Eventually, Pear Blossom is aided by multiple magical creatures, and is able to attend a special festival, which in this story takes the place of the royal ball. She loses her sandal on her way, and a young nobleman finds it and uses it to locate her, at which point they fall in love and marry.

Personal Response: I enjoyed reading a retelling of a classic fairy tale story through a different cultural lens. Usually, we always see Cinderella portrayed as a white girl, so I think it is a wonderful move for representation to retell the story with a main character who is not white.

Curricular Connections: I think it would be interesting to practice comparing and contrasting by using this book and The Egyptian Cinderella. They have the same basic premise, but both contain so many unique details.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTxZpBcldpc (Audiobook)

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Author: Shirley Climo

Illustrator: Ruth Heller

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: February 28, 1992

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Diversity, individuality

Summary: The main character, Rhodopis, is a girl from Ancient Greece who is sold as a slave to an elderly Egyptian man. She is treated poorly by the other servants of the man's house. One day, she catches the attention of the Pharaoh as one of her prized slippers is stolen by a falcon. The slipper falls into the Pharaoh's lap and he becomes focused on finding who it belongs to. Once he discovers Rhodopis and her matching slipper, they get married, making her the Queen.

Personal Response: Although this story follows all the traditional plot elements of a classic Cinderella story, one aspect of it that I absolutely loved and thought made it stand out was its use of references to Egyptian mythology. For example, the great falcon that steals the main character's shoe and gives it to the Pharaoh- thus ensuring that the two will meet and be wed- is representative of the Egyptian God Horus. This representation of Egyptian mythology adds to the unique spin on a Cinderella story and gives this book a new component that other Cinderella stories do not have.

Curricular Connections: This book is a great story to use for younger students to begin diving into other cultures around the world, especially throughout history. It also gives children a chance to practice making predictions while reading, as it emphasizes cause and effect.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxCH4mO09RA (Audiobook)

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Author: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Date: January 15, 2020 (originally published in 1924)

# of Pages: 160

Grade Level: 2-5

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Family

Summary: The Alden children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, are a group of orphans who make a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar. If they are discovered, their grandfather will receive custody of them, so they remain hidden due to a fear of their grandfather. While living on their own, they manage to find water and food sources, renovate the boxcar, and adopt a stray dog named Watch. The novel follows their lives, surviving on their own in the woods with only each other to call family.

Personal Response: I remember reading this book when I was in elementary school, so I wanted to find a copy I could reread. After reading it again, I can see why I enjoyed it the first time- the story of these siblings working together to be self-sufficient is very uplifting, and it has a very positive, fulfilling ending.

Curricular Connections: This book is age appropriate for young readers, and is an engaging story written by a former teacher herself. As such, it would be a great novel choice for class reading, and many activities could be paired with it, such as reading comprehension activities and writing activities.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: R. L. Stine

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Date: February 1, 2010

# of Pages: 160

Grade Level: 3-7

Genre: Horror

Theme/Topic: Ghost stories

Summary: Amanda Benson and her little brother Josh move with their family to a town called Dark Falls, and their family settles in a house that they believe is haunted. According to their real estate agent, they inherited the house from Mr. Benson's estranged uncle. Stranger and stranger occurrences begin taking place, and their dog, Petey, begins spending a lot of time running off to the cemetery. This story follows the siblings as they attempt to solve the mystery of their new haunted house before it is too late.

Personal Response: In order to encourage students to read, it's important to have a variety of literature that can appeal to their interests. As a horror fan myself, I love that the Goosebumps series provides unique, thrilling stories to a younger audience.

Curricular Connections: An R.L. Stine book would be a great opportunity to work on a class-wide "author study," where students learn about Stine's background and upbringing.

Source: https://www.getepic.com/audiobook/16306149/classic-goosebumps-13-welcome-to-dead-house?utm_source=t2t&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=content&share=54524983625 (Audiobook)

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Author: Marne Ventura

Publisher: Momentum

Date: January 1, 2017

# of Pages:24

Grade Level: 2-4

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Service dogs

Summary: This book narrates true stories of real-life service dogs and the heroic ways they have helped their owners, as well as giving information on service dogs as a whole, their duties, and their training.

Personal Response: I used this book for decoding activities with a 5th grade student I am tutoring in reading. She struggles with decoding words that were not sight words, so I was tasked with finding books for her to read that would interest her and appeal to her age range while still being at her reading level. This book was perfect, and her and I both really enjoyed learning all of the information it provided.

Curricular Connections: In the classroom, this book would be a great piece of short nonfiction reading that teaches students about something new. In this case, they would learn about service dogs. This book is also part of a larger series that covers all of the jobs that dogs can have in our society. I think the whole series would be really useful for students who love animals, and would encourage nonfiction reading.

Source: https://www.getepic.com/book/45245477/service-dogs-on-the-job?utm_source=t2t&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=content&share=54524983625 (Epic)

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

Built on a collection of 40,000+ popular, high-quality books from 250+ of the world's best publishers, Epic safely fuels curiosity and reading confidence for kids 12 and under.

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Author: Chris Harris

Illustrator: Andrea Tsurumi

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: July 18, 2023

# of Pages: 192

Grade Level: 1+

Genre: Poetry

Theme/Topic: Humor and childhood

Summary: This book contains a collection of rhyming poems designed to tells stories that young readers can make connections to and see themselves in. As such, the poems are told from the perspective of a child, which tend to make children enjoy what they are reading more because of its relatability.

Personal Response: I had a lot of fun reading My Head Has A Bellyache! I enjoy reading poetry, so I wanted to expand my usual reading choices and select something more silly and lighthearted. What I enjoyed most about this collection was the fact that although it is written for children to connect to, the poems made me smile and were still enjoyable for me to read as an adult. I think this makes it a timeless book to have and it could be perfect for shared reading between a child and adult. One fun fact I discovered while researching this book is that its author is a producer and writer for some pretty popular television programs for adults! It's impressive when a writer can have such versatility that they can create media for a wide range of ages to enjoy.

Curricular Connections: I enjoyed writing an "I'm From" poem based off of this book, and I think that could be an enjoyable activity for students as well. Even if they engaged in an activity that required writing a different kind of poetry after reading, I think this book would give them a lot of inspiration about the kind of poems they can write.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Jon J. Muth

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: February 1, 2008

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: 1-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Interconnectedness

Summary: It's the beginning of summer and Stillwater's nephew, Koo, is coming to visit and stay with him for a while. After a lively introduction, Stillwater encourages Koo and his new human friends to come with him to Miss Whitaker's house. The children of the neighborhood protest initially, as they view her as being grouchy and hating children. However, Stillwater persists, mentioning that she's sick and needs their compassion. After their first visit, Michael, a child with a upcoming spelling bee, learns that Miss Whitaker actually makes an excellent spelling teacher. Their efforts to care for Miss Whitaker are rewarded when Michael wins at his spelling bee.

Personal Response: I loved this story. The message behind it, of the interconnectedness that we all share, was beautiful and it kept me entertained throughout. I also was excited when I realized a few pages in that Stillwater's nephew's name is Koo because he speaks exclusively in Haiku, which is a creative detail that can teach children about different kinds of creative writing.

Curricular Connections: This book provides students with an exposure to haiku that is engaging and still as enjoyable as any other picture book they have read.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Nikki Grimes

Publisher: Wordsong

Date: October 25, 2022

# of Pages: 176

Grade Level: 4-7

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Historical events

Summary: This verse novel is written entirely in a format called tanka, a Japanese style of poetry. It consists of 5-line poems, with the 1st and 3rd lines containing 5 syllables and the rest containing 7. This creates poems of 31 syllables each. It is impressive how much storytelling and emotion Grimes manages to convey in such limited syllables. The story follows Garvey, a middle-grade student, as he deals with the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, racially-motivated police brutality was unfortunately a major national event on multiple occasions; the story also describes Garvey's painful and emotional reactions to hearing about this violence.

Personal Response: It was extremely difficult to read a young African-American boy's responses to the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. George Floyd's murder in particular was so heavily publicized, and marked a sort of shift in the Black Lives Matter movement. This book feels like it could be an instant classic, because it so eloquently relays the emotions and struggles that were present when living through 2020 and 2021. I can see future generations reading this book and gaining so much insight into the historical, world-changing events of those years.

Curricular Connections: In an older elementary classroom, I can see this book being provided as an option for a historical fiction novel assigned to students to read about a world-changing event.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Cece Bell

Illustrator: David Lasky

Publisher: Amulet Books

Date: September 2, 2014

# of Pages: 233

Grade Level: 3-5

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Inclusion, growing up with a disability

Summary: This is an autobiographical graphic novel following author Cece Bell's upbringing from kindergarten through 5th grade. At age 4, she lost her hearing after becoming very ill with meningitis, and had to wear a large hearing aid to school every day.

Personal Response: I love that this book illustrated how it makes people feel when others draw attention to certain things about them, even though they may have the best of intentions. For example, when classmates talk to Cece in a slow, exaggerated voice or turn up the radio extremely loud in an attempt to help her, they do mean well; all they end up doing, however, is reinforcing Cece's idea that she is different from her peers. I think it's important for children to be taught that even though they may mean well and may be acting out of inclusive intentions, they may miss the mark, and they should listen when someone expresses how their behavior has made them feel.

Curricular Connections: This book deals with themes of the author feeling ostracized from her peers, as well as viewing herself as weird and different. It also talks about how the way others treat her is often different because she is deaf. I think these aspects of the story make it a really good book to use to teach about the impact of our words and actions on others, and how important it is to be kind to one another.

Source: Print (Amazon)

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Author: Jon Scieszka

Illustrator: Lane Smith

Publisher: Puffin Books

Date: March 1, 1996

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Humor, a classic fairytale

Summary: This book follows the same basic story as the classic tale of the three little pigs, however, it's told from the perspective of the wolf. This puts an enjoyable twist on the story, as we are not familiar with this perspective. We learn the details of the wolf's motivations throughout the story.

Personal Response: This is an excellent example of taking a classic story and putting a creative spin on it. I love the idea, and I think it was executed very well.

Curricular Connections: In addition to the connection I made in my post about The Three Little Pigs, this book also could be used to teach young children about differing perspectives from a communicative standpoint. This means that it can be used to teach both literacy skills and interpersonal communication skills.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dIfBpZOQwls (Audiobook)

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Author: James Marshall

Publisher: Rebound by Sagebrush

Date: January 1, 1996

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: PreK-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: A classic fairytale

Summary: This is a humorous retelling of the classic story of the three little pigs, in which three pigs set out to build houses. A hungry wolf hunts after them all, and the materials they chose to construct their houses with become what will protect them from the wolf.

Personal Response: This is a fun retelling of a story that most people are probably familiar with. The illustrations are fun and cartoonish, which I think younger readers would really enjoy. It's also great for children's literacy development to read books with predictable storylines so they can be more involved in the story and practice making predictions.

Curricular Connections: When paired with The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, this book could be used in the classroom for lessons focused on perspective, point of view, and argumentation.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-22Y6Wg60 (Audiobook)

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Author: Kyle Lukoff

Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Date: May 30, 2019

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: PreK-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Transgender issues, love and acceptance

Summary: Aidan is a little boy whose family thought he was a girl when he was born. He has now been living as a boy for years. Now, his parents are expecting a new baby; Aidan remembers how his name, his bedroom, and the way he dressed all felt so wrong to him when he was younger, and he wants to protect his new baby sibling from ever experiencing that.

Personal Response: This story explained transgender identities in a way that is very easy for young children to understand. It's wonderful that literature like this exists, because it will help kids become more open-minded and accepting of diverse groups of people. It also has a theme of unconditional love, which is the love that all children deserve.

Curricular Connections: This book would be a great opportunity to talk with younger children about a variety of different emotions. Even just seeing how Aidan reacts to his parents having a new baby shows students many different potential reactions to such a drastic change.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: August 28, 2018

# of Pages: 32

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Fiction

Theme/Topic: Individuality

Summary: This book follows a nonlinear narrative, in which we see 4 children, each of them feeling isolated from their peers in some way. The story's two main characters are Angelina and Rigoberto. Rigoberto is a new student who has recently moved to the United States from Venezuela, and is teased for his accent when speaking. He spent his summer taking care of his little sister, and feels like he has nothing in common with the students in his class who went on exciting travels over their summer break. Angelina, an African-American classmate, also feels like an outsider because she, too, stayed home over the summer.

Personal Response: I loved the author's use of a nonlinear storyline to convey her message. It was beautiful how the two main characters were able to make each other feel seen, and the ending was extremely satisfying and heartwarming when I read it.

Curricular Connections: This book would be great for younger students to hear or read in order to build awareness of cultural diversity, particularly during social studies. It carries a message that what makes us unique should be celebrated!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D5kietxyxM (Audiobook)

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Author: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Philomel Books

Date: May 4, 1998

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: K-3

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Perseverance

Summary: This book follows the main character, Trisha, as she turns 5 years old and begins attending kindergarten. Despite her excitement at learning how to read, she finds great difficulty in it, and this difficulty follows her year after year. As the book goes on, she begins navigating personal struggles in addition to feelings of inferiority in the classroom. In fifth grade, she finally has a teacher who notices her struggles; not only does he protect her from bullies at school and uplift her for her artistic talents, but he also provides intervention to help her develop her literacy skills.

Personal Response: I think this book tells the story so beautifully and the reveal at the end as to Trisha's identity warmed my heart, knowing that she wrote this whole book about her teacher.

Curricular Connections: This book would be useful for helping students understand what some of their peers may be going through, and as a reminder that everyone learns differently and should never be ridiculed for it. With that being said, the story is so detailed that it provides a lot of opportunities for character analysis that could be done as an ELA lesson as well.

Source: Boise Public Library

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Author: Gary Robinson (featuring Jayla Rose)

Publisher: 7th Generation

Date: April 27, 2021

# of Pages: 40

Grade Level: 4-6

Genre: Nonfiction

Theme/Topic: Confidence

Summary: This book is narrated by Jayla, the girl in the photographs. She begins the book by proclaiming her confidence in herself. She also gives the reader advice on how to handle and overcome negative self-talk, encouraging them to be kind to themselves and be their own biggest fan.

Personal Response: The video of Jayla reading this book on Youtube was very cute! The overall message of the book is valuable to children who may be struggling with low self-esteem, or even bullying. The author also gave tangible steps that readers can take to improve their self-confidence and be kinder to themselves, such as mantras, which is very powerful advice for a child. I love that the author, Gary Robinson, gave this little girl a platform to express herself creatively and encourage others.

Curricular Connections: This book would be very useful when talking to students about their own mental health and how to take care of it.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62vDZBDUGhU (Audiobook)