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Author: Christian Robinson
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Date Published: June 2, 2020
# Of Pages: 40
Genre: Fiction
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning.
Awards: Picture This Recommendation List, New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr.
Synopsis/Theme: No matter who you are, where you are in the world, or what you are feeling, you matter and play an important role :)
Plot: The plot of this book takes place all over the place, and represents that no matter where you are throughout life, you matter.
Personal Response: I really loved being able to listen to and read this book. I think that the message is super important, and something that needs to be constantly said. The visuals throughout this book really helped spread the message as well.
Read-Aloud Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltOaIsWXpHA

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Author: Harry Woodgate
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Publishing Date: April 16, 2021
# of Pages: 32
Genre: Children's Literature/ Fiction
Theme: Love, adventures, and representation.
Curricular Connections: Social emotional learning, and arts.
Personal Connections: I really enjoyed this book, and I think that it is one that will be in my personal classroom library. In my family, we take a lot of family vacations and trips, and this book reminded me a lot about my own family and the stories my parents share with my brother and I. Remembering loved ones through stories and memories is such an important part, and it can make the hard parts easier.
Read-Aloud Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAxBnIqF_JE

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Author: Gary Robinson

Illustrator: Gary Robinson

Publisher: 7th Generation

Publishing Date: 4/27/2021

Page Count: 40

Genre: Fiction

Theme: Positivity/ Self Love

Awards: None

Synopsis: In this story, a girl named Jayla shares that it is okay to be different, be yourself, and believe in yourself. Jayla shares that everyone needs to ignore the negative "self-talk" and love themselves for who they are.

Curricular Connections: Social and Emotional Learning

Personal Response: I truly loved reading this book, and I loved the message behind it as well. It is so easy to say negative things about ourselves, but really being able to love yourself for who you are takes a process sometimes. This book is a great one that I hope to include in my classroom library because I want my students to all learn to love themselves even if they are different from the other students.

Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62vDZBDUGhU

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Author and Illustrator: James Marshall
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date: September 29th, 1989
Page Count: 32 Pages
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Synopsis: This story is about the 3 little pigs who build their houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks. The big bad wolf blows down 2 of the houses, and is unable to blow down the 3rd pigs house made out of bricks.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Be observant, and pay close attention.
Curricular Connections: Construction Management, and social adaptability.
Personal Response: This book is a must read for children's literature, and it is a classic that has been around for a while.
Teacher Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-22Y6Wg60

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Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Date: 1989
Page Count: 32 Pages
Awards: American Library Association: Notable Book
Synopsis: This story is from the perspective of the Wolf in the original story The Three Little Pigs.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Stereotypes and Empathy
Curricular Connections: Construction Management and Social Adaptability.
Personal Connections: I really liked reading this story, and it put a new twist on the story I read a lot as a kid. This story represents the idea that there are always two sides to every story, and to look at each perspective before forming an opinion.

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Author: Markus Motum
Illustrator: Markus Motum

Publisher: Candlewick
Date: September 28, 2021
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: none
Genre: Creative nonfiction

Synopsis: A true story of thousands of bath toys that were lost at sea and swept to the four corners of the Pacific.
Theme: Why it is important to protect our environment, and pollution.
Plot: This book looks into the pollution crisis that is happening in the oceans all around, and follows one of the ducks as it goes through the ocean and what it encounters along the way through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

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Author: Andrée Poulin
Illustrator: Sonali Zohra

Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: October 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 112 pages (chapter book)
Awards: N/A

Synopsis: This books looks into sanitation systems in third-world countries and how they negatively affect young girls and women.
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Theme: Injustice for women
Plot: This book follows Latika who is very observant of the fact that their village is unjust. Young women are having to give up their education in order to obtain privacy. Sanitation is non-existent and rules their land. Latika stands her ground, and realizes what is right and wants to fight for it. She becomes an inspiration to all women there and makes a path to justice.
Curricular Connections: History and empathy
Personal Response: This was an incredible story to read, and I believe that it is very inspirational to all women to fight for what they believe in.

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Author: Beth Ferry
Illustrator: Molly Idle
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Date: October 27, 2020
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Genre: Children's picture book
Synopsis: Animals inspire their kids to chase their dreams and that anything is possible. This books reminds us all to believe in ourselves.
Personal Response: I really liked the concept that this book is teaching to kids, and I think that it is very essential to have in a classroom library because this is something important that students need to know.
Teacher Resources: https://wowlit.org/event/imagination-friday-with-molly-idle-and-beth-ferry/

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Title:  Hot Dog
Author and Illustrator: Doug Salati
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Date: May 24, 2022
Pages: 40
Awards: Randolph Caldecott Medal

Synopsis: This book talks about the importance of taking a break, and getting fresh air once in a while. This story follows a dog who lives in a crazy busy city, and then his owner gets him away to the beach to take a break.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Emotions, Life, Living adaptability
Plot: This book follows the life of a little dog in a loud, hectic and busy city. We see his owner take control and realize that his dog needs to get out of the craziness and have a free and stressful say. He takes his dog to the beach and we realize how his emotions are set free and he feels relaxed again when he returns back to the city.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: Mental Health Awareness
Personal Response: I really liked reading this book, and I thought that there was a great message behind it as well because this is something that needs to be talked about for all students.
Teacher Resources: https://youtu.be/LZhNCsftZzY

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Title:  Frizzy
Author: Claribel A. Ortega
Illustrator: Rose Boursamra
Publisher: First Second
Date: October 18, 2022
Pages: 224
Awards: Pura Belpre Childrens Author Award

Synopsis: This book is about a young girl who is learning how to accept herself with her curly hair even though she starts the story not liking who she is because of it.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Self-worth, identity and acceptance
Plot: This book follows the life and journey of a young girl accepting who she is. It is taken place in her hometown where we see her struggle with her hair and not liking the way she is. This book shows us the journey of self-love may be hard, but we should and will all get there.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I personally loved this book because of the message behind it because it is such an important topic for students to learn to love themselves for who they are.
Teacher Resources: https://youtu.be/hsVX-9L0ycc (a book review)

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Author: Linda Sue Park

Illustrator: Robert Sae-Heng
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: March 2021
Number of Pages: 72

Grade Level: 3rd-7th

Poetry Type: traditional Korean sijo verse
Genre: Fiction, Children's Poetry.

Curricular Connection: History, social-emotional learning.

Summary: This books asks the readers what the one thing they would save is if their house was on fire besides their family and pets that are already safe.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think that it has a really important message behind it as well. This is a topic that is not talked about enough, and  it is important to bring up because students need to know the importance of having a plan in place in case of an emergency.

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Author: Lee Wardlaw

Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Publishing Date: February 15, 2011

Page Count: 40 pages

Grade Level: 4-8 years old

Poetry Type: Picture book, fiction

Summary: Won-Ton is the story of a shelter cat who finds a home with a boy. The story is told in haiku, and represents how Won Ton finds his new home and how he bonds with his new family.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that how the author portrayed the story as a haiku made it a great read. I also liked that it was about a shelter cat because it can teach the lesson that everyone belongs somewhere no matter what they have been through.

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Author: Margaret Read MacDonald

Illustrated by Derek Sullivan

Publisher: Albert Whitman and Co

Published in: March 2015

Page Count: 32 pages

Genre: A Folktale from Zimbabwe

Grade Level: Preschool-3rd grade

Theme: always keep your promise

Plot: A young girl named Zuva promises a crocodile he can come to a party in exchange for a favor, but since crocodiles aren't allowed in the village, she doesn't expect she'll have to keep the promise.

Personal Response: I thought that this was a great story, and that it had a good message as well. It also brings in the culture from Zimbabwe which can be a great book to have in a multicultural classroom library.

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Author: Renee Watson
Illustrator: Nina Mata
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Date: April 2021
Pages: 208
Awards: Charlotte Huck Finn Award
1-2 sentence synopsis: No matter what situation Ryan is faced with throughout her life, she always tries to come out positive and find ways to make sunshine along the way.
Curricular connections: social-emotional learning. growth mindset and positivity.
Personal response: I think that this book is such a great inspiration for children to learn about because no matter how hard each day might be, just finding one way to reflect positively can make a change. Finding ways to turn negative situations a little less negative even makes a difference.
Teaching resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnmfbti-kug

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Author: Sandra Greenwood
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Date: October 2022
Pages: 40
Awards: Charlotte Huck Finn Award
1-2 sentence synopsis: A young girl talks about the emotional struggle of missing her brother because he is away due to incarceration.
Artistic Media: emotional imagery
Curricular connections: Social-emotional learning
Personal response: I think that this book does a great job of talking about a very real situation that children may go through with people they know, and even people they are close to such as their siblings.

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Author: Gary Robinson
Illustrator: Jesse T. Hummingbird
Date: May 17th, 2010
Number of Pages: 40 pages
Age: 5-8 years old
Curricular Connections: Multicultural learning
Synopsis: This book allows us to take a look at what the night before Christmas might look like for an American Indian family where their traditions are talked about.

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Native American Twelve Days of Christmas

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Native American Twelve Days of Christmas

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Author: Gary Robinson
Illustrator: Jesse T Hummingbird
Date: October 10, 2011
Page Count: 32 pages
Age: 3-5 years old
Curricular Connections: Multicultural learning.
Synopsis: This book takes a spin on the traditional 12 days of Christmas song with lyrics that represent Native American culture. Each of the days has a different representation for something that involves their culture, and I think that this is such an eye opening book because it shows the difference in culture, but how we can still celebrate the same concepts.

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Title: Baseball Saved Us
Author and Illustrator: Ken Mochizuki and Dom Lee
Published: March 1993
Publisher: Lee & Low
Pages: 32
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Shorty and his family, along with thousands of Japanese Americans, are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fighting the heat and dust of the desert, Shorty and his father decide to build a baseball diamond and form a league in order to boost the spirits of the internees.

Artistic Media: Colored pencils, pen and ink

Curricular Connection: Social emotional learning.

Personal Response: This book was a great book to read, and it was one of my favorites so far. The message behind this story is one of the reasons that I would want to include this story in my own classroom library.

Teaching Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TooObOfOx4w

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Author:  Lisa Schroeder
Illustrator: Lisa Schroeder
Published Date: March 29, 2016
Grade Levels:  2nd-5th
Synopsis: This story is about how a young girl and her mother have been locked away in a tower for as long as they can remember. There is an evil queen that has control over the Kingdom as well. They are trying to break down the evil spirit and reunite with their family.
Curricular Connections: No matter how young you are, or how small you might be, you can still do incredible things and accomplish anything that your heart desires.
Personal Response: I think that this is a great inspirational story, and that it shows truly how strong the young girl in the story is.

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Author: Ben Hatke
Publisher: First Second
Date published: June 7, 2016
Number of pages: 40
Genre: Fiction
Awards: #1 New York Times-bestselling graphic novel
Theme: Trust, and loyalty.
Summary: Goblin and Skeleton are best friends, and they live together in Goblin's dungeon. One day, Goblin is left all alone because people have broken in to take Skeleton. It is up to Goblin to save the day, but he first has to face the real world and see people's thoughts about Goblins.
Personal response: I really liked reading this story, and I think that there was a great message behind the story as well that the characters were best friends no matter what happened.

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Author: Adria Karisson
Illustrator: Linus Curci
Grade: Kinder-2nd
Publisher: Capstone Editions
Date: September 1st, 2021
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Children's literature, narrative
Theme: Acceptance
Plot: The older brother in this story has to come to terms with the fact that his sibling is wanting to change gender's. This is based on a true story with compassion and acceptance as the main themes.
Curricular Connection: Social-emotional, accepting everyone for who they are.
My Response: I really liked this story, and I think that this is one that every student should have the opportunity to read!

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Author: Laurel Goodluck
Illustrator: Jonathan Nelson
Publisher: Charlesbridge‎
Date: October 4, 2022
Number of Pages: 32 pages

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Family, and "no matter the distance"
Synopsis and Plot: This story is about two cousins that are super close to each other. One of the cousins Kara moves away, and realizes that she won't be able to see her cousin until the next summer. They don't want to forget about each other, so they both have a doll that reminds each other about them.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and markers
Curricular Connections: Human relations, social emotional learning
Personal Response:  I really loved reading this book, and seeing the connections that they made for families. I had a really close relationship with my cousin when I was younger, so I think that this is a great book to have in the classroom to show and demonstrate how family relationships are great.

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Author: Annette Bay Pimental
Illustrator: Madison Safer
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Date: June 6th, 2023
Pages: 88 pages
Grade: 3rd-7th
Theme: Color has to come from somewhere.
Summary: This book is about appreciating everything around us, and how the most unexpected objects/items can be turned into beautiful colors. This story truly appreciates nature and natural objects.
Curricular Connection: Art
Personal Response: I loved being able to read this story, and I thought it was great to realize to appreciate everything around us.

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Author: Kallie George
Illustrator: Carmen Mok
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Date published: September 27, 2022
Theme: Appreciating Nature
Number of pages: 36
Age: 3-7 years
Summary: This story is about two boys who are visiting the ocean. While they are beside the ocean they realize that the ocean has a lot to say and that it communicates through the whooshing noises, and the way the ocean moves things around.
Personal response: I really liked reading this story, and I think that there was a great message behind the story as well as students having the opportunity to learn to appreciate the nature around them.
Activity: After reading this story, I would have my students complete an activity where they could create an object in nature, and list the ways that it could "communicate" with them. They would list the actions that the nature object does to communicate with us as we appreciate the nature around us.

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Author: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Illustrator: Daniel Minter
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date: February 15, 2022
Number of Pages: 40 pages
Awards: Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Grade Level: Preschool - 3rd Grade

Genre: Non-Fiction Literature
Theme: History of the color Blue
Plot: This book talks about the importance of the color blue and all of the history/significance behind the color as well.
Artistic Media: Watercolors and pastels
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: I loved how this book teaches the students the meaning behind the color blue as well as including the history behind the color as well.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

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Author and Illustrator: Alicia Acosta, Luis Amavisca, and Gusti Rosemffet
Published: 2018
Publisher: ‎NubeOcho
Pages: 36
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a young kid named Ben who loves to paint his nails bright, beautiful colors. He is made fun of at school, so his dad and others around him encourage him to be himself no matter what and they even paint their nails to support him.
Curricular Connections: Social-emotional learning
Artistic Media: Pen and ink, watercolors, marker
Personal Response: I really loved reading this story. I think that this book includes a great message for students to be themselves no matter what others think of them, and to rely on the people that are around and close. I love that this book also represents how a parent should support a kid and I think that overall it had a great message.

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Author: Deborah Ellis
Adapted from: a film directed by Nora Twomey
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: January 1, 2018
Number of Pages: 77 pages
Synopsis: This graphic novel tells the story of an 11 year old named Parvana who has to disguise herself as a boy to help her family in Afghanistan. Parvana must become the breadwinner while acting as a boy.

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Responsibility, taking action, providing

Artistic Media: Artistic images
Curricular Connections: 10-14 years old, Grades 5th to 9th
Personal Response: I really loved reading this story, and I think that it is going to be a great book to have within my classroom library.
Teacher Resources: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/58350

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The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery:

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The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery:

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Author: Sandra Markle

Publishing Date: August 1, 2014

Page Count: 48 pages

Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis: This story focuses on the little brown bats, and what is happening to them. It talks about the history of the bats, as well as the newly discovered disease that is killing them.
Personal Response:  I really enjoyed reading this story, and although there isn't a strict message behind the book, I think that it is very interesting for kids to get into and read about.
Curricular Connections:  Science and History
Teaching Resource:  https://www.getepic.com/app/read/8023 (Epic Reading Link)

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Author: Carrie Lewis

Publishing Date: July 7, 2020

Page Count: 89 pages (chapter book)

Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis: This book talks about the questions that kids may be asking themselves when they are feeling anxious, as well as includes strategies that they can do to feel better and calm their emotions.
Curricular Connections:  Social Emotional Learning & Feelings
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that the message and story that it is trying to teach kids is really important. Everyone will have anxious feelings, and this is a great book that explains why.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/76157 (Epic Reading Link)

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Hit The Beach (From the files of Madison Finn) :

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Hit The Beach (From the files of Madison Finn) :

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Author: Laura Dawer

Publishing Date:

Page Count: 275 Pages (Chapter Book)

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: One best friend Maddie is going out of town for the summer, and she is worried that her friendships with her three best friends will be different when she returns after time apart.
Curricular Connections: Friendship & Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story about friendship, and I think that there is a great message behind this story. No matter what time is spent apart, if the friendship is strong enough, everything will be okay.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/64463 (Epic Reading Link)

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The Bulldoggers Club (The Tale of the Ill-Gotten Catfish) :

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The Bulldoggers Club (The Tale of the Ill-Gotten Catfish) :

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Author: Barbara Hay

Publishing Date: October 16, 2012

Page Count: 116 Pages (Chapter book)

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: In this story, there is a fishing club called the Bulldoggers Club. They go on a fishing trip to try and catch a huge catfish, but they come across a problem that they caught the fish on private land without permission.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning & Honesty
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that there is a great message behind it. Lying is not worth it when it could make everything worse in the end.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/72675 (Epic Reading Link)

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Author: Grace Byers
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date: March 6, 2018
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Goodreads Choice Awards Best Picture Books

Synopsis: This book represents that no matter what someone is going through, or what someone has gone through, that they are enough.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Self worth
Plot: This book follows a young girl who is appreciative of herself. She knows no matter what is happening it will be okay because she is good enough.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Social emotional learning & communication
Personal Response: I really loved reading this story. I liked that it had a great representation of diversity, and I think that the message behind this story is one that every student should read.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

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Author and Illustrator: Nonny Hogrogian
Publisher: Aladdin

Date: September 1, 1974
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Actions have consequences
Plot: In this story, the fox must redeem himself to the older lady and make things right after drinking her milk to get his tail back.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and pastels
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I really liked reading this story. I believe that the message is very important when teaching kids to make things right after something went wrong.
Teacher Resources: Epic. Reading.

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Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome

Publishing Date:

Page Count: 109 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story follows a young 11-year old boy who moves away from his home in Alabama after his mother passed away, and he moved to Chicago with his father. He faces the struggles of a new place, a new type of lifestyle, and a new school. This story takes place in 1946.
Curricular Connections:  Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I personally loved reading this story, and I think that it included a lot of real elements that many students will face throughout their life. Whether that means moving away from home and starting over, or the loss of someone close.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Sylvia Taekema

Publishing Date: October 1, 2013

Page Count: 112 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Jake is a young boy who excels in cross country, and loves to run each and every day. He trains with a healthy mindset, but still ends up in 2nd place every time. His goal is to win, not get 2nd.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning, Dreams, Hard work
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that the message behind this story is to push for your dreams, and don't give up. I think that this is a really important lesson for kiddos to learn at a young age.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Janet S. Fox

Publishing Date: January 1, 2008

Page Count: 109 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, How-to
Synopsis: This story provides students with a guide on how they can stay organized in a lot of different aspects in life. It covers topics such as school success, desk disasters, how to get organized, getting ready for school, and why it is important to be organized.
Curricular Connections: Organization, Success, Social Emotional
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that it had a lot of helpful tips for kids on how to manage a lot of things that may be going on in their life all at once. Following some of these steps may even reduce stress and anxiety if not being organized is a trigger for some students.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Cat Min

Publishing Date: February 16, 2021

Page Count: 41 pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a shy rabbit named Willow. She lives in a mailbox, and suddenly a letter gets dropped in. Willow has to deliver the letter herself to make sure it gets there, but that means leaving her safe space inside her mailbox.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning & Self Confidence
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story and I could tell that the message could be very powerful for students. Having to step outside your comfort zone sometimes is okay.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Denise Brennan-Nelson, Rosemarie Brennan

Publishing Date: January 1, 2008

Page Count: 31 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story about a classroom teacher who keeps her room very neat and tidy. She then has a student named Willow who sees pink trees, and blue apples. This is a story about letting your imagination be free.
Curricular Connections: Imagination, creativity, and Art
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that this story can allow children to be creative, and enjoy their imagination.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Andrea Wang

Publishing Date: March 30, 2021

Page Count: 32 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A girl and her family are going for a drive and they come across Watercress. The family starts to gather some, and bring it home for dinner. This meal brings the young girl closer to her families Chinese heritage.
Curricular Connections: Family Heritage
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story and I think that it brings up the importance of remembering where you come from, and how important family values can be to each individual.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Ian Lendler

Publishing Date: June 1, 2021

Page Count: 36 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Nia is a young girl who lives in a small town. Suddenly, the town library get's destroyed by a tornado. Nia then opens up a free library to remind the town what joy books can bring to everyday life.
Curricular Connections: Community, Reading, and the love for books
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that it represents strength in both Nia in the community when they remember the happiness books can bring to their everyday life. The message behind this book is very powerful.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Maranke Rinck

Publishing Date: June 18, 2020

Page Count: 150 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a nine year old boy names Ellis who brings "popcorn" Bob to life when he secretly pops popcorn in the shed. This story will make you laugh, and shows the true power of friendship.
Curricular Connections: Comedy, Friendship
Personal Response: I really liked reading this story and it made me laugh while reading it. The story of friendship that is present, and the relationship that they have together is great. I think that this story could teach a lot of people about friendship.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Dave Eggers

Publishing Date: March 30, 2021

Page Count: 38 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story about a young boy's grandmother who comes to town. She brings up a crazy idea that they should become jaguars. They go on adventures together as jaguars.
Curricular Connections: Social emotional learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I thought that it was very realistic when it said that he hasn't seen his grandma in a while because that is what happens sometimes. I think this story represents how much fun can be had with different family members as well.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Title: A Sky Blue Bench

Author: Bahram Rahman

Publishing Date: November 30, 2021

Page Count: 35 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a young girl named Aria who is from Afghanistan. She has a prosthetic leg, and when she returned to school for the first time she found out that she would have to sit on the floor all day. She decides to build a bench herself so then her leg wouldn't hurt as much at school.
Curricular Connections: Community, Culture, and social emotional learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I think that the way Aria took matters into her own hands and wanted to be comfortable at school was inspirational. I think that this would be a great book for any student to read because no matter how old they are change can be made, and if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Title: Charlie and Mouse

Author: Laurel Snyder

Publishing Date: April 11, 2017

Page Count: 42 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about two brother's who have a very loving relationship. They both live with their family in a diverse neighborhood. In the first book, Charlie and Mouse get friends together to have a neighborhood party to get to know everyone.
Curricular Connections: Community, heritage
Personal Response: I thought that this was a great story. I really liked the diversity represented throughout this story by the two boys going out and making friends with different people all over the neighborhood. I thought that the idea of them all getting together to have a party was great.
Teaching Resource:  Epic Reading

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Title: If You Come To Earth

Author: Sophie Blackall

Publishing Date: September 15, 2020

Page Count: 74 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This book is a guide to all things about the Earth. It talks about how we as individuals can make choices to help the Earth and how we all have our own part. This book also talks about the importance of taking care of people around us.
Curricular Connections: Science, Equality, and Community
Personal Response: I thought that this was an incredible story to read, and one that I will definitely have in my future classroom. I really like that this story talks about taking care of the earth, and protecting our communities. I think that the representation of equality throughout was also great.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Title: Hair Story

Author: NoNieqa Ramos

Publishing Date: September 7, 2021

Page Count: 34 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story that rhymes throughout the entire story. It tells the story of two girls, one who is Puerto Rican, and the other one is African American. It follows the two girls along as they discover all of the stories and characteristics that they have because of their hair.
Curricular Connections: Multicultural, Heritage, Community
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I like that it tells the story of the two girls throughout, and the different characteristics of their hair that can tell their story of who they are and where they come from.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Title: And Then Came Hope

Author: Stephen Savage

Publishing Date: May 4, 2021

Page Count: 38 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about ships at a harbor that aren't feeling well. They all went through different feelings throughout the story.They send out an S.O.S signal and then a doctor ship named Hope comes to the rescue to make them feel better.
Curricular Connections: Health, Feelings

Personal Response: I really liked reading this story. I think that aiming this towards the younger kids would help them learn an important message about asking for help when something is wrong. I really liked the representation throughout this story.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Title:  The Tree Boy
Author: Srividhya Venkat
Publication Date: November 15, 2018
Page Count: 32 Pages
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This book is about a young boy who suddenly discovers that he was transformed into a tree overnight. He missed a save on one soccer goal at his game before, and blames that scenario for this.   He hated trees before this happened, but now that he transformed into one, it is truly his worst nightmare. This book goes along the journey of acceptance, and being happy with the outcome.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning, Acceptance
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this book. I think that there is a great message behind this story. Accepting yourself after change is a great message for all kids, and that no matter what you can love who you are.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

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Author: Jenny Lacika
Illustrator: Teresa Martinez
Publisher: Charlesbridge

Date: May 3, 2022
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Grade Level: Pre - 1st Grade

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a brother and sister duo. Essie thinks that she is being funny when she ruins her older brother's forts and messes with his building blocks. He even goes to make a wall to keep her out of his room. She manages to break through the wall and tear it down. He was very mad at first, but then realizes she wants to be included when he plays. They get together and find ways so that they can play together and have fun.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Math
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that it represents siblings very well. I think that a lot of students in class would be able to relate to parts in this story, and learn that including people is important.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

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Author: Allan Wolf
Illustrator: Brianne Farley
Publisher: Candlewick
Date: February 9, 2021
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: Pre-K to 2rd-grade
Theme: Love and power of books
Synopsis: We can learn a lot from the stories that we read, and they help strengthen our imagination.
Plot: This story talks about the importance of reading, and why we can learn a lot from the books that we read. There is a book for each and every subject, and finding one that interests you is really important. There are a lot of relations that can be made from books into student's actual lives.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Social studies
Personal Response: I think that this is a super important book to have in the classroom. When students are reading this book, it can remind them of the importance of books in their lives. They can build their imagination, and see why reading isn't terrible.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link