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Author/illustrator: Charlotte Gunnufson/Brian Biggs

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Date: February 4, 2025

Grade level: Preschool, early elementary school

Genre: Children's Fiction

Theme/topic: problem-solving, teamwork

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a dog who is a construction worker and is helping his crew on a new project. They come across a problem when two birds lay a nest on their site. They come up with an agreement where they can co-exist with each other.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I liked the rhyming text and illustrations throughout the book. This is something that can keep children engaged. This story teaches children about problem-solving and also how to respect nature.

Curricular connections:

Science: habitats for birds and environments

Physical Education: teamwork skills and collaborating

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Author/illustrator: Annette LeBlanc Cate

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Date: January 27 2025

Grade level: Preschool- 2nd

Genre: Children's book/picture book

Theme/topic: family, adventure, counting

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: The story is about a mother duck who has lost her 7 ducklings after they have hatched. They wandered off without her knowing. During the story, she sets off on a quest to find her 7 ducklings. She eventually finds her ducklings but also other creatures, a mouse and a turtle. She ends up having one big happy family at the end of the book including the other creatures she met on her quest.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I thought this book was very cute and humorous as well. It shows the great love of a mother and how nurturing she can be to others. The rhyming text makes the reading engaging and will keep children engaged.

Curricular connections:

Math- practicing counting and addition as the baby ducklings are found

Science- different animals, habitats, ecosystems

Art- the illustrations can inspire children's creativity

Social Studies- different family structures and inclusivity

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Author/illustrator: R.J. Palacio

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date: March 28, 2017

Grade level: preschool-3rd grade

Genre: realistic fiction, picture book

Theme/topic: acceptance, empathy, kindness, inclusion

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a young boy named Auggie, who has a facial deformity. he wants to be included and accepted by the world around him. He wants to be "normal". He loves to travel in space and wants to be an astronaut. This is where he feels most like himself and most importantly free. This book specifically is for younger readers.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I read the book called Wonder when I was in elementary school I really enjoyed it. It taught me that you should embrace your uniqueness instead of hiding it. This book We're All Wonders is a simplified version of the other book. It is a great book for young/early readers.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies: lessons on inclusivity, diversity, and respecting others' differences and community.

Science: space travel and astronauts

Art: can draw a portrait just the wonder front cover

Physical Education: team building activities that have collaboration and inclusion

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My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz

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My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz

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Author/illustrator: Monica Brown/Rafael Lopez

Publisher: Luna Rising

Date: 2004

Grade level: K-3rd grade

Genre: Biography, multicultural

Theme/topic: music, identity, heritage

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is a bilingual picture book that shows the journey of a girl who wants to be a singer. It shows her struggles and how she spreads happiness during her performances.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This story of salsa music is very engaging and entertaining to read. The bilingual text in the story makes it accessible for both English/Spanish languages. This book is great for young readers and can bring people together.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- history of Cuba, Latin American culture, immigration

Art- salsa music, vibrant colors like what was used in the book

Math- beats, and rhythm in the salsa

Physical Education- teach students basic dance moves from the salsa dance.

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Author/illustrator: Deborah Diesen/Dan Hanna

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Date: 2008

Grade level: preschool- 2nd grade

Genre: picture book, children's fiction

Theme/topic: self-identity, emotions

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a fish who has a pout face. He meets other sea creatures as he swims through the ocean. Each creature he encounters he just keeps a glum look. He then meets a fish who gives him a kiss which makes him gain a new perspective where he doesn't need to spread glum but happiness.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I liked this book and how it has repetitive words which makes it entertaining. The story is very colorful and makes it engaging for students. Helps students know not to think negatively of themselves.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- self-identity, emotions

Science- ocean creatures, environments, habitats, animal behaviors, ecosystems

Art- have students draw their own sea creatures

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Author/illustrator: RJ Palacio

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Date: 2012

Grade level: 3rd-7th grade

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/topic: Acceptance, identity, friendship

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a young boy named Auggie, who has a facial deformity. he wants to be included and accepted by the world around him. He wants to be "normal". He loves to travel in space and wants to be an astronaut.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book sends a powerful message to the readers. Auggies journey throughout the book can inspire students who struggle. Each section of the book shows a different characters perspective of their life with Auggie. The book shows how small acts of kindness can really change a person life.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- inclusion, disabilities, diversity

Language Arts- character development, narratives, themes

Art- creating personal portraits

Physical Education- team work and collaborative activities

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Author/illustrator: Sterling North/ Richard Lebenson

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: August 27, 2024

Grade level: 2nd-5th grade

Genre: Native American Literature, Historical Fiction

Theme/topic: cultural identity, courage, nature

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a young Native American girl who is named Buffalo Dreamer. She has strong connections with nature and animals, specifically a buffalo. She faces challenges with her tribe as she tries to show how much strength and wisdom she has.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I enjoyed reading this story, it was very inspiring. The message in this book is to believe in one's self and don't give up even if people are telling you to. This story also shows the Native American culture of how they believe in animals and spirituality, which can be beneficial for a child's learning.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- Native American cultures, traditions, storytelling

Science- habitats, environments, ecosystems

Art- storytelling through visuals

Physical Eduaction- Native American-inspired games

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Author/illustrator: Thanhhà Lai

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: 2011

Grade level: 4th-8th grade

Genre: Poem, Novel in Verse, Historical Fiction

Theme/topic: Immigration, family, identity, war

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a girl who is 10 years old and is living in Vietnam. The Vietnam War got worse so the girl and her family had to flee to Alabama. As she starts her new life and starts at a new school she experiences a culture shock and by facing discrimination and the English language. The book shows her journey as she faces these challenges and overcomes them.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This was an emotional book to read. This book portrays Hà's emotions well and as you read you can feel them. This book can be inspiring for children who are refugees and they can see that they aren't alone. They can relate and feel connected to the book.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- can learn about the Vietnam War, immigration, refugee history

Language Arts- poetic structure, imagery, can write their own poems.

Science- food and agriculture

Art- students can create a visual representation of what Hà’s journey would look like, a comic strip

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Author/illustrator: Cece Bell

Publisher: Abraham Books

Date: 2014

Grade level: 3rd-7th grade

Genre: memoir, graphic novel

Theme/topic: disability, acceptance, self acceptance, communication, friendship

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is a graphic novel (comic) about Cece Bell where she goes through her life experience having hearing loss. She wears a large hearing device called a Phonic ear that allows her to understand speech. She uses her hearing disability as a super power. When her teacher leaves the room she can still hear them which makes it her superpower.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a very inspiring story that can inspire other children to embrace their differences. I like how Bell shows how she had confidence with her disability and that she gained self advocacy.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- inclusion, disability rights

Science- Assistive technology

Art- build your own comic strips

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The Museum on the Moon: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface

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The Museum on the Moon: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface

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Author/illustrator: Irene Latham/ Myriam Wares

Publisher: Moonshower/Bushel & Peck Books

Date: September 19, 2023

Grade level: 3-6

Genre: informational poetry, nonfiction

Theme/topic: space exploration, curiosity, discovery

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot:

This book talks about objects left on the moon and how they call it a museum. Golf balls, footprints, and flags are some of the things left on the moon. Each page of the book has a different poem or rhyme scheme.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): The book would be good for children who like science and space. The diverse poetic forms that are shown throughout the book keep the readers engaged and entertained. The illustrations are cool and complement the text that goes with it.

Curricular connections:

Science- moon, space, lunar missions, scientific objects left on the moon

Language Arts- poems creative writing skills

Art- art projects inspired by space or use specific art techniques like the book

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the Museum on the Moon: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface

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Title: Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki

Your personal responses: This story is very emotional and powerful. It's about a young Japanese boy who gets sent to a camp during WW2 with his family. He channels his emotions into baseball. I know that in high school, I had some personal issues going on, and I took all my anger out during lacrosse practice and games. I wonder how the other children dealt with their emotions if they didn't play baseball.

Personal/academic values of the book to students: The book can be very valuable to students who read it. The themes that are represented throughout this story, like self-worth and discrimination, can help a student's understanding. Some students could also relate to this story, which can make them feel seen.

Your visual representation work and its short description: For my drawing, I made a baseball field with a barbed wire fence wrapped around it to represent the camp. Baseball can be fun, but the reminder of the fence while playing can be seen as an injustice.

Effectiveness of the visual representation activity to students: This activity can be effective and helpful to students because it is an engaging activity. Summarizing the story by drawing the key scenes and symbols can be fun. This activity can also lead to discussion and critical thinking.

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The One and Only Ivan

Your personal responses (connections, thoughts, questions) to the story:

This is a very emotional book that has themes like friendship and resilience. Ivan discovers his identity throughout the book and realizes he must protect Ruby. Julia's kindness to Ivan showed that there are nice people in the world and that small actions like Julia's can mean something even bigger.

Your journey map and a description of your work:

I created a journey map of Ivan's main/key moments throughout the book.

Personal/academic values of the book and effectiveness of the journey map to students:

Ivan's art teaches children that art can be a form of communication and a way to express yourself. The journey map can help children visualize characters, make connections, and analyze the themes of the story.

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Personal Response: It's an emotional book that explores themes like friendship, acceptance, grief, and loss. In the story, there is a character named Suzy who loses her best friend Franny. Suzy loves science and uses that to figure out her friend's death. She thinks the cause is the sting of a jellyfish. She tries to make sense of what happened.

Heart Map: My heart map on Suzy's name in the middle because she is the main character. We then have themes and other important people that come across Suzys journey. I also drew a picture of a sunset over water, jellyfish, and a notebook.

Discussion Questions: How does Suzy's journey reflect on how different people grieve?

Have you ever experienced a shift in a friendship?

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Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella

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Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella

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Author/illustrator: Paul Fleischman/ Julie Paschkis

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Date: 2007

Grade level: 2nd-5th grade

Genre: Fairy Tale/Traditional Literature

Theme/topic: Cultural Diversity, transformation, kindness

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a different version of the classic story, Cinderella. Different cultures are represented in the story, like Mexico, India, and Japan. The main character is always a figure like Cinderella, but then the story changes with each culture. An example is that instead of a glass slipper, it's a gold sandal instead.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This was a very engaging story about Cinderella. I enjoyed the different variations. The illustrations throughout the stories helped with the storytelling.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- cultural traditions

Literacy- compare and contrast different Cinderella stories

Art- vibrant illustrations

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Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella

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Author/illustrator: Karen Heese/ Wendy Watson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: 2004

Grade level: 3rd-6th grade

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/topic: Survival, Compassion, the Holocaust

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is a historical fiction picture book that is based in Poland during the Holocaust. It's about a young girl who is Jewish that has escaped from a ghetto neighborhood and is now trying to blend in with the new residents that are around her. Her and her older sister use cats to distract the German Guards so they can get food to the people who need it.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is was entertaining to read by it was also heart breaking. The Holocaust always has upset me. I remember reading and watching the Boy in the Striped Pajamas and cried hysterically. The use of the cats to distract the guards was very creative and was also very helpful in the end.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- history about the holocaust and WW2

STEM- being able to problem solve and use your creativity

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Author/illustrator: Ken Mochizuki/ Dom Lee

Publisher: Lee and Low Books

Date: 1993

Grade level: 2nd-5th grade

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme/topic: Resilience, Family, Identity, Hope

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a Japanese American boy who is sent to a camp during WW2. The camp is lifeless and difficult, so to bring up his spirits, he learns to play baseball. He gains confidence, hope, and perseverance. After the war is over, he has to prove himself on the real baseball field.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a powerful story that happened during WW2. Dom Lee's illustrations add depth to the story and allow you to imagine what is happening while you read. It made me see how sports can help children with their confidence and adversity.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- history about WW2 and Japanese American internment

Language Arts- character development and themes with discrimination and resilience

Sports- can show how sports can bring communities together and help children with confidence.

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Author/illustrator: Anne Clare LeZotte

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: October 1, 2024

Grade level: 4th-9th

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Theme/topic: Abuse, Deafness, friendship, Self Discovery

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a 12-year-old girl named Effie who is deaf. She and her sister moved into their father's home after something happened with their mother. Her father doesn't know ASL and doesn't try to learn. She struggles in school and can communicate with her translator. She ends up making a friendship with someone with cerebral palsy and discovers her own voice through poetry.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This was an inspirational book, but heart-wrenching. The book can show children who are struggling that they are not alone. The friendship between Cait and Effie shows how powerful a friendship can be. This book shows how educators can provide and advocate for vulnerable children in school.

Curricular connections:

Health Education- Topics about neglect and abuse

Social Studies- Discuss the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

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

Publisher: Harper and Brothers

Date: 1952

Grade level: 3rd-5th grade

Genre: Fiction, Classic Literature

Theme/topic: Friendship , Loyalty, Death, Compassion

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a pig named Wilbur who starts out as the runt of his litter. He was saved by a young girl named Fern, who adopted him. Charlotte helps Wilbur not be killed for meat by spinning words into her web. He is then saved, but Charlotte's life comes to an end when she has babies. She then leaves the lives of her children with Wilbur because she trusts him.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I loved reading this book when I was young. I cried at the end when Charlotte died, but it was a good book overall. It shows children the cycles of life, how love and support can come in many ways. This book is very approachable for young readers.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts- Character Analysis

Science- Life cycles of spiders and farm animals

Social Emotional learning- Friendship and empathy

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Author/illustrator: Katherine Applegate/Patricia Castelao

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: 2012

Grade level: 3rd-7th grade

Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction

Theme/topic: Friendship, Hope, Animal rights

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a gorilla named Ivan who lives at a Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He is friends with an elephant and a dog and likes to create artwork. With the help of a zookeeper, the zookeeper helps Ivan and the two elephants find a new home where they can live in a safe and more natural environment.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is very inspiring, but also shows the cruelty of animals who don't live in their natural habitat. Ivan's voice is very poetic and powerful, and it shows through the author's words. It's crazy how Ivan's small artworks can lead to big changes for him and his friends.

Curricular connections:

Literature- explore character development

Social Studies- exploration on animal rights

Art- students can be inspired by Ivan's artwork and make art of their own

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Author/illustrator: Ronald Dahl/Quentin Blake

Publisher: Jonathan Cape, Viking Press

Date: 1988

Grade level: 3rd-6th grade

Genre: Children's Literature

Theme/topic: Kindness, intelligence, justice

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a young intelligent girl who loves learning and school. She also loves reading. Her parents neglect her as she is growing up, but she ends up befriending a teacher at school, Miss. Honey. Matilda discovers that she has powers that allow her to move things with her mind and use them to stand up against injustice and her principal, Miss Trunchbull. At the end, Miss Honey ends up adopting Matilda, and they become family.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is very inspiring and is very approachable to young readers. It's cool to see how Matilda's cleverness helps her find justice and save her friends and Miss Honey from Miss Trunchbull. This was an empowering book.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts- character development, creative writing, and have students write about them having superpowers

Social Emotional Learning- exploring kindness and fairness

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Author/illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Publisher: Harper and Row

Date: 1963

Grade level: Pre-K- 3rd Grade

Genre: picture book, fantasy

Theme/topic: Emotions, Imagination, Adventure

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a boy named Max who gets in trouble by misbehaving at dinner and gets sent to his room. His imagination takes him to an island where he meets the Wild Things. He is then crowned king and is messing around with the Wild things and is enjoying his freedom. He then becomes lonely and comes back home to find that his dinner is waiting for him at the table.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is engaging, and the illustrations are beautiful. The illustrations really tell the story the author is trying to say. This book reminds me of how I used my imagination when I was young. I would imagine myself at random places that had magical creatures. I also relate to Max when he starts to feel lonely. It's like being homesick when you are at college.

Curricular connections:

Art- Creating your own artwork like the Wild Thing creatures

Language Arts- imaginative writing

Social Emotional Learning- discuss emotions, behaviors, and coping strategies with students

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Author/illustrator: Beverly Cleary/ Louis Darling

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: 1955

Grade level: 3rd-5th grade

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/topic: Sibling/family relationship, patience, responsibility

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about two sisters named Romona and Beezus. The older sister is responsible, and the little sister is imaginative and very lively. The sisters have ups and downs in their relationship, but soon bond and begin to like each other.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I liked reading this book when I was younger because I relate to the two sisters. My sister and I used to be the same way. We used to never get along, but as we grew up, we found things we were both interested in and trusted each other. We are now super close. This book really shows character growth, and also even though you are super annoyed at your sibling, family remains constant.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts- students can analyze character growth

Creative Writing- students can write about their family and if they ever had a time when they were annoyed or argued with a sibling, and how they resolved it.

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Author/illustrator: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: 2008

Grade level: Middle school and high school

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme/topic: Survival, Friendship, love, rebellion, sacrifice

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen. Each year, a girl and a boy from each district play a game in an arena and fight to the death. Katniss ends up winning and starting a rebellion with the district and Panem.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I loved reading these books growing up and the movies. I'm excited to read the new book that just came out as well. This is a very powerful series and and it highlights government control and how the media can manipulate society. An example is seeing fake news on Instagram. There is also emotionalism because of the relationship between Peeta and Katniss.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies- government and oppression

Language Arts- examining themes and character development

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Author/illustrator: Ali Benjamin

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: September 22, 2015

Grade level: Grade 5-8

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

Theme/topic: Grief, loss, friendship. science

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a girl named Suzy who is experiencing grief after her friend Franny passes away. She uses science to figure out what happened.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is deeply written. It was very inspirational, but also sad because it's never nice to see someone experiencing grief. It addressed death, mental health, and friendship.

Curricular connections:

Science: scientific method, ecosystems, jellyfish

ELA: Character development, themes of grief, metaphor

Writing: narrative writing

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Author/illustrator: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Date: 1998

Grade level: 4th grade and up

Genre: fantasy

Theme/topic: Courage, Identity, Friednship, belonging

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a boy named Harry Potter who is an orphan and is raised by his aunt and uncle. On his 11th birthday, he discovers he is a wizard and starts attending the wizardry Hogwarts School. He becomes friends with two other wizards named Ron and Hermione. They saw the dangers at the school throughout their years there.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I love these books. They have been a favorite of mine for a while, especially the movies. This book is very magical and is full of imagination and humor.

Curricular connections:

Writing: creative writing

Vocab: Imaginative language

Literature Studies: character development, theme

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Author/illustrator: Alan Gratz

Publisher: Starscape

Date: August 29, 2017

Grade level: Grades 4-7

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme/topic: banned books, censorship, courage

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a quiet girl named Amy who likes to follow the rules. She finds out her favorite book has been removed from the library because a parent at the school complained about it. She takes a stand and starts giving out books that have been banned or challenged.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I liked how it highlighted the girl's voice and showed what she was trying to prove. This book showed me how diverse literature books are and shouldn't be banned.

Curricular connections:

Language Art: exploring themes, persuasive writing

Media: understand the why and how books are challenged

Debates: promote discussion, standing up for beliefs.

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Author/illustrator: Laura Numeroff/ Felicia Bond

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Date: 1985

Grade level: Prek -2nd grade

Genre: Picture book, fiction

Theme/topic: cause and effect, friendship, routines

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a young boy who gives a mouse a cookie, which starts a routine. The mouse will ask for other things as well, but in the end, it always ends up being a cookie.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a silly children's book that can draw any child's attention. I remember loving this book when I was young. It teaches cause and effect. Children like to predict what the mouse will ask for next.

Curricular connections:

Literacy: cause and effect, sequencing

Writing: using a similar writing structure to the book

Art: Drawing a sequence of events from the book using comic strips

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Whats In Your Pockets? Collecting Natures treasures 

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Whats In Your Pockets? Collecting Natures treasures 

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Author/illustrator: Heather L. Montgomery/ Maribel Lechuga

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Date: 2021

Grade level: K-3rd grade

Genre: Nonfiction/Biography

Theme/topic: Curiosity, nature

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about famous scientists who were younger and how much curiosity they had about nature. They loved collecting things like bugs, flowers, sticks, and other things.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book showed the curiosities of children, and I related to that. I was very curious about nature as well and would collect things like rocks and seashells.

Curricular connections:

Science: nature exploration, science, habitats.

Language Arts: making connections, biography

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Whats In Your Pockets? Collecting Natures treasures

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Author/illustrator: Nicola Kent

Publisher: Godwin Books

Date: 2022

Grade level: preschool-2nd grade

Genre: Informational fiction/ picture book

Theme/topic: Self-awareness, measurement, identity

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a curious girl who likes to explore the ways things can be measured. She likes to see how things can be measured and summed up in numbers.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a math book that can take the interest of a child who is curious and likes math and numbers. It talks about identity and self-worth. This book is enjoyable because it integrates humor into the text.

Curricular connections:

Math: shows introduction and understanding of height, length, and volume.

Language Arts: descriptive writing

Art: students can create a measuring me and make a list of things they measure while illustrating.

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Author/illustrator: Daniel Nayeri

Publisher: Levine Querido

Date: 2020

Grade level: Grades 6-9

Genre: autobiographical, memoir, realistic fiction

Theme/topic: immigration, memory, identity, trauma, family

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about an Iranian boy who is telling his new school about his life story. He talks about his family, memories, and the trauma he has had. The book goes back and forth between past and present. It tells the truth about the Persian culture.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is honest and vulnerable. Daniel is telling his life story, and it's probably hard for him because he has trauma from it while immigrating to the US. Daniel's voice is very emotional and has great strength.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts: narrative structure, voice, metaphor

Social Studies: immigration, Middle Eastern history

Multicultural Literature: discussion on diversity and religion

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Author/illustrator: Jane O'Connor/Robin Preiss Glasser

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Date: 2005

Grade level: Prek-2nd grade

Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Theme/topic: family, creativity, self-identity, vocabulary development

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is about a young girl named Nancy who loves all things fashion and fancy. She tries teaching her family, who aren't as fancy as she is, to be more fancy.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I loved this book as a child. When I was young, I would always dress up at home and try dressing up my little sister as well. This book is a great resource for encouraging language play in children. This book is engaging, creative, and imaginative, which can capture any child's attention.

Curricular connections:

ELA: language development, character traits

Art: have students make a plain, drawn figure, "fancy"

Drama: role play or dramatic play

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Author/illustrator: Jan Brett

Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons

Date: 1989

Grade level: Prek-2nd grade

Genre: folk tale/picture book

Theme/topic: Sharing, winter, animals, consequences

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is a Ukrainian folktale story. Nicki's grandmother knits him a pair of mittens, but he ends up losing one in the snow. Some forest animals then find the mitten, and then all start taking turns using the mitten to keep warm.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I enjoyed looking at the illustrations throughout this book. This can be engaging for young children. This story has lots of predictions, so this is something that can keep the kids engaged while they guess what comes next.

Curricular connections:

Literacy: sequencing events, making predictions, cause and effect

Science: learning about animals

Social studies: folktales and Ukrainian culture/traditions

Art: drawing animals from the book and making stories for them

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Author/illustrator: Janelle Cannon

Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company

Date: 1993

Grade level: 1st-3rd grade

Genre: Animal fantasy, Fiction

Theme/topic: Belonging, friendship, survival

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: Stellaluna is a fruit bat who was separated from her mother because of an owl attack. She is then found by a mother bird and is now being raised with 3 other baby birds. She tries to live as they do, but it's a challenge. She ends up being reunited with her mother in the end.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book touches important themes like friendship and identity. The illustrations can help students connect to the characters and the story.

Curricular connections:

Science: nocturnal animals, habitats

Literacy: plot structure, character traits, theme

Art: drawing animals

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Author/illustrator: Crockett Johnson

Publisher: Harper and Brothers

Date: 1955

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: fantasy, picture book

Theme/topic: creativity, problem solving, imagination

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is a bout a young boy named Harold who has a magic purple crayon. He draws anything and everything he wants. He explores and goes through challenges throughout the book.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I remember when I was young, I really wanted that crayon. I wanted to have the ability to draw myself anything. This book introduces imagination and creativity to the max. This made me think of unstructured play in the classroom.

Curricular connections:

Art: Students can create their own stories by drawing

Social-Emotional learning: self-expression, decision making

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Author/illustrator: Laura Numeroff

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Date: 1998

Grade level: PreK-2nd grade

Genre: Picture Book, Fiction

Theme/topic: cause and effect, storytelling, imagination

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a young boy who gives a mouse a cookie, which starts a routine. The mouse will ask for other things as well, but in the end, it always ends up being a cookie.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a silly children's book that can draw any child's attention. I remember loving this book when I was young. It teaches cause and effect. Children like to predict what the mouse will ask for next.

Curricular connections:

Literacy: cause and effect, sequencing

Writing: using a similar writing structure to the book

Art: Drawing a sequence of events from the book using comic strips

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Author/illustrator: Marcus Pfister

Publisher: North-South Books

Date: 1992

Grade level: Prek -2nd grade

Genre: picture book/fantasy

Theme/topic: sharing, friendship, selflessness, beauty

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a beautiful fish that has rainbow scales. Everyone thinks they are pretty, but they feel lonely because he doesn't share their scales. After getting some advice from an octopus, he starts sharing his rainbow scales and starts gaining respect and friendship.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book gives a message about how beauty isn't just on the outside but in the inside as well. I question the message, though, because should people give up a part of themselves just to make friends? Overall, it's a good book.

Curricular connections:

Social Emotional Learning: teaching kindness, empathy

Art: explore texture, color, and illustration

Literacy: cause and effect, plot, setting

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Author/illustrator: Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: 2006

Grade level: Prek-2nd grade

Genre: Children's fiction/picture book

Theme/topic: Imagination, consequence, self-control, creativity

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a girl who loves the color pink. She is obsessed with the color pink and will only eat foods that are pink and wear pink clothes. After eating too much pink food she her skin color turns pink. She then has to eat only green foods to cure herself.

Your response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is great for a young child to relate to. The book talks about self-expression and limits. The imaginative twist was engaging. I loved these books when I was a child. I had the whole collection like goldilicious and purplelicious.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts: character traits, cause and effect

Nutrition: discussing healthy eating habits

Social Emotional Learning: make responsible choices, understand feelings

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Author/illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Publisher: Random House

Date: 1960

Grade level: Prek-2nd grade

Genre: Children's literature, fiction

Theme/topic: trying new things, openness, friendship

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a non-named character and Sam-I-Am. Sam-I-Am tries convincing the unnamed character to try green eggs and ham. That character throughout the whole book refuses, but Sam-I-Am keeps following him around trying to make him try it. He ends up trying it and loving it.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): My dad used to read this book all the time to my siblings and me. This book has a good message on trying new things/foods. It's important for kids to know that you never know you don't like something unless you try it first. It might surprise them, and they will like it.

Curricular connections:

Reading: Rhyming, repetition, prediction

Health: trying new foods, food exploration

Social Emotional learning: growth mindset, trying new things

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Author/illustrator: Karen Schmidt

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Date: 1985

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: traditional literature/fairy tale

Theme/topic: folktales, cleverness, escape

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a gingerbread man who comes to life and escapes from an oven. He escapes from multiple characters that try to eat him, like an old man, an old women, a bear, and a cow. He says to each of them, "Run, run as fast as you can, you can catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man". He then meets a smart fox who catches him and then eats him.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is a fun and engaging book that causes excitement. There are different versions of this story, but this is the one I grew up with. This teaches messages like listening, advice, and trust.

Curricular connections:

Literacy: predicting, story sequencing, retelling

Math: counting characters and measuring distances that he runs.

Social Studies: comparing different versions of the story depending on the culture

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Author/illustrator: Don Freeman

Publisher: Viking Press

Date: 1968

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: Fiction, picture book

Theme/topic: friendship, belonging, love

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story about a small teddy bear named Corduroy who lives on a shelf in a store. A little girl wants to buy him, but her mom says no because he is missing a button on his outfit. He then spends the night trying to find his lost button. The next day, the little girl buys him with her own money.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This was a very heartwarming book. This is a message about feeling belonging and being accepted for who you are. This teaches children about kindness and acceptance. This was my first time reading this book, and I enjoyed it.

Curricular connections:

Social Emotional Learning: discuss feelings like loneliness, friendship, and belonging

Art: Students can draw or design their stuffed animals and write a story about them.

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Author/illustrator: Eric Carle

Publisher: Philomel Books

Date: 1969

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: picture book, children's fiction

Theme/topic: growth and change, healthy eating, life cycle of a butterfly

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a catepillar that starts from a an egg and starts eating foods over the course of the week. He is exploring different types of food. At the end of the book they turn into a beautiful butterfly.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions):This is enegaing and mindful to readers. The illustrations are very vibrant and intreiguing to look at it. This story also mentions balance eating with all the foods hurting his stomach so he takes a bite of a leaf and he feels better.

Curricular connections:

science: cycle of a butterfly, eating healthy and unhealthy

math: counting days of the week

literacy: sequce of the story, vocabulary development

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Author/illustrator: Bill Martin jr. and John Archambault/Lois Ehlert

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date: 1989

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: children's literature, alphabet book, poetry

Theme/topic: friendship, alphabet, problem solving, rhyme

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about lowercase letters and uppercase letters climbing up a count tree to spell out words. They work together to do so.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book has lots of vibrant and colorful illustrations. This is a good book for young students because they will be able to recognize the letters as they go up the tree.

Curricular connections:

ELA: letter recognition, sequencing, phonemic awareness

Art: Use letters to create alphabet trees

Social emotional learning: discussing, collaborating, teamwork, helping others

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Author/illustrator: Eric Litwin/James Dean

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: 2010

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: children's picture book/ fiction

Theme/topic: problem solving, colors, self-expression

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story follows a cat named Pete who loves his new white shoes. Every time he steps into something, they turn that color, but he keeps singing his song and doesn't care that they are getting dirty. He is very laid back.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book encourages kids to stay calm during sticky situations. I really enjoyed the message behind the book and how pistive it is. Kids get easily upset sometimes so having a cat encourage them its okay and we can be calm can be encouraging.

Curricular connections:

ELA: repetitive text, reading fluency

Social Emotional learning: positive mindset and self regulation

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Author/illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Publisher: Random House

Date: 1990

Grade level: K-5

Genre: Poetry, picture book

Theme/topic: Self-discovery, facing challenges, making choices

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This book is about a character who goes through ups and downs. The different settings are set differently by mood color. Examples are success, failures, excitement, loneliness...The charter is encouraged to keep moving forward, and you will end up at the end with success.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book acknowledges that life isn't easy and that you will make mistakes along the way. That's how you learn. The author uses playful rhymes to keep the reader engaged. My mom gave me this book when I graduated from elementary school. She had all my teachers sign it with little messages. It was a very inspirational book.

Curricular connections:

SEL: discuss emotions, goal setting

Language Arts: rhyme, theme, figurative language

Education: Discussing your career, future goals

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Author/illustrator: Bill Martin Jr. /Eric Carle

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Date: 1967

Grade level: prek- 1st grade

Genre: poetry, picture book

Theme/topic: colors, animals, repetition

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: The book is about a brown bear and a couple of other animals who see each other by color because they are standing in front of them. There is a rhythmic pattern on each page.

Your response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): I remember reading this book in kindergarten. The illustrations and the repetitive sentence structure keep you engaged. This book is great for building vocabulary, reading skills, and confidence.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts: Rhyming, repetition, prediction

Science: animal recognition

Art: exploring colors

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Author/illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Publisher: Harper and Row

Date: 1964

Grade level: K-5

Genre: Picture book, children's literature

Theme/topic: love, friendship, sacrifice, relationship with nature

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, and plot: This book tells a story about a boy and a tree. The boy likes to sit by the tree because he enjoys its shade and apples. As the boy grows up, he ends up only going to the tree when he needs something, like money. The tree ends up giving she has to the boy and ends up being a stump. When the boy becomes an old man, he returns to the stump and takes a seat. The tree is happy again.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This is an emotional story about giving and boundaries. The simple language the book uses allows the young kids to understand what is happening. It's a good message to kids about not being too greedy.

Curricular connections:

Language Arts: Character development, symbolism, message

SEL: explore emotions, kindness, boundaries

Science: discussing nature and trees

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Author/illustrator: Stan and Jan Berenstain

Publisher: Random House

Date: 1983

Grade level: Prek-3rd grade

Genre: children's fiction

Theme/topic: Honesty, family values

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This story is about a family of bears. The two cubs were playing soccer when they accidentally kicked a ball at a lamp, and it broke. They lied to their parents and said it was a bird that flew in and broke it. The guilt became too much at one point, and they both apologized.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): The message of this book is to tell the truth and face the consequences if you lie. Honesty is important, and it's what gets you through life. If you lie about everything, the guilt will become too much at one point. This is a great book about explaining to kids the values of honesty and making mistakes. Making mistakes is how you learn.

Curricular connections:

SEL: lessons on honesty, responsibility

Language arts: retelling stories, setting, problem, solution

Education: Prepare classroom rules about honesty and lying.

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Author/illustrator: Drew Daywalt /Oliver Jeffers

Publisher: Philomel Books

Date: June 27, 2013

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Picture Book, Fiction

Theme/topic: Self Expression, creativity, resolution

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: Duncan, the main charter, opened up his crayon box to find out that all of his crayons had quitand left his a note saying that they were upset. The story is set in Duncans home while the humories note is read.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is funny and clever. I relate because some of my cryaons would be overly used or less used or the paper had fallen off. This shows kids about creative thinking and problem solving. It can also teach about fairness.

Curricular connections:

ELA: Point of view, character analysis, persuasive writing

Art: color use, design, expression

SEL: speak feelings, empathy, understand. conlfict/resolution

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Author/illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Publisher: Viking Press

Date: 1962

Grade level: Pre-K-2nd grade

Genre: Realistic Fiction, picture book

Theme/topic: Exploration, wonder, nature, imagination

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is about a young boy named Peter who wakes up one day to find that where he lives is covered in snow. He goes outside and enjoys the snow, and starts exploring. He also tried to save a snowball in his pocket.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is supposed to be visualized as a kid experiencing snow for the first time. The poetic storytelling goes perfectly with the illustrations and the child's perspective of snow. This is also the first book to have the child be a Black protagonist without focusing on race. It's just a child enjoying the snow.

Curricular connections:

Science: seasons, weather

Literacy: retelling of events, character feelings

SEL: exploring independence

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Author/illustrator: David Ezra Stein

Publisher: Candelwick Press

Date: 2010

Grade level: prek-2nd grade

Genre: humor, fiction, picture book

Theme/topic: bedtime routines, storytelling, self-control

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is about a chicken who loves to read bedtime stories but has a habit of interrupting. Her grandpa reads her a story every night, but she gets too excited when listening that she starts warning or talking to the characters in the book.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book was entertaining and showed what a relationship between and child and a guardian would look like. This is. great read-aloud book because you can do different voices when reading to the kids.

Curricular connections:

Literacy: sequencing, narrative structure

SEL: taking turns when speaking and listening, impulse control

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Author/illustrator: Yangsook Choi

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date: 2001

Grade level: K-3

Genre: Realistic fiction

Theme/topic: Cultural diversity, acceptance, immigration

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is about a young girl named Unhei, who moved from Korea to the United States. Her new classmates cannot pronounce her name, so she decides to change it. Her classmate created a name jar filled with all their potential names for her. In the end, she decides to keep her name and embrace it because it's who she is.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book is powerful because it shows students that people need to accept you for who you are; you shouldn't have to change.

Curricular connections:

Social Studies: Immigration, traditions, character analysis

SEL: self-acceptance, inclusion, empathy.

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Author/illustrator: L. Frank Baum/WW. Denslow

Publisher: George M. Hill Company

Date: 1990

Grade level: 3rd-6th grade

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Theme/topic: Courage, Friendship, bravery, home, good vs evil

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is the story of a young girl named Dorthy who is swept away by a tornado in her house. She ends up in this magical land called Oz. She has to go see the Wizard of Oz with her newly acquainted friends, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion. The Wizard of Oz requests that they kill the Wicked Witch of the West with a bucket of water so their wishes can be granted true. They do this, and then Dorothy gets sent back home. It ends up being a dream, and she wakes back up in Kansas.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book values the meaning of friendship and how you stick with each other and help each other. I appreciated how the characters grew throughout the book.

Curricular connections:

Literature: Character development, theme, plot

SEL: identifying strengths, teamwork

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Author/illustrator: Giles Andrea/Guy Parker-Rees

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: 1999

Grade level: Prek-2nd grade

Genre: Fiction/picture book

Theme/topic: self-acceptance, confidence, individuality

Brief synopsis including a main character, setting, plot: This is about a giraffe named Gerald who loves to dance and wants to dance at the Jungle Dance. The other animals make fun of him because he dances weirdly with his long legs. he feels sad after that, but he meets a cricket who gives him courage to dance and who cares what other people think. he now has the confidence to dance with his long legs.

Your personal response to the book (comments on connections, strengths, thoughts, questions): This book has a powerful message that you should embrace your weirdness and uniqueness. This is a great tool for teaching. The cool illustrations can bring in the young readers and keep them engaged.

Curricular connections:

SEL: self-esteem, resilience, acceptance

Literacy: Rhyming

Music: promote creative expression