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People and Place, Historical-Civil War, Prejudice and Racism

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This book is about families trying to find each other after slavery was abolished by taking ads in the newspaper. I cannot imagine being separated from my family I grew up with or the children I have now. I cannot imagine how I would feel if that had happened to me. I don't know why people ever thought this was ok to do to other human beings. Students need to know that this was a very real occurrence, and it really wasn't that long ago.

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Siblings find out their windows reflect the sky, and birds will crash into them. They set out to correct that problem. I like this book because it has many of the things I love. Birds, gardening, pretty flowers, family time and outdoors are all things I have taught my own children. It helped keep the birds safe from crashing into windows and the kids got outside in good weather and were able to watch from inside during bad weather. They will eventually learn about migration as well.

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On a road trip with her grandma, a young girl learns to deal with her life circumstances. It does not go into details on why she has to move, so could be used for multiple situations, such as death of a parent or parents; foster care; moving away to a new town; or a job change. I chose this book because I like the idea of traveling and having one on one time with a special person and I have always tried to teach my children to find the positives in all situations.

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Another book about a grandparent with declining health. The granddaughter begins to plan cozy fall afternoons doing activities with her grandma. It incorporates the changing seasons and changes in colors, helping children to learn about time as well. I like this book because my mother taught me to watch the changes in each season and have tried my best to teach my children the same watchfulness.

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ages 5-8, Family, Death, Grief, Memories

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A young man sits with his grandma who is suffering from Alzheimer's and difficulty remembering. As they look through a box of the grandma's pictures, the grandma begins to remember who is in the pictures and stories related to each photo. I choose this book because of my own personal experience with Alzheimer's and the grief and heartache that comes for those left behind, also, the memories from an afternoon spent together at the ending of a wonderful life.

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A book about the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public Library. Her grandmother was a storyteller and encouraged her granddaughter to follow suit. She has championed getting books into the New York Libraries for kids to read and enjoy and be able to 'find themselves' in the pages of the books.

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This book goes along with the book Dumplin', same author. It is another book about a young girl who decides she has had enough with the body shaming of heavier girls and decides to take a break from trying to fit the perfect body and just go after the boy she likes. Confident young lady is a role model for other girls who don't fit that 'Barbie Doll' persona. I was rooting for her the whole read.

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A book about a confident young lady willing to change the rules. I liked this book because it made me root for the under-dog and wish that I could be that self confident in my own skin.

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A young girl getting ready for school overhears her mother talking about how large she, the mother, is. It starts the young girl worrying about her own size because she is taller and heavier than some others. This book relates to many people everywhere who are worried about being too big, too tall, too short, too thin, etc. We all need to learn to be comfortable in our own skins and to try not to let bullies get the better of us.

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A woman who found that children respond well to all kinds of music. I learned firsthand with my own children just how much little ones love music. You can have a six-month old start to bounce along to the beat of music. I sang to all of my children; at that age they couldn't tell me how bad it sounded. I have seen, firsthand, how different music types affect babies in different ways. Many of the teachers at the school I work at will play different music for the kids while they are taking tests or doing assignments.

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People and Places, Values, Family, Money, Cycling

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A young boy saving money to buy a bike to help his mom. I think all kids should have to save money for at least one special thing in their lives. It teaches them so many things. Diligence in saving their money instead of spending it; the hard work involved in earning that money; and the joy in finally being able to purchase that which you have worked so hard for and waited so long.

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A story about a girl living in her own world and the friendship that takes place between her and a young boy named Noah. As a special education paraprofessional, I work with kids like this, and it is always heartening to see the friendships blossom between two or more. Children with disabilities like this have a way of surprising me many times with things they say and do.

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Another book with Alzheimer's subjects. A young girl again, helping her grandmother. This time a newspaper article about a civil rights demonstration brings the memories back and the grandma sings a song from that time. I choose books with Alzheimer's because my mother and her sister suffered from this, and it brings back memories for me of them. There are still songs I learned from my mother that I have sung to my children and grandchildren. I hope they carry those songs on into future generations.

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Junior Library Guild Selection February 2022. Kids with disabilities could not go to a public school until seven families brought it to the court system and won. My first student had physical disabilities and was wheelchair bound. He was smarter than he let on and it took a little while for him to warm up to me. I wish I would have had more time with him, he could have done great things and in my own little corner of the world, he touched many people, and I miss him to this day.

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Business, Friendship.  Caldecott Honor Book

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I chose this book because it reminded me of the paper route I had as my first job. My sister and I shared the responsibility of getting the papers delivered and then collecting the money for those papers. I did the collecting part; she did the delivery part. I remember the freedom of being able to get on my bike and go around the neighborhood. I also used to get my best friend/cousin to walk around with me. It taught me the responsibility of having a job, how to count money and time management.

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School Library Journal Best Nonfiction of the Year; Biography; performing Arts

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A Native American woman who dances to show her heritage. The book is about her path to dance and the different kinds of dance she has been trained in. Dance is linked with music and can be so very expressive in so many ways. As someone with two left feet, but used to enjoy dancing, I wish all the kids in my classes can find some enjoyment in the physical art of dance.

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A book spanning multiple decades, two continents, several nationalities, and two major historical events. The long term 'friendship' that evolved between three Native American tribes and the people of Ireland, is awe inspiring. This is a true story, and I wish I could find out if any of the people of Ireland met with any of the Native Americans.

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This is a book about children helping the enslaved people escape to freedom. I feel it would be a good book to have in class to teach the kids about helping those less fortunate than others. It would teach them how no one should ever own some other human.

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A young girl who was new at school last year, sees another girl who is new this year. She is shy and not sure how to start a friendship with the new girl, but suddenly they become friends. All kids should be taught to welcome newcomers, even if they look a little different than what they are used to. It helps to make friends; it helps the newcomer feel less self-conscious and eases their transition into a new place.

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This book made me think of the Sweet Clara book about the abolitionist quilt blocks. It is a story of passing down family memories. I liked this book because it was about something crafty but also about the memories attached to certain materials. Students these days don't seem to know how important it is to pass those memories along. I hope to teach the children in my classes that importance.