For reviews and additional information see:
https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1943147094 and http://www.asiacitro.com/zoey-and-sassafras-series

Book Description:
Zoey is a young girl who loves playing and exploring with her cat, Sassafras. Quickly into the story, we learn that Zoey’s mom can see magical creatures and much to her mother’s surprise, Zoey can see them too. Her mother has been caring for the injured magical creatures in their barn for years. Zoey’s mom is a scientist and is going away for a conference, but she encourages Zoey to take care of any injured magical animals that may come to their barn for help. Soon, an injured baby dragon arrives at the barn and Zoey must use science, experiments, and research to help the creature.

Illustrations:
The illustrations add to the text. Although it is not a picture book, the illustrations add to the reader's understanding.

Rationale:
I included this science fiction book because I believe it would be a good series for the students to read independently. First, it shows diverse characters like Zoey. Secondly, it explores the scientific process and could peak student interest in science. 

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.authorjustinaireland.com/ophies-ghosts and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0062915843

Book Description:
Ophie's Ghosts starts in Georgia in 1922. After her father dies and Ophie learns that she can now see ghosts, Ophie and her mother move to Pittsburgh to live with her aunt. To make more money, Ophie and her mother begin working at Daffodil Manor owned by the wealthy Caruther family. Daffodil Manor is filled with ghosts and Ophie befriends one, Clara. In an effort to help Clara move on, Ophie dives deeper into the family history and the spirits that haunt the manor.

Rationale:
I included this book on my list of recommendations because it fills a weakness in the historical fiction section of the library. I also included this book because I think it would meet student interests with the ghosts. It might be a little challenging for some students, but I think it would be accessible as a guided reading with you.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586118/planet-earth-is-blue-by-nicole-panteleakos/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0525646574

Book Description:
Planet Earth Is Blue is about twelve-year old Nova. Nova has autism and is nonverbal. Her older sister, Bridget, has always looked out for Nova and has taken care of her as they have moved from foster home to foster home. Now, Nova is in a brand new foster home and she is waiting for her sister to come back and for the launch of the space shuttle Challenger. Nova navigates a new family and a new school without Bridget. She makes friends on her own and her foster family sees her potential and all that she does know.

Planet Earth Is Blue fits into the historical fiction genre and has themes of inclusion. First, the book takes place in 1986 leading up to the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. While the book does not strictly focus on this specific historical event, it discusses the lives of ordinary people who live through the event. Nova loves space and dreams of traveling to outer space so it is fitting that they are tracking the countdown to the launch in the story, but it is not the main storyline. This makes it a historical fiction text. Planet Earth Is Blue is an inclusion-themed book as well. Nova has autism and is nonverbal, and at first it seems like Bridget was the only one who could understand her. But as the story goes on, Nova makes friends, her teacher sees her potential, and most importantly her foster family learns how to work with her to help her communicate.

Rationale:
I included this book for two reasons. First, it is a historical fiction text which fills a weakness in the library. Second, it is an inclusion-themed book which fills another weakness in the library. I am meeting the teacher's goal by including a book with diverse perspectives. It would be perfect for group guided reading where there could be connections to SEL learning and the themes of inclusion, sibling love, foster care, and space exploration.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0374313725 and https://charlotteswild.com/books/love-violet/

Book Description:
Love, Violet is about a young girl named Violet who has loving feelings for a girl in her class named Mira. Poor Violet is shy anytime she is around Mira, but Mira is the only kid in the class Violet really wants to go on adventures with. Valentine’s Day is coming up so Violet makes a beautiful card for Mira and writes “Love, Violet” on the inside. When Valentine’s Day comes, Violet goes back and forth on whether to give it to Mira because what if she doesn’t feel the same way. In the end, Violet decides Mira is the only girl who ever asks her to play and makes her happy so she will give her the special valentine. Sadly, it gets ruined on her way to give it to Mira, but Mira loves it anyways and even has a special gift for Violet.

Illustrations:
Love, Violet is a picture book. The illustrator does a great job of making the two girls stand out amongst the other children in the class. The colors the illustrator uses include a lot of pinks, purples, red, and yellow. I think those colors show the happiness and warmth of the story with a hint of love too. Some pages are double-page spreads to emphasize a pause in the story. The author often asks a question on those pages so the double-page spread gives the reader time to think. The illustrations also show the emotions of the characters well with their faces and body language on each page.

Rationale:
I included this book in my recommendations for a couple reasons. First, it is a LGBTQ-themed book which fills a need in the library. Second, it is a relevant topic and could be used for SEL which meets the teacher's goals. The characters are diverse as well.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://restlessbooks.org/bookstore/temple-alley-summer and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1632063034

Book Description:
Temple Alley Summer follows middle grade students through their summer as they discover a street name on an old map that sparks their curiosity. The main character, Kazu, encounters magical things, the living dead, and a mysterious temple history. Can Kazu help his new friend Akari? A short story within the book may just be the answer. This international book would be a wonderful read for students. A great story about friendship that gets you thinking about life itself.

Illustrations:
This book includes beautiful illustrations to add to the story and reader's enjoyment.

Rationale:
I included this graphic novel in my recommendations because it fulfills student interests. It might be a bit high for some students, but those reading above grade level would enjoy it. Those below can still enjoy the illustrations. I also included this book because it is an international text originally published in Japanese. This fills a weakness as there are not many international texts in the library. 

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.nationalbook.org/books/when-stars-are-scattered/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0525553908

Book Description:
Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. They fled from Somalia when Omar was only 4 years old. Omar and Hassan are living in the refugee camp hoping to find their mother again. Hassan is nonverbal and Omar takes care of him along with their neighbor Fatuma. Omar begins going to school and hopes one day they can leave the refugee camp and be chosen to go to America. After many years, they are chosen. It is a wonderful story about hope and never giving up. The author's note at the end is a beautiful wrap-up to the story.

Illustrations:
This graphic novel has wonderful illustrations. It has borders on some pages and none on others. The pages without borders allow the image to extend beyond the page and make that image feel more important. The text remains the same size, but important words are put in bold font to emphasize them. The end of the book also includes an afterword and real pictures of Omar and the characters to wrap-up the novel. This afterword is important to this book because it explains their purpose for writing this book, what happened to them, and shares that Omar and Hassan found their mother!

Rationale:
I included this book in my recommendations because it meets the teacher goals and fulfills some weakness of the library. First, it discusses what life was like for a refugee in a way that would allow students to build empathy and understanding. The topic of refugees is relevant and missing from the library. Secondly, it explores a culture and place in the world students are not familiar with allowing them to learn more about the world. Third, it shows Hassan who is a nonverbal person in the story. Finally, it is a graphic novel which is very popular amongst the students. 

For reviews and additional information see:
https://jacquelinewoodson.com/product/the-world-belonged-to-us/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0399545492

Book Description:
The World Belonged to Us is set in the 1970s in Brooklyn during the hot summer. The book is about the summertime in the city and how the children took over the streets to play together. They would yell, shout, play, eat ice cream, kick cans, play in the fire hydrant water, and so much more. Play would last all day until their moms would call them home for dinner. But they would have tomorrow and the next day to do it all over again.

Illustrations:
The illustrations and descriptions make the reader feel like they too are in the summer heat playing, shouting, and running around with their friends. A majority of the pages are double-page spreads filled with detailed images of children playing. The reader must stop to look at the illustrations and really absorb the story. The book also shows diversity in the children.

Rationale:
I included this book to fill a weakness in the library. There are very few historical fiction books so I thought this would be a good addition. It also shows diverse characters which would be good for the library.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.peachtreebooks.com/book/william-still-and-his-freedom-stories/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1561459356

Book Description:
This nonfiction book is about William Still and his life's work. His parents escaped from slavery, but tragically left behind two of his siblings. As a young man, William works for the Anti-Slavery Society in Pennsylvania. He planned rescues and helped freedom seekers who came to the north. One day, his long lost sibling comes in. This inspires William to write down and collect stories from all the other travelers he meets. He reunited families and assembled a record of history that we would otherwise not have!

Illustrations:
The illustrations are very well done. They capture the darkness and secretiveness of the Underground Railroad. The illustrations are both single page and double page spreads to make the reader pause and think about the words and pictures together.

Rationale:
I included this book because it fills a weakness and meets the teacher's goals. First, it is a nonfiction book and the library needs some more good nonfiction books as there are more fiction books. Second, this book covers a topic that is important to diverse groups making it meaningful literature. 

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_honeybee.html and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/082345116X

Book Description:
This nonfiction picture book explores the life cycle of a honeybee. The illustrations show the tiny honeybee emerging, working in the hive, and finally exploring outside and collecting nectar from flowers. The book emphasizes how quick the honeybees life is as it ends in under 40 days! It also mentions how all that work created only a tiny bit of honey. A wonderful connection to the protect the bees movement.

Illustrations:
The visuals of this nonfiction book really add to the readers enjoyment and understanding. The book goes through a sequence or timeline of the honeybees life and mentions how many days it has been throughout the book. There is a large build up to the honeybee being able to fly and there is a great double-gate fold when it finally happens that makes the reader pause and really take in the illustration.

Rationale:
I chose to include this book to fill a weakness in the library. I wanted to add good informational/nonfiction books as there are not as many as the fiction books. I also think this book has a good science connection and would be of student interest since it is about bees.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1536209457 and https://soontornvat.com/books/all-thirteen/

Book Description:
This book tells the tale of the Wild Boars soccer team in Thailand in June in 2018. The twelve players and their coach went exploring in a cave and when they went to leave, rising water blocked their way out. The book tells of the rescue and how the world sat on the edge of their seats waiting for them to be saved.

Illustrations:
The book has many real photographs of the people, events, and places. I think these visuals enhance the story and make it more clear for readers. I think it is more engaging for the students to read what happened while also looking at pictures.

Rationale:
I included this book for a variety of reasons. I believe it meets student interests, but also fills a weakness of the library. It is an informational/nonfiction book and the library needs more of those. The book may be a bit challenging for some students, but the illustrations and visuals add to understanding. It also explores a culture and region students may not be familiar with.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://timprobert.com/books and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0062990462

Book Description:
The main character, Bea, is the adopted granddaughter of the Pig Wizard living on the planet Irpa. One day, Bea goes out to collect things for one of grandpa’s potions when she meets Cad, a Galdurian. Cad needs help from the Pig Wizard and it is Cad’s lucky day when he runs into Bea who can take him to meet her grandpa, the Pig Wizard! But when they get home, grandpa is nowhere to be found. Bea and Cad set off on an adventure to find grandpa. Did I mention Bea is also the keeper of the Endless Flame that is being hunted down by those who want to send their planet into eternal darkness? Can Bea and Cad find grandpa and keep their planet’s light intact? Book one of this series is just the beginning of their intense adventure.

Illustrations:
Lightfall: The Girl & The Galdurian is a graphic novel. The illustrations are exquisite, adding so many details to the story. A majority of the pages have so few words. Some pages have no words at all. The illustrator uses a variety of page layouts including multiple pictures on one page, one picture on a page, or double page spreads. What really stuck out to me about the illustrations was the color choices. The illustrations matched the mood and events of the book so well. Black and grays to show the evil darkness and Bea’s worried thoughts. Red and dark colors during fights and battles. Brighter colors when Bea and Cad were happily walking on their adventures. Light is so important to the story and the Endless Flame light seemed warm and glowing.

Rationale:
I included this book to meet student interests. It is a graphic novel and science fiction which is very popular amongst the students. It is the first book in the series so the whole series could be perfect for your classroom.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://aalbc.com/books/bookinfo.php?isbn13=9781681198521 and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1681198525

Book Description:
This nonfiction book is about Jo Ann Allen and 11 other African American students who integrated in 1956 at Clinton High School in Tennessee. It went well for them at first, but then people got angry and they wondered if they should just go back to their old school. Jo Ann ended up being the leader of the group and facing the heat from all over the nation.

Rationale:
I chose this book to fulfills several weaknesses in the library. There are not as many informational/nonfiction books as fiction books. It is also written in verse which fills a need for poetry. I chose this book because it also meets the diverse perspective need. The teacher would like more books with diversity, cultures, and relevant issues and although it tells a story from the 1950s, I think it meets those needs and can be connected to today. The book might be a bit challenging for some students, but it would be a great group read that could also teach them about poetry. This book covers a lot of bases.

For reviews and additional information see: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606200/blue-by-nana-ekua-brew-hammond-illustrated-by-daniel-minter/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1984894366

Book Description:
This nonfiction book explores the history of the color blue, it's cultural significance, and all the different meanings behind the color. It tells the history, and the mystery, of the color blue dating all the way back to 4500 BC. The color blue was hard to find centuries ago. It started from rocks, to snails, to indigo, and finally a chemical blue dye in 1905. In the end, the book touches on how the color blue can mean so many different things to so many different people.

Illustrations:
This nonfiction picture book relies heavily on illustrations and visual elements to enhance the book and grab the reader's attention. Although the meaning behind the book is strong, the visual elements take this book to the next level. The illustrations are magical and colorful which draws the reader's eye into the page and into the book. A majority of the illustrations are double page spreads with small illustrations within the larger one.

Rationale:
I chose to include this book to fill a weakness in the library as there are not as many informational/nonfiction books as fiction books.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://derrickdbarnes.com/books/ and
https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/1572842245

Book Description:
This book is about the barbershop and how boys feel before and after they get their haircut. The book emphasizes how good it feels to sit in the barbers chair and get their haircut, comparing it to royalty. The book talks about different hairstyles too. The words have a rhythm that make the story flow. It is a positive book about how good boys feel after going to the barbershop.

Illustrations:
The illustrations are very well done. The illustrations are single page or double page spreads. They are large and capture the boys' feelings. Students would enjoy looking at the details of the illustrations.

Rationale:
I included this book because I think it would be of student interest. There are many black boys in the class and I think it would be a positive book for them to see about going to the barbershop. The book also has SEL connections as it talks about the confidence and swagger young boys get from their new style. It could be connected to everyone when they get their haircut and how it makes us feel good!

For reviews and additional information see:
https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0316431273 and http://www.ogemora.com/books

Book Description:
This book is about Ava and her mother doing things together on Saturdays. However, on this Saturday, everything goes wrong for the two. In the end, they make the best of it. A sweet story about spending time with the ones you love.

Illustrations:
The illustrations grab the reader's attention. Some pages are single page illustrations, while others have several small illustrations on one page. The illustrations tell the story so wonderfully. Young students do not even need the words to understand the tale.

Rationale:
I chose this book to meet the teacher's goals. This book has SEL connections and this book talks about making the best of things even when everything seems to be going wrong. I also chose this book because the characters are diverse and match the student population.

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.helenfrost.net/books/novels-in-poems/all-he-knew/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0374312990

Book Description:
This book is about Henry, a deaf boy, during World War II. When Henry goes to school, the school labels him as "unteachable". Henry is sent to Riverview where he continues to be mistreated. Luckily for Henry, Victor arrives to realize Henry is teachable and very smart. Through difficult times, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Rationale:
I included this book to fill a weakness in the historical fiction section of the library, and to also include an inclusion themed book as those are lacking in the library as well. Although the book is at a higher level, it would be a great class read to discuss the topic of inclusion. 

For reviews and additional information see:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/246482/full-of-beans-by-jennifer-l-holm/ and https://barbarasbookstores.handseller.com/home/bookdetailsin/0606409394

Book Description:
This book is about Beans living in Key West during the Great Depression (1934). With no money and no jobs, there's not much to do besides plan for the future. Beans has some good plans. The book encapsulates Depression history while including comedy.

Rationale:
I chose to include this book because it fills a weakness in the library for historical fiction. I think it would also be enjoyable to students with the fun nicknames, friend group, and humor.