Illustrator: Christain Robinson

Publisher: Atheneum books for young readers

Publishing date: June 2nd, 2020 

Pages: 40 pages

Grade level: 2-6 years old (Pre-k to 3rd) 

Genre: Children's Literature 

Topic: Love, community

My Views: This book tells the story of many people that could feel like they don't matter whether you are a tiny bug or a dinosaur. I think this book is great and will inspire students to be more confident in themselves. Life begins, when we can learn to embrace who we are and support others even with their differences.

The Snowy Day

Author- Ezra Jack Keats 

Illustrator- Ezra Jack Keats 

Publisher- Viking Books for Young Readers

Date/ # of pages- January 1, 1996/ 16 pages 

Grade Level- Pre-k to K

Genre- Realistic Fiction

Topic- Peter goes on an adventure through the snow. He makes footprints as he walks and makes a snowman in the snow. 

My views- I thought this book was very cute and the illustrations were nice for children. I wish the book had a more detailed story or structure but other than that I thought it was enjoyable and appropriate for the grade level. 

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Date: August 28th, 2018

# of Pages: 32 Pages

Visual Elements: painting, watercolor, vibrant colors

Grade Level: K-3rd

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction 

Topic: Differences should be accepted. sense of belonging 

My Views: This story focuses on the differences each person has and how when you go to a new place it can feel like you don’t belong/ fit in. It’s our differences that make us unique and special. Rigoberto thought he was the only one that was different but found out he and Angelina had a lot in common. Students need to be encouraged to connect to others around them. Building a sense of community in the classroom is a future goal of mine. By sharing books like this, we can show students meaningful examples of how to connect with others and accept our differences.

Illustrator: David Lasky (Colorist) 

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams 

Date: September 2nd, 2014. 

# of pages: 248 

Visual Elements: Hardcopy Graphic novel. The illustrations are what make the story come to life. 

Grade Level: 3rd-7th 

Genre: Non-Fiction Biography  

Themes: Acceptance, friendship, Difference

Setting: Roanoke, Virginia 

Summary: This book is about Cece, a bunny who gets meningitis that leads to her deafness. Cece struggles fitting in at school because she has a hearing device. It is hard for her to make friends because other people look different than her. When Cece becomes friends with Laura, who was very mean. She introduces Cece as her “deaf friend”. Cece comes up with “El Deafo” to be her alter ego. It is her superhero that helps her escape the world and be herself. Cece learns to become confident in herself despite the differences she has.

 

Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading his book because the author shared her experiences in life. It was inspiring to hear such a vulnerable story told in a new way. Children will be able to connect with this book because of the images and characters. Overall, this is a very powerful story that I recommend to others.

Story Plot:

 This book celebrates ideas that come in all shapes and sizes. This book 

follows a boy that has an idea, an idea that he doesn't know what to do with it. He's afraid 

others will think his ideas are too strange, too different, or too wild. For fear of what 

others think, he keeps his ideas to himself. 

Personal Response: 

The first time I read this book was when my college professor read 

this book out-loud on the first day of class. Needless to say, it's a great book for all ages. 

We have all been scared to share our ideas because we're too scared of what others might 

think. 

Curriculum Connections: 

This book is for anyone who has ever had an idea. This is 

such a great book and a must add to a classroom library. Students can create idea crowns, 

where they get to share all the great ideas that they have. 

Author: Dawn Quigley

Illustrator: Tara Adibert

Publisher/Date: HarperCollins/ May 11, 2021

# of Pages: 80

Grade Level: 2nd-3rd 

Genre: Juvenile fiction

Theme: Resilience, hope, and dream

Topic: Friends, family, pets

Medium: Digital graphics

Summary: JoJo is an active young native American girl who loves who she is. She is 7 years old and lives on the Ojibwe reservation. Her best friend is her Mimi, her cat, and she has a friend, Fern, from school. She becomes worried that Fern will not want to be her friend, so she searches for a way to make new friends.

Illustrator: Ruth Heller

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: 1992

# of Pages: 32

Visual Elements: novel, bright colors, visuals that represent the culture, colored pencil

Grade Level: Preschool - Third grade

Genre: Fairy tales, folk tales, fables

Themes: Don’t let people discourage you, bad might lead to good, love

Setting: Egypt

Summary: Rhodopis is a sold as a slave. She has blone hair, blue eyes, and light skin. She was often called “Rosy Rhodopis” because of her rosy red cheeks. The servants teased her and were very mean. She befriended animals and would dance with them. Her master noticed and ordered her slippers so she would sparkle when she danced. The servants were jealous and ordered her ridiculous tasks. The great falcon took the slipper to the Pharoah. The Pharaoh searched for who the slipper belonged to and it was Rhodophis.

 

Personal Response: I was surprised that the Egyptian Cinderella made Rhodopis a slave, and the step-sisters in this story were servants. I think reading the different cultures version of Cinderella is great for students to see how diverse cultures are. It also shows how this is a form of traditional literature that is passed down throughout the world. 

Illustrator: N/A

Publisher: Starscape

Date: August 29, 2017

# of Pages: 256

Visual Elements: Chapter book, no pictures

Grade Level: 3rd - 7th grade

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Fighting for censorship, Determination, Family

Setting: School

Summary:  This book is about Amy Anne Ollinger who loves books. One day she went to the library and discovered that her favorite book was banned. She was so upset and started her own secret library from her locker. She got caught and fought her way to fight censorship.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was interesting to read a book about someone who is so passionate about banning books and how to put a stop to it. It shows when you are dedicated to something you can make a difference to bring about change. This book promotes reading and I loved how Amy Anne told her story.

Illustrator: Jerry Craft

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: February 5, 2015

# of Pages: 259

Visual Elements: Hardcover, graphic novel, bright colors, cartoon drawings

Grade Level: 5th - 8th grade

Genre: Graphic novel, fiction

Themes: racial prejudice, friendship, bullying, new situations, and confidence

Setting: School

Summary: Jordan Banks loves to draw cartoons. His parents send him to a private school instead of the art school of his dreams. He is a new kid and one of the only kids of color. Jordan has a hard time fitting in and meets a bully. He overcomes the bully and makes friends. He finally finds his confidence in himself.

Personal Response:  I enjoyed reading this book and could connect to the story and Jordan Banks. When I first went to high school I was very new and didn’t know anyone. It was challenging at first but then I was able to find my friends and fit in. I enjoyed how this book teaches children about finding their confidence and staying strong in difficult times.

Illustrator: Jasmine Warga

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, Harper Collins Publishers

Date: May 28, 2019

# of Pages: 352

Visual Elements: Poetry Chapter book, (no illustrations other than the cover)

Grade Level: Fourth-Sixth grade

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Theme: Empathy, Bravery, Resilience

Setting: Syria/America

Summary: Jude moves from Syria with her mom to America. There is a war surrounding them in Syria so they move to be safe. Jude’s mother is pregnant and they all move in with their Uncle. Jude’s brother and father stay behind. It is a big adjustment moving to a new place and Jude struggles to make friends. She writes to her friend back in Syria but has a hard time making a friend with Sarah, her cousin she is staying with. She finally finds her place in America and has a part in the school play. Her baby sister is born and she sees her brother and dad are safe.

Response to Book: I really enjoyed this book because it made me think of how hard people have it. It is really sad that she left her dad and brother behind but I was happy to see that she got to see them in the end. The book talks about belonging and how as Jude stays in America she finds her place. It was interesting to read about the Arabic words in this book. It had a glossary page that showed the meanings.

Author/Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds 

Publisher: Candlewick; 1st edition 

Date: September 15, 2003

Pages: 32

Age Range: K - 4th grade 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Topic: Confidence, Patience, Influence, Potential, Creativity Summary: This book is about a young child in an art class who believes they cannot draw. After some encouragement from her teacher, she begins making her artwork out of dots, and soon begins to fall in love with art and expressing her creativity.  

Personal Response: I really enjoyed this book! The illustrations are simple but effective, and I love the progression of the story and the character development. I think this book shares an important message about the significance of role models in our lives. I think that teachers are essential for encouraging children to pursue and expand their creativity, confidence, and growth, and this book is an excellent example of that. 

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: 1955

Pages: 64

Age Range: 2-5

Genre: Fiction

Topic: Action, adventure, reality

Summary: This book is a story about a young boy named Harold who carries his purple crayon with him and uses his crayon to solve problems and create different realities.

Personal Response: I think this is another great book to have in a young elementary classroom. It teaches children about creativity and to use their imagination.