The Watson family’s road trip takes them from Flint, MI to Birmingham, AL  where they find themselves within sight of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.  Find out how the strong bonds of love and family help the Watsons get through this terrible tragedy.  Teachers will find that this story is an excellent way to introduce students to a complicated time in U.S. History.   The characters stand out in this novel and the author does an amazing job of creating very distinct personalities that each  brings their own special charisma to the story.  I think this is an excellent book; some parts sad, some parts laugh out loud funny, and always engrossing. 

When a teacher misses a day of school for the first time in twenty years, the lunch lady at the school cafeteria knows something is up. Read this hilarious graphic novel to find out what happens when some suspicious behavior is noticed by the watchful Lunch Lady!  This graphic novel is perfect for English Learners to practice reading in English.  In this book, the students are trying to investigate the supposedly boring life of a cafeteria lady but the Lunch Lady is involved in her own investigations! This is a fun story. It was an enjoyable and fast read, and the comic book style may make it more appealing to reluctant readers.  

Love that Dog gives us peek inside Miss Stretchberry’s class as the students are learning about poetry.  Written as a series of journal entries, we follow one student’s discovery of just how powerful and meaningful poetry can be.  With references to many well-known poems, this book is perfect for teaching a poetry unit.  The most notable characteristic of the book is its style.  The story is told from the perspective of the main character, Jack.  Jack brings the story to life as he dialogues with his teacher about poetry and composes poetry of his own.  The reader must infer from Jack’s journal what his teacher may have said or the poem the class was introduced to.  This is an outstanding book and I have used it to teach poetry to third and fourth graders but it can be used with any grade level. 

 

Mo Willems illustrates a cute story in this Geisel Honor book about an elephant and a pig that discover that they are being read in a book.  Share the fun of Piggy and Gerald with students in a class read-aloud.  The illustrations in this picture book for beginning readers are great with speech bubbles to show dialogue.   I think this is a really cute and fun book.  The characters are likable and I like the idea that the characters in a book can see the reader.  Beginning readers will have lots of fun reading this book.   

Jerry Pinkney brings to life one of Aesop’s most well-known fables in this beautiful wordless picture book.  Through the stunning illustrations, readers of all ages will learn the timeless lesson of the importance of helping others.  This book reminds us that even the smallest of creatures can make the biggest difference.

This is a simple and sweet book about some occasions when quiet may be the best response. 

I plan to use this as a read aloud to give students a gentle reminder that in school, there are occasions when quiet will be the best response.  

Pete the Cat is going on a scuba diving adventure and is excited that he might see a seahorse.  

Join him as he meets with several sea creatures while searching for the elusive seahorse.  

This is a fun read aloud for teaching habitats and animals.  It can also be used with a Venn Diagram to teach similarities and differences.