Illustrated by: Niki Daly

Publication Date: 1989

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 2-6

Text Level: age 3-6

Teaser: Watch Toby continue to ask his father to see the moon when he wakes in the middle of the night.  Despite the many distractions his father offers, Toby is set on seeing the moon tonight!

Description: http://www.amazon.com/Want-See-Moon-Louis-Baum/dp/0879513675

Teaching Ideas: Although this book is rather straight-forward, I would tie it into a lesson on keeping the things we want most in the forefront of our minds.  Despite the number of distractions his father tries to get him interested in, the boy maintains his desire to see the moon and is not easily distracted.  By showing persistence and patience, the boy is finally given the opportunity to see the moon--although he has to show more patience as he waits for the clouds to clear first.  I would offer my students the opportunity to write about one desire they wish to experience--whether it's short term or long term, I want my students to have the chance to think about their goals. 

http://ourartlately.blogspot.com/2011/08/identity-grids.html

Illustrated by: Sheila McGraw

Publication Date: 1986

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: PreK-2

Text Level: 4.8

Teaser: Follow the relationship between a mother and her son as he grows into adulthood and learns that no matter how he changes, his mother will always be his number one supporter. 

Description: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/310259.Love_You_Forever

Teaching Ideas: This book would be a good addition to a lesson that focuses on the unconditional love of a mother.  I would make sure that my students understand that no matter what they do, no matter where they go in life, their mother will always love them.

http://www.uniqueteachingresources.com/Giving-Tree-Lesson-Plans.html

Illustrated by: Michael Emberley

Publication Date: 1994

Genre: Non-fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 8-14

Text Level: age 9-12

Teaser: This is an educational book that takes the reader through the phases of puberty and offers light-hearted commentary from cartoon characters to liven the serious topics. 

Description: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=3541&a=1

Teaching Ideas: This book would be the perfect way to introduce sexual health to students because it acknowledges the awkwardness and unfamiliarity of the human body during puberty.  I would focus on the differences between the two cartoon characters--one who is more than willing to ask questions about his changing body, and his friend who is obviously very uncomfortable with talking about something so personal.  This book shows children that it is okay to be curious and it's "perfectly normal" to ask a trusted adult about anything they're unsure of.

http://teachers.teachingsexualhealth.ca/lesson-plans/

Illustrated by: Cheryl Hanna

Publication Date: 1987

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: K-2

Text Level: 3.8

Teaser: Watch Sudan turn his day filled with teasing and hurt feelings into one filled with adventure and acceptance as he tries to come to terms with being different than the people in his neighborhood. 

Description: http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-443271-9

Teaching Ideas: This book would be ideal for teaching my students the importance of embracing what makes them unique, celebrating their differences and remembering that just because someone may look or act differently than they do, it does not mean that they should be shown the same respect and kindness.  I would have my students make a list of things that make them unique from their classmates and share in small groups why they like being unique.

http://www.familyconsumersciences.com/2012/06/a-slice-of-me-lesson/

Illustrated by: Janet Wilson

Publication Date: 1994

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: K-2

Text Level: 2.7

Teaser: A boy remembers the memories shared with his late uncle, taking time to grieve his loss in a unique way filled with late night runs to the treehouse and dreams of tigers escaping from the zoo.

Description: http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Flowers-Patricia-Quinlan/dp/1550051393

Teaching Ideas: I will use this book to help my students understand the importance of taking care of and loving the ones that are close to you, especially when they are nearing the end of their lives.  Sometimes it's not so much about the quantity of life, but the quality of life and making memories that will last a lifetime. 

http://www.elementaryschoolcounseling.org/sg-grief.html

Illustrated by: Judith Vigna

Publication Date: 1995

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 3-6

Text Level: age 3-5

Teaser: As Elly's grandparents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, she is upset that her two uncles, who helped her to make a fabulous present, cannot attend because of her grandfather's disapproval.

Description: http://www.librarything.com/work/499291

Teaching Ideas: The most important message I want my students to learn from this book is that there will always be someone who does not understand the decisions they make.  By explaining to my students how the relationship between the uncle and grandfather suffered because the grandfather would not put in the effort to try to understand his son's homosexuality, I will be giving my students the chance to learn an important lesson: being close-minded will only add strain to relationships.

http://www.welcomingschools.org/about/

Illustrated by: Judith Friedman

Publication Date: 1989

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 4-9

Text Level: age 5-9

Teaser: Learn about how Daniel's time with his uncle was perfect for building memories despite Uncle Tim's time being cut short.  Whether it's playing a game of checkers or sipping cider on a cold day, Daniel and his uncle find enjoyment in their time together despite Uncle Tim's illness.

Description: http://www.theinterim.com/issues/losing-uncle-tim/

Teaching Ideas: This book would be a good resource for grieving.  Learning how to grieve and how to deal with the confusion that comes from the loss of a family member--especially to a serious disease that is hard to understand--can be very beneficial.  By keeping an open discussion with my students throughout the lesson, it will offer them the chance to ask any questions they may feel uncomfortable asking their parents. 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp294-03.shtml

Illustrated by: Lisa Kopper

Publication Date: 1983

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: K-2

Text Level: 3.5

Teaser: Enjoy Jafta's memories of his father and learn about different trees found in South Africa. 

Description: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3501906-jafta-s-father

Teaching Ideas: This book would be a good addition to a lesson that focuses on a strong work ethic.  The father is not present in the story, but is away working; despite his father's absence, Jafta recounts many memories he has with his father and shows the reader that even hard working parents can still have a very strong presence in their children's lives.  I would make sure to ask my students how this book connects to their lives outside of school and ask them to share some of their favorite memories with their parents.  This book also names a handful of unfamiliar trees, and I would utilize the time spent on the book to teach my students about the different trees that grow in different parts of the world. 

Illustrated by: Gary A. Lippincott

Publication Date: 1997

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 8-14

Text Level: age 10-14

Teaser: Follow the adventures of a sixth grade boy and his new friend, Yorick--who tells terrible jokes and has been dead for hundreds of years--as they prepare for the mysteries ahead of them.

Description: http://www.brucecoville.com/books.asp?tid=192

Teaching Ideas: This book would be perfect for teaching my students the value of honesty.  The main character has trouble with telling the truth, and finds that since he has been caught lying so often that no one believes what he says.  I would assign my students to ask their family members about a time they lied about something and how they felt afterwards.

http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/a-jewel-of-a-book-lesson-plan/

Illustrated by: Marc Brown

Publication Date: 2006

Genre: Fiction

Approximate Interest Level: age 5-8 

Text Level: age 6-8

Teaser: Enjoy a quick read as you follow Buster in his adventure through Vermont in the middle of "mud season" collecting the sap from maple trees to make maple syrup. 

Description: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1229691.Buster_s_Sugartime

Teaching Ideas: This book is great for teaching the process involved in making maple syrup.  Personally, I would use this book to show my students the power of misunderstanding.  The television episode "Buster's Sugartime" on "Postcards From Buster" was banned when it first aired and has not been seen since it first aired because the main characters have two moms.  Although it is not a big part of the story at all, people were disgusted to see a children's show associated with a gay couple raising three adopted children in Vermont.  By having my students read the book and talk about the process of making maple syrup--not making a big deal about the fact that there are two moms in the story--I will be teaching my students the process of making maple syrup and that there are different family styles at the same time. 

http://www.superchurch.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-homosexuality.html