Illustrator: Gary Robinson

Publisher: 7th Generation

Publishing Date: 4/27/2021

Page Count: 40

Genre: Fiction

Theme: Positivity/ Self Love

Synopsis: In this story, a girl named Jayla shares that it is okay to be different, be yourself, and believe in yourself. Jayla shares that everyone needs to ignore the negative "self-talk" and love themselves for who they are. 

Curricular Connections: Social and Emotional Learning

Personal Response: I truly loved reading this book, and I loved the message behind it as well. It is so easy to say negative things about ourselves, but really being able to love yourself for who you are takes a process sometimes. This book is a great one that I hope to include in my classroom library because I want my students to all learn to love themselves even if they are different from the other students. 

Publisher: Candlewick 
Date: September 28, 2021
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: none
Genre: Creative nonfiction

Synopsis: A true story of thousands of bath toys that were lost at sea and swept to the four corners of the Pacific.
Theme: Why it is important to protect our environment, and pollution. 
Plot: This book looks into the pollution crisis that is happening in the oceans all around, and follows one of the ducks as it goes through the ocean and what it encounters along the way through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Publisher: Groundwood Books
Date: October 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 112 pages (chapter book)
Awards: N/A

Synopsis: This books looks into sanitation systems in third-world countries and how they negatively affect young girls and women.
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Theme: Injustice for women
Plot: This book follows Latika who is very observant of the fact that their village is unjust. Young women are having to give up their education in order to obtain privacy. Sanitation is non-existent and rules their land. Latika stands her ground, and realizes what is right and wants to fight for it. She becomes an inspiration to all women there and makes a path to justice.
Curricular Connections: History and empathy
Personal Response: This was an incredible story to read, and I believe that it is very inspirational to all women to fight for what they believe in.

Synopsis: This book talks about the importance of taking a break, and getting fresh air once in a while. This story follows a dog who lives in a crazy busy city, and then his owner gets him away to the beach to take a break.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Emotions, Life, Living adaptability
Plot: This book follows the life of a little dog in a loud, hectic and busy city. We see his owner take control and realize that his dog needs to get out of the craziness and have a free and stressful say. He takes his dog to the beach and we realize how his emotions are set free and he feels relaxed again when he returns back to the city.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: Mental Health Awareness
Personal Response: I really liked reading this book, and I thought that there was a great message behind it as well because this is something that needs to be talked about for all students.
Teacher Resources: https://youtu.be/LZhNCsftZzY

Synopsis: This book is about a young girl who is learning how to accept herself with her curly hair even though she starts the story not liking who she is because of it.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Self-worth, identity and acceptance
Plot: This book follows the life and journey of a young girl accepting who she is. It is taken place in her hometown where we see her struggle with her hair and not liking the way she is. This book shows us the journey of self-love may be hard, but we should and will all get there.
Artistic Media: Colored pencil and marker
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I personally loved this book because of the message behind it because it is such an important topic for students to learn to love themselves for who they are.
Teacher Resources: https://youtu.be/hsVX-9L0ycc (a book review) 

Illustrator: Robert Sae-Heng
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: March 2021
Number of Pages: 72

Grade Level: 3rd-7th

Poetry Type: traditional Korean sijo verse
Genre: Fiction, Children's Poetry. 

Curricular Connection: History, social-emotional learning. 

Summary: This books asks the readers what the one thing they would save is if their house was on fire besides their family and pets that are already safe.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think that it has a really important message behind it as well. This is a topic that is not talked about enough, and  it is important to bring up because students need to know the importance of having a plan in place in case of an emergency. 

Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. 

Publishing Date: February 15, 2011

Page Count: 40 pages 

Grade Level: 4-8 years old

Poetry Type: Picture book, fiction 

Summary: Won-Ton is the story of a shelter cat who finds a home with a boy. The story is told in haiku, and represents how Won Ton finds his new home and how he bonds with his new family.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that how the author portrayed the story as a haiku made it a great read. I also liked that it was about a shelter cat because it can teach the lesson that everyone belongs somewhere no matter what they have been through.

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Family, and "no matter the distance"
Synopsis and Plot: This story is about two cousins that are super close to each other. One of the cousins Kara moves away, and realizes that she won't be able to see her cousin until the next summer. They don't want to forget about each other, so they both have a doll that reminds each other about them.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and markers
Curricular Connections: Human relations, social emotional learning
Personal Response:  I really loved reading this book, and seeing the connections that they made for families. I had a really close relationship with my cousin when I was younger, so I think that this is a great book to have in the classroom to show and demonstrate how family relationships are great.

Date: February 15, 2022
Number of Pages: 40 pages
Awards: Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Grade Level: Preschool - 3rd Grade

Genre: Non-Fiction Literature
Theme: History of the color Blue
Plot: This book talks about the importance of the color blue and all of the history/significance behind the color as well.
Artistic Media: Watercolors and pastels
Curricular Connections: History
Personal Response: I loved how this book teaches the students the meaning behind the color blue as well as including the history behind the color as well.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Responsibility, taking action, providing

Artistic Media: Artistic images
Curricular Connections: 10-14 years old, Grades 5th to 9th
Personal Response: I really loved reading this story, and I think that it is going to be a great book to have within my classroom library.
Teacher Resources: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/58350

Publishing Date: August 1, 2014

Page Count: 48 pages

Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis: This story focuses on the little brown bats, and what is happening to them. It talks about the history of the bats, as well as the newly discovered disease that is killing them.
Personal Response:  I really enjoyed reading this story, and although there isn't a strict message behind the book, I think that it is very interesting for kids to get into and read about.
Curricular Connections:  Science and History
Teaching Resource:  https://www.getepic.com/app/read/8023 (Epic Reading Link)

Publishing Date: July 7, 2020

Page Count: 89 pages (chapter book)

Genre: Nonfiction
Synopsis: This book talks about the questions that kids may be asking themselves when they are feeling anxious, as well as includes strategies that they can do to feel better and calm their emotions.
Curricular Connections:  Social Emotional Learning & Feelings
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that the message and story that it is trying to teach kids is really important. Everyone will have anxious feelings, and this is a great book that explains why.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/76157 (Epic Reading Link)

Page Count: 275 Pages (Chapter Book)

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: One best friend Maddie is going out of town for the summer, and she is worried that her friendships with her three best friends will be different when she returns after time apart.
Curricular Connections: Friendship & Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story about friendship, and I think that there is a great message behind this story. No matter what time is spent apart, if the friendship is strong enough, everything will be okay.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/64463 (Epic Reading Link)

Publishing Date: October 16, 2012

Page Count: 116 Pages (Chapter book)

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: In this story, there is a fishing club called the Bulldoggers Club. They go on a fishing trip to try and catch a huge catfish, but they come across a problem that they caught the fish on private land without permission.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning & Honesty
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that there is a great message behind it. Lying is not worth it when it could make everything worse in the end.
Teaching Resource: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/72675 (Epic Reading Link)

Synopsis: This book represents that no matter what someone is going through, or what someone has gone through, that they are enough.
Genre: Fiction
Theme: Self worth
Plot: This book follows a young girl who is appreciative of herself. She knows no matter what is happening it will be okay because she is good enough.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and watercolors
Curricular Connections: Social emotional learning & communication
Personal Response: I really loved reading this story. I liked that it had a great representation of diversity, and I think that the message behind this story is one that every student should read.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link 

Date: September 1, 1974
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

Genre: Fiction
Theme: Actions have consequences
Plot: In this story, the fox must redeem himself to the older lady and make things right after drinking her milk to get his tail back.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils and pastels
Curricular Connections: Social-Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I really liked reading this story. I believe that the message is very important when teaching kids to make things right after something went wrong.
Teacher Resources: Epic. Reading.

Page Count: 109 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story follows a young 11-year old boy who moves away from his home in Alabama after his mother passed away, and he moved to Chicago with his father. He faces the struggles of a new place, a new type of lifestyle, and a new school. This story takes place in 1946.
Curricular Connections:  Social Emotional Learning
Personal Response: I personally loved reading this story, and I think that it included a lot of real elements that many students will face throughout their life. Whether that means moving away from home and starting over, or the loss of someone close.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: October 1, 2013

Page Count: 112 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Jake is a young boy who excels in cross country, and loves to run each and every day. He trains with a healthy mindset, but still ends up in 2nd place every time. His goal is to win, not get 2nd.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning, Dreams, Hard work
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that the message behind this story is to push for your dreams, and don't give up. I think that this is a really important lesson for kiddos to learn at a young age.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading 

Publishing Date: January 1, 2008

Page Count: 109 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, How-to
Synopsis: This story provides students with a guide on how they can stay organized in a lot of different aspects in life. It covers topics such as school success, desk disasters, how to get organized, getting ready for school, and why it is important to be organized.
Curricular Connections: Organization, Success, Social Emotional
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that it had a lot of helpful tips for kids on how to manage a lot of things that may be going on in their life all at once. Following some of these steps may even reduce stress and anxiety if not being organized is a trigger for some students.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: February 16, 2021

Page Count: 41 pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a shy rabbit named Willow. She lives in a mailbox, and suddenly a letter gets dropped in. Willow has to deliver the letter herself to make sure it gets there, but that means leaving her safe space inside her mailbox.
Curricular Connections: Social Emotional Learning & Self Confidence
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story and I could tell that the message could be very powerful for students. Having to step outside your comfort zone sometimes is okay.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: January 1, 2008

Page Count: 31 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story about a classroom teacher who keeps her room very neat and tidy. She then has a student named Willow who sees pink trees, and blue apples. This is a story about letting your imagination be free.
Curricular Connections: Imagination, creativity, and Art
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that this story can allow children to be creative, and enjoy their imagination.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: March 30, 2021

Page Count: 32 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A girl and her family are going for a drive and they come across Watercress. The family starts to gather some, and bring it home for dinner. This meal brings the young girl closer to her families Chinese heritage.
Curricular Connections: Family Heritage
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story and I think that it brings up the importance of remembering where you come from, and how important family values can be to each individual.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: June 1, 2021

Page Count: 36 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Nia is a young girl who lives in a small town. Suddenly, the town library get's destroyed by a tornado. Nia then opens up a free library to remind the town what joy books can bring to everyday life.
Curricular Connections: Community, Reading, and the love for books
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I believe that it represents strength in both Nia in the community when they remember the happiness books can bring to their everyday life. The message behind this book is very powerful.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: June 18, 2020

Page Count: 150 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a nine year old boy names Ellis who brings "popcorn" Bob to life when he secretly pops popcorn in the shed. This story will make you laugh, and shows the true power of friendship.
Curricular Connections: Comedy, Friendship
Personal Response: I really liked reading this story and it made me laugh while reading it. The story of friendship that is present, and the relationship that they have together is great. I think that this story could teach a lot of people about friendship.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Publishing Date: March 30, 2021

Page Count: 38 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story about a young boy's grandmother who comes to town. She brings up a crazy idea that they should become jaguars. They go on adventures together as jaguars.
Curricular Connections: Social emotional learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I thought that it was very realistic when it said that he hasn't seen his grandma in a while because that is what happens sometimes. I think this story represents how much fun can be had with different family members as well.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Author: Bahram Rahman

Publishing Date: November 30, 2021

Page Count: 35 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a young girl named Aria who is from Afghanistan. She has a prosthetic leg, and when she returned to school for the first time she found out that she would have to sit on the floor all day. She decides to build a bench herself so then her leg wouldn't hurt as much at school.
Curricular Connections: Community, Culture, and social emotional learning
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I think that the way Aria took matters into her own hands and wanted to be comfortable at school was inspirational. I think that this would be a great book for any student to read because no matter how old they are change can be made, and if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Author: Laurel Snyder

Publishing Date: April 11, 2017

Page Count: 42 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about two brother's who have a very loving relationship. They both live with their family in a diverse neighborhood. In the first book, Charlie and Mouse get friends together to have a neighborhood party to get to know everyone.
Curricular Connections: Community, heritage
Personal Response: I thought that this was a great story. I really liked the diversity represented throughout this story by the two boys going out and making friends with different people all over the neighborhood. I thought that the idea of them all getting together to have a party was great.
Teaching Resource:  Epic Reading

Author: Sophie Blackall

Publishing Date: September 15, 2020

Page Count: 74 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This book is a guide to all things about the Earth. It talks about how we as individuals can make choices to help the Earth and how we all have our own part. This book also talks about the importance of taking care of people around us.
Curricular Connections: Science, Equality, and Community
Personal Response: I thought that this was an incredible story to read, and one that I will definitely have in my future classroom. I really like that this story talks about taking care of the earth, and protecting our communities. I think that the representation of equality throughout was also great.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Author: NoNieqa Ramos

Publishing Date: September 7, 2021

Page Count: 34 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story that rhymes throughout the entire story. It tells the story of two girls, one who is Puerto Rican, and the other one is African American. It follows the two girls along as they discover all of the stories and characteristics that they have because of their hair.
Curricular Connections: Multicultural, Heritage, Community
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story. I like that it tells the story of the two girls throughout, and the different characteristics of their hair that can tell their story of who they are and where they come from.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Author: Stephen Savage

Publishing Date: May 4, 2021

Page Count: 38 Pages

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about ships at a harbor that aren't feeling well. They all went through different feelings throughout the story.They send out an S.O.S signal and then a doctor ship named Hope comes to the rescue to make them feel better.
Curricular Connections: Health, Feelings

Personal Response: I really liked reading this story. I think that aiming this towards the younger kids would help them learn an important message about asking for help when something is wrong. I really liked the representation throughout this story.
Teaching Resource: Epic Reading

Date: May 3, 2022
Number of Pages: 32 pages
Grade Level: Pre - 1st Grade

Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: This story is about a brother and sister duo. Essie thinks that she is being funny when she ruins her older brother's forts and messes with his building blocks. He even goes to make a wall to keep her out of his room. She manages to break through the wall and tear it down. He was very mad at first, but then realizes she wants to be included when he plays. They get together and find ways so that they can play together and have fun.
Artistic Media: Colored pencils
Curricular Connections: Math
Personal Response: I really enjoyed reading this story, and I think that it represents siblings very well. I think that a lot of students in class would be able to relate to parts in this story, and learn that including people is important.
Teacher Resources: Youtube Link