This book is an inspiring story about a girl named Elizabeth Blackwell. She lived in a time where women were expected to be wives and mothers, but all she wanted to be was a doctor. She faced many trials, but she eventually graduated with a medical degree. This story shows that women can be anything as long as they said their mind to it.

Freedom In Congo Square tells the true story about slaves who counted down the days to when they were allowed half a day to set up a Market in Congo Square. This book details, the day-to-day life of slaves and the special afternoons they spent each Sunday in Congo Square. This book was definitely a phenomenal read.

She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton tell the tale of 13 American women who have made a difference around the world. This book uses real life stories to introduce young children to women who have continued to break barriers. This book helps to empower females to step out of the box and create the change they wanna see in the world.

Moonshot by Brian Floca tells the truth tale of Apollo 11. This book is an amazing way to introduce young learners to this historic event. Young readers can see illustrations of scientist, preparing for the launch of Apollo 11 and can also read about the journey that they took. I would especially recommend this book to any teachers or parents of budding scientists.

Hidden Figures is the true story of four African-American women involved in the space race. The illustrated edition of this book is a classroom essential in my opinion. This book is a great way to talk about the contributions that African-Americans were making in a time when they were still being segregated and mistreated.

Finding Winnie is a Caldecott award winning book about the real life Winnie the Pooh. I absolutely adore this book and think that it is a great book to have in any classroom. The story of Winnie, the Bear is such a fun tale and is a true story. This nonfiction book brought back so much nostalgia. I would definitely recommend it.

Fantastic Flowers by Susan Stockdale uses rhyming text to introduce children to 17 different flowers that look like other things. Fantastic Flowers encourages children to take a closer look at the world around them. It shows that not everything is exactly as it seems. Although the illustrations are painted the back of the book, shows many pictures of what the different flowers look like.

“With the knowledge that opportunities to grow are all around, and school can take place anywhere, Yolanda became a lifelong lover of learning”

When The Schools Shut Down is the story about a young African-American girl, who lived through the school shut down in Farmville, Virginia. although segregation was no longer legal, the schools were not integrated at a quick pace, the story focuses on a town, where, after segregation school still were not integrated for at least five years.

“ segregation tends to give an aura of inferiority. In order to have the people of the United States understand one another it is necessary for them to live together”

Separate is never equal is a book about a young girl who was denied access to a school because of her skin color. Her parents rallied the local Hispanic community. they filed a lawsuit, and eventually this led to the end of school segregation in California. This book takes you back to a time when just because of skin color you could be denied from anywhere.

"I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed — or worse, expelled. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed."

This Harry Potter pop-up book is one of my now prized possessions. It is such a fun addition to my book collection. The illustrations bring this book to life in such a fun new way. I would recommend this to any parent introducing Harry Potter to their children for the first time. The illustrations are colorful, and enhance the experience so much.

“I‘ve got two horns and four hard hooves. See what you can do”

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone is a classic tale with beautiful illustrations. One of my favorite classroom activities to do with this book is to have students act it out. This book is nostalgic as I have read it since my childhood. The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a great story and I would recommend this book to anyone.

“It‘s like the difference between stepping on someone‘s foot by mistake and kicking them. Only one is mean, but they both hurt. Sometimes you don‘t have to be trying to hurt someone. You just have to say the wrong thing.”

You Don‘t Know Everything, Jilly P! Is a phenomenal book about learning to support and cope with having a younger sibling with disabilities. As the story goes on Jilly reaches out to the only other deaf person she knows for answers and learns how to address these complex situations.

“She's the first person to smile at me today.
The first to make me feel wanted.
Understood.
I blink back tears.
It's unknown how many students' lives
librarians have saved
by welcoming loners at lunch.”

Starfish by Lisa Fipps is a phenomenal book about the trials that comes with being different while growing up. A young girl who is being bullied decides she will live by “fat girl rules” to try to avoid judgement. Throughout this journey she finds comfort in her dad and her new neighbor and is able to live unapologetically as her true self.

“Do not look at me like that. You will make me smile, and I refuse to smile when I am attempting to stay mad at you.”

This fairytale retelling done by Jenni James tells the story of The Frog Prince within beautiful illustrations. The prince hides his true identity in order to find out more about Princess Blythe the princess he has been betrothed too since he was just an infant. He wanted to disguise himself in order to learn about her without showing his true self.

The Duchess of Whimsy is a delightful book with fun and creative illustrations. The Duchess has a need for excess and frivolous items. The man who catches her eye is an ordinary fellow and it is all over a grilled cheese. Randall tells this fun story in an interesting and engaging way. This book would make a great read aloud.

When the Schools Shut Down by Tamara Pizzoli is the story from Virginia who was left in the lurch after Brown vs Board of Education. This book tells the story of a young African American who lived when the schools in Farmsville Virginia when the schools shut down. This book based in 1954 brings you on a emotional journey.

Separate is Never Equal is a book that takes place 10 years before Brown vs. Board of Education. A girl who is an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican decent takes on segregated education in California. Sylvia was denied access to a whites only school so her family decides to stand up for what‘s right.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of the first books I truly loved. An orphan who live in the walls of a bush train station in Paris meets an eccentric girl and bitter man in the station. His secret is put in jeopardy. Tag along on his journey as a hidden message from his dead father turns his life upside down.

Finding Langston by Leda Cline-Ransome tells the story of an 11 year old boy who moves to Chicago with his dad after the death of his mother. This story takes place during what is known as the Great Migration. Langston is bullied at school but in the library he finds another Langston to connect to. He finds the poetry works of Langston Hughes

Gittel‘s Journey written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by June Bates tells the story of a little girl who must immigrate to America alone. Her mother is stopped by health inspectors and Gittel takes the journey alone. As she arrives in America she realizes the note with the address to her family is damaged and she has to find her way again.

Village of Scoundrels is based on a true story of French Villagers during World War 2. These villagers saved thousands of Jews from persecution. This book tells the story of young teenagers who stood up for what‘s right when a lot of people wouldn‘t. There is always a threat of danger and they race to get their friends to safety.

Escape This Book! Tombs of Egypt is a historical fiction book meets activity book. You have three chances to escape the mysterious tombs of Egypt once you open this book. With a story written by Bill Doyle and illustrations by Sarah Sax you get a chance to put your self in the adventure with this interactive story.

Charlotte Spies for Justice is a historical fiction story based in the time of the civil war. A 12 year old girl lives on a plantation in Virginia while the civil war rages around them. This book not only provides an amazing story but it also provides a glossary, discussion questions and writing prompts!

Anne of Green Gablrs a graphic novel is adapted by Mariah Marsden from L.M. Montgomery‘s classic tale. I really enjoyed this adaptation and think it would be especially great for kids. Anne Shirley is an 11 year old girl with an absolutely unstoppable imagination. The tale of this young girl takes you on a journey with all of its many ups and downs.

The Inquisitors Tale by Adam Gidwitz is a book set in 1242. Travelers come to an inn and start to tell stories about three children. Their adventures take them through France and through many dangerous situations. This Historical fiction book follows their journey battling dragons and escaping prejudice.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm tells the story of a girl named Turtle who has never expected a fairytale ending. She lives in 1935 where money and jobs are scarce and her mom gets a job that doesn‘t allow kids. She moves to live with family she doesn‘t even know all the way in Key West Florida.

Esperanza Rizing by Pam Muños Ryan tells the story of a girl who has to flee her comfortable life in Mexico to live in California during the Great Depression. Esperanza is forced to face struggles she never could have imagined but when her families life is threatened she must find a way to rise above it.

I absolutely love this book! You Don‘t Know Everything, Jilly P! Is a book written by Alex Gino. Jilly is sure that she‘s got life totally figured out. That is until her little sister Emma is born deaf. Come along with Jilly as she learns how to navigate friendships and family as she tries to adjust to this new life.

The Magician‘s Hat written by Malcom Mitchell and illustrated by Dennis Campay tells the story of story of David the magician. David doesn‘t perform regular magic like other magicians. Instead David understands the magical powers if books. Through books he can explore dreams and be creative! This book is great for any young reader who thinks books can take you anywhere!

As much as I thought this book was fun it just earns a so-so from me but it was so close to being a pick. Firedrake, a dragon teams up with a lonely boy named Ben to go on a journey to find the place where silver dragons live in piece. This book takes you on the journey with them. With adventure at every turn who knows where this book may take you.

Beware! Space Junk! Is a book in the Geronimo Stilton series. I may be biased because I loved this series growing up but I thought this book was so fun. It‘s funky text styles and bright colored images draw you into every story in this series. Their space ship MouseStar 1 is surrounded by floating space junk and it‘s up to Geronimo Stilton to fix it!

This book was cute but definitely not my favorite book I have ever read. Two kids are left alone with an alien babysitter. While at first the kids think she‘s strange they soon find out she can make my thing fun. This quirky tale takes you on an adventure of a night in with a very unusual chaperone!

I am absolutely obsessed with this book. The pop up illustrations are so creative and beautiful. This well loved book was turned into a beautiful masterpiece full of adventure by Mina Lima. I would recommend this book to not only anyone who looks Harry Potter but also teachers and parents of kids who love Harry Potter but maybe aren‘t old enough to read it yet!

The Firebird is a Russian folktale written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Vladimir Vagin. His enchanting paintings have you focusing not only on the folktale in the middle but the vignettes of ballet in the borders. This classic tale features a a shimmering garden, an evil wizard, a princess in distress and a prince ready to slay some monsters.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a classic fairytale that will have any kid cheering on the clever goats who are trying to outsmart a troll. This book makes an amazing read aloud and would be great to act out at school. Hop into this adventure with illustrations created by Paul Galdone. This classic deserves nothing than a pick from me!

The frog prince is a fairytale retelling by Jenni James. He spent his entire life trying to be something he‘s not in order to hide his flaws. This plan backfires when his own father has an enchantress turn him into a frog! Ariane his servant has the chance to break the spell but will it be enough to save them both? Find out in this fairytale book!

The Duchess of Whimsy is by Randall de Sève is such a cute book. A duchess who is overly whimsical and an earl who is completely ordinary but completely adores the duchess come together in this whimsical yet ordinary fairytale. He catches her eye with a grilled cheese sandwich and she begins to think maybe simplicity isn‘t the bad after all.

“ The Duchess of Whimsy was known throughout the land for her extravagant soirées, her elaborate attire, her uncommon conversation and her most peculiar pets and acquaintances“

The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale is a folktale that tells a story of a fisherman who catches a fish who claims to be a prince. The fisherman‘s wife becomes greedy and keeps asking for more wishes. The fish grows tired and sodas the fisherman as the story comes to a twist ending. The illustrations used throughout the story truly show the emotions of the characters.

The Magic Fish is a less well-known classic tale. The story of a woman who becomes far too greedy and ends up right back where she was. This story is great to teach about greed and respect. It shows an interesting relationship dynamic that can be used to help teach children. Freya‘s take on this story and it‘s illustrations adds new life to the tale.

“Just go back to the fish. Tell him I want to be queen of the sun and the moon and the stars“

Pretty Salma by Niki Daly is an interesting twist on a European classic. As the story takes on a new life from a different culture it holds the same values. This book is an amazing example of different cultures and would make a great lesson to compare to the original little red riding hood story. The author and illustrator take you on a journey in this amazing tale.

Pretty Salma is an African take on the story of little red riding hood. The story features Mr. Dog as the mischievous wolf. Salma is tricked into giving Mr. Dog her things and soon comes to regret it. This tale holds all of the classic storylines from the little red riding hood but with a twist from a different culture.