“And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel‘s hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.”

“He took hold of Shmuel‘s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. ‘You‘re my best friend, Shmuel,‘ he said. ‘My best friend.‘”

I believe that this book opens a gateway for children to forge meaningful connections with the past. The story was set against the backdrop of World War II. This story not only unveils the harsh realities of the past but also serves as a catalyst for young readers to reflect on compassion, tolerance, and the importance of understanding our shared human history. It is a powerful tool for children to engage with complexities of the past.

This historical fiction piece of literature is told through the eyes of a nine-year old boy named Bruno. The book inspires readers to consider the historical period in which Nazis utilized concentration camps to severely mistreat those who belonged to the Jewish community. I felt the author did a great job balancing fact and fiction. The book clearly portrays how Jews were treated, while following the imaginary friendship of the two young boys.

“Twenty-six years after Bill‘s arrival in Chattanooga, his plan was complete. He had worked, sweated, and prayed. Now he finally had his loving family around him, just like when he was a boy. Only now they were all free.“

This piece of literature offered a rather fast-paced sequence of events. As it portrayed the life of Bill, an enslaved man. This particular story could provide a valuable teaching/learning experiences that would allow students the opportunity to picture the life one lived as an enslaved individual. The information found throughout the story appears to be accurately depict Bill's life. The addition of illustrations assists in telling the story.

This piece of literature encompasses the life of an enslaved boy named Bill. Who strived to become a blacksmith. It discusses how Bill made a deal with Colonial Lewis to rent his freedom in order for him to have the opportunity to open his own blacksmith shop in Chattanooga. The story went on to tell how Bill earned enough money through his business to buy the freedoms of himself, and all other members of his immediate family.

“Get ready for a BLAST. Get ready for JOSEPHINE.”

This biography is a very fast paced narrative. It encompasses the major milestones and events of Josephine Baker's life. In addition to the many challenges, she faced and overcame to become the successful individual she is known for. One of the main focuses of this story is on segregation. Specifically, how Josephine believed everyone, no matter their race, could live together in harmony. I found this to be a nice addition to the story.

This a beautifully written and illustrated piece of literature is a biography about Josephine Baker's life. The book highlights the joy of Josephine and her multitude of life accomplishments as a dancer, actor, and performer. The book celebrates her life as it shares the barriers that she broke on her rise to fame. Overall, Josephine was an inspiration to many, and this piece of literature does an excellent job capturing this.

““In February, as the Polar night begins to approach the Antarctic, the young will begin a long journey north, migrating, following the pack ice as the Southern Ocean begins to freeze.“

I enjoyed the setup of this literature piece. Although it is very lengthy and content heavy, one could read any section or page(s) and still have the opportunity to learn something new. Thus, it's not necessarily a book you must read from cover to cover, because facts are present everywhere. I enjoyed the illustrators use of watercolors. The illustrations offer such accurate depictions thus providing learning experiences in themselves.

My Season with Penguins an Antarctic Journal by Sophie Webb shows a glimpse of the life of penguins during the two months of December - January. Webb is a biologist and added beautiful watercolor pictures that depicted what she observed every day. She is studying a breeding colony of Adélie penguins on Cape Royds, an island off the coast of Antarctica. Due to this book containing so many pictures it can easily appeal to younger children.

This book contains beautiful illustrations accompanied by facts about each woman and their lives. Being broken up into 40 individual one-page biographies this story would easily offer a teacher the opportunity to share one or two stories with their class at a time. These mini biographies could potentially act as introductions for further potential research about the women. Each individually are perfect examples of fast-moving narratives.

This piece of children‘s literature was the debut book for author Vashti Harrison. This book features a collection of 40 biographies focusing on trailblazing black women in our world's history. This book educates and inspires readers as it retells the true stories of women who broke boundaries and exceeded all gender and racial societal expectations. This book was awarded to The Amelia Bloomer Book List in 2018.

“Some artists paint pictures of flowers or people or landscapes. Not Jackson. He expresses his thoughts and feelings directly on the canvas, calling it “energy and motion made visible.“

This children's book is an example of a biography, told from a third person perspective. Upon reading it, I found it to be a fast-moving narrative. It was a rather short read in comparison to other biographies. Additionally, it was very easy to read and follow along with. It told a beautiful story focusing on the subject of art. It offers its readers additional knowledge on the subject and the various thoughts that go into the work of artists.

Published in 2002, this children's biography is an authoritative account of the life of the pioneering abstract expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock. Throughout the book it discusses the time, skill, and uniqueness that is displayed in all of his artwork. In the book it specifically follows Pollock through this creation of his famous painting, “Lavender Mist“. It is a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book recipient. It is a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book.

“They were one of the first predators to walk on land, starting more than 350 million years ago. And they are still one of the most successful predators. Today, there are more than 38,000 types of spiders.”

This book is intended for children ages four to eight years old. Although I agree that this book could be presented to children within this age band, I also think that it would be appropriate for children of all ages. This book would pique the interest of any study who is interested in learning more about animals, specifically spiders. This book is a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient.

This children nonfiction picture book contains lots of factual information about the way spiders live, how their bodies work, various statistics about spiders, and the different species of spiders. The book includes realistic photographs of real spiders with corresponding captions describing what the spider may be doing in the photograph. The book also contains facts about how spiders find a mate and acquire their food.

“Certain species of animals inflate themselves to appear bigger and more formidable to enemies. Some types of birds do this to show off during breeding season.”

I enjoyed reading this book! It is intended for children ages six to ten years old. After reviewing the book, I feel as if it could be best utilized with older aged students. I believe this, because it contains some complex vocabulary as well as a wide variety of structure that I feel are more appealing and appropriate for older aged children. The book would definitely interest children who are curious about various species of animals.

This nonfiction children's book contains many interesting aspects of animals. Each chapter shows what aspects that set individual animals apart from other animals. The book presents factual information through the use of diagrams, captions, and illustrations depicting each animal‘s unique traits.

“It was a royal pain for those who made the paint, and so expensive, only the wealthy could buy it.”

I thought that this book did an excellent job discussing the significance of the color blue by understanding its cultural and historical presence. The illustrations throughout the book expressed much emotion and allowed the reader to capture the message. This book is intended for children ages four to eight. After reviewing the story, I agree with this statement, but I also believe that it could be utilized with older aged students as well.

The book, Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, highlights the significance of the color blue. The book dives deeper into understanding the significance of the color blue by examining its history and cultural presence over the years. Overall, through its creativity, the book traces the origin and allows students to view social justice issues.

“With writhing arms and ghostly, lidless eyes they glide; some large as buses, some weighing a ton. So big, yet rarely seen.“

This would be a great book to read to students to get them engaged in a lesson that talks about deep-sea animals. It is a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. It discusses the challenges that come with living in the deep sea and how the squid defends itself and its babies. This book is intended for children ages nine to ten years old which after reviewing the book, I agree with. But I feel as if it is also suitable for older students as well.

This children's nonfiction picture book explores the true story of the hunt for the mysterious Giant Squid. This story explores and provides readers with various facts about the squid. For example, it explains how their eyes can be as big as a soccer balls. It also shares that when another dangerous animal comes up, the squid squirts its ink to defend itself. The illustrations in the book are also portrayed in a very realistic manner.

“When you face the wind, gazillions of moving air molecules collide with you. That's why you feel the push of the wind.“

This children's picture book is intended for readers ages four-seven years old. After reviewing this book and its various components, I would agree with this statement. This book provides an interactive opportunity for its readers to tap into their personal experiences and preconceived knowledge about this scientific topic. The structure of words throughout this book is helpful in explaining the movement of wind and air in various scenarios.

This children's non-fiction picture book focuses on the science concept of wind. In the beginning of the story the young girl is faced with a strong wind when exploring the outdoors. Basic observations are stated that teach the properties of air to young children who are just beginning to explore various scientific concepts. The artwork in the story is digitally designed, and the words are portrayed in a creative and typographical manner.

“There is love where my change sings.”
“I am the change I want to see.“

This is a good book to build a classroom community. No matter our abilities, we are all the same. And we all get to be the change in the world we want to see.

This is a book that is set up in a poem format. Saying that WE or children are the change the world is about to see. It talks about spreading love and that we are all the same, despite our difference in abilities.

“By the end of the week Jasper was seeing creepy carrots creeping EVERYWHERE.“

This book has a strong sense of imagery. It can also be read at a fast speed as the poem has short sentences.

“Creepy Carrots!“ is a book about a bunny Jasper Rabbit who loves carrots. He picked carrots everywhere he went. On his way to school, little league practice, and back home. He noticed that the carrots were following him everywhere he was going. Even as he was brushing his teeth. He turned around and thought it was his imagination. So then Jasper fenced in the carrots so they couldn't get him. The carrots cheered because Jasper couldn't eat them.

(W-poem)
“Who can be born black and not sing the wonder of it
the joy
the challenge.
Who can be born black and not exult!“

This is a great book to introduce to your classroom to discuss these heavy topics in a light-hearted way. The rhythm of this story is slow-paced as there is a lot to comprehend with each poem. Some poems use rhyme, some poems use figurative language, and other poems use imagery as they are all written by different authors.

This book is a series of 24 poems written by various authors as each poem begins with a letter of the alphabet. It connects the story of God creating the world, and creating people exactly how He pictured them to be perfect. It is a new way of working with the alphabet to teach heavy topics about diversity, putting every person in a perfect light in the mind of God while connecting Pride month and Freedom to the story.

“There was a naughty Boy,
A naughty boy was he,
He would not stop at home,
He could not quiet be --“

This poem book uses a lot of rhyme and repetition to tell the story. The book is broken up into 4 sections. Almost like mini chapters. At the beginning of each “chapter“ it starts with the same first line.

This is a poem that John Keats wrote about himself. He describes himself as a “naughty boy“ who was curious about the world and loved to explore. He decided to go for a walk in London and explore. He wrote this poem because he wanted to make his little sister laugh.

From the poem How to Be a Tree in Winter, by Irene Latham, “Enough Hiding- drop any leaves that linger. Etch your message in calligraphy across a parchment sky.”

I would use this book across all ages, some poems are more complex than others. Some have a deeper meaning that could be fun to investigate with older children, while others are great for younger students as they are learning the rhythm or beat of poems. There are many times where you can spot rhyming words, making this an enjoyable read.

This book is a collection of poems. Each poem uses a “How to” format for all kinds of different activities. Some poems are more serious while others are light and playful. Since each poem is different and from different authors there are many types of poetry elements, including, sound patterns, figurative language, rhythm, and sense imagery.

“Hundreds of voices fill the sky. How did those birds learn to fly?”

I would use this book with younger students, the poem contains simple words that use a beat. The poem could be used with a science topic as well as with a poetry unit. The short words make for a fast-moving pace.