Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a realistic fiction novel that has won the New York Drama Critics Award. This novel is about 2 friends that go to find work together, and encounter some struggles along the way. This book would be perfect for independent readings and literature circles. A UDL strategy for this novel is strategy 7.2 (optimize relevance, value, and authenticity).

We‘re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is a realistic fiction picture book that I have performed with children‘s grades preK-2nd as a song. This book is perfect for a choral read and the students love this interactive book. A UDL strategy to go along with this book is strategy 5.1 (use multiple media for communication) and an EL strategy to go along with this book is strategy 18 (use commands and directions that involve overt student actions)

The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a National Book Award Winning realistic fiction novel. This is about a boy who is just trying to get through his life as an Indian boy on the native reserves. This is a great coming of age novel for grades 4-6. This book would be perfect to use in literature circles to allow for collaboration.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is such a cute realistic fiction picture book that has won the Parents Choice Gold Award For it‘s story message. This book is about a young boy who‘s mother always sang to him, and then when she got sick, he sang to her. This book would work well as a read aloud and a choral read for the song.

She Persisted: 13 American Women who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton is a New York Times best seller nonfiction picture book that is perfect to help teach children about powerful and impactful women and not to give up. This book would work well as a read aloud in the classroom to help ensure comprehension.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is a hilarious modern fantasy picture book that is a New York Times best seller. This book is about crayons that decided to write letters to their owner about being used more/less. This book would be great for a read aloud in your classroom, and possibly even a readers theatre.

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli is a modern fantasy picture book that has won the Theodore Seuss Geisel award. This book is about a crocodile who is scared to swallow a watermelon seed, so he thinks of all the things that can happen if he does! A UDL strategy that goes along with this story is strategy 3.1 (activate or supply background knowledge) and an EL strategy is strategy 4 (link lesson topic to students prior knowledge).

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall is a Caldecott award winning picture book for it‘s amazing illustrations. This traditional literature book is a classic story about a girl who goes into a house to find some food and somewhere to sleep, but it all changes when the owners of the house came home... which are bears. This book is perfect for storytelling or a readers theatre in your classroom.

I Sailed with Columbus by Miriam Schlein is a historical fiction picture book about a boy who claims he sailed with Christopher Columbus and he adventures along the way. This book would work well for partner reading to help promote collaboration between students. A UDL strategy that aligns with this book is strategy 3.1 (activate or supply background knowledge) and an EL strategy is strategy 2 (promote cooperation in small groups).

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L‘Engle is a Newbery Award winning science fantasy novel about Meg Murray who is transported on an adventure through space with her younger brother and her friend to help rescue her father. This novel would best be used in literature circles within your classroom to allow to collaboration on ideas with their peers.

Who Was Walt Disney? By Whitney Stewart is an amazing biography of the life and the achievements of the creator of all things Disney... Mr. Walt Disney. This picture book would best be used in a classroom as a read aloud or as an independent reading. A UDL strategy that goes with this book is 3.1 (activate or supply background knowledge) and an EL strategy would be strategy 4 (link lesson topic to students prior knowledge).

An American Plague by Jim Murphy is a nonfiction novel about yellow fever and how it spread back in the medieval days. This novel has won the Sibert Medal and a Newbery Award For it‘s information and how it educates young readers on a serious subject. This novel would best be used for guided readings or literature circles within your classrooms.

Don‘t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems is personally one of my favorite children‘s books about a pigeon that wants to drive a bus while the bus driver is away. The pigeon interacts with the readers in this modern fantasy picture book that has won a Caldecott award for it‘s amazing pictures throughout the book. This book would be perfect for a read aloud with your students in the classroom to allow them to interact with the pigeon.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is a children‘s favorite for it‘s illustrations and rhyming schemes. This poetry picture book is amazing for Read Alouds in classrooms. A UDL strategy that aligns with this book is 2.2 (clarify syntax and structure) and an EL strategy that work well with this book is 16 (integrate speaking, listening, reading and writing activities).

The Katie Kazoo Switcheroo series by Nancy Krulik is an amazing modern fantasy series about a girl named Katie who gets turned into different people to help her see things from other perspectives. This novel would be well used for independent readings and read alouds ( a chapter a day perhaps).

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper is a New York Times best seller realistic fiction novel about a girl named Melody that suffers from cerebral palsy and has so much to say, but she feels ultimately trapped in her own mind. A UDL strategy that coincides with this novel is strategy 7.1 (optimize individual choice and autonomy), and an EL strategy would be strategy 36 (ask numerous questions which require higher level thinking responses).

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a popular children‘s book that is read to many children before bed about saying goodnight to all of the objects around you. This realistic fiction picture book is perfect for read alouds with a classroom. A UDL strategy to go along with this book is 3.1 (activate or supply background knowledge), and an EL strategy that would work with this book is strategy 11 (place language in a meaningful context).

Junie B Jones by Barbara Park is a realistic fiction series about a young girl (Junie) going through different stages in her life that you get to be a part of. The challenges and strides that this character experiences make for a great coming of age series to young readers. This series has won the New York Times best seller award and would be best used for independent readings in a classroom or literature circles.

Corduroy by Don Freeman is a classic children‘s picture book that I personally got the opportunity to grow up reading. This book received the Caldecott award for it‘s amazing images that portray its fantasy genre perfectly. This book aligns with UDL principles 6.2 (support planning and strategy development) and 8.3 (foster collaboration and community).