“But he was their baby, so they loved him... no matter what.“

I would use this book in my classroom because it could spark interest in children and allow them the opportunity to find out what interest them about the universe. This book is a physical representation of what discovering and exploration is all about.

On a Beam of Light written by Jennifer Berne. This book describes Albert Einstein's imagination and hunger for exploration as a child and further shows him as an adult who is a genius, discovering lots of wonders around the universe. This book could show children the possibilities for their own lives for when they get older, and show them that if they dream it, they can do it.

“We are star stuff harvesting sunlight.“

I would use this book in my classroom because it's very inspiring for even young children to see how it all started with a young boy who dreamed about space and wanted to learn more - now he is working on space crafts such as the Voyager. This book shows the possibilities are endless.

Star Stuff written by Staephanie Roth Sisson. This book follows the life of Carl Sagan and his journey in becoming an internationally renowned scientist who marveled at the sight of the universe. This book could help children understand the past about how science and space used to be studied, to how it's evolved now.

“Without enough money to feed their bodies, how in the world could money be found to 'feed their minds'?“

I would consider using this book in my classroom because it provides factual evidence including photographs from that time period. It would hopefully spark interest in children to learn and investigate more about this time period. I would say it's only age appropriate for older students however because of the lengthy information.

Down Cut Shin Creek written by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer. This book is about the Pack Horse Library Project of Eastern Kentucky, which was one of the works from the WPA. This book has thorough research provided and it's even illustrated with period photographs.

“The music turns lively and playful as the young girls dance in pairs, then form circles, fluttering, skittering, reaching up to the sky.“

I would use this book in my classroom to help inspire children to find interest in something whether it be some sort of art or performance. This book is very informational and would provide children with the right materials and meanings of the types of moves and dance described.

Ballet for Martha written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan. This book is about the making of Martha Graham's most famous dance performance, which was called Appalachian Spring. This book will offer interest and meaning for today's child through the inspiring ways of Martha and how she choreographed her piece.

“Trudy treaded water as she drank chicken broth from a baby bottle and gnawed on a leg of fried chicken.“

I would use this book in my classroom because I think it is formatted in a way that is easy to comprehend and it will teach children that as long as they work hard and strive for success, they can do whatever they set their mind to. It's a motivational book.

Trudy's Big Swim written by Sue Macy. This book was about how Gertrude Ederle swam across the English Channel, which is 21 miles long, and set a new time record. This book's experience can widen children's views on the possibilities for their own lives and show them that they can do whatever the set their minds to.

“But not for long. After all, it was the Switzer brothers themselves who would soon bring those eye popping yellows, oranges, and greens into the world. It would just take a few bright ideas.“

I would use this book in my classroom because I think children show interest in colors and brighter, neon colors as well so they might enjoy the history behind the findings and inventions of the day-glow lights.

The Day-Glo Brothers written by Chris Barton. This book highlighted the story of the discovery of fluorescent colors from two brothers - Bob and Joe Switzer. This book will edcuate my students about how these colors were created in a fun way through the bright illustrations.

“Sometimes disaster happens for a reason. Sometimes it says: Follow a different path.”

I would use this book in my classroom because it is a motivational text that shows how hard Sequoyah worked at learning how to teach his people how to read and write, and it shows that you shouldn't give up on important things in life.

Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing written by James Rumford. This book is about a Cherokee Indian who wanted to be the first to teach his people how to write and read. This book will educate and help children understand diversity in the fact that people, such as the Cherokee Indians, had to figure out how to read and write.

“You must do the things you cannot do.“

I would use this book in my classroom to help my students better understand history through the lens of Eleanor Roosevelt's life. Hopefully my students can somehow connect and/ or learn how to use their voice to be heard.

Eleanor, Quiet No More written by Doreen Rappaport. This book followed the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, starting off sad and lonely but ended with her using her power and courageous heart and voice. This book will educate and help my students understand the past by learning women's rights and the evolution of how women's voices have been viewed throughout the years.

“In a stirring tribute to the young Frenchman's heroic service to America, U.S. Colonel Charles E. Stanton stood before the grave, saluted and announced: 'Lafayette, we are here.' “

I would incorporate this book in my classroom to discuss the American Revolution but I'm not sure if it's age appropriate for the grade level I hope to teach. I don't think kindergarteners will understand or grasp the concept or even show interest in this time at such a young age.

Lafayette and the American Revolution written by Russell Freedman. This book is a reflection on the historical event of the American Revolution and tells the story of Marquis de Lafayette. This book will help children understand the events that happened during the American Revolution which will help them understand the past and how it changed/affected the present.

“I still keep my trombone in my hands, and I will never let it go.“

I would be able to incorporate this book in my classroom to help my students understand the past and learn about diversity in the fact that the author experienced a lot of the Civil Rights Movement aftermath and racial issues yet how he continued to play and express his love for music.

Trombone Shorty written by Troy Andrews. This book followed the life of the actual author of the book, who is an American musician. The book offers interest and meaning for today's child through music and the arts. Reading this book will also help children understand the past and how music has evolved since then.

“If you look up from the forest, and you are very lucky, you might catch the bright blue flashes of flight feathers. These are Puerto Rican parrots. They lived on this island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever. But they are flying over Puerto Rico still, calling, Iguaca!, Iguaca!“

I would consider using this book in my classroom. I didn't find it very interesting but that doesn't mean that one of my students won't and so therefore I could create a lesson plan based on that interest in parrots and the almost extinct species.

Parrots Over Puerto Rico written by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore. The book's format of the book is unique, you turn it sideways to read, gives pronunciation of words italicized at the bottom of the page. This book is about lives of parrots and their extinction and how they were saved.

“A couple of years later, I went back to the barre because I still needed to dance. Dancing fills a space in me.“

I would use this book in my classroom because I already felt a connection to the book because it kind of describes my life as far as how I danced and then before college started I quit dancing because I wanted to experience other things. But now I am rethinking about dancing again! I hope by having this as a resource in my classroom that it will inspire my students the same way that it did with me.

To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel written by Mark Siegel and Siena Cherson Siegel. A biography about her interest and pure love for dance. The words flow and arch with the page.

“When I finished the illustrations for this book, I sent Chiekosan the original drawing of her mother. She thanked me and wrote: “About one year before my father died at age eighty-seven, on February 20, 2002, I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do. He looked at me steadily and said, 'Kiyoi is the treasure of my life. I want to work on a book with him.'“ This is that book.“

I would consider using this book in my classroom as a way for children to express their interest in drawing and becoming artistically skilled. It's a little long for a children's book and has a lot of different uses, such as narrative, memoir, etc that it might only be good for older age groups.

Drawing From Memory written by Allen Say. It's a biography about Allen's story of his own path in becoming an artist. Part memoir, part narrative, part graphic novel. This book has lots of pages and each page is pretty wordy as well.

“Improvised, crazed with the music. Even my teeth and eyes burned with fever. I leapt to touch the sky. When I regained earth it was mine alone.“

I would consider using this book in my classroom however it was pretty long so I'm not sure if the kids would be willing to pay and keep their attention on the book but it may spark interest in some of the kids.

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker written by Patricia Hruby Powell. About the timeline of the course of Josephine's personal life and career as a dancer. Certain words have different fonts which seem to emphasize or exaggerate the meaning, such as POP! in all caps.

“From the time she was a little girl, Alice ate up the world.“

I would use this book in my classroom because it teaches gender roles and bias but it shows Alice's perseverance through it all and will be a good lesson for young children to understand and develop their own beliefs.

What to Do about Alice? written by Barbara Kerley. About President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice who is very independent and unique. With the format of the book, the words move with the illustrations on the page. Some pages had a lot of space between the lines of words. Author's note at the end provides factual evidence.

“Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;“

I wasn't really sure of the purpose of this book because the end was abrupt and didn't seem to complete the message of “although Casey strikes out..“ he either didn't give it up or persevered... didn't seem finished.

Case at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 written by Ernest L. Thayer. The format of the book is set up like an old newspaper which adds character to the book. The sentences rhyme as well. This book may of interest to a child who enjoys baseball.

“To survive, predators had to keep up. Their bodies got stronger and their senses grew keener. Their weapons - teeth, claws, beaks, and poison - became deadlier.“

I would use this book in my classroom as a way to spark interest of apex predators in the students which will allow me to create lesson plans based on these interests. The book was very informative as well.