"He looked down and did something quite out of character for him: 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 for life.‘”

This story wouldn‘t be one I would use in younger classes however It could be good supplemental material in 5th grade as a chapter read. This story had dark topics and historical context in a different narrative than the general history view point.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne was published in 2006 it followed a boy bruno and his family‘s journey to a new home in “Out-With” which was a mispronunciation of Auschwitz. The story was filled with historical information about a different viewpoint of WW2 from a child‘s innocent point of view. The story used historical context to drive this tory by including information on Shmuel( a boy in striped pajamas). A heartbreaking story.

Ocean Speaks, Biography, published in 2020.
This biography talks about the life of Marie Tharp. It talks about her love of exploring from a young age, how she solved, problems, and pushed limits. She loved to push the limits of what girls and women were expected to be. One of her biggest accomplishments is the mapping of the mid-Atlantic ridge.

In my classroom, I would use this as an introduction to a geography map unit. Students could gain practice in creating maps for themselves. I think it would be meaningful to connecting it to an exploration lesson where students explore ocean life, or make their own models.

“Marie's map had revealed the ocean's biggest secret.“

Paper Son“ is a powerful tool for teaching about immigration, perseverance, and the power of art. Wong's story inspires revolves around on discrimination and the importance of following one's dreams. Students can analyze his artwork, write creative pieces inspired by his journey, or research Chinese American history. This book sparks empathy and encourages students to appreciate diverse perspectives.

“Her song is strong. Mama Africa will not give up! She will see her people free.“

The pictures in this book look like they were painted on the pages. The use of color shows the emotion on each page, anger, sadness, happiness, etc. There is a soft movement to the images as it paints a picture for the reader.

“On sunny days, you could often find Tyrus Wong on the beach, facing the ocean he crossed so long ago, flying a large, colorful kite he'd made himself“

Paper Son is a memoir of Tyrus Wong, an artist and designer. Published in 2019. Wong recounts his harrowing journey as a Chinese immigrant during the Great Depression, sharing his experiences of discrimination, hardship, and resilience. The book offers a powerful and intimate look into the life of a remarkable man who overcame adversity to achieve artistic success.

Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song by Kathryn Erskine was published in 2017. This is a biography about Miriam Makeba's fight for equality. The people once called her Mama Africa as she used her voice to protest and sing. This story was beautifully written and captivating!

“GYo, along with the others living on the East Coast, was told to stay where she was”

This story would be used well to showcase a history lesson on Japanese internment camps and the history of racism during ww2

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear is a picture book biography about Japanese American artist Gyo Fujikawa. This story talks about Gyo‘s struggle with racism, her love or art and her time in an internment camp. This story is full beautiful illustrations that showcase Gyo‘s life.

This book could serve as inspiration for students to make an invention of their own or think of inventions they would like to see in the future. Its could create their own acts or this book could be an intro to a stem activity

Biography- Now & Ben written by Gene Baretta(2006) is an informative picture book that explores the connection between Benjamin Franklin's inventions and their modern counterparts. The book features vibrant illustrations and engaging text that makes Franklin's accomplishments accessible to young readers. This book is a great choice for introducing children to American history and inspiring them to think creatively.

“Lighting is electricity.“

Everything Comes Next written by Naomi Shihab Nye (2020). Is a collection of poems that explores human connection, childhood, conflict, and connectivity. The book includes new and old poems and is divided into 3 sections of poetry. This story has a wide piety of poems and is a fun piece of poetry and literature an educator could pull from.

The style of these poems are all inclusive and very calm. The poems are all warm and welcoming, drawing reader in to read comfortably. This book can be understood by a wide variety of people because of its use of everyday images and themes.

“If you know how to read, you can never be lonely.”

This story would be good for alliteration practice and a fantastic way to link science and literature.

Cricket in the Thicket by Carol Murray published in 2017 is a beautiful notable poetry book and verse novel. This is a whimsical book with many poems about all different kind of insects. The author incorporates facts about each bug on each page. The illustrations are beautiful and give accurate with lots of details and representations of insects. Pages also incorporate collages of newspaper clippings and pictures that add a lot of texture.

“Just imagine, if you could, a creepy crawler crunching wood.”

This story would be a great demonstration of visual storytelling and rhyming words. This could give students opportunity to model and demonstrate their own poems.

Poem in My Pocket by Chris Tougas was published in 2021. This story symbolizes the flow of narrative from the main character. The main character experiences a rip in his pocket that he does not know about. The hole demonstrates the words falling out rhythmically. This story is a great demonstration for how visuals are incorporated with poems.

“The seeds of thoughts were planted. I had set my story free! That poem in my pocket turned into a POETREE“

This book evokes calm and gentle feelings. It is soothing and calming and this makes it a beautiful read for students. This story could be added to morning meeting or even a relaxation routine to help students unwind!

Pea Pod Lullaby then by Glenda Millard, a cute children's book that uses soothing and calm rhythms with a beautiful story about a mother‘s love for her child. The narrative and plot takes readers through a fun journey in a garden that is filled with vibrant and gorgeous imagery and gentle, moving text that evokes a calming and joyous atmosphere.

“I am the sapphire night you are the lantern moon, light me“

June 30:
If you are wondering about me and where I could be on a day that drips hot and thick like honey walk down the river and around the bend to flat rocks, warm and waiting and there I will be and you will find me swimming.

I really liked this book and would implement it in my classroom as a way to introduce poetry. It can be very interactive especially in young readers and young grades. I would also do this according to the dates that are in the book and coordinate fun activities to do with them. It is a great way to talk to students about the different structures of poems.

When Green Becomes Tomatoes a poetry book by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Julie Morstad, (2016). This book is a collection of poems that depict the
changing of the seasons throughout the year and how we change with the seasons as well.
It goes from the beautiful blossoms of spring scenes to summer activities, to fall chills and the serene quiet of winter. With fast rhymes and beautiful imagery, this book brings poetry and the seasons to life.

Better Left Buried written by Emma Haughton (2024) is a contemporary realistic fiction that takes dark turns and twists throughout the story. Lucy the main character investigates the towns secrets and connects with other teens to solve mystery. Together they uncover dangerous truths about their families and town‘s hidden past. The story Is filled with suspense and romance which drives the plot foreward.

“meet me in the park. I have that, and Dad's old flannel. still loose at my shoulders and long for my wrists. And I have the knife tucked inside my boot. Just in case“

This book is a thriller and very captivating, however this book wouldn‘t be one I use in my personal classroom. This book has young adult themes that would not be appropriate for elementary readers. The language is also challenging and too difficult for the grades I prefer to teach.

I would use this book to talk to my students about emotions. While observing in my previous and current classroom placements, I have noticed emotional regulation is one of the biggest challenges I see students struggling with. I would also use this to educate students about overcoming challenges.

Because of Winn-Dixie written by Kate DiCamillo (2000) is a great choice for this genre of children books. I think everyone should read this book. The main character overcomes many hardships and challenges. This book could be used to educate students about talking about emotions and common challenges one may face.

“Do you think everybody misses somebody? Like I miss my mama?” “Mmmm-hmmm,” said Gloria. She closed her eyes. “I believe, sometimes, that the whole world has an aching heart.”

Contemporary Fiction- Hummingbird season is relatable children's book that accurately portrays the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of a child. The book is an easy and quick read that includes a somewhat poetic appearance of lines. The main character, Archie, who finds a new love of hummingbirds and relates to the trials and tribulations that hummingbirds endure. This book validates and honors the experiences of children.

Humminbird Season would be a great way to talk about children's experiences during the pandemic. Although it is a chapter book, it is an easy read and accurately portrays the experiences of children. I would recommend this for children 5th grade and up.

“But my reaching finger doesn't touch a dried, dead leaf. It touches a soft, still something.“

This is a Contemporary Fiction book, published in 2016. The main character, Nancy and her best friend Bree are trying to make a fortune and in the process of finding the best product to sell, they realize the challenges that come along and that sometimes the best things in life are free! This is a simple read, with chapters and occasional pictures in the beginning of each chapter to capture the reader.

I would use this fun story as a read before the end of the day to calm students down and keep them engaged. I think it serves an important message of how money and materialistic items are not worth as much as things such as love, friendship, and time!

“Maybe what the song said was true. Maybe the best things in life were free”
(p. 133)

“Well, Saxonberg, that's why I'm leaving the drawings of Angel to Claudia and Jamie Kincaid, your two lost grandchildren that you were so worried about“

I thought that the point of view in which this story was told (revealed at the end) makes the story very interesting. Since it is a chapter book this would have to be used with the older grades. I would use this story to talk about POV within texts.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg was published in 1967. This is a story that follows two young children who are siblings who run away from home in an attempt to make their absence noticeable to their parents. The children go to the Metropolitan Art Museum and from there meet many interesting characters and interesting circumstances.

“Its just good that your there that‘s all”(Moyes 144)

This story I would not use personally in my classroom in an elementary setting, however it is a beautiful read that could be incorporated in high school with a move pairing.