The Poet X is one of my favorite books ever. It is a RF novel written in verse. This book is the first of Elizabeth Acevedo and it has already been on the NYT best sellers list as well as the 2018 National Book Award Finalist. In this story, X is a young girl in Harlem who discovers slam poetry as a way to use her voice. This book does touch on controversial topics, so it would be best for older students. #LAE3414sp19

Anyone who knows me knows that I am ALL about culture and diversity and integrating that in my classroom—& that is why I am so excited to share this book! In this NF PB, Matt Lamothe shares the lives of 7 different children from 7 different countries. This is not a traditional read, it is actually read like a comic book—box by box. I would definitely use this as a RA & make sure the students are able to see all of the pictures. #LAE3414sp19

After reading Pi in the Sky, I wanted to learn more about Wendy Mass and look more into her SF books! That brought me to the Space Taxi series, which is a short series that she wrote about a boy who discovers his father is not an ordinary taxi driver—he drives an intergalactic space taxi! In a series of 5 books, Wendy Mass and Michael Brewer give a silly and fun read into the space world. #LAE3414sp19

Growing up, I always had a hard time reading SF books. This semester I challenged myself to read & understand the genre better. Pi in the Sky is SF—but it‘s also about mystery, time, & relationships. Joss, the 7th son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe embarks on a journey to rebuild Earth to help save his friends. I was so pleased with this book & excited to find this NYT Best Selling Author Wendy Mass. #LAE3414sp19

This is definitely one of the most exciting children‘s book that I have come across thus far. Award winning author Adam Rubin adds a twist to a classic tale for children to enjoy! He noted, “It‘s easy to dismiss the unfamiliar, but compassion takes a little more effort” & that is exactly what he demonstrates in this TL PB. Each sentence is half english/spanish which gives a cool dynamic for ESOL & English speaking learners. #LAE3414sp19

I have always loved reading biographies and learning about real people and their impact to society, and this book surely does not disappoint! Kadir Nelson, alongside author Carole B Weatherford pay a beautiful tribute to Harriet Tubman in this Caldecott winning PB. I would love to integrate this book through a social studies unit, or even as an independent AS. #LAE3414sp19

In my RED class, my professor read this book aloud. This was the first time that a teacher read a book to me in a long time, and I LOVED it. In this RF short novel, award winning Paul Fleischman tells a story about how a community garden brought together a neighborhood. Each chapter is told from a different characters POV which I found really interesting. I would use this as a LC in my class! #LAE3414sp19

This might or might not be one of my all time favorites! Recently, I found some old poetry that my mom wrote when she was a kid. Her poetry was all random, fun, & creative! After talking to her about it, I quickly related it back to my childhood—my mom always kept this book on the coffee table. Inspiration is important when it comes to children! This book is a great example of how kids can be inspired to read/write poetry! #LAE3414sp19

Everybody knows the tale of how Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, but his life after the fall is a tale not too many people know! After Taylor presented this book in class, I just HAD to read it for myself. This fun twist on a classic TL tale would be a great addition to your classroom library, and would even be used as a great S! #LAE3414sp19

As I was flipping through the children‘s book section in Barnes & Noble, this giant orange dot couldn‘t help but catch my attention. Simple yet extraordinary, the dot represents that there is art in everything! In this RF PB, a student who is struggling creatively gets inspired when the teacher has her sign the dot she drew. I would love to use this as a RA to inspire my kids, as well . #LAE3414sp19

As a huge fan of Jamie Lee Curtis, I was so excited to read this book...and she did NOT disappoint! In this relatable P picture book, Curtis tells a hilarious tale of a mother who can not stop taking selfies! Just as impressive as the writing, Laura Cornell does not disappoint with her extremely elaborate illustrations. The illustrations are definitely deserving of being seen, so this book would be great as a RA for your class! #LAE3414sp19

Why Mosquitos Buzz in People‘s Ears is a great example of how TL can be integrated into the classroom to promote a fun and exciting learning experience for young readers. In this Caldecott award winning picture book, author Werdna Aardema and illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon tell a traditional African Tale about the myth behind the masquito‘s buzz. This would be a great S to share with your class. #LAE3414sp19

This 1997 Newberry Award Honor F novel is a must-have in every classroom library! As a child, this was the first chapter book that I picked up and could NOT put down! The reason I love this book so much is because author Gail Carson Levine takes the traditional story “Cinderella” and adds a number of mythical creatures including fairies, ogres, and giants to add a fun twist to a story that we all know so well. #LAE3414sp19

Interested in Finding Langston? Get ready to step into the shoes of a young African American boy living in Chicago post WWII! In this Coretta Scott Kjng award winning HF novel, Lesa Cline-Ransome takes readers back to the 60‘s as a young boy named Langston. Uplifting and empowering, this novel shows how one boy‘s love reading and poetry helped him overcome his day-to-day struggles. #LAE3414sp19

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes is a fun P picture book about the similarities and differences between all children. Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, this would be a great P book to use as a S in your class! #LAE3414sp19

Wishtree is a Newbery Award winning F novel is a wonderful story about a neighborhood tree and the community around it. It holds an important message, suitable for all ages, and would be a great addition to your classroom library. Using this book as an LC in your class would be a great strategy to create meaningful discussions amongst students and monitor reading comprehension. #LAE3414sp19

Based on a true story, this book is a heartwarming B about a Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jessica Kensky and her rescue service-dog. Written by survivor Jeasixa Kensky and her husband Patrick Downes, this book beautifully depicts the journey they went through after the marathon and the journey of a rescue dog. This book would be great if used as an AS for students, and a good opportunity for students to learn about the bombing. #LAE3414sp19

In this RF picture book, Mem Fox takes readers on a cultural journey around the globe using stirring words and vivid illustrations. This book would be a great RA for any classroom because it celebrates diversity by showing students the similarities and differences among everybody around the world. The illustrator, Leslie Staub, uses bold colors and paintings to help students relate to the different cultures around the world. #LAE3414sp19

Balloons over Broadway (Caldecott Honor Winner) is a NF picture book about the puppeteer of the Macy‘s Thanksgiving Day parade. Written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, the beautiful illustrations create a fun and engaging story for students to learn about art and history. This would be a great addition to your classroom library, as well as a wonderful LC for your students to engage in. #LAE3414sp19

Ben‘s Trumpet is a captivating HF tale about the culture and impact of jazz music in the twenties. Written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora, this Caldecott Silver Medal Award winning book uses captivating images to tell the unique story of youthful passion and talent taking place in the roaring twenties. This picture book would be a great RA for your class to create a history lesson and incorporate music into your classroom. #LAE3414sp19