Favorite - Biographies - (7)

Abraham, P. (2002). Amelia Earhart. New York, NY: Rosen Book Works, Inc. A super simple biography for beginners. This series is a great introduction to early readers to the genre of biographies. Amelia Earhart's life is briefly highlighted without mentioning her untimely death. K-2nd readers. Good for introducing the concept of biographies to early readers.


Farris, C. (2003). My brother Martin: A sister remembers growing up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Illustrations by Chris Soentpiet. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s sister Christine pays tribute to her brother in this remembrance from their childhood. One specific, pivotal moment is shared when two neighbor boys announce that they can't play with Martin and Christine anymore because they are "Negroes." Dramatic, luminous illustrations enhance the story that is recommended for all ages. Good to read during Black History Month or for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations.

Gerstein, M. (2003). The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. This is the story of Philippe Petit's tight rope walk between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. The inventive foldout tracking Philippe's progress across the wire offers a view of the city below; the next page shows the aerialist from the street below. The artist's paintings give a breathtaking view of the memory of the towers on the final page. This book is great for all ages to show the towers before and after the 2001 disaster. It won the Caldecott Medal in 2004.
Good to read on the anniversary of the World Trade Center disaster.

Grimes, N. (2002). Talkin' bbout Bessie. New York, NY: Orchard Books. A fictionalized biography of Bessie Coleman's life takes us to her funeral where 20 of her mourners speak of her life. Brilliant illustrations by E.B. Lewis and B. Moser are watercolors with sepia-toned outlines bring the character to life. This book won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award as well as the Illustrator Award for 2003. Good choice for biography study.

Levine, K. 2002). Hana's suitcase. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company. This book tells the story of Hana Brady, a girl killed at Auschwitz, and how her suitcase came to be a part of the Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center. While a sad story, it ends on a positive note with the Japanese children learning about the Holocaust. The book goes back and forth between Hana's life in Czechoslovakia and to the teacher in Japan teaching her class about Hana. Photographs of Hana and her family and of the teacher and children in Japan make this a great way to teach the topic of the Holocaust. Upper level readers. A wonderful choice for fifth graders studying the Holocaust.

Martin, J. (1998). Snowflake Bentley. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. Illustrated by Mary Azarian. Readers will be very interested in the life of Wilson Bentley who perfected the art of snowflake photography through amazing trial and error. They will marvel at his determination and hard work while hardly making enough money to continue his art--good lessons for today's children. **Caldecott Medal Winner** Great to use to extend study of snowflakes in science unit. To take a quiz about Snowflake Bentley, click here: Snowflake Bentley Test.
To make snowflakes online, click here: Snowflakes Online


Ryan, P. (2002). When Marian sang. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Illustrations by Brian Selznick. Singer Marian Anderson was a huge success in Europe while hardly known here in America because of racism. Unable to appear at the Metropolitan Opera until she was 57, this book tells of her frustration and confusion at America's treatment of her and her amazing talent. The illustrations are striking, especially the two-page spread of her appearance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. Middle readers. A good choice for a middle grade biography study. To hear an audio clip of Marian Anderson, click here:
Marian Anderson at Lincoln Memorial

Favorite Poetry (6)

Crossley-Holland, K. (2004). Once Upon a Poem. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Find some classic poems all in one place in this collection. Paul Revere's Ride, Jabberwocky, and The Cremation of Sam McGee can all be found here. Four different artists (Peter and Sian Bailey, Carol Lawson and Chris McEwan) illustrate the book, and the art fits the feel of the individual poems beautifully in every case. There's something in this book for every K-5 level. Great way to introduce some of the classics in poetry to each level student.


Florian, D. (1999). Laugh-eteria. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Company. I feel students need a fun introduction to poetry. This book is fun and easy to understand for even the youngest reader. Florian's black and white illustrations are simple and child-like. These short, easy poems are a good way to motivate students to write their own poetry. Just let their imaginations fly.



Gutman, D. (2007). Casey Back at Bat. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Want to make boys into poetry fans? Bring sports into the picture. This sequel to Casey at the Bat takes us back to Mudville for Casey's turn at bat. This fanciful story gives Casey another try at the plate and we watch as Casey smashes that ball out of the park, out of the state and out of this world. The artwork by Steve Johnson and Louis Fancher uses an unusual technique of blending newspapers and paintings and is a very effective medium. A fun, revisit of a favorite poem. Great to engage those students who aren't that familiar or aren't interested in poetry.

Prelutsky, J. (1997). It's Raining Pigs and Noodles. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Jack Prelutsky is a master of making poetry a delight for readers. This collection is hilarious and every age group can enjoy it. The illustrations by James Stevenson lend another humorous aspect to the funny poems, and they add to the pieces without overwhelming them. A great way to engage students into poetry. Fun to read aloud and share.



Shore, D. (2006). This is the Dream. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. This book is a celebration of the power of change. It traces civil rights challenges and the people who broke the barriers. The artwork by James Ransome is a blend of photography and painting combined into striking collages with vibrant color and drama. The artwork is as powerful than the words and this is a great book to share with all students of every age.


Silverstein, S. 1974). Where the Sidewalk Ends. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books. No poetry collection is complete without Shel Silverstein. His offbeat style and sens of humor strikes a chord with every school child. His line art is the perfect accompaniment for his ridiculous subject matter, and the readers will love it all. It's great for all ages.

Favorite Realistic Fiction - (14)

Cleary, B. (1951). Ellen Tebbits. Toronto, Canada: George J. McLeod Limited. Yes, this book was around when I was a little girl. It was always one of my favorites because I could relate to Ellen--not quite dainty enough to be a ballerina and having daily issues with a best friend and annoying neighbor boy. Perfect for third grade and up. Would be a good novel study in middle grades.
Learn more about Beverly Cleary at: www.beverlycleary.com

Clements, A. (1996). Frindle. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. When Nick gets into a battle of wills with his fifth grade teacher over a made-up word, frindle, he certainly doesn't expect the trouble it causes. Middle grades love this book, and it's a great read-aloud.
Learn more about Andrew Clements at: www.andrewclements.com


Creech, S. (2002). Ruby Holler. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Thirteen-year-old twins, Dallas and his sister, Florida, have just about given up on ever being adopted. There were all those miserable foster homes, like Mr. Dreep who kept them locked in the cellar. Then, out of the blue, an old couple takes a chance on them to accompany them on separate vacations. This is a wonderful character-rich novel that will warm the hearts of upper elementary students...one of my favorites. Great read-aloud.

DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. OK, folks, this is the one--my very favorite work of fiction. But, beware, it's the saddest book I've ever failed to be able to read aloud without crying! It's a beautiful story of Edward Tulane, a vain china rabbit who learns the heartache of love. The incredible, muted illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, are the perfect compliment to the story. A word of warning, the story contains more mature subject matter and is for upper elementary students. Great middle and upper grade read-aloud.
For some writing tips from Kate DiCamillo, click here: Writing Tips

Gantos, J. (1998). Joey Pigza swallowed the key. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. This book is a first-person look at what it's like to had Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Told from Joey's point of view, we see what it's like to be out of control at school. He ruins the field trip, sticks his finger in the pencil sharpener, and even swallows a key. It's funny, but painful as we suffer with Joey while he's struggling with this disorder. A great book for ADD kids who are looking for a hero. A good read-aloud for upper elementary students.
To go to an entertaining site to learn more about the Joey Pigza books and others by Jack Gantos, click here: Jack Gantos

Holt, K. (1998). My Louisiana sky. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company. Tiger Parker doesn't have many friends. Her parents are different than anyone else's in Saitter, Louisiana. Her father quit school when he was 12 and her mother never even went to school. Tiger lives with her parents and her grandmother, but she is often put in the position of taking care of everyone. But when her Aunt Dora comes from Baton Rouge offering her a more glamorous life, what will she choose? It's a wonderful story of overcoming hardship and making big decisions. Upper elementary students will love it. A good read-aloud.
To visit Kimberly Willis Holt's website, click here: www.kimberlywillisholt.com

Johnson, A. (1998). Heaven. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. What makes a family? Is it the people you grow up with? What happens if the people you believe are your parents turn out not to be. This is the problem Marley must face when she finds out that the beautiful letters her uncle write to her are really letters from her father. This book is for upper level readers as it deals with more mature subject matter. A Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner from 1999.

Klise, K. (2005). Deliver us from Normal. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Charles Harrisong lists his family as one of the most embarrassing things in life, and they are. They may live in Normal, Illinois, but they're anything but normal. When his sister's campaign for class president takes an ugly turn, the family pulls up stakes and moves to a houseboat in Alabama. It's a great psychological novel, but it's for upper elementary students only due to more mature subject matter.

McCloskey, R. (1943). Homer Price. New York, NY: Viking Press. It's an oldy but a goody. This classic, homespun collection of six stories about Centerburg will delight all middle grade elementary students. My favorite story is about the donut machine gone wild while all the residents of Centerburg eat through the donuts to find a diamond bracelet. A great read-aloud.


Robinson, B (1972). The best Christmas pageant ever. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. A classic that tells the story of a rag-tag bunch of kids who teach a church congregation the true meaning of Christmas. Those Herdman kids are wild, cigar-smoking trouble-makers, but they want to be in the Christmas pageant. Middle and upper elementary students will howl at the crazy antics of the Herdmans. Fun to use during the holidays as a read-aloud.

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York, NY: Francis Foster Books. That "no good, dirty rotten, pig-stealing great-great-grandfather" of Stanley Yealnats was to blame for his rotten luck. It was his fault Stanley had to go the Camp Green Lake (no camp, no lake!). And all they do at this juvenile detention facility is dig holes and then fill them in. There's a mystery going on out there, too. This funny and strange story also tells a story of friendship and hope for the underdog. **Newbery Medal Winner**
A good read-aloud.

Cooper, S. (1993). The boggart. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books. The Vulnick family returns home from looking at the Scottish castle they just inherited to find some strange things happening. They soon realize that a mischievous boggart has stowed away in a piece of furniture they brought home with them. From things flying through the air at Halloween to communicating with the children through the television, this fun book will be a great read for middle to upper elementary students. Fun to use near Halloween as a read-aloud.

Peck, R. (2000). A year down yonder. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. It's 1937 and poor Mary Alice has to go and spend time with Granny Dowdel out in the country. That means sleeping in the attic and wearing old, worn out clothes, but still being called "the rich girl from Chicago" at school. She soon becomes Granny's sidekick in her crazy schemes as she comes to love her irascible, old granny. For upper elementary students. **Newbery Medal Winner** Just a great book for a read-aloud.

Wallace, B. (1980). A dog called Kitty. New York, NY: Holiday House. Ricky was mauled by a dog when he was little, and he's terrified of dogs now. But he puts his fear aside to rescue a puppy. This is a classic boy and dog story that kids love. Bill Wallace knows how to entertain an audience and middle and upper readers will love this touching, hopeful book. A great read-aloud.

Favorite Historical Fiction - (11)

Anderson, L. (2000). Fever 1793. New York, NY: Simon &Schuster.
This book is a wonderful historical fiction piece, which discusses the yellow fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia in 1793 when it was the first capital of the United States. This well-researched novel tells the story of Mattie Cook and the struggle she and her grandfather undertake to flee the mosquito-infested, disease ridden city. This is an upper elementary story because of the dark subject matter, but it's definitely a page-turning thriller. For upper level readers. This book can be used to extend a unit on disease and epidemics.


Auch, M. (2002). Ashes of roses. New York, NY: Holt. Rose and her family arrive at Ellis Island and are devastated to find that her little brother is sick with trachoma and her parents must return to Ireland. Rose and her 12-year-old sister, Maureen, are allowed to stay in their new country. They begin work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and begin to enjoy New York. However, the climax of the novel is the famous fire that was one of the worst industrial disasters in U.S. history. This book address child labor, racial prejudice, and courage in the face of adversity. It's for upper level readers. Great book to use when study immigration.

Avi. (2002). Crispin: The cross of lead. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. Crispin is a 13-year-old peasant in 14th century England, whose mother has just died. He finds himself blamed for a theft he didn't commit and is labeled a "wolf's head" allowing anyone to kill him on sight. This entertaining novel has twists and turns and a thrilling plot that will keep the upper level readers enthralled. ***Newbery Medal Winner** Good read-aloud.


Beatty, P. (1984). Turn homeward, Hannalee. New York, NY: William Morrow and Company. This book is a particular favorite of mine because it's about the Civil War and our own area. It takes place in Roswell, Georgia, as Hannalee, a young cotton mill worker who is kidnapped by the Union army after the mill is burned to the ground. She is sent to be a servant to a family in Indiana and she spends her time making plans to return to her homeland. It's a wonderful story and introduces students to some of the lesser-known occurrences during the Civil War. It's an upper elementary level reader. Great book to use during study of Civil War.

Curtis, C. (1999). Bud, not Buddy. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. Ten-year-old Buddy Caldwell is an orphan and runaway from foster homes and Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He's on a quest to find his real father, who he believes is a bass player for the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. The novel addresses poverty, racism and cruelty and, therefore, is for upper level readers. ***Newberry Medal Winner*** Good for read-aloud in study of the Great Depression.


Giff, P. (1997). Lily's crossing. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. Lily's summer of 1944 takes a dramatic turn when her father announces that he's enlisted in the army and is shipping out. That leaves Lily alone with her grandmother in Rockaway, New York, until Albert moves in. He's a shy Hungarian refugee with a horrifying past in war-torn Europe. It's a sensitive look at a developing friendship and the compassion of youth. A Newberry Honor Book.


Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. The story of the evacuation of Jews from Denmark is told through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen. Her best friend, Ellen Rosen, is in danger, and this story highlights the untold story of the rescue of 7,000 Jews in a flotilla to Sweden in 1943. Its emotion and story of courage and loyalty should not be missed by middle to upper level readers. **Newberry Medal Winner** Good to use in study of the Holocaust.


Myers, W. (1999). The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins: A World War II soldier, Normandy, France, 1944. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Seventeen-year-old Scott Collins is on his way across the English Channel in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. Six weeks later, he's been wounded in France and has been promoted to sergeant, not for his military expertise, but because he survived D-Day. It's a story of the loss of innocence and courage under pressure. It discusses the brutality of war, so it's not for younger readers, but it's an accurate depiction of the horrors of war. Wonderful for the study of W.W.II.

Peck, R. (2004). The teacher's funeral: A comedy in three parts. New York, NY: Dial Books for Children. Richard Peck is at his best in this hysterical story of Russell Culver, a 15-year-old who is living in the midwest in 1904. He's still in the eighth grade and goes to school in a one-room schoolhouse. When the teacher, Myrt Arbuckle, dies, Russell is horrified when his older sister takes the job. His pranks and mischief aimed at his sister will delight readers of middle to upper level. You'll learn about the history of the time and be highly entertained at the same time. Good period piece of life at the turn of the century.

Ryan, P. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Esperanza's 13th birthday is ruined when her father is murdered. She and her family must leave Mexico where they enjoyed a privileged life to the United States where her mother must make a living in the fields. It's a story of life in the Depression, immigration and classism. A must for any collection. It won the Pura Belpre Medal in 2002. Good to use in a study of Mexican immigration and multicultural issues.

Schmidt, G. (2004). Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster boy. New York, NY: Clarion Books. It's 1911 and Turner Buckminster has just moved with his family from Boston to Phippsburg, Maine. It's bad enough he's the son of the new minister, but he keeps getting into trouble. Things start to look up when he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a black girl from the nearby Malaga Island. The town's leaders are trying to find a way to remove the inhabitants of the island so they can make it into a resort. This book tackles very grown-up issues--racism, bullying, and human rights. It's for the very upper elementary readers, but the rich characters make this a worthwhile read. **Newbery Honor Book** Great read aloud.

Favorite Non-Fiction - Informational - (8)

Crossingham, J. (2003). Lacrosse in action. New York, NY: Crabtree Press. Lacrosse is exploding in our area of Cobb County and this introductory book is a great way to grab the interests of young enthusiasts. It outlines the skills and equipment (aided by color photographs) needed to begin the sport at the level of middle level readers. Good book for enthusiasts to explore their interests in lacrosse.




Davies, N. (2001). One tiny turtle. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. This wonderful book provides many interesting details about loggerhead turtles as it follows a tiny turtle from the nest into the sea. The obstacles to survival are outlined and we watch the turtle grow and return to the same beach to lay her eggs 30 years later. A great introduction to non-fiction for early readers. Jane Chapman's lovely paintings provide a magnificent backdrop to the information offered. Wonderful book when studying the ocean and sea life.


Frost, H. (1999). Monarch butterflies. Monkato, MN: Pebble Books. These Pebble Books are the best invention since sliced bread! On beginning reader AR levels of less than 1 point through 2 points, they are the perfect introduction to non-fiction. Short, simple text and colorful photographs give readers their first look at "real" books. Kindergartners love them! This book is a great way to introduce a butterfly unit in low grades.


Hatkoff, I., and Hatkoff, C. (2006). Owen and Mzee. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Originally an ebook, this is the remarkable story of a baby hippopotamus (Owen) orphaned during a tsunami and brought to a animal sanctuary in Kenya, where he befriends a 130-year-old tortoise named Mzee. Photographed by BBC photojournalist, Peter Greste, the pictures show the amazing tolerance of the old tortoise when Owen approaches him for protection and security. They are shown swimming, playing and snuggling together as their strong bond forms. Students of all ages will enjoy the drama of the tsunami as a backdrop for the surprising friendship of two unlikely wild animals. Great book to use to study friendship and also when studying disasters like tsunamis.

Morris, A. (2005). Tsunami: Helping each other. New York, NY: Millbrook Press. This book treats the tsunami which devastated the southeast Asian area in 2004 in a particularly sensitive way. It tells the story of two brothers who lost their father in the tsunami and are working with several agencies to rebuild their lives and their town. Stock photography and personal photographs of the photographer, Heidi Larson, pay close attention to the progress being made in this village, particularly the rebuilding of the school. Good to use when studying disasters and tsunamis.

Murphy, S. (1999). Rabbit's pajama party. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Stuart Murphy has done a great job in introducing math concepts in picture book form in his MathStart series. This story tells of Rabbit and his friends planning a party to show how events happen in sequential order. Bright illustrations by Frank Remkiewicz keep the early readers engaged.


Osborne, M. (2000). Dinosaurs: A nonfiction companion to Dinosaurs Before Dark. New York, NY: Random House. Mary Pope Osborne brings us an companion to her Magic Tree House book on dinosaurs. The characters, Jack and Annie, narrate this chapter-book style information book relating how the research has been done, what other animals were alive during this time and explanations of what happened to the dinosaurs. It concludes with ideas on museum visits, CD-ROMs, internet sites, and videos to expand your search. Photographs and black and white illustrations add to the content of the books. Great to introduce research concepts to middle level readers.


van Rose, S. (2004). Eyewitness volcano and earthquake. New York, NY: DK Publishing. For middle and upper level readers, DK is the king of non-fiction. With spectacular photographs of dramatic volcanoes and earthquake disasters, this book holds readers' attention with short and information texts. Younger readers will enjoy looking at all the pictures, even though the length of the book may be too difficult.

Favorite Picture Books - (27)

Appelt, K. (2004) . Bubba and Beau meet the relatives. Orlando, FL: Harcourt.
Yee-haw! The relatives are coming, and Bubba and Beau are too busy playing in the mud to notice. They love its squishy squish and squashy squash. After a bath, a new, stiff sailor suit for Bubba and new bandana for Beau, they're ready to meet the relatives, including froufrou Cousin Arlene and her dog, Bitsy. Sister, it was better than a trip to Graceland. This Texas story with its colorful illustrations by Arthur Howard will delight your preschool-3rd grade listeners. Good to study dialects and families.

Arnold, T. (2004). Even more parts. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. Your readers will love the hilarious idioms presented in this book as a young boy worries about what will happen to his body when he hears phrases like "It cost me an arm and a leg," and "I have a frog in my throat." It's good to use at all elementary ages. Upper grades will use it explore idioms in a humorous way. Tedd Arnold illustrations are colorful and funny. Great to study idioms at all ages.

Artell, M. (2001). Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. The classic fairy tale comes alive in the swamp as Petite Rouge meets up, not with the wolf, but with that 'ol gator, Claude. With rich Cajun dialect (and a glossary to help you figure out what it is they're saying), this book is a great read-aloud. It's perfect for upper elementary--the younger ones may have trouble understanding the way the characters talk. The illustrations by Jim Harris provide the comical backdrop for this entertaining romp through the swamp. Great fractured fairy tale companion to classic fairy tales.

Breathed, B. (2007). Mars needs moms!, New York, NY: Philomel Books. The illustrations by the author light up the story of a young boy, Milo, who doesn't appreciate his mom. What's so special about moms anyway? They're "bellowing broccoli bullies and carrot-cuddling cuckoos." When Martians come and kidnap his mother in the middle of the night, Milo hops aboard to see what the fuss is all about. His adventure brings him to the realization that mothers are important not only to the motherless Martians, but to him as well. All elementary ages will love the story and the illustrations. Great to use around Mother's Day as a read-aloud.

Brett, J. (2007). Three snow bears. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. Jan Brett's new retelling of the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears fairy tale will be a must for your library. Brett's captivating illustrations will keep your readers glued to the story and to the clues shown in the side panels of her pages. All ages will love this fractured tale and the rich pictures that Brett offers in this book. Can be used as a fractured fairy tale along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears to compare and contrast elements.

Brisson, P. (2006). I remember Miss Perry. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. This book deals with the loss of a teacher, Miss Perry, and the ways the students choose to remember her. While the subject matter is difficult, there comes a time when we need to have this kind of book in our collection to help a child face the death of someone close. Death is handled sensitively and sweetly as the children recall all the fun days they had with their favorite teacher. Good for all elementary ages. A good book to use when a student is dealing with the loss of someone close.

Bruel, N. (2005). Bad Kitty. New Milford, CT: Nela Porter Book. She was always a good kitty until one day, her owners are out of cat food and decide to feed Kitty healthy and delicious food. This charming alphabet book illustrates not only the ABCs of healthy food, but also the ABCs of Kitty's bad behavior as a result of that awful food. A great cause and effect book with Nick Bruel's illustrations is a hit with all elementary age groups.

Buehner, C. (2002). Snowmen at night. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. Do you think snowmen just stand in their frozen poses after you go to bed at night? Well, think again. This book by husband and wife team, Caralyn Buehand Mark Buehner show that those snowmen are anything but frozen in place. They slide into the park for sledding and ice cold cocoa and then the snowman games begin. Mark Buehner's illustrations even have hidden pictures for readers to locate. This book could spark some creative writing activities for first through third graders.

Bunting, E. (1990). The wall. New York, NY: Clarion Books. Eve Bunting tackles a subject not written about often, the Vietnam Memorial. It is a look at the wall itself and also the lives of those names appear on it. Told from the view of a little boy looking at the wall with his dad to find the name of his grandfather, it's a story that links generations. It can be used for all ages of children as a tie-in with the Vietnam War. The illustrations by Ronald Himler are subtle and muted, giving a respectful tone to a sensitive subject.

Christelow, E. (1993). The five-dog night. New York, NY: Clarion Books. This book is a favorite of mine for winter. Crabby old Ezra just can't seem to get rid of his nosy neighbor, Old Better. She's always telling him what to do and advice on how to survive the cold weather. He never listens to her--he has his own way to keep warm, his pack of lovable dogs. This is a story of friendship, one that is only realized when it's almost lost. Ms. Christelow's illustrations are simple but endearing. A book for low to mid-level elementary readers to study weather and friendship.

Deedy, C. (1994). The library dragon. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd. Who could have a school library without this great book? The new librarian, Miss Lotta Scales, won't let anyone check out a book (no sticky little fingers touching the books), but it isn't long before the teachers confront Miss Scales, reminding her that the library belongs to the children. It takes a child, Molly Brickmeyer, to convince the library dragon that what lies beneath that dragon's exterior is really a sweet, mild librarian, Miss Lotti. A charmer for all ages, especially at the beginning of the year during orientation.

DiPucchio, K. (2008). Grace for President. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. This is a great book for election year, especially in light of the recent bid for President by Hillary Clinton. It's the story of Grace, who is outraged when she learns that no woman has ever been the President. She goes on a quest to become the class president. But, now Thomas Cobb, the most popular boy in the class is running against her. What now? This book touches on the election process and tghe electoral college vote. It will be a great introduction to elections for low grades this fall. Illstrations by LeUyen Pham are adequate, if not terribly impressive.

Goldfinger, J. (2007). My dog Lyle. New York, NY: Clarion Books. Calling all dog lovers! This one is one you'll need to add to your collection. It's a story based on the author's dog when she was a little girl. The illustrations are lively and warm and show the spirit of Lyle, the adventurous, mischievous, lovable scamp all your readers will appreciate. It's a great read-aloud for all ages of elementary readers.


Henkes, K. (1991). Chysanthemum. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. A classic for all school libraries and a great book for the beginning of the school year. Chrysanthemem was perfect and had the perfect name, that is, until she started school. Then the children made fun of her name. "You're named after a flower." Her school year is ruined, and nothing her parents can say will help. Until a very smart teacher shares her name with Chrysanthmum....Delphinium! This book will lend itself to many beginning of the school year activities using student's names. A must for every library. Colorful, sweet illustrations match the story.


Hopkins, J. (2007). Goldie Socks and the three libearians. Fort Atkinson, WI: Highsmith Books. This fractured fairy tale is just right for the library. With hidden book care and reading tips like the five finger rule, you'll be teaching new visitors the rules while entertaining them too. Colorful illustrations by John Manders reinforce the rules about how NOT to put books back on the shelf. The story is a happy twist on the old classic, but this one has a happy ending. Great to use during orientation at the beginning of the year.

Hutchins, H. (2204). A second is a hiccup. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books. A book for all those parents who have been asked, "How long is an hour?," this book explains the concept of a second, minute, hour, year, etc., in simple, smart text and pleasant illustrations by Kady Denton. It puts those increments of time in easy-to-understand rhyme. Best for early grades to learn about time.



Johnson, A. (2005). A sweet smell of roses. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. A wonderful view of history told from the viewpoint of children who have sneaked out of the house to go and hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak in their neighborhood during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The black and white drawings by Eric Velasquez are dramatic and bring the story to life. A book for all ages. Great to use during Black History Month and Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations.


Orloff, K. (2004). I wanna iguana. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons. As told from letters to his mother, Alex tries to convince her that an iguana would be the perfect pet. As the letters fly back and forth, we learn about the habits of the iguana. The illustrations by David Catrow are bright and hysterical, adding to the story immensely. It's a book for all elementary ages, great for studying reptiles and pets.


Payne, T. and J. (2003). The hippo-NOT-amus. New York, NY: Orchard Books. Portly the Hippo is finding his life rather boring, and he sets out to find the right kind of animal to be. He attempts to do the kinds of things they do -- hanging from a tree like a bat, walking on stilts like a giraffe. This search for identity is funny and engaging and will strike a chord with all young readers. The bright, silly illustrations by Guy Parker-Rees add much to the story. Good read-aloud to study animal characteristics.


Polacco, P. (2007). The lemonade club. New York, NY: Philomel Books. Patricia Polacco always tackles tough issues in her books. This time it's cancer. When her best friend, Marilyn, is diagnosed with leukemia, Traci doesn't know how to help her friend. Their teacher, Miss Wichelman, tries to help by asking the two friends to wear bright yellow dresses in her wedding. They will take these lemons she's been handed and make lemonade. They start the Lemonade Club in support of Marilyn. The class rallies and they all shave their heads to make Marilyn feel more at ease with her condition. But then Miss Wichelman has devasting news of her own to share. A touching, moving story about friendship and support. Upper elementary age.

Reiss, M. (2000). How Murray saved Christmas. New York, NY: Puffin Books. A wacky, crazy Christmas story about how a deli owner is pressed into duty to take Santa's place one Christmas Eve. Humorous illustrations by David Catrow make this story sillier than it already is. It's a favorite of students at all ages during the holiday season. Told in rhyme and similar to The Night Before Christmas, it's a great way to entertain students when their minds are on the holidays.

Seuss, D. (1990). Oh, the places you'll go. New York, NY: Random House. Not that you won't already have this and all the Dr. Seuss books in your library, but this one is my favorite for all ages. It rings true for everyone in the world. Sometimes life will be easy, and sometimes it will be rough. The message is to just make the most of your opportunities and roll with the punches. Illustrations in typical Seuss style and rhyming that will twist your tongue. Great to read during Read Across America Week.

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The polar express. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. A classic for the ages, Polar Express tells the story of a young boy losing the enchantment of Christmas. One Christmas Eve he hears the hissing steam of a train right outside his window and he begins his adventure to find the magic of Christmas again. All ages know the story and love it. The luminous illustrations create the drama and it's still fun to try to find the white dog in his paintings. **Caldecott Winner** A must-read during the holidays.

Watt, M. (2006). Scaredy Squirrel. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press. Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. The world is a scary place. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. Day after day he waits for danger to come and when it does, he discovers something amazing about himself. In a sweet story sure to calm the most anxiety-ridden child, Scaredy Squirrel, with simple, comical illustrations, will charm readers at all elementary levels. Just for fun to celebrate friendship.

Willems, M. (2005). Leonardo, the terrible monster. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. Leonardo is terrible at being a monster. He can't scare anyone. When he finds the perfect wimpy little boy to scare, will he be able to carry through and scare the tuna salad out of him? This funny tale is guaranteed to delight your readers. I promise they won't be able to listen to it without laughing out loud. The simple illustrations make the characters even funnier. A cute story for young readers and an entertaining read-aloud.


Woodson, J. (2001). The other side. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. A fence separates the town into the white side and the black side. A brave, young girl sits atop the fence and another approaches, daring to cross that barrier. It's a story told in the voice of the child who doesn't understand the meaning of the fence and tries to find a way to overcome the racial tension of the time. Can be good for all elementary ages and opens up discussion of the civil rights movement. Beautiful watercolors by E.B. Lewis add to the story line. Great book for Black History Month and studying Civil Rights Movement.

Yolen, J. (1987). Owl moon. New York, NY: Philomel Books. This is a charming tale of a girl and her father who go owling one night in the woods to locate the Great Horned Owl. It's a simple story of a simple activity, but it has been a favorite for many years. Children will enjoy the idea of a special time spent with a parent, and the illustrations by John Schoenherr, which won the Caldecott Medal in 1988, convey the cool, crisp feeling of the winter night. Good to use to discuss seasons and animal habitats.