Little House in the Woods, Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Illustrated by Garth Williams

Little House in the Woods

Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Illustrated by Garth Williams 

Grades:3-6

Awards: Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1958)

This is the first book int he Little House Series. It is told from 4 year old Laura's point of view. It is 1871 and her family's life as pioneer's is beginning. She talks about the the hard times and the about the good. There is always Pa and his fiddle at night. The family is together and they are safe and warm. There are a total of 9 books in the Little House Series. They have been loved and read for many years. 

Who Was Ronald Reagan? Written by Joyce Milton, Illustrated by Elizabeth Wolf

Who Was Ronald Reagan?

Written by Joyce Milton

Illustrated by Elizabeth Wolf

Grades 3-5

This is about Ronald Reagan the 40th president of the United States. It starts off with his early life as a life guard. He often said that was the happiest time of his life. It goes through all the parts of his life until his death. It even includes the farewell letter he wrote when he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. One of my favorite Presidents and who my son Reagan is named after. I love these books! They are written by different authors and have so much information that is easy to read for elementary students. They also include great pictures!

The Honey Makers, Written and Illustrated by Gail Gibbons

The Honey Makers

Written and Illustrated by: Gail Gibbons

Grades: K-3

This is a wonderfully illustrated book on the life of a honeybee and the colony. It shows the parts of a bee's body. It also shows the inside the hive. It details the entire process of how the bees collect the honey and store the honey to how the beekeepers collect the honey. It also show how the queen bee lays her eggs. It show the developmental stages of the honey bee. It tells bout the different worker bees. It lets you know how important bees are to pollination. It does give some latin terms but, defines them and shows how to pronounce them as well. This is a great book to get to know about bees and honey. 

Black Like Me, Written by John Howard Griffen

Black Like Me

Written by John Howard Griffen

Awards:
Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (1962)

Grades: 7-12

John Howard Griffen took special pills and light treatment to make his skin dark so he could pass for a "Negro" in 1959. His transformation was complete on October 28, 1959. He had his eyes opened to the way the Negro community was treated by the white people. How segregation worked and how the black community felt. He walked in their shoes. Mr. Griffen became friends with a shoe polisher and confided in him. The shoe man helped him out by showing him some of the right and wrong ways to do things. Mr. Griffen only spent 6 weeks traveling through New Orleans and Mississippi. He then published his book a year later. Mr. Griffin had to take his family and leave his hometown. They were threatened with everything from being tar and feathered to death. Even the people who sheltered them were threatened. The Griffen family eventually had to go into hiding but, he never stopped speaking out for civil rights. 

Counting on Grace, Written by Elizabeth Winthrop

Counting on Grace

Written by Elizabeth Winthrop

Awards:

Massachusetts Book Award Nominee for Children's/Young Adult Literature (2007)

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (2008)

Grades: 3-7

It is 1910 in Pownal, Vermont, and Grace is 12 years old. She and her best friend Arthur are pulled from school and forced to work in the factory with their mothers. She does not want to be in the factory she wants to be in school learning. Her teacher comes on Sunday to teach her and Arthur. Grace is also costing her family money because of her mistakes. The loom is made for a right handed person and she is left handed. Grace and Arthur write an letter to the Child Labor Board in secret about the factory hiring underage workers. The board sends the famous Lewis Hine undercover to the factory. He takes pictures of the conditions in the factory. One is of Grace. The pictures and investigation will change the spirited girls life. Arthur gets injured on purpose. He has two fingers removed from his hand but, he gets to go back to school. The teacher is fired at the end of the book. Grace is the teacher's substitute until a new one can be found. 

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two, Written by Joseph Bruchac

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two

Written by Joseph Bruchac

During WWII the people of the Navajo Nation wanted to serve their country. Then the military finds a unique opportunity to use their heritage. The Navajo are asked to use their language, a language they were told that was inferior and useless. When they were young they use to speak the language in secret so the language would not die out. The Army uses them in groups of two to send messages across the lines. The enemy can not decode the language because it is only known to the Navajo. Ned Begay is one soldier that is on the team. Ned and his Navajo team soon learn the respect of their superiors for their stamina. It is because of the Code Talkers, as they are called, that the war is turned. When the war is over the people of the United States no nothing of the Navajo Code Talkers. The military wants to keep them classified in case they need them in the future. Many years later they decide to declassify the Code Talkers. Ned and his colleagues are able to tell everyone about their experiences. Navajos can be just as good, just as important, and even more so, than their non-Indian colleagues, and that they are able to be so important because they have kept the language and background that the reservation schools tried to take away. If they would have taken it away it would have been a different WWII. 

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou, Writtenby Maya Angelou, Edwin Graves Wilson, Illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou

Written by Maya Angelou and Edwin Graves Wilson

Illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue 

Grades: 3-8

These poems are written about many different things that were important to Maya Angelou. It is about her life, heritage, and the United States. The illustrations are beautiful and just as moving as some of the poems. The poems also honor people of her past and those she admires. From the people around her that have a lot of power to the mom who runs her household. It is a beautiful book. 

Barking Spiders 2, Written and Illustrated by C.J. Heck

Barking Spiders 2

Written and Illustrated by C.J. Heck

Awards: Cybils Award Nominee for Poetry 2011

Barking Spiders 2 is a lot like the first one. It is a book filled with poems that children can relate to. It deals with everyday things and events. If you have the first Barking Spiders and Other Stuff, you need the second one too! They are both wonderful books by C.J. Heck!

Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, Written by C.J. Heck, Illustrated by Michelle Lenkner

Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff

Written by C. J. Heck
Illustrated by Michelle Lenkner

Grades: PreK-4

This is a great book that is full of wonderful poems. The Toe Jam is really funny because that is what my husband tells my kids. I don't think that they would really wonder about eating it though. At least I hope not. These are poems about everything. They are really cute and kids can relate to them. My son is the Pockets poem. He puts some stuff in his and I do find all sorts of weird things when I do laundry. She also has a  follow up to this book. Called Barking Spiders 2.

Runny Babbit, Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Runny Babbit

Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Grades: 1-3

This book is written in spoonerism, the verbal game of transposing words' first consonants. Readers are introduced to Runny Babbit and his friends Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Goctor Doose, and Millie Woose, and are encouraged to plunge headlong into this phonemic flip-flop world of funny poems. Kids will love the poems and rhymes. My son made up his own words all day after reading the book!

Alligator Pie, Written by Dennis Lee Illustrated by Frank Newfield

Alligator Pie

Written by Dennis Lee

Illustrated by Dennis Newfield

Grades: Prk - 3

Awards: 

CLA Book of the Year for Children Award (1975)
IODE Jean Throop Award (1974)

This silly and funny book of rhymes about alligators, skyscrapers, and other fun things is also illustrated wonderfully. I love the opening poem about Alligator Pie. Of course being from Louisiana, we eat Alligator. So I would be  saying, "don't give away my Alligator pie!".  I also liked the poem,  Willoughby, Wallaby, Woo and the elephant but, I don't think I would want him to sit on me. This is a great book of poems.

A Giraffe and A Half, Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

A Giraffe and A Half

Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Grades:K-3

This is a great book about my most favorite animal a Giraffe! This is a great rhyming book about all the things a giraffe has on him. He is looking cute in a suite, with a rose on his shoe, and a bee on his knee. I thought if they kept stacking stuff on poor giraffe he was going to break. Then Giraffe makes all the stuff get off and stuff leaves. Mr. Giraffe is back to just being a Giraffe and a half. 

The Swiss Family Robinson, Written by Johann David Wyss, Illustrated by Scott McKowen

The Swiss Family Robinson 

Written by Johann David Wyss

Illustrated by Scott McKowen

Grades: 5- up

The Robinson's ship went through a terrible storm. The family now finds themselves shipwrecked on a set of islands. The family has no idea how long they will be there so they decided to make things last as long as possible. They build a tree house high up in the trees. The take what ever they can from the boat. They have animals and food that they can grow. They days turn to years. They also find another person who has been on the island a year. A girl. Years later a boat finally comes to rescue them. The family decides to stay the island has become their home. Fritz ,the younger son, and the girl, Jenny, decide to leave. They make plans to come back with supplies and to check up on the family. 

Black Beauty, Written by Anna Sewell, Illustrated by Scott Mckowen

Black Beauty

Written by Anna Sewell

Illustrated by Scott Mckowen

Grades: 5- up

Black Beauty is set in Victorian England. It begins with the birth of Black Beauty. He is born into Farmer Grey's family. He is even raised by his mother. Black Beauty does know that other horses are not treated as well as he is and he is very grateful. Farmer Grey sells his horses to Squire Gordon. Here Beauty spends the happiest years of his life. He makes friends with two other horses Ginger and Merrylegs. One night beauty is called on to ride for the doctor for Squire Gordon's wife. It is this ride that will change Beauty's life. The doctor tells the Squire they will need to move for his wife's health to a warmer climate. The Squire sells his horses. From here Beauty's fate is moved from one owner to another and he suffers abuse after abuse. One night an owner causes him to fall and cause a mark on his beautiful skin. He can no longer be a carriage horse. He is now in the lower ranks of a horse-for-hire. His new owner is Jerry. Jerry is a wonderful owner. Again tragedy strikes and Jerry becomes sick and must move to a warmer area. By this time Beauty is almost half dead. A horse doctor recognizes Beauty's mark and thinks he can bring life to him again. The doctor brings him home and heals him. Beauty is then sold to a lovely farmer and his grandson who take the best care of Beauty for the rest of his days.

The Secret Garden, Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

Written by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Grades:2-4

Awards: Lewis Carroll Shelf Award 1958

Mary Lennox is a spoiled little girl who loses her parents while living in Colonial India. Her father was in the Army. Her Uncle Archibald does not care to have her underfoot so he sends her to his mansion in England. Martha the maid will not put up with her spoiled ways or tantrums. Martha tells Mary there is a secret garden on the property and that her little brother, Dickon is also on the property. Mary soon finds the key to the garden with the help of a blue bird. She and Dickon work on bringing the gardens back to life. Mary is confused at night in the mansion because she keeps hearing someone crying. After searching she finally finds a little boy but, not just any boy. It is her cousin Colin. He is even more spoiled than she ever was. Colin has been treated as an invalid and fragile child since the day he was born. His mother fell out of a tree in the secret garden, went into labor, and then died. This is why her Uncle Archibald locked the walled garden. Mary and Dickon convince Colin he is not on deaths door and take him outside. He soon feels great being outside and wants to walk. Meanwhile, Uncle Archibald has a dream and his wife is telling him to go home. When he arrives home, he barely recognizes his son. He has grown healthy and strong. The renewed garden and Mary help a father and son renew their relationship. Mary also finds her place in their family. 

Charlotte's Web, Written by E. B. White Illustrated by Garth Williams

Charlotte's Web

Written by E. B. White

Illustrated by Garth Williams

Grades: 3-7

Awards:

Newbery Honor (1953)

AudioFile Earphones Award (0)

George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award (1970)

Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1984)

                                                          Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (1970)

Fern lives on a farm with her family. She has been looking forward to the birth of the pigs. When the pigs are born there is a runt. at first her father wants to butcher it for meat. Fern talks him into keeping the runt and letting her raise it. She names the pig Wilbur. Wilbur eventually grows and moves to the barn with the rest of the animals. He meets a spider named Charlotte who is making her web in the corner of the barn. She helps save Wilbur from the butcher block by weaving words in her web. Wilbur becomes a media sensation and people come from all over to see him and his web. Wilbur even goes to the County Fair and wins a special prize. At the end Charlotte has laid her eggs and knows her time on earth is ending. Wilbur promises to take care of her babies. He transports them back to the farm. The eggs hatch and the spiders will die but, there will always be more spiders. Wilbur will never be left alone.  

The Gingerbread Man, Written by Jim Aylesworth Illustrated by Barbara McClintock

The Gingerbread Man

Written by Jim Aylesworth

Illustrated by Barbara McClintock

Grades: 2-5

An old man and lady can have no children so they decide to make one. The bake a gingerbread boy. The shape him and icing him just so then put him in the oven to bake. When he is ready the open the oven door and out the oven he runs saying "Run run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man."He runs out the house and down the lane.  He passes a butcher, a cow, and a pig. They all follow him as he sings past each one "Run run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man." He finally comes upon a wolf who doesn't have to run. He just has to pretend not to hear him so he can repeat himself and slow down. The wolf eats him up. Riddle-riddle ran, fiddle-fiddle fan, so ends the tale of the gingerbread man. 

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics) Written by Roger Lancelyn Green

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table 

Written by Roger Lancelyn Green

Grades: 5 - up

This set of stories about King Arthur are written towards children. It is also takes the original adventures and makes them easier to read and has some content taken out for less mature readers. It is still the classic tale of King Arthur who as a child pulls the sword from the stone. He meets with his knights around the round table and sends them on quest for the Holy Grail of Christ. This is a great classic book about magic, swords, knights fighting for their ladies, and of course King Arthur. 

The Ugly Duckling; Written by Hans Christian Anderson, Adapted and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

The Ugly Duckling

Written by Hans Christian Anderson

Adapted and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Grades: K-3

Awards: Caldecott Honor 2000

This story was originally written over a hundred years ago by Hans Christian Anderson. It is brought to life for a new generation by Jerry Pinkney. The classic story is about an egg that somehow gets into a ducks nest. The duck claims it as her own but, it takes longer to hatch. When it does hatch it is the ugliest duck ever. The ugly duck can swim and keep up so she is happy. The other animals at the farm are rather rude and make nasty comments to the ugly duckling. The little duckling can take no more and runs away. He finds the marshes and two geese but, then he meets a dog and hunters. The dog thinks he is to ugly and goes away. The bird sees other birds flying and decides to try it. He flies! He meets others along his journey but, each end in disaster. He decides to just stay in the marshes all alone. After a while he finds some beautiful white birds swimming and he wants to swim with them too. He sees his reflection and does not recognize that the beautiful bird in the reflection is himself. When he finally does realize it he can't believe it. Children come to the pond and comment on how he is the beautifulest swan of all. The Ugly Duckling just needed to have some patience and he would be fine. 

Baxter Turns Down His Buzz A Story for Little Kids About ADHD by James M. Foley, Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

Baxter Turns Down His Buzz A Story for Little Kids About ADHD

Written by James M. Foley

Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez

Grades: K-3

Baxter is a bunny who can not control his actions. He is always a bouncing ball of energy who can not sit still or focus. Baxter's Uncle Barnaby, shows him some techniques to calm down and focus. Techniques like breathing in and out slowly. To slow down and calm his body. This book will help others without ADHD understand why their classmates who have ADHD, have such a hard time staying still. Baxter is able to use the techniques his uncle showed him to slow down and focus. 

Anne of Green Gables, Written by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables

Written by L.M. Montgomery

Grades: 3-6

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert live in Avonlea, Canada, in the late 1800's on a farm called Green Gables. They are brother and sister and getting older. They decide to adopt a boy to help around the farm. They mention this to a women who is traveling to the orphanage. The women says she will pass the message along and send a child their way. The message gets messed up and instead of finding a girl at the train station, they find a girl. Her name is Anne Shirley. Anne will change their lives and the lives of the entire town. Anne is full of poetry and dreams. She gets into all sorts of mischief and trouble. Anne makes friends with Diana. She does very well in school and makes a rival with Gilbert. Gilbert and Anne compete at everything. They both score the same on the teaching test. They compete to see who will graduate at the top of the class. Gilbert gets the gold medal and Anne the scholarship. Her joy is short lived when Matthew has a heart attack and dies after learning  all the money they had is gone because the bank closed. Marilla also gets bad news, she can no longer sew, or she will go blind from straining her eyes. Marilla wants to sell the farm. Anne gets Diana's dad, Mr. Berry, to rent the farm. She gives up her scholarship and teaches at the Avonlea School. Gilbert was suppose to teach there but, gives up the position for Anne to be home. Anne is grateful to Gilbert and decides they can call a truce and be friends.  

Pollyanna, Written by Eleanor H. Porter

Pollyanna

Written by: Eleanor H. Porter

Grades: 4-up

It is 1913 and Pollyanna Whittier is eleven years old and has just become an orphan. She is sent to live with her wealthy spinster Aunt Polly. Aunt Polly does not like children but, feels it is her duty to take in her late sisters child. Pollyanna has taken on her father's outlook on life to find something good in everything. No matter what is thrown her way she has a good attitude about it and finds the good. Her sunshine attitude soon spreads throughout the small town of Beldingsville, Vermont. The town learns to play what they call the "Glad Game" and find something good in their own lives as well. The one person who does not want to play the game is her Aunt but, even she is starting to be glad about certain things. Pollyanna and her outlook change when she is hit by a car and can not walk. The town all come and encourage her like she encouraged them and she soon finds things to be glad about again. Aunt Polly soon changes and she marries an old boyfriend. Pollyanna does learn to walk again and is even more appreciative of the use of her legs. 

Nothing Like It In the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869 , Written by Stephen E. Ambrose

Nothing Like It In the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863- 1869

Written by: Stephen E. Ambrose

Grades: 7-12

This book tells the story of how the Government put two companies against each other to race across the United States. The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads. It has black and white photographs to illustrate what the author is describing. It shows the huge efforts the people who built the railroad went through to get the track laid. Men were hurt and some died to lay the track. The Chinese, Irish, Black, and Confederate Soldiers working together. They had to go across rivers and through mountains. The surveyors finding a path through mostly wilderness to meet up in Promontory Summit, Utah. The last spike to be driven would be the golden spike and would connect the Eastern and Western United States. 

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream, Written by Deloris Jordan & Roslyn M. Jordan; Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream

Written by Deloris Jordan & Roslyn M. Jordan

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Grades: PreK-3

Awards:

Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award (2002)

North Carolina Children's Book Award (2002)

This book is written by Michael Jordan's mom and aunt. It tells how Michael Jordan as a child was upset because he thought he would never grow tall enough to play basketball. Everyone was always taller and would shoot above his head. He asked his mom what he should do to grow taller faster. She told him to put salt in his shoes and pray every night. He thought she was kidding with him but, she did get her flowers in her garden to grow so he tried it. After a few months, nothing really changed and Michael was upset. He talked with his dad about it and his dad told him that it is not his height that will help him play basketball. His height would help but, it is hard work and determination that would make him the best player. Michael takes that to heart and goes on to play the next game with his friends. In that game he makes the winning shot and wins the game. Michael goes on to be a six foot six inch basketball player for the Chicago Bulls. Maybe the salt did work a little. 

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Written by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Written by Laura Hillenbrand

Grades: 7-12

Awards:
Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography (2010)
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Young Adults (2014)
Indies Choice Book Award for Nonfiction (2011)
Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nominee for NonFiction (2011)
Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2015)

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History and Biography (2010)

Unbroken is the story of an Olympic runner, Louis Zamperini, who joins a bomber crew in WWII. While they are flying over the Pacific Ocean their plane goes down. Only Louis and two other crew members survive the crash and float in a raft for forty days. While they are floating one crew member dies. They live off of rainwater and the occasional fish. As they get close to land the two survivors are captured by the Japanese. The Japanese never tell America that they have two Americans in custody. America tells the families of the airmen that they are dead. Louis is treated at a hospital at first to recuperate. When he is able they transfer him to a prisoner camp to be executed but, because of his athletic frame he is spared. Louis is transferred to another prisoner camp and brutally beaten by the guards. One guard named the Bird has taken a serious dislike to Louis. The Bird beats Louis for everything. The Japanese even try to make Louis record pro Japanese propaganda ads but, he refuses and he is beaten. When America bombs Hiroshima, Louis is in Tokyo and cut off from all news. The prisoners in the camp do not even know the war is over until a guard tells them. Louis is brought back to the States where he is treated for his wounds. He goes back home to Torrence, California and his family. Louis has night terrors and flashbacks about his time in prison. He drinks in an attempt to rid himself of the memories. It only makes his family life worse. Eventually, he goes into a Billy Graham tent meeting and finds Jesus. Louis starts to heal on the inside and forgive the Bird. He finds out the Bird is still alive. Louis goes to Japan. He want to meet with him and tell him he forgives him but, the Bird refuses to see him. 

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912, Written by Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Written by Lauren Tarshis

Awards: Bluestream Book Award Nominee 2016

Ten year old George Calder and his sister, Phoebe, are excited to be traveling on the Titanic with their Aunt Daisy. George is a very curious and the ship is an exciting place to explore. On the night of April 15th, George finds himself in the first class storage of the ship when a loud boom shakes the ship. He runs back to his room and discovers the ship has hit an iceberg and Phoebe is missing. Aunt Daisy finds Phoebe just in time to get on a lifeboat. George manages to make a friend named Marco who helps him jump clear of the ship. They are all picked up by the ship Carpathia. The story brings to life the great Titanic and it's sinking in the eyes of a 10 year old. 

Desireé, Written by AnneMarie Selinko

Desireé

Written by AnneMarie Selinko

Grades: 7-12

Desireé tells the story of a young girl who is engaged to Napoleon. Due to a series of events she does not marry him. Due to her sister marrying Napoleon's brother she stays close to the court and follows them to Paris. In Paris she meets Jean-Baptiste Berndotte an officer in the French Army. This story details Napoleon's rise and fall through history. It is also the story of a young girls journey from daughter of a merchant engaged to Napoleon, to being the Queen of Sweden. It is full of historical facts that are fascinating. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends, Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Written and Illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Grades: 1-3

Awards:

George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award (1984)

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (1976)

Golden Archer Award for Intermediate (1996)

New York Times Notable

ALA Notable Children's book

Amazon.com customers favorite

Parent and Child Magazine's top 100 books

This book of poems has something for everyone. It has poems that are quiet funny and some serious. The girl who eats a whale. The crocodile who goes to the dentist, then eats the dentist while he is doing the exam. I liked the one about the wrens living on top the boys head in the hat. The hippo sandwich was cute too.  It is a really great book of Poems. There is a reason is is on a lot of list for being a one of the best books. It has also been in publication for over 40years. 

Revolting Rhymes, Written by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Revolting Rhymes

Written by Roald Dahl

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Grades: 1-4

Awards: Vlag en Wimpel Penseeljury (1983)

This twist on classic stories is very funny. It makes the stories rhyme and the reader laugh out loud. "Little Red Riding Hood's eyelid flickers and she pulls a pistol from her nickers!" She kills the wolf and then takes his fur and makes a coat. In the Three Little Pigs, the third pig calls Little Red Riding Hood to kill the wolf! She comes and again "pulls the pistol from her knickers" to shoot the wolf dead. She is then seen with another Wolf coat and a pig skin satchel. The other stories are just as twisted! Cinderella never marries the prince. Goldilocks is a thief and gets eaten because baby bear is hungry. Jack and the Beanstalk is about taking and bath so the Giant doesn't smell him. This is a great book!

Me With You, Written by Kristy Dempsey, Illustrated by Christopher Denise

Me With You

Written by Kristy Dempsey

Illustrated by Christopher Denise

Grades: PrK - K

This is a cute little rhyming book about a girl and her grandfather. How she is with him when they do different activities. It is a very sweet little book. It has very colorful illustrations. Reminds me of my daughter and her Poppie, especially when he is waiting for her with a sponge and bucket of soap to clean her up. 

Wonder, Written by R.J. Palacio

Wonder

Written by R.J. Palacio

Awards:

Josette Frank Award (2013)

West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (WAYRBA) for Younger Readers (2013)

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (2014)

Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis for Preis der Jugendjury (2014)

New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award for Children (2014)

Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature (2013)

NAIBA Book of the Year for Middle Readers (2012)

Waterstones Children's Book Prize (2013)

Washington State Sasquatch Award Nominee (2015)

Bluestem Book Award (2014)

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2012)

Carnegie Medal Nominee (2013)

James Cook Book Award Honorable Book (2013)

North Carolina Children's Book Award (2014)

Premio El Templo de las Mil Puertas Nominee for Mejor novela extranjera independiente (2012)

Wonder is is the story of August Pullman or Auggie. Auggie was born with a facial deformity. He has had many surgeries in is young life. At the age of 10 he has not ever been to school. He has been out in public and hates the looks of horror he gets from people. That is why Halloween is his favorite holiday. Auggie can put on a mask at Halloween and be treated just like any other kid. He has a hard time making friends and his sister Via always sticks up for him. His fifth grade year of school his parents decide it is time for Auggie to go to school. They enroll him in Beecher Prep a private school not far from their home. Auggie and his parents meet the principal, Mr. Tushman. While August is there Mr. Tushman has arrange for some of the kids who will be in August's grade take him on a tour of the school. One of them, Jack Will, is nice, but another, Julian, is noticeably rude. When Auggie starts school he has a rough start and not many want to be his friend. He stays friends with Jack and makes a new friend named Summer. There are many ups and downs through the school year. On a school trip to a Nature Preserve, Jack and Auggie are confronted by bullies from another school. Two boys who have been friends with Julian, and bullies to Auggie, step in to help their classmates. Auggie and Jack are surprised when they attack the bullies and bring them safely back to the area where the schools is watching the movie. Word spreads how Auggie was starting to stand up for himself and how the boys rescued him. This event starts a turn in the schools attitude toward Auggie. He is no longer considered untouchable like he has the plague. At the Fifth Grade End of The Year Graduation, Mr. Tushman gives Auggie the award for kindness and courage. Mr. Tushman also says at the end, " J.M. Barrie says,  'Shall we make a new rule of life ... always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?' ... What a marvelous line, isn't it? Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed ... what I want you, my students, to take away from your middle-school experience is the knowledge that, in the future you make for yourselves, anything is possible. If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary -- the world really will be a better place." Advice I think everyone should follow.

Frindle, Written by Andrew Clements, Illustrated by: Brian Selznick

Frindle

Written by: Andrew Clements

Illustrated by: Brian Selznick

Grades:3-7

Awards:

Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (1999) Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1999)

Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (2001)

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award for Grades 3-6 (2000)

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (1998)

Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1999)

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (1998) Phoenix Award (Children's Literature Association) (2016)

The Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature Honor (1997)

Washington State Sasquatch Award (1999)

Bluestem Book Award Nominee (2015)

North Carolina Children's Book Award (1999) 

Nick Allen is a fifth grader at Lincoln Elementary in Mrs. Granger's class. Nick is known for his wild and inventive ideas. These ideas normally lead to trouble. He tries one of his ideas to kill time. He ask, "Mrs. Granger, where do all the words come from?" but, Mrs. Granger is no fool. She assigns Nick an assignment on the origin of words. This leads to Nick thinking about creating a new word. His new word is, "frindle",  has it takes over the word "pen". Eventually, everyone everywhere is using his new word. He can't stop the word from spreading even if he wanted to. Nick is soon on the national news and merchandise is being created. Money is being made off the word. A trust fund is set up for Nick to hold the earnings. Nick, however, is not so sure he likes all the attention and starts to lose his creativity. Mrs. Granger tells him to keep dreaming up ideas. The book skips to 10 years ahead. Nick is very wealthy now from his trust. He receives a package one day with a dictionary from Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger has noted that frindle is included in it. She also sent her favorite pen with frindle engraved on it. When Nick realizes what an impact she had on his life he sets up a scholarship fund in her name. He sends Mrs. Granger another pen with an engraving that reads, "This object belongs to Mrs. Lorelei Granger and she may call it any name she chooses".

Students will find this book amusing and may try coming up with their own words. It is a very creative  book. 

How to Eat Fried Worms, Written by Thomas Rockwell

How to Eat Fried Worms

Written by: Thomas Rockwell

Grades: 3-7

Awards: 

Grand Canyon Reader Award (1979)

Nene Award (1976)

Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1976)

Iowa Children's Choice Award (1980)

Oklahoma Sequoyah Award (1976)

Billy and Allan make a $50 bet to see who can eat a worm for 15 days. The worm can be prepared anyway as long as the person eats it. Billy has a hard time at first eating the worms. Allan is surprised that Billy is eating them so he starts a rumor that worms are poisonous. Billy starts to feel sick so he tells his dad about the bet. Billy's dad reassures him they are not poisonous. Billy's mom even helps prepare the worms so they taste better. Allan has not eaten any worms. To stop Billy on the last day Allan takes him to a baseball game and fills him up with junk food. Allan thinks he has won when Billy falls asleep and can't eat his worm. Billy wakes up just before midnight to eat his worm. The kids wake up the whole neighborhood up to see the bet end. Allan's father is furious at him for trying to trick Billy and makes him go door-to-door to apologize. Billy gets his $50 and buys the mini bike he has been dreaming about. 

This book was funny and even has rhymes and songs for the kids about worms. It shows kids do not underestimate others when they really want something. It also shows them not to make bets. 

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Written by Judy Blume

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Written by Judy Blume

Grades: 3-7

Awards: 

West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (WAYRBA) for Younger Readers (1980)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (1977) 
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1977)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1975) 
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (1974)Oklahoma Sequoyah Award (1975)



This book is about Peter Hatcher who is 9 years old. Peter is beyond frustrated and annoyed at his little brother's behavior. Fudge, which is what his little brother goes by, is often unpunished for his behavior. Fudge's favorite thing to annoy is Peter's turtle, Dribble. Fudge continues being a hassle for Peter by breaking his front teeth after catapulting himself from the jungle gym, throwing temper tantrums, and smearing mashed potatoes on the wall! Then horror strikes, Dribble is missing. When Fudge is asked about it, he said he ate Dribble. In the emergency room they extract Dribble from Fudge, but he is dead. As usual, Fudge doesn't get into trouble. Peter gets a dog to replace Dribble so he names him Turtle. 

In the classroom this is a classic book to have. It lets other children with siblings know they are not alone in the struggle of siblings.  

Who Was Sacagawea? Written by Judith Bloom Fradin, Illustrated by Nancy Harrison & Val Paul Taylor

Who Was Sacagawea?

Written by Judith Bloom Fradin

Illustrated by Nancy Harrison & Val Paul Taylor

Grades: 3-7

Without Sacagawea the Lewis and Clark expedition would have been a failure. The western United States would have taken a lot longer to map. Sacagawea was sixteen years old and had a baby on her back when she made her remarkable journey. She would lead the team on a 4500 mile trek by foot, canoe, and horse. America remembers her in many ways and over 200 years later on a gold coin. 

This book gives a wonderful background to Sacagawea before she lead the expedition with Lewis and Clark. It is written in a way that the elementary students can understand and take interest in.  

Who Was Marie Curie? Written by Megan Stone, Illustrated by Nancy Harrison & Ted Hammond

Who Was Marie Curie?

Written by Megan Stone

Illustrated by Nancy Harrison & Ted Hammond

Grades: 3-7

Marie Curie was born in Poland in 1867. She was not allowed to go to University with the boys. It was forbidden. Marie had to move to France. She enrolled to study Physics and Mathematics.  She also met her husband, Professor Pierre Curie. They became one of the best scientific teams. They found two elements and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1903. Marie won another by herself in 1911. She died in 1934 because she was exposed to so much toxic radiation. 

In the classroom these books are wonderful! What would have happened if she would not have gone to France and enrolled in school? What if she would have given up her dream? The things the world would have missed out on. These books are great for upper elementary. They make biographies and history great to read.

Who Was Amelia Earhart? Written by Kate Boehm Jerome, Illustrated by: Nancy Harrison & David Cain

Who Was Amelia Earhart?

Written by Kate Boehm Jerome

Illustrated by Nancy Harris & David Cain

Grades: 3-7

Amelia Earhart was one of the first women pilots. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1935, she became the first woman to fly across the Pacific Ocean. This book documents her early years to her mysterious disappearance in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world. 

This book can be used in the classroom to teach upper elementary students about Amelia Earhart. It is written in a style very easy for them to read and understand. 

Hungry, Written by: H.A. Swain

Hungry

Written by H. A. Swain

Grades: 7-12

Hungry is set in a future world where there is no food. Crops and other of the Earth's resources are decimated by wars and mega storms. Scientist have created a pill to erase hunger pains and the need for food. The people drink shakes for nutrition. This creates a better life. Thalia is one of the main characters, who at seventeen, has pains in her stomach. Come to find out they are hunger pains. She finds a boy, Basil, and an underground movement to bring food back.  Basil and the group also want to take control away from the One World Corporation. They go outside the loop of the city and grow food. Life is far from perfect though. Thalia and Basil do get the revolution they wanted. 

In the classroom it would bring up a good discussion question of, "What would happen if we were not able to grow food?". It would also let them think out the box about options for drugs.  

Great Expectations, Written by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations

Written by: Charles Dickens

Grades:7-12

Great Expectations is the story of Pip. Pip is an orphan who lives with his sister and her husband. He is the narrator of the story. He tells how he came upon a convict, Magwitch, when he was visiting his parents graves. Pip brings the convict some food and a file to take his manacles off. This event would change his life forever but, he won't know this until much later. His sister comes home one day very excited because the rich Ms. Havisham has requested for Pip to come "play" at her estate. Pip would be paid for his time. Ms. Havisham is a bitter old women who has stopped time the day her fiancé ran out on their wedding day. She still wears her wedding dress, which has yellowed, and all the clocks have stopped at the time her wedding was cancelled. The house still has the wedding cake and banquet with decayed food. The food has mice, spiders, and other bugs all over it. Ms. Havisham has adopted a young girl, Estella. Estella is to be her revenge on all the male population. She wants her to be beautiful and irresistible to all boys. Ms. Havisham grooms her to be a heart breaker. This is why she has Pip come to play. He is to help Estella hone her skills. Pip is very ashamed of the way he lives and who he will become. He longs to be a gentleman and a man of means. He goes to Ms. Havishams for eight months when his sister comes and tells Ms. Havisham that it is time for him to start his apprenticeship. A few years into his apprenticeship a lawyer comes to him and tells him he has a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. Ms. Havisham makes him believe it is her. Pip moves to London and begins his education. Magwitch shows up at night years later and explains he is the benefactor not Ms. Havisham. He is on the run but, wanted to see Pip as a gentleman. When all the stories of the characters are told it comes about that Estella is Magwitch's daughter. Estella's mother was Ms. Havisham's servant. Magwitch made his fortune helping Ms. Havisham's ex-fiance in illegal dealings. When Pip learns this he refuses the money from Magwitch. Eventually, Ms. Havisham dies leaving everything to Estella. Estella grows up and says she is unable to love anyone. Magwitch dies in prison. Pip goes to work for his friend and comes back years later to find Estella not married. They talk and Estella has changed. She has felt the sting of rejection and heartache. The story ends with Pip and Estella holding hands walking. 

The classroom it is used to teach history and the difference of classes. It brings such a wide array of characters and personalities. 

The Great Gatsby, Written by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

Written by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Grade: 7-12

The Great Gatsby is set in the Jazz Age of the 1920's. The height of decadence. It is told by a narrator Nick Carraway, who is the cousin of Daisy living in East Egg. He is also the neighbor of Jay Gatsby living in West Egg.  Nick observes everything that goes on. Jay, who goes by Gatsby, fell in love before going off to the Great War but, while he was fighting his love, Daisy, marries another. Gatsby is convinced Daisy is still in love with him as much as he is with her. He has become part of the new money crowd that is disliked by the old money society. Daisy has married Tom, who is part of the old money society. Gatsby throws lavish parties in his mansion and invites everyone in hopes that Daisy will come or someone who knows her will come. Eventually, Nick arranges a meeting between Gatsby and Daisy. They have an affair. Daisy's husband Tom who is also having an affair, is furious that is wife is having an affair. Tom demands Daisy to stop the affair. Tom is very controlling and Daisy is afraid of him. Tom lets Gatsby drive Daisy back home but, it is Daisy who is driving. She is upset and accidentally hits Tom's lover, Myrtle. Myrtle's husband is convinced that because it was Gatsby's car that killed his wife that Gatsby was driving, and He must also be Myrtle's lover. Myrtle's husband kills Gatsby and then himself. Tom and Daisy leave town to distance themselves from the tragedy. Nick notes that even after all the parties Gatsby had, hardly anyone attends his funeral. Nick also says that the time for such grand ambition is over. He believes that greed and dishonesty have corrupted both the American Dream and the dreams of every American.

Middle School classroom can and do use this book to show the decadence of the Roaring Twenties. It shows the greed and obsession with money and power. 

The Scarlet Letter Written by: Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter 

Written by: Nathaniel Hawthorne 

Grades: 7-12

Hester Prynne is pregnant and her husband was lost at sea. In the 1600's in Puritan Boston this is a horrible crime. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest. When she stands on the scaffold in front of the town she refuses to name her lover and father of her child. Hester looks out over the crowd and sees her husband has returned. He wants to find Hester's lover and make him also pay for his part of the crime. Hester's husband takes a new name, Roger Chillingworth, and poses as a physician. He sees Hester and her daughter, Pearl, in prison. He demands she not tell anyone that he is her husband. When Hester is released she and Pearl live on the outskirts of town and takes in sewing. Roger believes the minister, Dimmesdale, is the lover and father because of his failing health. Hester tries to convince him to leave with her, but he dies before they can leave. Hester and Pearl leave Boston for Europe with the inheritance left by Hester's husband. Hester returns many years later and wears her A again. She becomes a helper to other women and when she dies is buried by her lover Dimmesdale.  

A must for Junior High and High School reading. It shows early life in Puritan America. It showed that the laws they made followed the Bible and were strictly enforced. 

Children of the Fire, Written by: Harriette Gillem Robinet

Children of the Fire

Written by: Harriette Gillem Robinet

Grades: 3-7

Awards:1994 Black-Eyed Susan Award – Nominee


Hallelujah is an 11 year old African American girl. Her mother was a slave who escaped the south to Chicago and died not long after getting there. Hallelujah is living with a foster family who is doing well. One night in October she follows her foster brother out to look at the fires. They lose track of each other as they follow the fires and they grow larger and larger. Hallelujah gets lost. She finds that during the Great Fire in Chicago of 1871, lines of discrimination are erased as everyone fights for their life. Many children are left orphans. Hallelujah spends days with Elizabeth, an Irish immigrant, and they vow to be friends for the rest of their lives. This book shows the devastation and rebuilding of Chicago. It also shows the tension of races when two little girls vow to be friends. 

This is a great historical book for the classroom. It will give great details of the Chicago fire that happened in October of 1871. It will also show the diversity of a big city and how differences don't matter when there is trouble.

Or Give Me Death: A Novel of Patrick Henry's Family, Written by: Ann Rinaldi

Or Give Me Death: A Novel of Patrick Henry's Family

Written by: Ann Rinaldi

Grades: 6-12

This book is about two of Patrick Henry's daughters, Patsy and Anne. They are growing up in Revolutionary America where there is unrest all around them. Patsy is sixteen and is trying to hold the family together. She is the oldest and their mother is mentally ill and needs to be locked up to keep from harming them. Anne is only nine. She is tormented by the question of, "When is it good to tell a lie?" or "Do you keep a secret?".  Their mother does die halfway through the book. Anne has second sight and knows who will be next to get their mother's mental illness. She tries to tell everyone it is her but, reveals to a slave that it is actually her brother John. John does go mad but, it is after his father marries the girl he wanted to marry himself. This book shows the harsh reality of mental illness in Colonial America. It also shows the strength of families when they go through hard times together. The author does make sure to note at the end that this book is fiction.

For use in the classroom it would be to show how mental ill people were treated in the past. It would also give students a look into life in Colonial time period.

Do I Look Odd To You, Written & Illustrated by: Rebecca and James McDonald

Do I Look Odd To You

Written and Illustrated by: Rebecca and James McDonald

Grades: K-5

Do I Look Odd To You is about meeting someone on another planet. They may be different from you but, they are really like you. We don't all look alike, we have many different characteristics and features from skin color, eye color and shapes of our bodies. Some people have disabilities and maybe even a deformity. The illustrations are colorful and the story is told in a rhyming form.  It gives a lot of examples on the differences the creature could have and keeps bringing up the question, "If they were this then would that make a difference?". It is great that it's not humans because it puts a different perspective on diversity.

This book is great for the classroom. The children can see that everyone has differences and we shouldn't judge them by those differences. 

The War That Saved My Life, Written by: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Live

Written by: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Grades: 4-7

Awards: 

2017 Georgia Children’s Book Award – Finalist 
2016 Children’s Book Committee Award – Winner 2016 Newbery Medal – Honor Book 2015 E.B. White Read Aloud Award – Honor Book 2015 Great Stone Face Book Award – Nominee 2015 Isinglass Teen Read Award – Nominee2015 Parents Choice Awards (Spring) (2008-Up) 




The war that saved my life the story of Ada. Ada is a 10yr old girl who lives in London during WWII. She is born with a club foot to a mother who despises and abuses her. Ada has a brother, Jamie, who is six. James is allowed much more freedom than Ada. Jamie looks out for Ada and tells her all about the outside world she never sees. Ada looks out for her brother and protects him against their mother. When children are being sent out of London to safety from the air raids, only Jamie is going to go. Ada sneaks out to go with Jamie. They are forced to be taken in by a recluse named Susan. The children learn what it is like to really have someone care for them. The war that saved her is not WWII but, the war that is in her own life. 

Classroom would benefit if it is a mature classroom. The book does have some issues that would be hard on someone younger to deal with. A great book in overcoming not only physical but, mental obstacles as well. Ada goes through fear and the unknown to come out stronger than before. 

Football Fugitive, Written & Illustrated by: Matt Christopher & Larry A. Johnson

Football Fugitive

Written & Illustrated by: Matt Christopher & Larry A. Johnson

Grades: 3-7

Football Fugitive is about a young boy and football player named Larry. The Green Bay Packers has a player named Yancy Foote, his favorite team and player. Larry writes to Nancy and Nancy writes back but, then letters come back stamped "moved no forwarding address". Then Yancy shows up in Larry's town and he is in a bit of trouble. Yancy and some other guy get in a bar fight and Yancy got caught for being the first to throw a punch. So Yancy asks Larry to ask his dad to be his lawyer. Larry's dad agrees if Yancy will help his son's football team. Larry's team starts winning and Yancy wins in court. 

A great football book for the classroom. If kids want to do pen pal writing or learn about football. 

I Need My Monster, Written by: Amanda Noll, Illustrated by: Howard McWilliam

I Need My Monster

Written by: Amanda Noll

Illustrated by: Howard McWilliam

Grades: K-3

Awards:
2013 Virginia Readers Choice Award 
2012 California Young Reader Medal 2012 Georgia Children’s Book Award 2012 Golden Sower Award – Honor Book 
2012 Nevada Young Readers’ Award 2011 Buckaroo Book Award 2011 Grand Canyon Reader Award 2011 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award – Nominee                                                                                     2010 Alabama Camellia Award – Winner 

I Need My Monster is about Ethan whose monster-under-the-bed, named Gabe, is away one night. He cannot sleep without his monster. It is to quiet. He is familiar with the friendship and comfort of his ooozy slime and ragged breathing and his long, sharp claws. He knocks on the floor to get other monsters to fill in but, no one except Gabe can make him stay in his bed. 

This is a great book for the classroom with the descriptive words and the wonderful pictures in the book. It is a funny look at the monsters under the bed stories. Loved it!