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.