My Best Space Pop-Up Book

My Best Space Pop-Up Book

Author: Caryn Jenner  

Illustrator: Clare Lloyd 

Genre: Non-Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: PK-K

This book incorporates both pop-up images and sounds to teach children about the planets. Each planet has a page within the book along with the sun, the moon, the stars, and space travel. This book demonstrates and explain the facts about our solar system. 

I would use this book during a science lesson. This book can be used as a focusing event and to draw the attention of the students. 

Sisters

Sisters 

Author: Raina Telgemeier

Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier and Braden Lamb

Genre: Graphic Novel 

Awards: Will Fisher Award

Grade Level: 3rd-7th 

This book is about Raina, a young girl who can not wait to be a big sister. Once her sister is born, Raina is disappointed because things are now how she expected. Raina and Amara have had a rocky relationship since Amara was born. As they get older, things do not seem to get much better.  When their baby brother is born and when their parent's marriage begins to crumble, they join forces to get through these hard times. The entire book takes place in a car during a road trip to Colorado. 

I would use this book to teach about flashbacks. The entire books is told through present day events but also a lot of flashbacks. This book can also be used to teach about the hardships that come with growing up. 

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio 

Author: Peg Kehret

Narrator: Susan Boyce

Genre: Autobiography

Awards: None

Grade Level: 4th-8th 

This book is about a teenager, named Peg, who gets diagnosed with polio. Unfortunately she is diagnosed with three types of polio. She then heads to Sheltering Arms, which is a rehab center. Due to her needing a respirator, she is transferred to University Hospital. After a few days of her being in an oxygen tent, she is allowed to be moved into a regular room. Even though she is able to be moved out of isolation, all of her belongings must be burned because they may have the virus on them. Her new roommate is Tommy. Due to Tommy being put into an iron lung, Peg reads to him on the days that she is feeling okay. The two begin to listen to a radio show called The Lone Ranger, which aids in their recoveries because it gives them both something to look forward to. As a result of the many treatments that Peg is receiving, she begins to get better and is transferred back to Sheltering Arms. With a lot of rehabilitation, Peg recovers and is able to learn to walk again. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach students about courage and how to find hope in the toughest circumstances. Personally, I would bot use this book as an audio book because it is long. I would rather have my students use the paper copy. 

My Name is Sangoel

My Name is Sangoel 

Author: Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed

Illustrator: Catherine Stock 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: 1st-3rd 

My Name is Sangoel is about a refugee from Sudan. After his father dies in the war, Sangoel flees to the United States with his mother and sister. When they arrive in their new home, Sangoel finds everything strange. Shortly after his arrival, Sangoel realizes that nobody can pronounce his name and he begins to work on a solution to this problem. Sangoel ends up making a t-shirt to help others pronounce his name. 

I would use this book in my classroom to show students that they should not give up on someone. If they do not know how to pronounce their name, they should work to find a way to learn how to do it correctly. I would also use this book to provide a variety of books with different characters in my classroom library. 

Bud Not Buddy

Bud Not Buddy 

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis 

Illustrator: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Newbery Medal 

Grade Level: 4th-7th 

Bud Not Buddy begins with Bud meeting his new foster family, the Amoses. One of the children in the family accidentally calls Bud, Buddy. After the two get into a fight, Bud is punished by having to sleep outside in the shed. After getting stung by hornets, Bud escapes the shed. Bud then causes Todd to wet his bed. After sleeping under the Christmas tree, Bugs wakes Bud up so that they can head west. The two try to catch a ride on a train but after Bud misses the train he is left behind and heads to Grand Rapids, Michigan in order to find his dad. Bud catches a ride with a man named Lefty Lewis. After staying with Lefty for a small amount of time, Bud leaves to find his father. The man that Bud thought was his father is actually his grandfather. Once Bud tells his grandfather that his mom has died, he gets overwhelmed with grief. The novel ends with Bud receiving a horn as a gift and is hopeful that he will have a successful future. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about overcoming challenges. This book could also be used to teach students about relationships within a family. 

Hannah is My Name

Hannah Is My Name 

Author: Belle Yang 

Illustrator: Belle Yang 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: None 

Grade Level: 1st-4th 

Hannah Is My Name is based on a true story. This book is about a young girl, Hannah, and her family who move to the United States from Taiwan. When they arrive in San Francisco, Hannah changes her name and starts acclimating to the new culture. While, the family adjusts to their home, they remain hopeful that their green cards will come and that San Francisco will become their permanent home.

 I would use this book to teach my students about the challenges of coming to a new country. I believe that this book, along with others like it will help students grasp the idea that not everyone's journey to success and happiness is the same. 

The Other Side

The Other Side

Author: Jacqueline Woodson 

Illustrator: E.B Lewis 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: K-3rd

The Other Side is about a little girl named Clover. Her and her mother live in a town in which there is a fence that separates the African-Americans from the whites. One day Clover sees a young girl, Annie, outside by the fence. Annie is always there, even in bad weather, and is said to look lonely. Since, Clover and Annie have both been demanded not to cross the fence they choose to sit on the fence together. Clover, Annie and Clover's friends begin to realize that the fence, which symbolizes segregation in their town, should not be there. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about the time in history when segregation was common and how it is not right. This book could also be used to teach about acceptance. 

Why am I me?

Why am I me? 

Author: Paige Britt 

Illustrator:  Selina Alko and Sean Qualls

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: None

Grade Level: Pk-3rd

Why am I me? is about two characters who are asking each other questions about themselves and each other. The two children do not realize that they are asking each other the same questions. This book gives the reader the opportunity to ask themselves "how would life be different if there was only we instead of you and me?"

I would use this book to help teach about compassion and love. This book could also be used to teach students about diversity and how everyone is the same on the inside. 

Going Home

Going Home 

Author: Even Bunting

Illustrator: David Diaz

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: PK-3rd 

Going Home is about a boy named Carlos and his family. Since the Christmas holiday is coming up soon, the family is headed back home to Mexico. Even though Carlos and his siblings were born in Mexico, it doesn't seem like home. When Carlos is encouraged to participate in the festivities by his grandfather, aunt, and the other people in the village, he begins to fully understand his parent's love for the village in Mexico. At the end of the book he realizes that home can be anywhere, even the places that it does not seem likely. 

This book can be used in a classroom as a read aloud and a silent reading book. I would also use this book to teach students about overcoming challenges. 

Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street 

Author: Matt De La Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Honor, Newbery Award 

Grade Level: K-2nd

CJ and his grandma leave their Church and they get on the bus. CJ is asking a lot of questions about why they have to take the bus and why he does not have other things that everyone has. Throughout the whole book he seems to be not content with what he has. His grandma keeps trying to get CJ to see the beauty in everything. Last Stop on Market Street ends with CJ and his grandma arriving at the soup kitchen to volunteer. 

I would use this book to teach about diversity and finding beauty all around us. Last Stop on Market Street can also be used as a writing prompt for older students. 

Shiloh

Shiloh 

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Illustrator: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Bluebonnet Award, Newbery Award

Grade Level: 4th-7th 

In West Virginia, a young boy named Marty finds a stray puppy and takes him home. Marty chooses to name the dog Shiloh and does not want to return him to his abusive owner. When Marty's father demands that Shiloh be returned to his own, Judd, Marty his him in the woods. When Shiloh is hurt by another dog, Marty's family must take him to the vet. After the vet visit, they are forced to return the dog to Judd. Marty attempts to convince Judd to let him keep the puppy. They negotiate a deal, which resulted in Marty working for Judd to pay for Shiloh. After a little bit of time, Judd lets Marty know that he will not keep his end of the bargain. Even though Marty has been told that he will never get Shiloh, he continues to work for Judd. After the two talk about Judd's troubled past, Marty is allowed to keep Shiloh. 

I would use this book to teach students about relationships with people. This book can be used to teach students that they can always fix their choices, even if one or two of them were bad decisions. 

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Bluebonnet Book Award, Newbery Honor

Grade Level: 5th-7th 

This book is about a young girl named Opal, who has just moved with her father to Naomi, Florida. During a trip to the grocery store, the Winn-Dixie, she sees a dog running around the store. Even though the dog does not belong to her, Opal takes it home. She names the dog Winn-Dixie after the grocery store. During her adventures in Naomi, she meets several people. She becomes extremely close to Gloria Dump. The two decide to through a party and Opal invites all of the other people she has met. During the party, it begins to storm and Winn-Dixie is nowhere to be found. After a search for the dog, they return home to find Winn-Dixie hiding because he was afraid of the storm. Because of Winn-Dixie ends with Otis playing his guitar and all of the party guests are singing Opal's father's songs. 

I would use this book to teach students about conflict. There are several types of conflict in this book including man vs self and man vs man. 

Poems in the Attic

Poems in the Attic

Author: Nikki Grimes 

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon 

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award

Grade Level: 2nd-4th 

While she is visiting her Grandma's house, a young girl find a box of poems that her mother wrote as a child. When her mother was a young girl, she was an air force brat resulting in many moves. Whenever her family got to a new place, she would write a poem. On each page of this book their is a poem written by the mother and a poem written by the daughter. Having the two poems side by side on each page allows the reader to see the differences in the two childhoods. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about poetry. There are different types of poems included in the book. This book could also be used as a read aloud. 

The House in the Night

The House in the Night 

Author: Susan Marie Swanson

Illustrator: Beth Krommes

Genre: Poetry

Awards: Caldecott Medal 

Grade Level: PK-1st 

The House in the Night is a poem that is about things that a child usually finds comforting during the night.Things like a night light, a bed, and a bedtime story are all mentioned. In the book the child goes up to the sky and to the moon and stars. After the child goes up to the sky, they return back to their house and begin to rest peacefully in their bed. 

The House in the Night can be used in the classroom to teach about illustrations and the Caldecott Award. I would also use this book as a read aloud to teach about poetry. 

Song and Dance Man

Song and Dance Man 

Author: Karen Ackerman 

Illustrator: Stephen Gammell 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Caldecott Medal 

Grade Level: PK-2nd 

This book is about a grandpa who used to be a performer. When his grandchildren come to visit, he takes them up into the attic and begins to tell them stories about his performance days. He takes out his old dance shoes, hats, and costumes and his grandchildren pretend that they too are on the vaudeville stage. The grandpa then puts on a performance, filled with dances and songs,  for his grandchildren. When the show is over, grandpa misses his glory days when he would perform many shows. 

I would use this book as a read aloud. I would also use this book to teach about character traits and setting. Song and Dance Man can also be used to show students that once you have a skill, you will always have that skill. 

Smoky Night

Smoky Night

Author: Eve Bunting 

Illustrator: David Diaz

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Caldecott Medal 

Grade Level: 1st-4th 

Smoky Night is a book about the Los Angeles Riots of 1992. Daniel and his mother are watching the riots from their window. Daniel's mother has to reassure him that they are safe from people intruding into their home. Daniel and his mother eventually go to sleep. They are forced to wake up and flee their apartment when there is a fire. While Daniel and his mother are making their way to the shelter, he realizes that both his and Mrs. Kim's cats are missing. A firefighter then comes into the shelter and is carrying both of the missing cats. Through the night, Daniel and his mother finally get to really know their neighbor Mrs. Kim. They all realize that most of the time people do not like each other because they do not truly know each other. 

This book can be used to teach students about people coming together to overcome an obstacle. Smoky Night can also be used as a tool to teach students about acceptance and the concept of right and wrong. 

The Courage of Sarah Noble

The Courage of Sarah Noble 

Author: Alice Dalgliesh

Illustrator: Leonard Weisgard

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Awards: Newbery Honor

Grade Level: 2nd-5th 

The Courage of Sarah Noble is the story of eight year old, Sarah. She goes with her father to New Milford, to take care of him while he builds their new house. When they arrive, they come face to face with the Schaghticoke tribe who had previously lived on the land. Sarah Noble is hesitant to interact with the tribe due to the rumors she has heard. However, she comes to realize that they are friendly as they help her father and her survive. Sarah's family join her and her father when the house is finished. Sarah then tells her mother that she wants to become a school teacher. 

If I used this book in my classroom, I would most likely use it for a unit on colonial life. The story of Sarah and her father would give students an idea of how life was back then. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Author: Dr. Seuss

Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Grade Level: PK-2

Oh, the Places You'll Go! is poem written by Dr. Seuss. In this book a boy is trying to find his way through life. He is searching through all of his choices, trying to always choose the right one. He realizes that there are no choices that he wants to make so he decides to head out of town. The boy then gets into a "slump" and is stuck in a place labeled "the waiting place". He soon escapes the "slump" and continues on his journey to a great life. 

I would use this book as a read aloud in my classroom. This book could also be used as a part of a unit on poetry or an intro into a unit about choices and/or growing up. 

Eleanor

Eleanor 

Author: Barbara Cooney 

Illustrator: Barbara Cooney

Genre: Nonfiction and Biography 

Awards: None

Grade Level: 2nd-5th 

This book tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt. She was born into a wealthy family that was far from happy. She is eventually sent off to school and when she returns, her eyes have been opened and she has found qualities within herself that she did not know existed. It would be these qualities that would equip her to be an excellent First Lady of the United States. 

This book would be best used as a read aloud. I would use this book to show students about the First Lady and how challenges can impact you for the better.