The Giver by Lois Lowry

Author: Lois Lowry

Genre: Science Fiction

Awards: Newbery Medal (1994), ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1994), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1994), Booklist Editors' Choice, Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (1996), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (1996), ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009, William Allen White Children's Book Award (1996), Garden State Teen Book Award (1996), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee (1994), ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000, ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999, 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009), Sequoyah Book Award (1996), Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Nominee (1996), Wyoming Soaring Eagle Nominee (1996), NE Golden Sower Award (1995), Golden Duck Award (1994), Buckeye Children's Book Award (1997), The 100 Favorite Novels of Librarians, Maine Student Book Award (1995), TLA Texas Lone Star Reading List, CCBC Choices (1993), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (1995), Grand Canyon Reader Award (1995), Virginia Readers' Choice Award (1996), Land of Enchantment Book Award (1997), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (1996), Wisconsin Battle of the Books List (2016), Nevada Young Readers' Award (1995), Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (1997), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1993), Sequoyah Book Award Nominee (1996), Hawai'i Nēnē Award Nominee (2002), Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award Nominee, IRA Teachers' Choices Reading list (1996), IRA Children's Choices Reading List (1992), ALA Notable Children's Book (1994), NCTE Adventuring With Books (1997), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2010), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2012)

Grade(s): 5th-8th

Summary: This classic by Lois Lowry starts off with an 11-year-old boy, Jonas, who is apprehensive about his "Ceremony of 12." This ceremony is the one where children are assigned their respective professions in the community. Jonas lives in a Utopia where everyone is assigned a job and everyone has a duty at every age. There is no war, no hunger, no inconvenience, no emotion, and no color. At Jonas' Ceremony of 12, he is assigned the role of Receiver. After he is assigned this role, he meets with the former Receiver, the Giver. The Giver shows him happiness and excitement, but also pain and sadness. Although he isn't allowed, Jonas struggles with keeping this new information private as he wants to tell everyone. However, Jonas and the Giver hatch a plan for Jonas to leave his community and all of the memories would be spread amongst everyone. Later, Jonas begins using his new memories to help a newborn, Gabriel, that was brought into his family. The community was going to release Gabriel because he was not able to sleep. After learning that Gabriel would be released, Jonas speaks to the Giver, who tells him that being released is to be killed, so Jonas knew he had to help him with his new found position. The plan that the Giver and Jonas come up with, means that Jonas must leave quickly with Gabriel in order to stay safe. While fleeing the community, Jonas gives Gabriel memories of warmth and happiness in order to sooth Gabriel while they travel through the freeing wilderness. They arrive at a snow-covered hill where Jonas sees a sled that he remembers from one of his memories. The book ends when Jonas rides the sled down the hill and he sees a lit-up house where he has a feeling that someone is waiting for him there. 

My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite Lois Lowry classics. I feel that it has such a deep meaning and insightful approach to how a world of Utopia would be. This book offers a lot of room for discussion amongst classmates as many controversial topics are introduced. Although I would not be able to read this book to my lower elementary grade classes, I would definitely use this book if I ever found myself teaching upper elementary grade students. This book will always have a place on my bookshelf!!

Horton Hears a Who Pop-Up! by Dr. Seuss

Author: Dr. Seuss

Pop-Ups by: Davis A. Carter

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: None

Grade(s): K-3rd

Summary: This is a pop-up classic Dr. Seuss book about an elephant, Horton, who hears small voices coming from a speck of dust. Even though Horton tries everything to keep The Who's of Whoville safe, the animals of the jungle where Horton lives thinks he is going crazy. They even give the speck of dust to an eagle who takes the clover where the speck of dust rests and drops it in a huge field of clovers, thinking that Horton will never find it. However, Horton spends many hours and on his three-millionth flower, he finds The Who's!! He vows to protect them no matter what, but the jungle animals just won't give up. So Horton tells the mayor that he must make every Who in Whoville make the loudest sound they can in hopes of letting the other animals hearing them. Finally, when the mayor finds that the smallest Who isn't trying to help, he pleads with him to make the loudest sound he can. Finally the other animals can hear the Who's!! Horton sticks by his motto that "A person's a person, no matter how small." This helps him get the other animals to help protect The Who's too.

My Thoughts: Like all Dr. Seuss books, I love this one!! I especially love that this book was made into a pop-up because I really feel like, with any pop-up, it really brings the story to life. I will definitely use this book in my classroom to teach the ultimate lesson this book provides: "A person's a person, no matter how small." This book, and many other Dr. Seuss books, will forever be apart of my classroom library!!

The Battle of the Alamo by Kerri O'Hern and Janet Riehecky

Authors: Kerri O'Hern and Janet Riehecky 

Illustrator: D. McHargue

Genre: Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel

Awards: None

Grade(s): 1st-5th

Summary: This book is a graphic novel that tells the historical story of the Battle of the Alamo. It starts with how Native Americans lived on the land that would later be fought for by the Mexicans and Texans. It continues its timeline explaining how the Mexicans began to build missions throughout San Antonio and one of the missions they built was later closed and used as a military fort and named "The Alamo." Mexico's government desperately wanted to settle land in Texas, making it their own. However, the Texans were not going to let that happen without a fight. This book details important landmarks and historical events leading up to, during, and after the Battle of the Alamo. 

My Thoughts: If you know anything about me, you would know that history is my least favorite subject. However, I know that there are many history lessons ahead of me during my years of teaching. I enjoyed this book because I felt that it offered an engaging way to learn something that I otherwise would not enjoy reading about through its graphic novel qualities. I will definitely use this book to read to my class during a lesson over the Alamo and hope to gain their interest using the brightly colored pages and storyline of this book. I hope to add more books like this to my library!!

Rude Ramsay and the Roaring Radishes by Margaret Atwood

Author: Margaret Atwood
Illustrator: Dušan Petričić
Read By: Margaret Atwood
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: None
Grade(s): 1st-4th

Summary: This book is a book of alliterations of the letter "R." Ramsay decides he is sick of living in his "ramshackle rectangular residence" and decides he needs to find something more. He ventures out with his friend rat and together they begin to explore life outside of eating horrible things for dinner and being tormented by his brothers. Eventually, adventure shows Ramsay and his rat friend to another realm: a huge garden with a river. Ramsay was so happy to have found a garden full of food because he was so hungry!! However, when Ramsay tried to eat a fresh radish, all of the radishes came to life and began roaring at him that he was a thief who was trying to steal from their garden. Then Ramsay met a girl named Rillah who ended up being rich. Although she was from a rich family, she still longed to be with Ramsay in his ramshackle residence. The two of them decided to go back to Ramsay's house and they ended up falling in love. Ramsay, Rillah, and their pet rat lived happily under a rainbow.

My Thoughts: I liked that I could use this book during an alliteration lesson, but I found it very difficult and frustrating to get through. As ridiculous as it sounds, it was hard for me to keep up with the constant alliteration of "R" and many words were difficult to decode. I would read this book in my younger classes to explain alliteration and to get a laugh. In my older elementary classes, I would read this book to help with alliteration and vocabulary as this book introduces quite a few new words. This book is also an audio book, so since it is difficult for me to get through myself, I would probably, most definitely use the audio CD provided. 😜

The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney

Author: Jerry Pinkney

Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Traditional Literature

Awards: New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing (2015), ALA Notable Children's Book (2016), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2016)

Grade(s): K-3rd

Summary: This book was written and illustrated by a Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner of 2016. It is a classic from Aesop's fables with the moral being, "Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today!" Jerry Pinkney beautifully illustrates this classic that tells the story of a grasshopper who wants to play and enjoy each day as it comes. The ants, on the other hand, feel that it is important to work and continue to keep on top of their work. The grasshopper continuously tries to convince them otherwise to do things like fish with him in the spring and make snow angels and snow hoppers in the winter. The ants insist on working knowing it will pay off in the end. In the end of the book, Pinkney shows how generous the ants become by allowing the grasshopper live off of all of their hard word, but the grasshopper realizes that he should not have put off his work and he should have gotten it done. 

My Thoughts: First of all, I absolutely love Jerry Pinkney's works and will definitely have them in my classroom. I feel that he is able to illustrate in great detail to bring any story to life. This story will be used in my classroom to teach my students of this valuable lesson of not procrastinating. I love the version of this book because I feel that it is one of the best representations of this story and its moral. You will definitely find this book on my bookshelf!!

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Author: Patricia Polacco

Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Genre: Non-fiction, Special Needs Topic

Awards: ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award (1999), Emphasis on Reading (2000), Keystone to Reading Book Award (2000), South Carolina Children's Book Award (2001), NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (1999), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (1999), CCBC Choices (1998), Alabama Camellia Children's Choice Book Award (2000), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (1999), NCTE Adventuring with Books (2000)

Grade(s): 2nd-5th

Summary: Tricia was a young girl who had been given the wisdom from her grandfather that knowledge had to be found within the pages of a book. She loved books and couldn't wait to start reading them. However, when she got into the first grade, she noticed that she was not on the same level as her peers. This began to scare her because she wanted so bad to learn to read. Soon, the older she got, more and more people were beginning to take notice that she wasn't able to read, but she was a very good artist. After her grandparents had passed away, her mother had gotten a new job in California and Tricia realized that she would have to attend a new school. She was hoping that none of her new classmates would be able to tell how she couldn't read, for this made her feel dumb. Unfortunately, quite the opposite had happened. Everyone began to make fun of her. That was until Mr. Falker started his new job at her school. Mr. Falker put an end to Tricia's classmates' mockery very quickly. All except for one student continued to mock and ridicule Tricia. Tricia ended up hating school and was bullied everyday. Soon, Mr. Falker realized that Tricia was far from "dumb." He realized that she was dyslexic. With this new knowledge, he worked with Tricia rigorously for 3 months and without realizing it, she was able to read when he put a book in front of her. She was elated!! She rushed home and found the book that her grandfather had given her long ago and remembered what he had told her. The book ends with an author's note stating that the story is her own. She explains how she had run into Mr. Falker many years later and was able to thank him for helping her get to where she is today, an author and illustrator.

My Thoughts: This book is a wonderful book dealing with a special needs topic that many find difficult to deal with. Going into the special education field myself, I have always been intrigued by disabilities that are not necessarily seen, and how to reach those learners. This book teaches a valuable lesson to not only students, but also for teachers!! Teachers can learn from this book that it is extremely important to know your students so that they can reach and help them in any of their weak spots. This also teaches teachers to be aware of how your students are being treated. As a teacher, you should always be able to pick out small indicators that allow you to know when you need to step in. This teaches students not to bully their classmates no matter what they think or feel. To embrace the diversity in their classrooms and to help their classmates in need instead of bringing them down. I will definitely be reading this book in my classroom for years to come!!

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

Author: Lindsay Mattick

Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Genre: Non-fiction

Awards: Caldecott Medal (2016), New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing (2015), ALA Notable Children's Book (2016), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2016), CCBC Choices (2016), A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2015), NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (2016)

Grade(s): K-4th

Summary: Finding Winnie is a true story about a man who was a veterinarian that was being sent off to care for the sick animals of World War I. This man happened to come across a live bear cub at a train station that a man had captured. Knowing that he shouldn't, he still could not leave the bear behind knowing it would be killed. He had felt something special about that bear. So instead, he had bought the bear for $20 and it came along with him and the troops. Despite protests from the commanding officers, the man showed them what a special bear it was. The man named the bear "Winnie" after their hometown, Winnipeg, so they would all feel like a little piece of home was with them. Eventually, the bear was trained and it was actually able to help the men during the war by sniffing out bombs and intruders. Later, the bear had to be given to a zoo since he had gotten so big, they could no longer take him along. Years later, a little boy had been given a stuffed bear, but didn't know what to name it. His father had taken him to that zoo and the boy had, had a connection with Winnie, so he decided to name his stuffed bear "Winnie the Pooh." Winnie and the boy had a very strong connection and the boy was actually able to go and mingle with Winnie at the zoo. The boy's name was Christopher Robin Milne and his father was named Alan Alexander Milne. Alan Alexander Milne went on to create "The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." The man who had originally bought Winnie came back from war and saw how happy Winnie was in his new home. He returned home and started a family of his own. The family ended up being the author's own. The book ends will real photos of the author and her family tree, as well as photos of Winnie the bear.

My Thoughts: Out of all of the books I have read, this has to be my all-time favorite. If you know anything about me, you would know that I grew up with more of an unhealthy love for Winnie the Pooh and it wasn't until I had read this book did I realize the true story behind everything. I love that the author decided to publish this book as I feel it makes a great story that should be shared again and again. Although my students may be a little bit too young to know about Winnie the Pooh, I will definitely share this story with them as I feel it really showcases a small wonder of this world. I may also use this book to have my students write their own story about something that has been passed down in their family. This book will always be on my bookshelf!!

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Author: Dan Santat

Illustrator: Dan Santat

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: Caldecott Medal (2015), ALA Notable Children's Book (2015), Blue Hen Book Award Nominee (2016), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2015), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award Nominee (2016), Wisconsin Battle of the Books List (2016)

Grade(s): 1st-3rd

Summary: Beekle is an unimaginary friend who lives in a world with other unimaginary friends waiting to be dreamt by a child of his own. In this world, unimaginary friends live together until a child dreams them up and they leave to go and live with their child. However, Beekle was not being dreamt and it made him very sad. Then, he ended up doing the unimaginable. He decided to go and find his child all on his own. When he got into the real world, he noticed that it really wasn't all that he thought it would be, but he ended up seeing one of his other unimaginary friends. He followed that friend until he decided to climb a tree and look for his child. Eventually a girl had come and saw him!! Although it was awkward at first, they ended up becoming best friends. Then they did the unimaginable together. They took other children to the unimaginary world to meet all of the other unimaginary friends who were looking for their child.

My Thoughts: I loved this book as I feel it brings out an ultimate sense of imagination. It dives deep into the world of the way children think and it brings to life imaginary friends, a concept we all know to be true. I would use this book in my classroom to spark creativity and imagination as my students may be going through the imaginary friend phase themselves. I feel it really represents how real many children feel about their imaginary friends. I definitely see myself reading this book to my students for years to come!!

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

Author: Mo Willems

Illustrator: Mo Willems

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book (2004), South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee (2005), Caldecott Honor (2004), BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2003), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009), Indies Picture Book Hall of Fame (2009), Wyoming Buckaroo Award (2004), Wyoming Buckaroo Nominee (2004), Georgia Children's Book Award (2008), NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2004), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2004), Vermont Red Clover Award (2005), CCBC Choices (2004), North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (2005), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (2005), Kentucky Bluegrass Award (2005), Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee (2007)

Grade(s): K-2nd

Summary: This book starts off with a bus driver instructing the reader not to let the pigeon drive the bus while he's away. The pigeon, on the other hand, is sassy and tries to convince the reader several times and in several ways to let him drive the bus anyway. He even resorts to yelling at the reader, "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!" Finally, the bus driver comes back and ensures that the reader didn't allow the pigeon to drive the bus. The pigeon is let down, but then notices a huge 18-wheeler pulling up next to him and then he gets an idea...

My Thoughts: This book is absolutely hilarious and it really engages young readers. I really feel like its funny nature will keep students interested and motivated to read. I love this collection of books by Mo Willems as the simple illustrations really make for good read-aloud stories. I think I would use this in my classroom to spark imagination and have my students create their own "Don't let the _____" story. This book is both creative and innovative and I will definitely have it in my classroom for many years!!

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Coretta Scott King Honor (2013), ALA Notable Children's Book (2013), Charlotte Zolotow Award (2013), Wyoming Buckaroo Nominee (2013), IRA Notable Book for a Global Society (2013), NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2013), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (2013), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (2013), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2013), ISLMA Monarch Award Nominee (2015), Vermont Red Clover Award Nominee (2014), CCBC Choices (2013), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2013), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee (2014), West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award Nominee (2014), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2015), Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (2014), Parents' Choice Book Award (2012)

Grade(s): K-4th

Summary: Each Kindness is a story about a girl named Chloe who had gotten a new student in her class named Maya. Chloe instantly noticed that Maya did not look like other students. Her clothes were old and torn and her shoes looked very worn out. Chloe made it a point to make Maya an outcast even though Maya just wanted to make friends. One day, the teacher did an experiment where she took a bowl of water and a pebble. She demonstrated that when she dropped the pebble into the water, it would ripple out from the center. She explained that the pebble represents something kind someone has done or said to someone else and the ripples represent how far that kindness goes. The teacher handed out pebbles and had each student say something kind they did and then drop it into the bowl of water. However, when it was Chloe's turn, she couldn't think of anything she had done that was kind. This embarrassed her. The next day, Maya had not returned to school. Chloe was actually sad because she had told herself that she was going to start being kind to Maya because she had felt so guilty. Unfortunately, Maya was never going to return to that school because her family had moved away. Chloe was so upset by this, she walked to the pond and thought of all of the kind things she would have said to Maya has she dropped in pebbles. The book ends with, "I watched the water ripple as the sun set through the maples and the chance of a kindness with Maya became more and more forever gone."

My Thoughts: This book has such a strong message that we can all teach our children and students. I feel that this book touched me deeply as it portrays a message of the importance of being kind to one another. This book also has a twist where Chloe is an African American girl while Maya is white. It is very rare to find this type of situation portrayed as it was in this book and I feel that, in itself, teaches a viable lesson that bullying goes beyond stereotypes. I absolutely loved this book and it will definitely be one that I continue to read every year to my class. I will even use the water and pebble experiment with my students as I feel it holds so much value in teaching the importance of kindness. 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Author: Drew Daywalt

Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book (2014), Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award (2013), CBI Book of the Year Award (2014), Texas Bluebonnet Award (2015), NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2014), Great Lakes Great Books Award (2015), Connecticut's Nutmeg Book Award (2015), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (2014), IRA Children's Choices Reading List (2014), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2014), ISLMA Monarch Award (2015), Vermont Red Clover Award (2015), Zilveren Griffel (2015), New Hampshire Ladybug Picture Book Award Nominee (2015), Keystone to Reading Book Award (2015), Donna Norvell Oklahoma Book Award (2015), Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (2015), Grand Canyon Reader Award (2015), North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (2015), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (2015), Nevada Young Readers' Award (2015), Mississippi Magnolia Book Award (2015), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2016), California Young Reader Medal Nominee (2016), Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (2015), MASL Show Me Readers Award Nominee (2016), North Carolina Children's Book Award (2015), Children's Choice Book Award (2014), Children's Choice Book Award Finalist (2014), Buckeye Children's Book Award (2015), Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee (2015), Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards Finalist (2013), E.B. White Read Aloud Award

Grade(s): K-4th

Summary: This is a hilarious book about a boy named Duncan. Duncan only wanted to draw a picture, but when he took out his box of crayons, he only found a box of angry letters instead. Red was tired of coloring things for the holidays. Purple was irritated that Duncan couldn't color inside the lines with him. Beige was sad that Duncan didn't even call him by his real name and that Brown got to color bears, ponies, and puppies. Gray crayon was a tired crayon worn out from having to color all of the big things like elephants and whales. White was feeling empty because Duncan only colors with him on white paper and he isn't even seen. Black hates to be the outline of everything. Green crayon seems to be okay with coloring trees and crocodiles, but is a little annoyed by Orange and Yellow who are in a disagreement over who should be used to color the sun. Blue crayon has become stumpy from Duncan using him so much since he is his favorite color. Pink is upset because is isn't being used due to Duncan thinking its a girl's color and peach was upset because Duncan had peeled all of its paper off leaving it naked!! Ultimately, Duncan felt bad and decided to draw a huge picture using all of his crayons and granting all of their wishes. He got an A for coloring and an A+ for creativity.

My Thoughts: This is amongst my favorite picture books as I find it hilarious and witty. Although I don't see any major purpose to use this book in a lesson, I do feel like it would be a great read-aloud book and may even spark some creativity within my students. I love that the illustrations were done with color and that each crayon had written its own letter to Duncan with appropriate complaints. I will definitely be reading this book to my students for many years to come.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Author: Lois Lowry

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award (1989), National Jewish Book Award (1990), Newbery Medal (1990), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (1992), A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1990), Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (1991), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, American Booksellers Association Pick of the Lists, ALA Notable Children's Book, Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Nominee (1991), Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee (1991), Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (1992), Charlotte Award (1992), Shalom Readers Club Book List, AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (1991), Maine Student Book Award (1991), ISLMA Bluestem Award Nominee (2014), Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Nominee (1991), VDL Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Nominee, CCBC Choices (1989), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (1998), Sequoyah Book Award Nominee (1992), William Allen White Children's Book Award Nominee (1992), Hawai'i Nēnē Award Nominee (1994), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (1993), NCTE Adventuring with Books (1993), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2010), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2012)

Grade(s): 4th-8th

Summary: Annemarie Johansen was growing up in a time of war. Her best friend, Ellen Rosen was a Jew who was in danger of being caught and killed. During the height of the war, the German soldiers were cracking down and becoming very strict. Fear of being caught, the Rosen family decided they needed to leave the area. To keep Ellen as safe as possible, they left Ellen with the Johansens and Annemarie and Ellen were to pretend they were sisters. Although they were almost caught when German soldiers came to search their home, Annemarie's dad was able to retrieve a picture of the oldest sister, who had been killed in a car accident, to pass off as a photo of Ellen since the two had dark hair. When things became more tense, the Johansen's decided it would be better to stay with Uncle Henrik who lives in a fishing village on the outskirts of town. To keep Ellen and other Jewish refugees safe, Uncle Henrik organizes a fake funeral for his non-existent aunt. German soldiers come to evaluate why there are so many people gathered in one area and find the funeral to be acceptable. Later, Uncle Henrik and Mrs. Johansen begin to bring Jews to boats to sail them to Sweden, where they would remain safe. Ellen's family turns up at Uncle Henrik's house and they all decide to leave for Sweden until the war ended. Annemarie and Ellen hated that they would be separated, but they knew it was for the best. When the war finally ended, the Johansen's returned home and joined in a tearful celebration with their community. Annemarie retrieved her best friend's necklace and vowed to keep it with her and safe until Ellen was able to return home. The book's last quote is "'Until then,' Annemarie told him, 'I will wear it myself.'"

My Thoughts: I feel that this book is an excellent book for 4th to 8th graders. I feel that the story is rich and really portrays the lives of those living during World War II. Although this is a fictional book, I feel that Lois Lowry really makes the characters and story come to life with real scenarios and situations. I would not read this to my younger students as I feel it is a bit too advanced for them, but if I ever find myself teaching older elementary grades, I will definitely use this book to teach them of the World War II lifestyle. I loved reading this book and I will definitely keep it on my bookshelf for many years!!

Ada's Violin by Susan Hood

Author: Susan Hood

Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport

Genre: Multicultural, Nonfiction

Awards: Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year (2017), Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year, Outstanding Merit (2017), IRA Notable Book for a Global Society (2017), CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2016), Connecticut Book Award Finalist (2017)

Grade(s): 1st-4th

Summary: This multicultural book shares the true story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Ada is a young girl growing up in Cateura, a town made of trash. Although her community was poor, they would make the best of it by looking through the piles of trash dumped there to find things to make a living. Ada, however, became worried about the future of her community as many of the children began to grow up into gangs and getting into fights. Ada's grandmother raised her and her little sister when their parents were away at work and one day, she saw an advertisement for music lessons. Never being able to learn music herself, she wanted her grandchildren, Ada and Noélia, to have this opportunity, so she signed them up. They quickly realized that there were not enough instruments for all of the children who wanted to take lessons. So the instructor, Favio Chávez, gathered several people to help him make instruments for all of the students. They worked together to collect the right trash from the landfill to make all sorts of instruments. Soon, there were plenty of instruments for everyone. They practiced rigorously everyday and soon became well known. Soon, they were asked to fly all over the world to play their instruments. At the end of the book, the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay was asked to open for a famous rock band. Even though they were nervous, they played well and everyone cheered for them more than the rock band!! The last page shows real pictures of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay and of their instruments.

My Thoughts: I thought this book was a wonderful tale of how a community of people made the absolute best out of their living situation. I love how I would be able to use this book to teach my students the value of creativity and innovation. I also love how this book portrays the life of a small community so well through not only its illustrations, but also its story. I will definitely have this book on my bookshelf for years to come!!

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Author: Ellen Levine

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Genre: Multicultural, Nonfiction

Awards: Caldecott Honor (2008), South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee (2008), BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2007), ALA Notable Children's Book (2008), Wyoming Buckaroo Nominee (2008-2009), NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Boo for Young People (2008), Great Lakes Great Books Award (2009), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (2007), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children's and Teens (2008), ISLMA Bluestem Award Nominee (2011), Vermont Red Clover Award Nominee (2009), CCBC Choices (2008), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (2010), Comstock Read Aloud Book Award (2007), West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award Nominee (2009), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2009), California Young Reader Medal (2012), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (2008)

Grade(s): 1st-4th

Summary: Henry's Freedom Box is a book set back in the days of slavery. Henry grew up in the slave world as a slave child, and eventually became a man living in slavery. He gained approval to marry from his master and his wife's and became happily wed. Henry decided to start a family and him and his wife had three children. However, since many of the masters were becoming poor, they had to sell their slaves in order to survive. Sadly, Henry's wife and children were sold and Henry would never be able to see them again. This motivated Henry to want to escape slavery and he came up with a plan. With the help of some of his friends, one being a white man, they devised a plan for Henry to be shipped to America in a large wooden crate. Scared that the plan would fail, but desperate to make it work, Henry found himself turned upside, on his head, on a ship sailing for America. Thankfully, Henry arrived safely in Philadelphia to very welcoming arms. Having never known his birthday, he made March 30, 1849 his birthday, his first day of freedom. Henry also gained a middle name as he would forever be known as Henry "BOX" Brown.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book and would definitely use it in my classroom to teach my students about the slavery era. This is a wonderful multicultural book that teaches about the culture of slavery and African Americans. The illustrations of this book were astounding as Kadir Nelson really has a way of bringing the story to life. Although there were sad moments in this story, it really shows the reality of how many were made to live during this time period. I will definitely have this book in my classroom library for years to come!!

Yoko by Rosemary Wells

Author: Rosemary Wells

Illustrator: Rosemary Wells

Genre: Multicultural, Realistic Fiction

Awards: Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (2000), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2001), The White Ravens (1999), NCTE Kaleidoscope (2001), NCTE Adventuring with Books (2000)

Grade(s): K-2nd

Summary: Yoko is a cat from Japan who loves when her mom prepares her, her favorite bento box of sushi for lunch. When lunchtime at school comes around, Yoko's teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, rings the bell and tells everyone to take out their lunch boxes. When Yoko looks around, she noticed that many of her classmates brought different types of sandwiches and other typical lunchtime food. However, when Yoko opens her lunchbox, her classmates are all disgusted by it and begin to make fun of it saying things like, "Watch out! It's moving!" and "Yuck-o-rama!" This really hurts Yoko's feelings. She doesn't understand why people would make fun of her favorite lunch!! When she goes outside to play, Mrs. Jenkins notices that Yoko isn't playing and that she seems upset. Then Mrs. Jenkins gets the idea of organizing an International Food Day in her class. She send notes to the parents asking them to each bring an unusual dish from many different countries. On International Food Day, Mrs. Jenkins' number one rule is to "try everything!" However, Yoko notices that no one would even touch her deluxe sushi roll. Until one of her classmates, Timothy, was still hungry after everything had already been eaten. So, he decided to try Yoko's sushi roll and he loved it so much, he wanted sushi the next day too!! In the end, Yoko and Timothy became the best of friends and decided to open their own restaurant, sushi included.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book!! It was so cute and really offered an insight into the diversity we have in our schools. I also loved it because I can relate to it in some way. Living in China has really broadened my view on many different types of food. Sushi is my favorite, so I can relate to Yoko when people make fun of her for eating such different things. I think this book will be a wonderful addition to my classroom because I can use it to teach diversity. I can also stem off of this book an International food day of my own. This book will definitely be in my classroom library for years to come!!

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Author: Faith Ringgold
Illustrator: Faith Ringgold
Genre: Multicultural, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Awards: CCBC Choices (1991), New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book (1991), Caldecott Honor (1992), A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1992), Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English - Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts (1992), Reading Rainbow Program Selection (1992), Ezra Jack Keats Book Award (1993), Parents' Choice Gold Award, NCTE Adventuring with Books (1993), NCTE Kaleidoscope (1994), NCTE Books That Invite Talk, Wonder, and Play (1996), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009)
Grade(s): K-6th

Summary: Tar Beach is a story of a girl whose family often goes to the roof of the building they live in to socialize with their neighbors. Cassie Louise Lightfoot is a little girl who loved to visit that rooftop with her family. She loved it so much because she would close her eyes and dream of flying above the city, making everything she flew over her own. Her favorite place to dream of flying over was the George Washington Bridge. She would imagine flying over places that would help her family out of their troubles. As an African American family, they were treated poorly and definitely not paid equally. However, Cassie would escape these setbacks by visiting "tar beach" and dreaming of taking her family's troubles away. She dreamed of flying over a large office building because she knew that if she owned it, her father would be able to work there instead of being turned away due to his color. She also flew over the ice cream factory to ensure her and her little brother would always have ice cream for dinner. At the end of the book, Cassie teaches her little brother to "fly" and the two of them laid and dreamt on Tar Beach for the rest of the night. This book is based off of a real story that the author had written on the border of a quilt describing her own rough childhood. Each page is bordered with a real picture of the author's quilt and the last page depicts the author's entire quilt, including the written story.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this book as I felt that it really showed the way of life for African Americans during an older time. This book is culturally rich and I feel that it would be a great book to use in my classroom to teach about other cultures. I feel that the story really brought to life the way it is to live a poor lifestyle in a city. I loved how the author made me realize that the imagination is a powerful thing and can take you out of any undesirable situation. I also loved the illustrations in this book and the fact that the author shared such a personal story along with a real image of the quilt that inspired this story. I will definitely have this book in my library!!

Show Way by Jacqueline Woods

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: Hudson Talbott

Genre: Multicultural, Historical Fiction, Nonfiction

Awards: Newbery Honor (2006), South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominee (2007-2008), Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (2008-2009), ALA Notable Children's Book (2006), Reading Rainbow Program Selection (2006), NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (2006), NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2006), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (2006), Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2006), CCBC Choices (2006), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee (2007), Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee (2008), Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee (2007)

Grade(s): 1st-3rd

Summary: Show Way is a story about a generation growing up during the time of slavery. It starts with a great-grandmother, Big Mama, who had raised many slave children on the land where she worked. Big Mama learned to sew with needles she had taken from the "big house" and thread she had dyed with red berries. Big Mama would sew during the times of rest and would teach her many children to sew "stars and moons and roads." Soon, Big Mama had sewed a quilt that many thought was the map to freedom, the way she sewed it. As generations passed, the quilt got handed down and each child would learn to sew. Many different quilts were made by many different people and any quilt that was sewed like Big Mama's was called a "Show Way." The quilts were given this name because many slaves felt that it showed them the way to freedom by looking at the sewn "stars and moons and roads." As generations had passed, soon the slaves were free, each raising a child and teaching them to sew. Even when slavery had ended, the family of Show Way continued to live on the land they once slaved and continued to make a living off of their cotton fields. The book ends with the author describing to her own child how she has raised her like her ancestors before her and how she is going to teach her to sew a Show Way quilt.

My Thoughts: Like Goin' Someplace Special, I felt that this book is a fantastic multicultural book to have in my classroom. I feel like it captures the slavery time period beautifully by tying in culturally relevant characteristics of a generation of a single family. This book also has repetition which also enriches the author's way of showing culture and tradition. This book is also illustrated beautifully and each page is bordered with famous pictures of the slavery time period. I will definitely have this book in my classroom library for years to come. 

Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack

Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Multicultural, Historical Fiction
Awards: NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2002), Coretta Scott King Honor (Illustrator, 2002), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (2002), ISLMA Monarch Award Nominee (2007), Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee (2004), CCBC Choices (2001), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee (2003), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2004), Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award (2003)
Grade(s): 1st-3rd

Summary: This book is set back in the middle of the Civil Rights movement and is about a girl named Tricia Ann. Tricia Ann wanted so badly to go to her favorite place in the world, but her grandmother was very worried about her going out on her own. During this time, it was very difficult for an African American to go about their daily activities without being ridiculed or humiliated. However, Tricia's grandmother did not want to stop her from being independent. So, she set her off with a few words of advice: "And no matter what, hold yo' head up and act like you b'long to somebody." Tricia Ann was very excited for this opportunity, but had no idea what kind of indignities lie ahead of her. First, she was forced to the back of a bus by a sign reading "colored section" and began to wonder why things were the way they were. Not letting that bring her down, she began telling people from her community that she was "goin' someplace special." Next, she was flabbergasted by not being able to sit on a bench reading "FOR WHITES ONLY" when she went to look at Peach Fountain. Later, when she was trying to get to her "someplace special," she was forced into a fancy hotel by a crowd of people who were trying to meet someone famous. When the people of the hotel began to notice that she was inside, she was shooed away as if she were a pest. Tricia Ann began to feel defeated and extremely let down that her culture and race was so ridiculed and that made her not even want to visit her "someplace special." However, she ran into a sweet lady named Blooming Mary, who happened to be white. Blooming Mary lifted Tricia Ann's spirits and made her believe that she could carry on. Eventually, Tricia Ann made it to her "someplace special" with a full heart and wonder. Her favorite place ended up being the library and she loved it because there was no segregation there and she felt like she was free. She enjoyed reading and picking out books and she was so happy to have reached her "someplace special."

My Thoughts: This book is an astounding way to teach children the way segregation was during the Civil Rights movement. It beautifully captures a young child's way of living and her love for the world despite their hatred toward her. I absolutely loved reading this book, and although it was a rather short picture book, it was definitely a page turner. Tricia Ann's character is captivating and the illustrations in this book really bring the story to life. I will definitely have this book in my classroom library to show my students the importance of unity and equality.