Alexander, K. (2011). Acoustic rooster and his barnyard band. Sleeping Bear Press.
Summary
A rooster has his sights on winning a barnyard talent show, but soon realizes he can't participate as a solo act. The rooster calls on his friends to create a barnyard band. The band creates beautiful music as they rock the barnyard and realizes they have the world's best jazz band even if they don't win first prize.
Strengths
-rhythm and rhyme
-based on real-life musicians
-various instruments
-history of jazz
-humor
-beautiful illustrations
-provides a glossary at the end of book with jazz terms
Connections
Theme: music, teamwork, sportsmanship
Other Books Written by Kwame Alexander:
The Undefeated
Out of Wonder: Pomes that Celebrate Poets
Crossover Series
Barnes, D. (2017). Crown: an ode of a fresh cut. Agate Bolden.
Summary
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair with a boost of confidence.
Strengths
-rhythmic, vibrant words
Connections
Theme: humanity, self-confidence
Bishop, N. (2019). Big cats. Scholastic Press.
Summary
Big cats provides information and details about the appearance, habits, and abilities of lions, tigers, cheetahs, and many more cats.
Strengths
-amazing photographs (closeups)
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/0jqPuasoN94
Other Books Written by Nic Bishop:
Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close
Lizards
The Secrets of Animal Flight
Carle, E. (1999). The grouchy ladybug. HarperFestival.
Summary
A grouchy ladybug who is looking for a fight challenges everyone she meets regardless of their size or strength.
Strengths
Cleary, B. (2000). Dear Mr. Henshaw. HarperCollins.
Summary
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/wnD1Bz16t1E
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/O5HkR1o2LiI (Part 1)
https://youtu.be/eaky2QAapVw (Part 2)
Connections
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/RmWmKNvusrs
Draper, S. M. (2012). Out of my mind. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/RTFqIrX5rnY
Engle, M. (2019). Dancing hands: how Teresa Carreno played the piano for President Lincoln.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Tells the story of Teresa Carreno, a child prodigy who played piano for Abraham Lincoln.
Strengths
-conveys the Venezuelan and American history
Garza, C. L. (2000). In my family. Children's Book Press.
Summary
The author describes her experiences growing up in an Hispanic community in Texas.
Strengths
-vibrant paintings
Other Books Written by Carmen Lomas Garza:
Family Pictures
A Piece of My Heart
Magic Windows
Giovanni, N. (2007). Rosa. Square Fish.
Summary
An inspiring account of an even that shaped American history 50 years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus. Rosa Parks is one of the most important figures in American Civil Right movement. The author depicts her courageous actions and the events that followed.
Strengths
-fold out pages
Connections
Strengths
-biography
Connections
Themes: traditions, feelings
Other Books Written by Virginia Hamilton:
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom
Bluish
Harris, R. H. (1999). It's so amazing! Candlewick Press (MA).
Summary
Uses bird and bee cartoon characters to present straightforward explanations of topics related to sexual development, love, reproduction, adoption, sexually transmitted diseases, and more.
Strengths
-meets the needs of those curious kids who are not ready developmentally or emotionally
Connections
BrainPOP Jr.: https://youtu.be/Wt5D2hlNljw
Other Books Written by Ezra Jack Keats:
The Snowy Day
Hi, Cat!
Peter's Chair
Lin, G. (2011). Ling & Ting: not exactly the same! LB Kids.
Summary
Ling and Ting, Chinese American twins, are alike in many ways, but they also like to point out the many ways they are different from one another.
Strengths
-great story for beginning readers
Other Books Written by Cynthia Lord:
Half a Chance
A Handful of Stars
Touch Blue
Myers, W. D. (2011). We are America: a tribute from the heart. HarperCollins.
Summary
Examines the events and people that have shaped American, providing portraits of famous figures.
Strengths
-provides portraits of the figures
Connections
Interview with Kadir Author: https://youtu.be/GhEGR61w9OI
Other Books Written by Katherine Paterson:
The Great Gilly Hopkins
The Same Stuff as Stars
Birdie's Bargain
Denise, A. A. (2020). Planting stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpre. (2019).
HarperCollins.
Summary
An illustrated biography of the life of Pura Belpre the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
Strengths
-inspiring story with beautiful and detailed illustrations
Ringgold, F. (1996). Tar beach. Dragonfly Books.
Summary
A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family.
Strengths
-beautiful illustrations
Strengths
-poetry
Connections
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Lane Smith:
There Is a Tribe of Kids
Giraffe Problems
Cat Problems
Stead, R. (2020). The list of things that will not change. Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary
After Bea's parents divorce, life becomes a little different. She keeps a green notebook with a list of things that will stay the same. Bea learns that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy.
Strengths
-author includes multiple issues with honesty, integrity, realism, and love
Strengths
-the author starts off with artwork that is cartoonish, but changes when the pigs leave the traditional story which they become more realistic and three-dimensional
Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny. Hyperion.
Summary
Trixie becomes very unhappy when she accompanies her daddy to the laundromat and realizes she has lost her stuffed bunny.
Strengths
-realistic
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/yVtNkRgKr2w
Strengths
-poems are lyrical and sound like poetry
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/--sDoefzSrY
Connections
Theme: music, teamwork, sportsmanship
Other Books Written by Kwame Alexander:
The Undefeated
Out of Wonder: Pomes that Celebrate Poets
Crossover Series
Barnes, D. (2017). Crown: an ode of a fresh cut. Agate Bolden.
Summary
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair with a boost of confidence.
Strengths
-rhythmic, vibrant words
-African American culture captured eloquently
-captures the confidence and pride that everyone needs
-message and images have a positive impact
-beautiful artwork
-depicts the strength of a community
-depicts the barber shop experience from the different personalities and cuts
-diversity
Connections
Theme: humanity, self-confidence
Skills: point of view, author's purpose, making connections, asking and answering questions
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/RCSfSAL80pk
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/AryKVbSll3w
Other Books Written by Derrick Barnes:
I Am Every Good Thing
The King of Kindergarten
The Queen of Kindergarten
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/RCSfSAL80pk
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/AryKVbSll3w
Other Books Written by Derrick Barnes:
I Am Every Good Thing
The King of Kindergarten
The Queen of Kindergarten
Bishop, N. (2019). Big cats. Scholastic Press.
Summary
Big cats provides information and details about the appearance, habits, and abilities of lions, tigers, cheetahs, and many more cats.
Strengths
-amazing photographs (closeups)
-use of larger text to summarize the main ideas of each page
-each photograph has a caption
-provides specific details about how each animals hunts, environment, senses, protection, observe
-provides a note at the end explaining the challenges of photographing these cats
-includes index and glossary at the back of book
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/0jqPuasoN94
Other Books Written by Nic Bishop:
Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close
Lizards
The Secrets of Animal Flight
Carle, E. (1999). The grouchy ladybug. HarperFestival.
Summary
A grouchy ladybug who is looking for a fight challenges everyone she meets regardless of their size or strength.
Strengths
-repetitive text
-bright artwork
-the pages get bigger with each animal that ladybug encounters; the bigger the pages, the bigger the animal discussed
-tiny clocks in the corners of each page that ties into the timeline
-variety of animals
Connections
Theme: feelings, respect
Connections
Theme: feelings, respect
Skill: sequencing, cause and effect
Other Books Written by Eric Carle:
The Very Busy Spider
The Very Quiet Cricket
"Slowly, Slowly," said the Sloth
Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. Harry N. Abrams.
Summary
Cece starts a new school where she is different from everyone else. At her previous school, all her classmates were deaf. She has a Phonic Ear that helps her hear her teacher and the other kids. She feels like her giant hearing aid repels potential friends, but she makes a startling discovery with her Phonic Ear. She can hear the teacher anywhere in the school and soon has a superpower. Now, she feels even more lonelier than before and soon has to figure out how to channel her powers into finding the things she wants most.
Strengths
-people with various disabilities
Other Books Written by Eric Carle:
The Very Busy Spider
The Very Quiet Cricket
"Slowly, Slowly," said the Sloth
Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. Harry N. Abrams.
Summary
Cece starts a new school where she is different from everyone else. At her previous school, all her classmates were deaf. She has a Phonic Ear that helps her hear her teacher and the other kids. She feels like her giant hearing aid repels potential friends, but she makes a startling discovery with her Phonic Ear. She can hear the teacher anywhere in the school and soon has a superpower. Now, she feels even more lonelier than before and soon has to figure out how to channel her powers into finding the things she wants most.
Strengths
-people with various disabilities
-brings awareness of disabilities
-great illustrations, details, and storyline
-all the characters are animals
-humor
-educational, but entertaining
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/lNyMN05Pf4M
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/lNyMN05Pf4M
Theme: acceptance, friendship
Skills: cause and effect, vocabulary, Who/What/When/Where
Other Books Written by Cece Bell:
I Yam a Donkey
Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!
You Loves Ewe!
Chin, J. (2020). Your place in the universe. Neal Porter Books.
Summary
Introduces readers to the mind-boggling scale of things in the universe by comparing the concepts of size, scale, and distance to familiar things.
Strengths
-drawings are done to scale
Skills: cause and effect, vocabulary, Who/What/When/Where
Other Books Written by Cece Bell:
I Yam a Donkey
Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!
You Loves Ewe!
Chin, J. (2020). Your place in the universe. Neal Porter Books.
Summary
Introduces readers to the mind-boggling scale of things in the universe by comparing the concepts of size, scale, and distance to familiar things.
Strengths
-drawings are done to scale
-uses familiar things to work up to new things
-starts with short facts and builds up to more in depth explanations
-illustrations are realistic
Connections
Skills: main idea and details, making connections, author's purpose, summarization
Other Books Written by Jason Chin:
Grand Canyon
Gravity
Redwoods
Connections
Skills: main idea and details, making connections, author's purpose, summarization
Other Books Written by Jason Chin:
Grand Canyon
Gravity
Redwoods
Cleary, B. (2000). Dear Mr. Henshaw. HarperCollins.
Summary
A ten year old boy Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new kid in his school, and finding his own place in the world by writing letters to his favorite author.
Strengths
-written in first person
Strengths
-written in first person
-author writes through the eyes of a young boy
-language selection and sentence complexity are simplified which creates ease of accessibility
-conversations are realistic
-author uses real life problems
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/JuEQKFc6NqQ
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/6b0fY9SmqDY
Theme: overcoming obstacles, developing positive attitude, perseverance, family, identity
Skills: theme, problem solving, making predictions, cause and effect, conflict, setting, plot, characters
Other Books Written by Beverly Cleary:
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Henry Huggins
Ramona the Pest
Curtis, C. P. (2002). Bud, not Buddy. Yearling.
Summary
Ten year old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father. He takes a important piece of his life with him on his journey which is a suitcase filled with clues to prove that his father and him are related.
Strengths
-character keeps a positive spirit throughout the entire book
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/JuEQKFc6NqQ
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/6b0fY9SmqDY
Theme: overcoming obstacles, developing positive attitude, perseverance, family, identity
Skills: theme, problem solving, making predictions, cause and effect, conflict, setting, plot, characters
Other Books Written by Beverly Cleary:
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Henry Huggins
Ramona the Pest
Curtis, C. P. (2002). Bud, not Buddy. Yearling.
Summary
Ten year old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father. He takes a important piece of his life with him on his journey which is a suitcase filled with clues to prove that his father and him are related.
Strengths
-character keeps a positive spirit throughout the entire book
-Winner of the Newbery Medal and Corretta Scott King Award
-gives a perspective from a child's view of the Great Depression
-author includes an afterword that gives readers a look into the development of the characters and gives a brief history lesson
-author includes an afterword that gives readers a look into the development of the characters and gives a brief history lesson
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/wnD1Bz16t1E
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/O5HkR1o2LiI (Part 1)
https://youtu.be/eaky2QAapVw (Part 2)
Theme: family, perseverance, friendship
Skills: cause and effect, character traits, main events, setting analysis, predictions
Other Books Written by Christopher Paul Curtis:
The Mighty Miss Malone
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Elijah of Buxton
Deedy, C. A. (2014). Martina: the beautiful cockroach: a Cuban folktale. Peachtree Publishing
Company.
Summary
A humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale in which a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.
Strengths
-text flows easily
Skills: cause and effect, character traits, main events, setting analysis, predictions
Other Books Written by Christopher Paul Curtis:
The Mighty Miss Malone
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Elijah of Buxton
Deedy, C. A. (2014). Martina: the beautiful cockroach: a Cuban folktale. Peachtree Publishing
Company.
Summary
A humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale in which a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.
Strengths
-text flows easily
-illustrations are colorful, engaging and depict the whimsical expressions of the characters
-illustrations include clever details
-represents the Cuban culture
-great for kids and adults with the message of what qualities to look for in a good partner
-humor
Connections
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/RmWmKNvusrs
Theme: respect, compatibility, family
Skills: problem and solution, character traits, compare and contrast, cause and effect, main idea and details, point of view, sequencing
Other Books Written by Carmen Agra Deedy:
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!
The Library Dragon
de la Pena, M. (2015). Last stop on Market Street. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young
Readers.
Summary
A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
Strengths
-Winners of Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal Awards
Other Books Written by Carmen Agra Deedy:
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!
The Library Dragon
de la Pena, M. (2015). Last stop on Market Street. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young
Readers.
Summary
A young boy rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
Strengths
-Winners of Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal Awards
-uses vibrant text
-radiant and bright illustrations by Christian Robinson
-perspective from a grandparent and grandchild
-diversity
-shows people with different skins colors, body types, abilities, ages
-figurative language
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/0-m6mIZY8aI
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/0-m6mIZY8aI
Theme: friendship, building community, finding beauty, value of helping others, empathy
Skills: sequencing, main idea and details, compare and contrast, character traits, theme, vocabulary
Other Books Written by Matt de la Pena:
Mexican WhiteBoy
We Were Here
Ball Don't Lie
dePaola, T. (1979). Strega Nona. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Summary
When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot, he is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
Strengths
-a series that includes 10 books
Other Books Written by Matt de la Pena:
Mexican WhiteBoy
We Were Here
Ball Don't Lie
dePaola, T. (1979). Strega Nona. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Summary
When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot, he is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
Strengths
-a series that includes 10 books
-portrays an Italian setting
-uncovers a little culture of Italy
-pictures represent Italy with details and color
-Caldecott Honor
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/3MuTb9Rpi2w
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/3MuTb9Rpi2w
Theme: authority, trust
Skills: story elements, sequencing, summarizing, making connections, character traits
Other Books Written by Tomie dePaola:
The Legend of the Bluebonnet
The Popcorn Book
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs
Other Books Written by Tomie dePaola:
The Legend of the Bluebonnet
The Popcorn Book
Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs
Draper, S. M. (2012). Out of my mind. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Considered by many to be mentally challenged, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.
Strengths
-inspirational
Strengths
-inspirational
-characters with disabilities
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/RTFqIrX5rnY
Theme: acceptance, communication, identity
Skills: making predictions, plot, conflict, setting, theme, problem solving, cause and effect, making connections, character traits
Other Books Written by Sharon M. Draper:
Out of My Heart
Stella by Starlight
Blended
Other Books Written by Sharon M. Draper:
Out of My Heart
Stella by Starlight
Blended
Engle, M. (2019). Dancing hands: how Teresa Carreno played the piano for President Lincoln.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Tells the story of Teresa Carreno, a child prodigy who played piano for Abraham Lincoln.
Strengths
-conveys the Venezuelan and American history
-beautiful illustrations with watercolor effect
Connections
Connections
Theme: determination, music, immigration
Skills: summarizing, descriptive language, main idea and details, author's message, comparing and contrasting
Other Books Written by Margarita Engle:
The Wild Book
Forest World
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist
Other Books Written by Margarita Engle:
The Wild Book
Forest World
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist
Garza, C. L. (2000). In my family. Children's Book Press.
Summary
The author describes her experiences growing up in an Hispanic community in Texas.
Strengths
-vibrant paintings
-personal stories
-brings to life memories of growing up in a traditional Mexican American community
-author's childhood and culture
-both English and Spanish text
-multicultural picture books
-Pura Belpre Award and Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award
Connections
Theme: family, rural life, religion, healing traditions
Connections
Theme: family, rural life, religion, healing traditions
Other Books Written by Carmen Lomas Garza:
Family Pictures
A Piece of My Heart
Magic Windows
Giovanni, N. (2007). Rosa. Square Fish.
Summary
An inspiring account of an even that shaped American history 50 years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus. Rosa Parks is one of the most important figures in American Civil Right movement. The author depicts her courageous actions and the events that followed.
Strengths
-fold out pages
-illustrations are beautiful with text being on one side of the half page with solid color background that changes from page to page
-towards the end, there is a full page layout to open with the nonviolent movement walk in Montgomery
Connections
Theme: family, determination
Skills: character traits, problem and solution, sequencing, summarization, character change, cause and effect, inference, author's purpose
Other Books Written by Nikki Giovanni:
Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People
The Sun is So Quiet
Grimes, N. (2020). Kamala Harris: rooted in justice. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
This is a story of how Senator Kamala Harris grew from her roots in justice to become
an inspiring figure.
Other Books Written by Nikki Giovanni:
Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People
The Sun is So Quiet
Grimes, N. (2020). Kamala Harris: rooted in justice. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
This is a story of how Senator Kamala Harris grew from her roots in justice to become
an inspiring figure.
Strengths
-biography
-poetic language and striking imagery
-bright colors and background scenes pop on the pages and reflect Kamala Harris's journey
-written in memorable verse
-diversity
-author uses the conversation between a girl and her mother
Connections
Interview with Kamala Harris: https://youtu.be/kQetJL6uBGA
Connections
Interview with Kamala Harris: https://youtu.be/kQetJL6uBGA
Theme: perseverance, hard work, justice, overcoming obstacles
Skills: character traits, vocabulary, theme, character analysis, sequencing, compare and contrast
Other Books Written by Nikki Grimes:
Thanks a Million
Dyamonde Daniel Series
Planet Middle School
Hamilton, V. (1989). The bells of Christmas. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Summary
Twelve-year-old Jason Bell waits impatiently for Christmas 1890 and gives the experience of the holiday through his perspective.
Strengths
-family celebrations from long ago
Other Books Written by Nikki Grimes:
Thanks a Million
Dyamonde Daniel Series
Planet Middle School
Hamilton, V. (1989). The bells of Christmas. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Summary
Twelve-year-old Jason Bell waits impatiently for Christmas 1890 and gives the experience of the holiday through his perspective.
Strengths
-family celebrations from long ago
-told in first person
-author gives a glimpse of history
-set over a period of several days
-author used plenty of detail and characterization
Connections
Themes: traditions, feelings
Other Books Written by Virginia Hamilton:
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom
Bluish
Harris, R. H. (1999). It's so amazing! Candlewick Press (MA).
Summary
Uses bird and bee cartoon characters to present straightforward explanations of topics related to sexual development, love, reproduction, adoption, sexually transmitted diseases, and more.
Strengths
-meets the needs of those curious kids who are not ready developmentally or emotionally
-gives answers in a comfortable, appropriate, and interesting way
-gives children the opportunity to find answers to their questions
-fantastic illustrations
-humor
-includes index
Connections
Theme: reproduction, family, bodies
Other Books Written by Robie H. Harris:
It's Not a Stork!
It's Perfectly Normal
Holm, J. L. (2014). Comics squad: recess! Random House Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Fun anthology of short stories by popular children's graphic novelists. The stories use recess as the common theme.
Strengths
-contributions from the best children's comic book artists/authors
Connections
Theme: reproduction, family, bodies
Other Books Written by Robie H. Harris:
It's Not a Stork!
It's Perfectly Normal
Holm, J. L. (2014). Comics squad: recess! Random House Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Fun anthology of short stories by popular children's graphic novelists. The stories use recess as the common theme.
Strengths
-contributions from the best children's comic book artists/authors
-humorous
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/3jHXAvpd-9I
Other Books Written by Jennifer L. Holm:
The Fourteenth Goldfish
Sunny Makes a Splash
Sunny Side Up
Keating, J. (2019). Gross as a snot otter. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Features seventeen of the grossest animals on earth.
Strengths
-visuals
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/3jHXAvpd-9I
Other Books Written by Jennifer L. Holm:
The Fourteenth Goldfish
Sunny Makes a Splash
Sunny Side Up
Keating, J. (2019). Gross as a snot otter. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Features seventeen of the grossest animals on earth.
Strengths
-visuals
-alliteration, assonance, and dactylic meter
-each animal is presented in a double page spread with one large photo which shows aspects of their lives and habits
-uses grossness for a starting point, as well as interesting factoids about their diets, habitats, predators, and threats
-glossary of terminology
Connections
Other Books Written by Jess Keating:
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless
Scientist
What Makes a Monster?
Captain Bun & Super Bonbon
Keats, E. J. (2000). Dreams. Puffin Books.
Summary
A young boy, name Roberto, can't sleep so he walks over to his windowsill where is paper mouse is sitting. While everyone is sleeping Roberto watches his paper mouse save a cat from an angry dog.
Strengths
-includes a combination of acrylic paintings and collage
Connections
Other Books Written by Jess Keating:
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless
Scientist
What Makes a Monster?
Captain Bun & Super Bonbon
Keats, E. J. (2000). Dreams. Puffin Books.
Summary
A young boy, name Roberto, can't sleep so he walks over to his windowsill where is paper mouse is sitting. While everyone is sleeping Roberto watches his paper mouse save a cat from an angry dog.
Strengths
-includes a combination of acrylic paintings and collage
-illustrations go along with the imaginative story
-text is simple and straightforward
-descriptive text
Connections
BrainPOP Jr.: https://youtu.be/Wt5D2hlNljw
Other Books Written by Ezra Jack Keats:
The Snowy Day
Hi, Cat!
Peter's Chair
Lin, G. (2011). Ling & Ting: not exactly the same! LB Kids.
Summary
Ling and Ting, Chinese American twins, are alike in many ways, but they also like to point out the many ways they are different from one another.
Strengths
-great story for beginning readers
-highlights the differences between both girls
-cute illustrations
-broken down into chapters
Connections
About Grace Lin: https://youtu.be/g_4TcV0nP38
Grace Lin reads from Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!: https://youtu.be/V8PkhlAtXN0
About Grace Lin: https://youtu.be/g_4TcV0nP38
Grace Lin reads from Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same!: https://youtu.be/V8PkhlAtXN0
Theme: similarities and differences
Skill: compare and contrast
Other Books Written by Grace Lin:
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
The Ugly Vegetables
Dim Sum for Everyone!
Lord, C. (2008). Rules. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Summary
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve year old Catherine longs for a normal existence, but her world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic.
Strengths
-characters are appealing and believable
Other Books Written by Grace Lin:
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
The Ugly Vegetables
Dim Sum for Everyone!
Lord, C. (2008). Rules. Scholastic Paperbacks.
Summary
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve year old Catherine longs for a normal existence, but her world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic.
Strengths
-characters are appealing and believable
-depicts the impact of a special needs child
-first person narrative
-reader's can identify with the characters
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/r9qePkvyciw
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/yJ1AEWQCi6k
Theme: friendship, honesty, acceptance, diversity
Skills: theme, plot, point of view, questioning, compare and contrast, summarization, cause and effect, character development, internal/external conflict
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/r9qePkvyciw
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/yJ1AEWQCi6k
Theme: friendship, honesty, acceptance, diversity
Skills: theme, plot, point of view, questioning, compare and contrast, summarization, cause and effect, character development, internal/external conflict
Other Books Written by Cynthia Lord:
Half a Chance
A Handful of Stars
Touch Blue
Myers, W. D. (2011). We are America: a tribute from the heart. HarperCollins.
Summary
Examines the events and people that have shaped American, providing portraits of famous figures.
Strengths
-provides portraits of the figures
-free verse poetic text
Connections
Other Books Written by Walter Dean Myers:
Bad Boy: A Memoir
Looking Like Me
Monster
Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of Negro League Baseball. Little, Brown Books
for Young Readers.
Summary
Explores the history of Negro League baseball teams, discussing owners, players, hardships, wins, and losses.
Strengths
-the book is broken done by 10 innings instead of chapters
Connections
Other Books Written by Walter Dean Myers:
Bad Boy: A Memoir
Looking Like Me
Monster
Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of Negro League Baseball. Little, Brown Books
for Young Readers.
Summary
Explores the history of Negro League baseball teams, discussing owners, players, hardships, wins, and losses.
Strengths
-the book is broken done by 10 innings instead of chapters
-stunning imagery
-includes fold out pages
-includes index
-includes illustrations
Connections
Interview with Kadir Author: https://youtu.be/GhEGR61w9OI
Theme: sports
Other Books Written by Kadir Nelson:
Nelson Mandela
If You Plant a Seed
Moses
Paterson, K. (2017). Bridge to Terabithia. HarperCollins.
Summary
The life of a ten year old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.
Strengths
-text gives great imagery
Nelson Mandela
If You Plant a Seed
Moses
Paterson, K. (2017). Bridge to Terabithia. HarperCollins.
Summary
The life of a ten year old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.
Strengths
-text gives great imagery
-built in fantasy world
-emotional read
-character development
Connections
Theme: friendship, magic of innocence, individuality
Skills: making predictions, plot, conflict, setting, theme, problem solving, cause and effect, character traits, making connections
Connections
Theme: friendship, magic of innocence, individuality
Skills: making predictions, plot, conflict, setting, theme, problem solving, cause and effect, character traits, making connections
Other Books Written by Katherine Paterson:
The Great Gilly Hopkins
The Same Stuff as Stars
Birdie's Bargain
Denise, A. A. (2020). Planting stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpre. (2019).
HarperCollins.
Summary
An illustrated biography of the life of Pura Belpre the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
Strengths
-inspiring story with beautiful and detailed illustrations
-author provides a note on the back two pages that will leave you with chills going down your body
-author includes Spanish vocabulary, but the context and imagery helps the reader to understand
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Gf2o6cZpxRE
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Gf2o6cZpxRE
Skills: summarization, character traits, main idea and details, comparing and contrasting
Other Books Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise:
Baking Day at Grandma's
Bunny in the Middle
Starring Carmen!
Reynolds, J. (2017). Ghost. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books.
Summary
Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team and must stay on track to reach his full potential.
Strengths
-Coretta Scott King Honor
Other Books Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise:
Baking Day at Grandma's
Bunny in the Middle
Starring Carmen!
Reynolds, J. (2017). Ghost. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books.
Summary
Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team and must stay on track to reach his full potential.
Strengths
-Coretta Scott King Honor
-diversity
-strong characterization
-sports book
Connections
Meet the Author: https://youtu.be/nkAMdVMuZBY
Meet the Author: https://youtu.be/nkAMdVMuZBY
Theme: facing fears, overcoming obstacles
Skills: making inferences, character traits, figurative language, setting, conflicts, theme, symbolism, sequencing
Other Books Written by Jason Reynolds:
Look Both Ways
As Brave As You
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Other Books Written by Jason Reynolds:
Look Both Ways
As Brave As You
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Ringgold, F. (1996). Tar beach. Dragonfly Books.
Summary
A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family.
Strengths
-beautiful illustrations
-artwork comes alive
-last page gives information about Tar Beach as well as a picture of the quilt Faith Rinngold made which the book is based on
-around the edge of the quilt is the story
Connections
Faith Ringgold Reads Tar Beach: https://youtu.be/h9RKJleFdBU
Connections
Faith Ringgold Reads Tar Beach: https://youtu.be/h9RKJleFdBU
Theme: family, dreams, hope, admiration
Skills: predicting, sequencing, main idea and details, context clues, summarizing, character traits, visualizing
Activity: The text is a great way to tie in art and have students create a piece of the quilt and putting all the pieces together to make a class quilt.
Other Books Written by Faith Ringgold:
Cassie's Word Quilt
We Came to America
Santat, D. (2014). The adventures of Beekle: the unimaginary friend. Little, Brown Books for
Young Readers.
Summary
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable by setting out on quest to find his perfect match in the real world.
Strengths
-illustrations are in greys and colors
Other Books Written by Faith Ringgold:
Cassie's Word Quilt
We Came to America
Santat, D. (2014). The adventures of Beekle: the unimaginary friend. Little, Brown Books for
Young Readers.
Summary
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable by setting out on quest to find his perfect match in the real world.
Strengths
-illustrations are in greys and colors
-told through Beekle's point of view
Connections
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/j30K2vARskY
Connections
Interview with Author: https://youtu.be/j30K2vARskY
Theme: courage
Skills: sequencing, story elements, plot, main idea, making connections, problem and solution, character traits
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Dan Santat:
After the Fall
Crankenstein
Mighty Robot Series
Scieszka, J. (2005). Baloney Henry P. Puffin Books.
Summary
Henry P. Baloney is an alien schoolkid who needs to come up with one very good excuse to explain why he is late for szkola, again.
Strengths
-glossary of words used and the language origin
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Dan Santat:
After the Fall
Crankenstein
Mighty Robot Series
Scieszka, J. (2005). Baloney Henry P. Puffin Books.
Summary
Henry P. Baloney is an alien schoolkid who needs to come up with one very good excuse to explain why he is late for szkola, again.
Strengths
-glossary of words used and the language origin
-hilarious
-great illustrations
-figurative language
-story and images build on one another
Connections
Meet Jon Scieszka: https://youtu.be/VEsxXzUqetg
Connections
Meet Jon Scieszka: https://youtu.be/VEsxXzUqetg
Skills: context clues, retelling and summarizing, making inferences, text structure
Other Books Written by Jon Scieszka:
Smash! Crash!
Guys Read: Funny Business
Frank Einstein Series
Sendak, M. (2012). Where the wild things are. HarperCollins.
Summary
After he is sent to bed without supper for behaving like a wild thing, Max dreams of a voyage to the island where the wild things are.
Strengths
-expressive illustrations
Other Books Written by Jon Scieszka:
Smash! Crash!
Guys Read: Funny Business
Frank Einstein Series
Sendak, M. (2012). Where the wild things are. HarperCollins.
Summary
After he is sent to bed without supper for behaving like a wild thing, Max dreams of a voyage to the island where the wild things are.
Strengths
-expressive illustrations
-simple, rhythmic text
-uses the power imagination
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/-d6hDWYOhpM
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/-d6hDWYOhpM
Theme: imagination, coping with anger and frustration, forgiveness
Skills: story elements, character traits, making connections, cause and effect, problem and solution, author's purpose, main idea, theme
Other Books Written by Maurice Sendak:
Alligators All Around
One Was Johnny
Nutshell Library
Singer, M. (2010). Mirror mirror. Dutton Books for Young Readers.
Summary
A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide a new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature.
Other Books Written by Maurice Sendak:
Alligators All Around
One Was Johnny
Nutshell Library
Singer, M. (2010). Mirror mirror. Dutton Books for Young Readers.
Summary
A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide a new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature.
Strengths
-poetry
-amusing illustrations
-reverse lines give familiar tales
-tells the fairy tale from a different perspective
-creative word play
Connections
Other Books Written by Marilyn Singer:
Tallulah's Solo
Best Day Ever!
Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration, and Cake
Smith, L. (2010). It's a book. Roaring Brook Press.
Summary
Two readers compare a print to digital media, and learn books are still valuable.
Strengths
- shares insights to the power of both digital literacy tools and standard print
Connections
Other Books Written by Marilyn Singer:
Tallulah's Solo
Best Day Ever!
Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration, and Cake
Smith, L. (2010). It's a book. Roaring Brook Press.
Summary
Two readers compare a print to digital media, and learn books are still valuable.
Strengths
- shares insights to the power of both digital literacy tools and standard print
-multiple meaning words
-humorous
-uses animal characters to explain the value of a book
Connections
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Lane Smith:
There Is a Tribe of Kids
Giraffe Problems
Cat Problems
Stead, R. (2020). The list of things that will not change. Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary
After Bea's parents divorce, life becomes a little different. She keeps a green notebook with a list of things that will stay the same. Bea learns that making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy.
Strengths
-author includes multiple issues with honesty, integrity, realism, and love
-addresses some difficult issues that many teens can relate to
-characters seem real
-LGBTQ
Connections
Audiobook Excerpt: https://youtu.be/vyFeg0vsUgg
Other Books Written by Rebecca Stead:
When You Reach Me
Liar & Spy
First Light
Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over broadway. Clarion Books.
Summary
Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Strengths
-true story
Connections
Audiobook Excerpt: https://youtu.be/vyFeg0vsUgg
Other Books Written by Rebecca Stead:
When You Reach Me
Liar & Spy
First Light
Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over broadway. Clarion Books.
Summary
Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Strengths
-true story
-collage illustrations with details
-two page layout
-gives the brief history of the parade
-the back page depicts the reproduction of a 1933 NYT ad for the Macy's Day Parade
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/87tJbA0dsI0
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/87tJbA0dsI0
Skills: problem and solution, story elements, predictions, beginning-middle-end, sequencing
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Melissa Sweet:
Little Red Writing
Moonlight: The Halloween Cat
Bats Around the Clock
Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. Clarion Books.
Summary
The three pigs escape the wolf by going into another world where they meet the cat and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon.
Other Books Written/Illustrated by Melissa Sweet:
Little Red Writing
Moonlight: The Halloween Cat
Bats Around the Clock
Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. Clarion Books.
Summary
The three pigs escape the wolf by going into another world where they meet the cat and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon.
Strengths
-the author starts off with artwork that is cartoonish, but changes when the pigs leave the traditional story which they become more realistic and three-dimensional
-based on the traditional tale of the Three Little Pigs
-warm, inviting, and watercolor illustrations
-told from the point of view of the pigs
-word bubbles with text
-happy ending
Connections
Connections
Theme: boundaries, uniqueness
Skills: sequencing
Other Books Written by David Wiesner:
Tuesday
Mr. Wuffles
Flotsam
Other Books Written by David Wiesner:
Tuesday
Mr. Wuffles
Flotsam
Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny. Hyperion.
Summary
Trixie becomes very unhappy when she accompanies her daddy to the laundromat and realizes she has lost her stuffed bunny.
Strengths
-realistic
-author uses real photos to capture the setting and scenery of New York City
-uses cartoon drawn illustrations for the characters
-illustrations of characters are bright while the setting photos are dull and sepia tone
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/yVtNkRgKr2w
Theme: responsibility
Skills: story elements, character traits, sequencing, setting, making connections, summarization
Other Books Written by Mo Willems:
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Woodson, J. (2016). Brown girl dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Summary
The author shares her childhood memories and reveals the first sparks that ignited her writing career in free-verse poems about growing up in the North and South.
Other Books Written by Mo Willems:
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
Leonardo the Terrible Monster
Woodson, J. (2016). Brown girl dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Summary
The author shares her childhood memories and reveals the first sparks that ignited her writing career in free-verse poems about growing up in the North and South.
Strengths
-poems are lyrical and sound like poetry
-authors uses a good description to describe the time and place
-diversity
-educates readers about what it was like growing up in the south
-memoir from a child's point of view
Connections
Meet the Author: https://youtu.be/KfGBtIG6CgM
Connections
Meet the Author: https://youtu.be/KfGBtIG6CgM
Theme: power of words, death and grieving, religion, family
Skills: inference, main idea, theme, compare and contrast, simile recognition, metaphor recognition, personification, idioms, visualization
Other Books Written by Jacqueline Woodson:
Feathers
Locomotion
Before the Ever After
Yang, K. (2019). Front Desk. Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary
Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao is a nasty skinflint who exploits them; while her mother does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants.
Strengths
-diversity
Other Books Written by Jacqueline Woodson:
Feathers
Locomotion
Before the Ever After
Yang, K. (2019). Front Desk. Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary
Recent immigrants from China and desperate for work and money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown motel in Southern California, even though the owner, Mr. Yao is a nasty skinflint who exploits them; while her mother does the cleaning, Mia works the front desk and tries to cope with demanding customers and other recent immigrants.
Strengths
-diversity
-pattern in Mia's attempts to overcome obstacles
-based off of a true story
-realistic
Connections
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/--sDoefzSrY
Theme: empathy, courage, racism, discrimination, tolerance
Skills: characterization, setting, theme, cause and effect, making connections, plot
Other Books Written by Kelly Yang:
Room to Dream
Three Keys
New From Here
Other Books Written by Kelly Yang:
Room to Dream
Three Keys
New From Here
