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Just one NONFICTION book completed in September—but it likely would have been the winner anyway. This is the kind of narrative nonfiction that really grabs me.
#2024ReadingBrackets

THIS is what narrative nonfiction should be. David Simon‘s classic account of a year in the Baltimore Police Dept.‘s homicide unit, it became the basis for the award-winning TV series “Homicide: Life in the Streets” and “The Wire.” It‘s dark, it‘s dreary, it‘s gritty —and it‘s incredibly compelling. I am in awe of Simon‘s prose —he has a gift for putting words together.

“Always stick with your buddy”

I think this book could be used prior to teaching students about safety protocols as a fun read aloud.

Caldecott - I have always loved this book. Officer Buckle tries to teach safety, but no one listens to him until Gloria the dog is seen playing behind him without him knowing. The student cheer and Officer Buckle thinks it is about his safety speech.

“Every letter had a drawing of Gloria on it. Officer Buckle thought the drawings showed a lot of imagination.”

I would use this book in the classroom to teach about rules in a way that students can relate to.

Caldecott Medal Winner
Published 1995
This book does a good job of illustrating how important it is to follow the rules, as well as the importance of teamwork in a fun way that children are able to grasp. Officer Buckle has trouble getting anyone to listen to his safety rules, until Gloria comes around and makes them fun for the kids to learn. Suddenly, everyone is being safe and Officer Buckle and Gloria are a great team.

I think elementary students may find these drawings funny!

Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathman is about the value of working together and the importance of "sticking by your buddy". It had vibrant and dynamic illustrations that children may find silly!