“I am haunted by humans.“

“The Book Thief“ by Markus Zusak is a powerful novel that can be effectively used in the classroom to engage students in discussions about history. Before reading students should be provided with background information about Nazi Germany, World War II, and the Holocaust to contextualize the events in the novel.

“The Book Thief“ written by Markus Zusak is a historical fiction novel that transports readers to the heart of Nazi Germany during World War II. The story is narrated by Death, who observes the life of a girl named Liesel Meminger. The novel follows Liesel as she grows up in the midst of the war, facing the challenges of witnessing the impact of the Holocaust. It captures the power of literature to transcend even the darkest moments in history.

“As word spread, people came from all over Europe to meet Keith and watch him work.“

Matthew Burgess's narrative not only focuses on Haring's artistic journey but also delves into his activism. Haring used his art as a platform to address social issues, including AIDS awareness, apartheid, and the fight against drug addiction. This book would would enrich children's knowledge.

“Drawing on Walls: A Life of Keith Haring“ written by Matthew Burgess is a picture book biography that explores the life and art of the influential American artist Keith Haring. The book begins with Keith Haring's childhood and his early fascination with drawing. As he grows up, the narrative unfolds the story of how Haring's passion for art led him to New York City, where he became a prominent figure in the 1980s art scene.

“For the next few years, Gyo worked long days, painting murals and drawing for magazines.“

The narrative begins with Gyo's early years and her childhood passion for drawing. It then explores her journey as she faced challenges and overcame barriers, ultimately becoming a pioneer in the field of children's book illustration. Children could be heavily inspired by this biography especially if they share similar interests.

“It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way“ by Kyo Maclear is a picture book biography that tells the story of Gyo Fujikawa, a pioneering Japanese-American illustrator and artist. The book celebrates Gyo's life and her significant contributions to children's literature.

“He used mad chef skills to build flavor and cooked with care, with sohn-maash, to create “Los Angeles on a plate.“

Roy Choi's story begins in a Los Angeles neighborhood where he grew up surrounded by diverse cultures and flavors. The book emphasizes the importance of food as a bridge between cultures and communities. This book would enrich children's knowledge!

“Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix“ by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee is a picture book that tells the inspiring story of Chef Roy Choi and his innovative approach to food. The book follows Chef Roy's journey from his childhood to becoming a successful chef known for his food truck, Kogi.

“As long as anyone could remember, the men in Lafayette's family had ridden off to war.“

Using “Lafayette and the American Revolution“ by Russell Freedman in a classroom can be an enriching experience for students. It could be used by introducing the American Revolution and its key figures. Lafayette's role in the revolutionary cause can serve as an engaging entry point.

“Lafayette and the American Revolution“ by Russell Freedman is a biography that explores the life and contributions of the Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolution. The book details Lafayette's early life in France, his passionate support for the American cause, and his crucial role in the Revolutionary War.

“As the features reporter, Ethel wrote about housing, jobs, health care, and community events.“

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne is a biography that would enrich children's knowledge. It may prompt kids to think about the role and composition of a free press.

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist is a children's biography written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by John Para. It highlights the remarkable journey of Ethel Payne, an African American journalist who dedicated her career to seeking truth, justice, and equality. As the sole black female journalist in the White House, Ethel broke barriers by asking tough questions of presidents and other officials.

“The skillet clangs on the stove. The fire blazes from below. Drop the dough in the skillet. The bubbles sizzle and pop.“

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story shows an elder preparing fry bread and a diverse group of kids gathered around her and other grown-ups helping prepare and then enjoying this cultural dish. This book shows us that food helps to bring people together.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story is considered to be a concept book, a subgenre of nonfiction. The book celebrates the cultural significance of fry bread in Indigenous communities. The book invites readers to explore the sensory filled and culturally affirming aspects of making and sharing fry bread, while also acknowledging the complex history of survival, relocation, and resilience that is intertwined with this simple food.

“I waited a week to see Shuttlesworth get hit by a hose.“

This book is a valuable tool for teaching students about the Civil Rights Movements. This book is a great resource to have in a classroom library. The book if filled with moving pictures and photographs.

Black and White: The Confrontation Between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull“ Connor is a nonfiction book written by Larry Dane Brimner. He worked closely with Birmingham‘s Civil Rights Institute to bring together this Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, ALA Notable Children‘s book, and Kirkus Reviews Best Children‘s Book of the Year. The book is about the center of the violent time in the 1950's and 1960's fight for civil rights.

“First the EGG then the CHICKEN.“

First the Egg is an easy read that has a strong message. It would be a perfect nonfiction children's book to have in a classroom library for young children. It introduces the topic of lifecycles and transformations as well as inspires children about creativity and imagination.

First the Egg is a nonfiction children's book written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. First the Egg is a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. It is a book about transformations such as from egg to chicken, and seed to flower. It is also a book about creativity as paint becomes picture, and word becomes story.

“I need help with a lot of things. Luckily, I have great friends and an amazing family.“

This nonfiction book was so amazing to me! I think it would be perfect to have in any classroom library. The picture book answers the questions young children ask Shane Burcaw about his wheelchair and life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability is a nonfiction auto biography written by Shane Burcaw with photographs by Matt Carr. Shane was born with a disease that makes his body get smaller and weaker as he gets older instead of bigger and stronger. The book provides a light hearted, relatable, and humorous peek into Shane Burcaw's everyday life.

“Scientists, technicians, and volunteers were recruited. They had to try to figure out what inspired the kakapo to breed.“

This book would be perfect for young readers who are interested in learning more about animals. The book is filled with real photographs on the journey to restore the kakapo population which is very cool to relate the text to a direct picture.

Kakapo Rescue: Saving The World's Strangest Parrot is a nonfiction book written by Sy Montgomery filled with photographs by Nic Bishop published in 2010. It was a Sibert Medal Winner in 2011. This book gives children or young readers a first hand account of the efforts to save one of the world's rarest and unusual birds the kakapo.

“By the end of the week Jasper was seeing creepy carrots creeping everywhere.“

The book is filled with bold images. The carrots are depicted as vivid orange or red against a dull background so that they stand out. Children would love this read!

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds is about a boy named Jasper who comes up with a number of schemes to get away from the unsettling carrots, including erecting a fence, donning disguises, and even laying traps. But his aversion to the carrots just gets stronger. He is certain that they are preparing a scheme to harm him. He realizes he was only hallucinating the “creepy carrots“ because he felt bad about stealing too many from the field.

“The watery sky rings herself dry, and leaves us a gift to remember her by.”

This is a bedtime classic! I had so much fun reading through these poems that will feed children's imagination.

Minute till Bedtime: 60-Second Poems to Send You Off to Sleep is a fun read written by Kenn Nesbitt. Each of the book's brief, lighthearted poetry is intended to be read aloud in about a minute. These mild and calming poems are ideal for bedtime reading since they aid children in relaxing and getting ready for sleep. The book's poems address a broad variety of subjects, including everyday life, animals, and the natural world.

“My grandpa was a sofer/ A scribe of Torah scrolls. With quill and ink on parchment. He finished rolls and rolls. From right to left the Hebrew flowed Without a single Flaw. And though Grandpa no longer lives His work leaves us in awe.“

I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage is a collection of poems, and as such, it includes various sound patterns commonly found in poetry. Sound patterns in poetry add depth, rhythm, and musicality to the language, enhancing the overall reading experience.

“I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage“ is a children's poetry book edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. The book features a collection of poems and illustrations that celebrate and explore various aspects of cultural heritage, diversity, and family traditions. It is a tribute to the memories and experiences that people from different backgrounds carry with them throughout their lives.

“Wash the disease, wipe the dishes, ring the bell for tea; three good wishes, three good kisses, I will give to thee.”

This book uses rhyming as one of its sound patterns. Many of the book's nursery rhymes include end rhymes, which combine similar sounds in the last words of lines to provide a calming effect. This would be a good read aloud for very young children.

My Very First Mother Goose is a children's book written by Iona Opie and illustrated by Rosemary Wells. It introduces young readers to a timeless selection of beloved nursery rhymes. Iona Opie has thoughtfully chosen and arranged the rhymes in this anthology to create a thorough and captivating collection that touches on a variety of themes and issues, from lullabies and moral lessons to lighthearted and amusing rhymes.

“The creeping. Creeping. Creeping. Crud- a seeping flood of noxious mud, arriving preciously at midnight on Fridays complete with a stench that will wrench your nose sideways.“

The poems' imagery frequently centers on fanciful and terrifying themes, bringing a world of ghosts, monsters, and other unsettling figures to life.

Calef Brown's book The Ghostly Carousel: Delightfully Frightful Poems is a compilation of wacky and eerie poetry meant to delight and enchant young readers. The book takes readers on a delightful excursion into the realm of ghosts, ghouls, monsters, and other spooky creatures. Some of the collection's examples are poems of a naughty vampire who despises veggies or a zombie who has an odd taste for cotton candy.

“Old Mother Goose, When she wanted to wander, Would ride through the air, On a very fine gander.“

Almost all of the poems include a rhyming aspect that are very fun and easy to read. Children would love to be able to hear these poems read out loud!