I just wanted to share my only Black Friday purchase this year. We‘re all Wonders was on sale at target, and I‘ve been wanting it so I didn‘t hesitate to go pick it up! I‘m so happy to now own the picture book and chapter book versions of Wonder. Whether I teach upper or lower elementary, I‘ll be able to share Auggie‘s story with my future students! #choosekind 💙

This NF book is a great example of Simon‘s work and is perfect for IR. The book discusses everything a child could ever wonder about water including the water cycle, precipitation, why we need water, and more! The photographs and diagrams in this book are beautiful and the end even includes a glossary and index. It is from 2017, so there are not many resources for the book, but www.seymoursimon.com is a great place for kids to explore his books.

This HF Scott O‘Dell and Coretta Scott King winner is great for LC. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern (Afua) travel from NY to CA to visit the mother who abandoned them. She is not a very motherly figure and she treats them like the complete strangers that they are. The girls spend their summer in a Black Panther camp learning about their rights and struggles as African Americans. The girls and their estranged mother truly have a crazy summer.

This TL sequel to Humpty Dumpty is one of my favorite books and is great for S (hint hint). The story of how Humpty Dumpty persevered past his hardships is inspiring and the plot twist ending is so heartwarming! http://www.stemread.com/after-the-fall/ this website includes activities and discussion questions that introduce students to failure and determination. #ucflae3414f17

This SF, Newberry award winning book is a good option for LC in upper elementary school. The story of Jonas‘ community where there is no choice and no individuality is a page turner. I never wanted to put the book down. I won‘t spoil the ending, but it left me very unsatisfied and wondering more. Although I can see why this book is a Newberry, I would still be cautious when using it with children who are too young because of the mature concepts.

This RF, Newberry award winner is a great choice for AS because students can write to an author just as Leigh Botts does. Leigh‘s favorite author,Mr. Henshaw,encourages Leigh to keep a journal where he is able to reflect on the challenges of his life such as his lunch being stolen, his parents divorce, having no friends at a new school and much more. Beverly Clearly is a phenomenal author who writes about real childhood experiences. #ucflae3414f17

This book is the first collection of P by Shel Silverstein. It is a hilarious, Outstanding Book Award winner perfect for IR. The poems in this book are goofy, fun, and relatable for children. For example the poem “Jimmy Jet and His TV Set” is a fantasy story that warns of a child turning into a TV from watching too much TV. The language that Silverstein uses in his poems is engaging and enticing for children. #ucflae3414f17

This B of the first African American child to desegregate schools in New Orleans is a RA for all grades. This story is powerful because of Ruby Bridge‘s passion to learn, compassion for those who hate her, and strength during a hard time in her life. This event happened only about 57 years ago and Ruby is only 63 years old today. The events/challenges of Ruby‘s life are important in the history of public education and equal rights in schools.

This NYTB illustrated children‘s book, TL story is perfect for CR because of the repetitive lines and songs that the gingerbread man sings. The classic story of the cookie who runs away and tricks many people/animals only to be tricked and eaten by a fox in the end is one that children will enjoy for the humor and repetitive language. It is also great around the holidays when many families may be enjoying these cookies at home! #ucflae3414f17

This Newberry HF is great for a LC. The story of a young Native American girl, Karana, who is left alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins for 18 years is a classic. The many challenges that she overcomes and the love that she has for the earth and the animals who inhabit it is inspiring. This book is a great addition to any classroom library because children will be able to imagine themselves in these hardships and discuss Karana‘s bravery.

This N PB is a good IR for students to explore this fun, factual information. This book is one of many in the “What If You Had...?” series by Sandra Markle that allows readers to image if that had chameleon, eagle, dragonfly, and many other animal‘s eyes. It provides scientific information about the animal‘s eyes along with a fun illustration of a child with those eyes. It is a great way to engage students in quality nonfiction. #ucflae3414f17

This SF could be introduced to a class as a S. If I had a Robot is the fun story of a young boy who imagines life being easier with the help of a robot who can do everything he doesn't want to. The incredible imagination of this boy is one that should be shared with your students. You can use this resource https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Robot-Writing-Freebie-809893 to allow students to create their own robot using their creativity.

Litwin's animal F, Geisel award winning PB is great for an AS. The interdisciplinary book incorporates literacy, math, and music to create fun learning for young children. This book is one of the four original Pete the Cat books and serves as a great hook into other books that incorporate music, dance, and fun and are also written by Eric Litwin. The book also shows a great message on positivity and always seeing the bright side. #ucflae3414f17

This RF, NYTBS contains factual information and is great for RA. Grace thinks that it's crazy that there has never been a woman president, so she decides that she'd like to be president one day. Her teacher uses this as an opportunity to teach about running for president and the electoral college through an election simulation at their school. The message that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to is important for all children!

Guess what? This RF, New York Times Bestseller is great for IR or GR for grades k-5. 'Cause it's an easy read for older students and a great transitional chapter book for younger students. That's why! In Junie B.'s first adventure she hates the bus, experiences her first day of kindergarten, and causes quite a commotion at the end of the school day. Junie's outlook on life is humorous and fun for all ages!

This F 2017 Newberry Honor book is rich in possible discussions and is great for a LC. Every year the people of the Protectorate abandon a baby in the forest because they believe a sacrifice will please an evil witch. In reality, Xan (a good witch) brings the children to safety in the free cities. One year, Xan safed Luna, and accidentally enmagicked her with moonlight. Xan raises her as her own along with the consequences of an enmagicked child.

Applegate's Newberry honor book is a F based on facts, and would be the perfect opportunity to PR. This book is the story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lived in a shopping mall cage for most of his life. His outlook on his captivity changes when a baby elephant, Ruby, shows up as a new attraction. Ivan makes a promise to save Ruby and give her a better life. He feels it is his duty to protect her because he is a mighty silverback.

Knuffle Bunny is a RF, 2005 Caldecott honor book that I would love to use for RT. This book is the story of toddler Trixie and her daddy as they go to the laundromat and lose Trixie's stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. Since Trixie cannot speak yet, it is almost impossible for her to get out her concerns about the lost toy. This book would be fun for RT because of the language (ex: "Wumby flappy!")that Trixie uses when distressed about Knuffle Bunny.

This F, ALA notable book is perfect for RA with primary grades. Chrysanthemum is a young mouse who loves her name until she goes to school and the other children make fun of it. They say it is too long and they tease her because she is named after a flower. Chrysanthemum wants to change her name until, Mrs. twinkle, a beloved teacher shows support to her for her unique, beautiful name. This book is a great lesson about staying true to yourself.

This RF, #1 NYTBS is a great option for upper elementary school students during LC or IR. Wonder is the story of fifth grader August Pullman who was born with a facial difference. The book is from the point of view of several characters (including August) as they share their insight on Auggie's life and challenges as he starts school for the first time. It is a powerful story with a strong message to #choosekind.

Out of My Mind is a RF, 2011-12 SSYRA winner that is great for literature circles and independent reading. It is based on the life of an 11 year old girl, Melody Brooks. Melody has cerebral palsy which brings physical and verbal limitations but no mental limitations. Melody is very intelligent, she just has a hard time showing it. The obstacles of Melody's life make this book an eye-opening read for children and adults alike.