This modern fantasy (F) about a little boy who is named after his father “Thunder”. He goes on to explain how much he hates his name and wishes he had another name. By the end of the story, the father gives him his own unique name and together they will “light up the sky”. #UCFLAE3414SP18

This NYT best seller and modern fantasy (F) by Giles Andrea is about a giraffe that thinks he cannot dance because he doesn‘t dance like the other animals. Gerald was a tall giraffe who‘s neck and legs were very long. The animals made fun of him but he didn‘t care. He leapt in the air! A sweet rhyming story about accepting our differences. #UCFLAE3414SP18

This modern fantasy (F) about a little boy with an imaginary friend. Philip and his imaginary friend, Brock go on many adventures together until one day he accidentally left Brock behind at a fair. He missed Brock very much until he put out a missing persons ad and found Brock had found some new friends. They all spent an afternoon together and found that everything was even better than before.” #UCFLAE3414SP18

Doesn‘t this title just grab you? I saw it in the bookstore and had to have it. This sweet (F) story about a boy who is afraid to take a chance but faces his fears and comes out the better for it. “So what do you do with a chance? You take it because it just might be the start of something incredible.” #UCFLAE3414SP18

A Newbery award winning (TL) traditional literature novel by Katherine Applegate. The story is told from the point of view of a gorilla, Ivan, whom lives in a roadside mall as a attraction. Ivan finds his full potential in the caring of a baby elephant named Stella. A heartwarming story that is in preproduction for a movie. #UCFLAE3414SP18

A Pura Belpre award winning HF novel about Esperanza and her family that moved from Mexico to California during the Great Depression. It is the struggle about a family of migrant farm worker‘s and their proud heritage. #UCFLAE3414SP18

“PoPo‘s Lucky Chinese New Year” written by Virginia Lo-Hagan and illustrated by Renne Benoit is a non fiction (NF) book demonstrating what PoPo and her family do to get ready for the celebration. This is a wonderful book that illustrates the culture surrounding Chinese new year. Above is a picture of my daughter in her Chinese new year dress.#UCFLAE3414SP18

A funny (F) book that has a surprise ending! Oh no! Mr. Fox has called for a truck full of ducks just in time for dinner! Find out why he has called for a truck full of ducks and what does he need them for! #UCFLAE3414SP18

A (F) modern fantasy that tells the story about a unicorn named “Kelp” and the fact that he looked different from the narwhals he was born around. The story teaches us acceptance and compassion for those who may not quite fit a label that society places on us. This book touches my family on a deeper level because my children are mixed race. The story teaches us that it is OK not to fit a stereotype. #UCFLAE3414SP18

A creative (F) book written by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. Duncan‘s crayons are colorful bunch of characters! Having mended the hurt feelings of one group who threaten to quit, Duncan now faces a new group of crayons asking to be rescued! #UCFLAE3414SP18

A heartwarming (RF) story by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. A story about an “exasperating” little girl who grew up to write a letter to her teacher about how she remembered all the ways that she tested the patience of her 2nd grade teacher. On her first day of her new job, she will think about her favorite second grade teacher because she became a teacher too! #UCFLAE3414SP18

This recently awarded 2018 Caldecott book award, modern fantasy (F), is the story of friendship and trust. This book is modern take on Little red riding hood and the big bad Wolf. Both of them help each other find their way back to their families. Told with very little words through illustration. #UCFLAE3414SP18

This Poetry novel P) and “National Book Award” winner, chronicles the hardships of a 10-year-old girl, Thahnna Lai, during the Vietnam war. This book is close to my heart because my husband was born in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War and can relate to some of the stories told in this book. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KEkjwu2WEIA

A SF novel that teaches us the importance to believe in ourselves and that the power of love can bring us home. Meg has gone to find her father with the help of her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin. They encounter some unlikely friends that help them overcome their self doubt and the evil “IT”. This Newberry award winner has been on the New York Times bestseller list and is being made into a movie. #UFLAE3414SP18

My son would have loved this book as a child! Written with rhymes that are catchy for the times! “Where do steam trains sleep at night after puffing down the tracks? Do their moms steam up hot cocoa for their just-before-bed-snacks?” Find out when you read this fun and easy book. #UCFLAE3414SP18 This book is great for a science lesson on the differences between steam, coal and electric fueled engines. See comments for more..

Skippy John Jones is on another adventure! This time, to find a “Skippossurus”, the rarest dinosaur of them all! The NYT best selling book is well illustrated and written with humor. The dialogue is funny and the song is sure to have kids ( and adults) singing along. #UCFLAE3414SP18 See comments for more..

Pete the Cat is on another adventure, this time with his new white shoes! No matter what messes Pete steps in, he just keeps moving along. A New York Times best seller. I love the idea that there is a free song that goes along with the book.#UCFLAE3414SP18 See comments for more..

A beautifully written and illustrated fantasy (F), Christopher award winning book about the beauty of sharing with others. The message of being humble, when given so much, is a story for all ages. When the rainbow fish shares his scales with the other fish in the sea, he becomes filled with joy and a feeling of belonging among the other fish.#UCFLAE3414SP18 See comments for more..

A wonderful NYT best seller fictional (F)book that connects children to the story with humor. Learn how to make friends with dragons by luring them with the two things they love most.... a party with a lot of tacos! Just be careful to hide the salsa otherwise, you have a red-hot disaster on your hands! Don‘t worry, if a disaster occurs, dragons are nice enough to help you rebuild your house. #UCFLAE3414SP18 See comments for more..

A year ago yesterday, marks the one year anniversary of Elizabeth Warren‘s refusal to be silenced in the Senate. Her brave speech inspired women to celebrate those who have “persevered in the face of adversity”. This NYT best selling biography (B)about 13 American women whom didn‘t give up when the odds were stacked against them. The stories promote a wonderful message to girls/boys that no matter the obstacles, you can overcome. #UCFLAE3414SP18