Caps For Sale written & illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina is a humorous low fantasy picture book about a Peddler who is riding around selling caps. He runs across some monkeys and gets caught in some monkey business! This timeless classic is great for storytelling or RT in the classroom. Attached is a link to a Scholastic extension activity for students to complete after the storytelling:

Ugly, a memoir by Robert Hoge is an inspirational book for the kids who have ever felt different, worried about the way they look, or who wondered where they belong. Robert was born with a tumor on his face and survived countless complicated surgeries. Although he has progressed so much since he was born, robert learns that kids and adults can still be very cruel. This memoir could be used in SR or in an Author Study. Especially for classrooms who

Two Bobbies written by Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery and illustrated by Jean Cassels is a NF story about two pets who were abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. The story follows their journey of survival after the hurricane all the way up until they were adopted again. This inspiring RA story has an important message about how important friendship is during hard times. This is a great addition to any classroom library! The attached link is a guide to

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is an Animal Fantasy children‘s novel about a silver back gorilla who has spent the majority of his life in captivity at an enclosure at an outside shopping mall. This John Newberry winner tells an inspirational story about love and unexpected friendship. It‘s is a gripping must have for the classroom. This story can be used for LCs, IR, or SR. It also serves as a great introductory novel for newer

Once Upon a Twice by Denise Doyen and illustrated by Barry Moser is a E.B White Read-Aloud Honor Award winning poetry picture book about a young mouse who goes out on a night time adventure despite being told not to. The illustrations in this book are phenomenal! This story is a fun RA story for students of all ages. I will definitely be purchasing this, if not for my classroom than for myself. Attached is a link to an activity guide that goes

Courage For Beginners by Karen Harrington is a Sunshine State Readers Award winning RF novel about a young 7th grader named Mysti who‘s best friend decides to ditch her in favor of becoming a “hipster”. Mysti is mostly worried because Ani was the only person she trusted with her family secret. Now that Mystis father has fallen sick and is in the hospital, she must dig past her fear and anger to find answers for her family. This is a great story

Wonder by RJ Palacio is a heart-string tugging Junior Young Readers Choice Award winning RF novel about a young boy who suffers from a facial difference that has prevented him from attending normal school. Now entering 5th grade, Auggie is going to a normal school and must learn to adjust. This is a must have in the classroom. It teaches lesson of self-love, acceptance, and never judging a book by its cover. The attached website is R.J. Palacios

What Were the Twin Towers? is a NF IR chapter book that tells the true story of the development of the towers, how they came to be the tallest buildings in the world, and why they were destroyed. The book includes illustrations by Ted Hammond that help better explain the chapters. This is an important read especially for students we will be teaching because many of them were not alive at the time of the attack to remember anything about the

When Green Becomes Tomatoes is a poetry book for all four seasons. Written by Julie Fogliano and beautifully illustrated by Julie Morstad, this book takes you through the journey of the seasons, describing the changes in nature, different animals and seasonal traditions. This book is a fun read and the perfect addition to your classroom library. It could be used as a RA or IR, but I think this is the perfect book to read between transitions or

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer is a Fantasy novel with illustrations about a young boy named Milo who one day receives a mysterious package containing a Tollbooth. When Milo drives through the Tollbooth he is transported to the land of Dictionopolis, a land that focuses on the use of words. He and a sidekick dog that he meets on the way are sent on a mission to save two princesses, Rhyme and Reason.

I Am Gandhi by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by a Christopher Eliopoulos is a wonderful and extremely informational RA biography about the peaceful revolution of Gandhi. The book contains the story of Gandhi along with real photos and a sequenced timeline so students have a better understanding of what occurred. Attached is the books official website: http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/gandhi.php

Pictures of Hollis Woods is a Newberry award winning RF novel by Patricia Reilly Giff. This story of about a young girl named Hollis Woods who was abandoned as an infant and has spent her life going (or running away from) foster home to foster home. Now living with a retired teacher who is losing her memory, Hollis must figure out how to get back to the only family she‘s ever truly felt a part of before the system finds out about Josies dwindling

LOVED this book!! Henry‘s Freedom Box is an emotional HF read-aloud about a young slave who escapes slavery by mailing himself in a wooden box to Philadelphia. This book has been awarded the Jane Addams Peace & Coretta Scott King award. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster and is an important read for students learning about slavery/the Underground Railroad. Attached is several activities that coincide with the story and touch on

Peter‘s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats is a realistic fiction storytelling book that would be a great addition to any elementary classroom library. This book serves as a great storytelling book but can also be used as an IR book for students. The story is about a young boy named Peter who now has a new baby sister. He starts to realize that his mom and dad are taking his old stuff and are painting them pink! Peter gets upset and takes his small chair

When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang is an adorable, beautifully illustrated Caldecott AND Zolotow award winning book. This RF story can be used as a IR or RA book. In this story Sophie becomes angry when it is her sisters turn to play with the toy gorilla. She screams, cries, and runs away. After spending some time alone, Sophie feels better and goes back home. This story teaches a wonderful lesson on how to handle anger in situations you cannot

This Is Not My Hat is a non fiction picture book that serves as a great RA for your early elementary classroom. This book has been awarded the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations. The story is about a little fish who steals a hat from a larger fish. He tries to hide but in the end, the big fish end up with the hat. This story teaches a wonderful lesson about respecting others belongings, whether you think they deserve it or not.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a realistic fiction, read aloud book about a boy named Peter who wakes up one morning and sees that snow had fallen the night before. He goes out and has many adventures, but worries that the sun will melt all the snow away. The next morning he realizes that's more snow has fallen and he can continue to enjoy the snow! The Snowy Day is a Caldecott Award winning book. This book, and other books by Ezra Jack Keats

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales is a Caldecott Honor Award winning, story telling picture book that puts a modern twist on TL. Within this book are several brief fairy tales with familiar characters but very unusual story lines. This is an ideal story telling book and a great addition to your elementary classroom library!! UDL principals 2.4 Promote understanding across languages & 2.5 Illustrate through multiple media

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a John Newberry Award winning science fiction novel that is a must-have in any upper elementary classroom library. The story is about a young girl named Meg who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles and a friend they found along the way, Calvin. Their mission is to save their scientist father from evil forces holding him hostage on another planet.

What Do You Do with a Problem by Kobi Yamada is an inspirational fiction RA that is a great addition to any early elementary classroom library. In this story a little boy realizes that he has run into a problem. He does all that he can to escape the problem, from running, shoo-ing it away, and even disguising himself from it. The more he avoids the the problem, the more he realizes it grows. Finally he decides it is time to face his problem