“Did you think that rats do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken.”

This is another hit among the 4th graders, but I believe they read it in 3rd grade. There is also an animated movie and a graphic novel!

A speculative fiction novel with themes of grudges, prejudice, forgiveness, honor, coexisting, and love. It's basic plot is about a mouse falling in love with a princess.

“If you want to save your mother, listen very carefully.“

So many of my 4th graders love this book! It deals with more mature themes like loss, but also brings a lot of action!

A graphica novel about a girl, Emily, and her brother, Navin, who find a magical amulet following a car accident where they lost their dad. The amulet warns Emily that her family is in danger, and monsters begin attacking them. She is given a quest to locate her grandfather, Silas, to help them. Read to learn more!

“John Adams was the first president to live in the White House. He was the second president of the United States.“

Lloyd G Douglas has written multiple other books about icons of the United States, like the Bald Eagle, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell.

A book explaining what the white house is, like who lives there, what the Oval Office is, and White House traditions. It would be good to build civic knowledge in young grades!

“The brook flows into a stream. Water from many brooks feeds the stream. Some streams are fed by water from springs.“

An earth science book about rivers and waters. It explains types of water forms (like brooks), people's uses for water, and the processes water is involved in.

This perfectly matches up with 4th-grade science! Erosion is explained.

“It's possible that Dilophosaurus hunted in small groups.“

I wish the author gave a timeline of when the different dinosaurs existed because some didn't exist at the same time as others! It is something you could supply in your classroom.

Plain language explains more complex scientific terms. This book introduces the different types of dinosaurs!

“What little we do know about the surface of Venus comes largely from a handful of space probes that have visited the planet.“

There are helpful science diagrams on each page.

A book explaining the structure and features of our solar system and the planets in it.

“The sun sits at the center of an enormous family of objects that whirl around it as they all move through the Milky Way.“

“All baby animals have to eat to grow, just like you. Baby birds gobble up food their parents bring to them, such as tasty fish.“

Little text bubbles ask the reader reflection questions.

A simple book about baby animals. It explains how baby animals learn, how they hunt, and what they eat.

“Sharks have lots of sharp teeth. If they lose a tooth, another one quickly grows in.“

I think this book would be good for a kindergarten or preschool classroom, but not for ages older than that.

A nonfiction book on ocean life. Aimed for younger audiences, but the facts are still accurate.

“A sea otter's body is perfect for hunting in the water.“

Laura Marsh has written over 30 nonfiction books for National Geographic Readers.

A nonfiction book about sea otters explaining where they live, their physical features, and other cool facts.

“ 'All by myself
I gathered the sticks,
I built the fire,
I mixed the cake.
And
all by myself
I am going to eat it!' “

I think this book would pair well with The Grasshopper and The Ants! They have similar lessons.

One of my favorite folk tales! I like the lesson is for everyone to contribute equally- it isn't fair for one person to do all the work for you.

What
Interest have zebras in
Leather tethers or
Dusty saddles?

Since only
The wind
Reins
In their
Power, and sun so
Easily
Straddles.

This book also features pictures of wildlife scenes from Africa to accompany the poems.

A book of acrostic poems about African animals/nature. This would be a good introduction or reference to this form of poetry. It may engage students who have a previous interest in animals!

Who
says
it's true--
down
is
the only view?
If you believe that,
this poem
will challenge you.
Up
is
something new.

Another good choice to highlight the diversity of poems! Students can see the many different ways to write poetry they may not be familiar with.

A collection of poems about folktales. that can also be read in reverse.

CH
T
CO
S
OP
H

Making concrete poems would be a fun activity to do with kids!

A poetry book that describes (and makes) poems into “word paintings“. A good introduction to concrete poems!

A collection of poems about planet earth. Poems range in subjects from whales to weather.

“And the sea belongs
to giants
who roll and spout
and rise
like wet steaming mountains“

I like that there are many different poems for all the different subjects! There are some good examples of figurative language in this book.

This is a good book to show that poetry can intersect with other subjects/vice versa.

“Interlocked elbows,
the city's many ministers
march with Martin, too.

We shall overcome!“

Poems about Martin Luther King's life, including ones about his birth, death, and work. Very evocative.

“So still
the busy
jumbled world
slows down
around you“

This book does not rhyme and may not be what children expect poetry to be- it would be good to explain that this book is free verse, a different form of poetry.

A cute book about a girl and a treefrog, told through free verse poems.

“'Here, come here,' I call,
but the fireflies
blithely go their way.“