The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky has to be my all time favorite coming of age YA F novel. This beautiful and tragic story follows the life of 15 year old Charlie as he begins high school. This books dives into the fears and anxieties more teens have and brings you comfort knowing that others are experiencing those same fears.

Another dystopian SF novel that helped foster a love of reading for me was The Maze Runner series! Written by James Dashner, the series takes place in a post apocalyptic world that begins traveling in a dark elevator without memories and exiting into a enclosed area with just teenage boys. How did they get there, what is their purpose, and how will they get out?

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt is such a cute F picture book that shows the differences between cats and dogs! When a little girl thinks her cat is a dog, the “dog” is considered bad since the commands she tells it are for dogs, not cats! This light hearted picture book can be used in a CR to improve fluency. UDL 3.3 Guide information processing and visualization. EL 4. Link lesson topic to students prior knowledge.

The Hunger Gamers series is a collection of dystopian SF novels by Suzanne Collins that tell an incredibly story of post-apocalyptic America. As the reaping slowly approaches, who will be picked as the tribute for District twelve and‘ll have to fight to the death to win the hunger games? Families, friendships, and alliances are put to the test, who will end up on top?

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein is a P book I hold near and dear to my heart. Reading through these collections of poems makes the inner child within you come alive as you discover the adventures and wonders there are where the sidewalks ends. The poems you will find inside this book spark wonder within each stanza.

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and a Caldecott winning NF children‘s book that tells use the origins of our beloved Winnie the poo. Readers learn how Winnie the poo comes from the true story of Lindsay Matticks great grandfather and his pet bear Winnie. This tale inspires adventure and exploration!

The Ugly Duckling written by Hans Christian Andersen is a TL books that tells a story we have all heard before. When ducklings begin to hatch, one is born looking a little different from the others. His larger, different and uglier features make living life hard for this duckling. Will the duckling learn to love himself or listen to all the mean judgments castes upon him.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi is a RF picture book about a son a father going fishing early in the morning. This picture book won the Charlotte Zolotow Award in 2018. This very peaceful and realistic story gives us a look into the life of a refugee family from Vietnam.

Parrots over Puerto Rico written by Cindy Trumbore and Susan L. Roth is a NF picture book that tells the story of Puerto Rico‘s oldest Parrot! It won the Sibert Medal in 2014. From unwelcomed settles years ago to destructive hurricanes, the livelihood of these birds are in danger. Can the efforts of today‘s conservationists save the population of the Puerto Rican Parrot? Read to find out!!!

Balloons Over Broadway written and illustrated by Melissa sweet is a biography about Anthony Frederick Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! As shown on the book, it did win the Caldecott but also the Orbis Pictus Award. This cute picture book takes the history behind the Macy‘s days parade and tells the story of the puppeteer who helped made it happen. This picture book would be best used as a S or a RA!

After hearing about this book in a Lit Circle I had to read it! In 2011 One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia won the Scott O‘Dell Award! This HF novel takes place in the late 60‘s and follows the journey of 3 daughters traveling across the country to spend time with their mother who abandoned them years prior. Will the daughter seek the love they desire or will crazy events unfold before them?

La Princesa and the Pea is bilingual fiction picture book written by Susan Middleton Elya. This culturally rich book won the Pura Belpre award in 2018. This story tells of a prince who longed for a wife, but his prickly madre had other plans! When the prince meets a beautiful princess, what will the queen do to test her to see if she‘s worthy?

I Love You, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted is a beautifully written story of hope during a major event in American History. When prompted to write letters to the Apollo 11 astronauts, Mamie Anderson writes to Michael Collins. As the story unfolds, they‘re lives seems to be similar in many ways, why do you think that is? This story tells of story of friendship and hope.

A pretty relatable photo during these trying pandemic times!!! Listed as a New York Times Best Seller, The Pigeon HAS to go to School! Written and illustrated by Mo Willems tells a humorous story of first day of school jitters we‘ve all experienced once or twice! I would use this fictional picture book to teach my students about how fears are relatable and can be overcome!

The Lion and the mouse illustrated by Jerry Pinckney is a wonder story of a developing friendship between two unlikely friends, a lion and the mouse. This picture book won the Caldecott award in 2010. Though it‘s a nearly wordless adaptation, the message of acts of kindness speaks volumes! I would teach my students that lesson through a RA!

A must have on my bed side table. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is such a great fantasy novel! This second book is the series tells the story of Harry and the adventures he goes through in his second year at Hogwarts. I would use this novel in a LC in my classroom and teach my students about inclusion and problem solving! The UDL I would use is 5.1 use multiple media for communication. #UCFLAE3414SP20

Mary had a little glam by Tammi Sauer is a perfect self esteem booster when you need one! This RF picture book tells the story of Mary who is extremely stylish starting school for the first time! This book teachers students about confidence and individuality! I would use this book as a RA and use the UDL 7.1 optimize individual choice and autonomy. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs19IaMc4bY this link provides a nice Read Aloud of the book!

This 2013 Newberry winner is truly a gem. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate tells a story of a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a zoo in a mall. As the fiction story unfolds we get to see the world through Ivan‘s perspective. This novel could be used in both a LC or and IR in the classroom and allows the students to reflect on Ivan‘s situation. The UDL I would use is 9.3 Develop self-assessment and reflection #UCFLAE3414SP20

Written by the amazing Katherine Applegate, Wishtree is a Fantasy novel that tells a story about Red (the redwood tree) experiencing life for over 200 years. Life had been great for Red as a spectator, but a new face an unfamiliar situation beings to happen. What will Red do? I would use this novel to teach students about inclusion and acceptance during a LC. This novel would be great for an IR as well! #UCFLAE3414SP20

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña is a beautifully written RF picture book about a grandmother and her grandson CJ‘s journey on a city bus. This book won the 2016 Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor! While riding the bus, CJ and the reader learn about diversity, privilege, and perspective! These themes can be taught in the classroom using UDL 9.3 develop self assessment and reflection.