The Raft is a RF book that teaches students how to appreciate nature‘s beauty and the simplicities in life. It could be used for GR or even an RA.

http://www.storyboardthat.com/teacher-guide/the-raft-by-jim-lamarche This link contains a character graphic organizer activity that will allow students to compare and contrast the main characters.

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I Want My Hat Back is a funny and engaging F picture book. It won the Geisel award for being a high quality book for emerging readers. I thought this would be the perfect book for DR but can also be utilized as an RA, SR or PR.

http://candlewick.com/book_files/0763655988.kit.2.pdf This link contains fun activities related to I Want My Hat Back and the other books in his series.

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Winning the Newbery medal this year, The Girl Who Drank the Moon is an exceptional F novel that is sure to capture students‘ attention (starting with the cover!). It tells a mystical tale of a girl who acquires special strength through the power of a witch. This book is perfect for LC!

http://readinggroupchoices.com/books/girl-drank-moon/ This link contains discussion questions that can be used throughout the reading

A Giraffe and a Half is a classic F circle story I would definitely use this book for IR – students will be able to pick up on the rhyming and repetition on their own.

http://mosswoodconnections.com/giraffe-half-rhyming-kit/ This link contains a fun activity that enforces rhyming with the use of props.

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG v. Inequality is a B that showcases the hardships that Ginsburg endured to reach the position of power that she has today. I also thought this book would make a fantastic text-to-text connection with “She Persisted” by Chelsea Clinton. I liked the thought of PR for this book for improved comprehension of material.

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The Little House is one of my favorite Caldecott award winners. It features a cute little pink house that lives on a very rural countryside. Soon, the rural area becomes developed and heavily populated. It illustrates to children the stark difference between nature and man-made inventions. It emphasizes phases of the moon, seasons, and reading a calendar. This F picture book could be utilized in an RA, but PR or GR would also effective.

Why Am I Me? is a beautiful RF story that teaches children about diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others. It also teaches them to always stay true to themselves. It would be perfect for either RA or GR.

http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2017/11/why-am-i-me/ This link contains ideas on how to teach inclusion, and other books that would be appropriate for text-to-text connections.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a hilariously enjoyable picture book that fractures traditional tales. It won the Caldecott medal for its capturing illustrations. It can be classified as either F or TL. Scieska is a fantastic author for an AS.

Balloons Over Broadway is a B on Tony Sarg and how he came to be the mastermind behind the Macy‘s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This was such an enjoyable read for me since the illustrations are so eye catching, with so many small details to notice on every page. The intricacies in her illustrations won this book the Sibert award. I thought this book would be perfect for an AS, since Melissa Sweet‘s work has very unique touch.

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Giant Squid is a NF Sibert award winning book. It‘s illustrations are eerie and the book features fold out spreads to emphasize the squid‘s size. This book is perfect for a RA.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorations/squid/ This link takes you to an interactive website where students can explore its habitat, features and traits.

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Parrots Over Puerto Rico is a NF picture book describing the time when parrots nearly became extinct to the island where they were once native to. The unique illustrations yet thorough research material won this book the Sibert award.I thought it would be best for a RA, since there are many Spanish words that you can model for students.

Drum Dream Girl is a beautifully written B based on the true events of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga who broke the stereotype that only men could play the drums. It proudly won the Pura Belpre award. I classified it as a B, but it‘s definitely also P. I thought it would be a fantastic choice for PR.

https://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/HMH/DrumDreamGirl.pdf This link contains discussion questions that students can do in pairs.

A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin is a beautifully illustrated B that will catch the eye of children and adults alike. Having won the Sibert award, this book highlights milestones in Horace Pippin‘s life in the most aesthetically pleasing way. I would recommend using this book for GR, but it could easily be a RA.

Viva Frida is a beautifully illustrated B, celebrating the life of Frida Kahlo. It won the Caldecott award for its intricate photography and Kahlo‘s telling story. The compelling pictures and simple and easy to follow language makes this book perfect for an RA.

http://www.mommymaestra.com/2011/07/frida-kahlo-lesson-plans-activities.html This link contains extension activities that can enhance students‘ background knowledge on her.

Brown Girl Dreaming is a P book that is high quality literature. Having won the Coretta Scott King, Newbery, and National Book Award, this book revolves around the life of Jacqueline Woodson, the author, as a young Black girl growing up in America. I thought this would be a fantastic LC book so to that students have an opportunity to share interpretations and get a deeper understanding from its story.

I Survived: The Attacks of September 11, 2001 is a high quality HF book that follows a boy who experiences the shock and repercussions of this tragedy. This novel might best be used for IR, this book would also be suitable for GR or even AS.

The Wild Robot was a refreshing F read about a robot named Roz who finds her way onto an island where she meets many different animals along her journey. It uses an unusual second-person point of view, which at times gives the reader the feeling of being read a mystical story. It‘s no surprise this book earned the Sunshine State Young Reader Award and is a New York Times Bestseller. It would be best utilized for IR...

I Lived on Butterfly Hill is a HF novel depicting a girl who is forced to abandon the only home she knew in Chile for a new life in Maine, USA. Winning the Pura Belpre award, this novel does an exceptional job at illustrating with words the hardships many had to endure during this time period. I would use this book for IR.

A Wrinkle in Time is a classic SF that I read myself when I was in school. Having won the Newbery Award, it‘s a timeless work that provides a lot of new vocabulary and worldly concepts for students to inquire about. This book can be used for LC or IR.

http://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1119 The link contains many graphic organizers to help guide reading.

The One and Only Ivan is a Newbery Award winning F book about a gorilla who has spent most of his childhood and all of his adult life in captivity. Between the short, easy chapters and being told from Ivan‘s point of view, this novel sure to spark interest and captivate the hearts of students. This book can be used for LC or even AS.