“What is it with folks always talking about where they‘re from? You could grow up in a muddy ditch, but if it‘s your muddy ditch, then it‘s gotta be the swellest muddy ditch ever.”

Historical fiction. This would be a perfect book for children who are a little older and is perfect for introducing history in a fun way. Definitely a story I‘d love to continue.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm, 2010. A wonderfully written story about love and family set during the Great Depression in Florida. It‘s a story about becoming yourself and breaking down the shells we build around us.

“More than anything, it was the blue dolphins that took me back home.”

Historical fiction. This is a book I remember reading when I was older, around seventh grade. I think it‘s perfect for that older reader range but can also be uses to start readers a little younger than that on historical fiction.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O‘Dell, 1960. A wonderful classic in the world of historical fiction. Based on a true story, it is a wonderful telling of survival and innovation. Truly a beautifully told story.

Historical fiction. A wonderful and dramatic story to begin children on historical fiction.

Henry‘s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, 2007. This is a moving and touching story about a young boy who mails himself out of slavery and into freedom. It is wonderful and historical and dramatic.

Historical fiction. This is a wonderful book read aloud. It really draws the listeners in completely.

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco, 1994. This is a wonderful story about two young boys during the civil war. It‘s emotional and moving and really brings you right into the war and their experiences. It tells of a boy named Pinkus Aylee who died before he could tell his story so his friend Say told it for him.

“Memories were like sunshine. They warmed you up and left a pleasant glow, but you couldn't hold them.”

Historical fiction. A book I‘d love to continue reading and a story perfect for getting kids into historical fiction.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, 2010. The writing in this one is gorgeous and engaging. It really draws you into the charming little story. There‘s mystery and adventure and rich historical detail all pulling together to make a wonderful novel.

“The stars and stripes were fluttering bright against the rain, clear blue overhead, and their minds were saying the words before their ears heard them.”

Historical fiction. A wonderful book that I remember reading as a child. Perfect to start kids on longer books and books about history that don‘t really feel like history.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1935. This is one of the most well know and classic examples of historical fiction out there. It‘s some fiction and some autobiography that comes together to create a really fun and wonderfully done novel that holds its own among the rest in the series.

“He had envied Attean his free, unhampered life in the forest, and the boisterous comradeship in the village.”

Historical fiction. Again, another wonderful book for older readers or perhaps a book for starting younger readers on longer, more in depth texts. Something I‘ll add to my list of books to read completely.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, 1983. This is a wonderful story about a young boy and his struggle to decide to go on his new and exciting journey with a Native American tribe or stay with his family during a time of colonization. It is detailed without feeling too much like nonfiction.

“There's one good thing about getting in trouble: It seems like you do it in steps. It seems like you don't just end up in trouble but that you kind of ease yourself into it. It also seems like the worse the trouble is that you get into, the more steps it takes to get there. Sort of like you're getting a bunch of little warnings on the way; sort of like if you really wanted to you could turn around.”

Historical fiction. This is a wonderful book for older children and definitely a book I‘d like to finish as it is considered such a classic.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham— 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, 1995. This is a wonderful and loving storing about an African American family living in 1963. The story is funny and yet moving all at the same time.

Caldecott winner. This would be a wonderful read aloud story for younger children, the colors are bright and engaging and the illustrations are silly and the story is told just like they tell stories.

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster and illustrated by Chris Raschka, 2005. This is a sweet little story about a child‘s experience at his grandparents house. It‘s cute and full of love and wonder and it‘s told in the special way only children can tell stories.

Caldecott winner. This is another wonderful book for small groups of young children. It‘s so engaging and fun and has lots for kids to point out and look at and be interested in.

Flotsam by David Wiesner, 2006. This is another wonderful, wordless story. The amazing illustrations tell more than word ever could. It is wonderfully engaging fun to follow along with. It follows such an interesting journey that never ends.

Caldecott winner. This is a wonderful story to read aloud to young children because they can be engaged and point things out.

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen, 2012. This is a wonderful little story about a sneaky little fish who tries to steal a hat. While the words tell some of the story, the illustrations fully tell the other half as the little fish doesn‘t realize what‘s happening around him. The illustrations are muted but detailed and somehow still lively.

Caldecott winner. This is a wonderful picture book to look at with small groups because of its wordless nature. It‘s engaging and relatable to kids as well.

A Ball for Daisy by Chis Raschka, 2011. This wordless book tells a story of Daisy who‘s toy ball gets destroyed and then replaced. The images show her journey almost better than words can describe it. You can see Daisy‘s emotions as she travels through making it a really relatable story for children about feeling emotions.

Trouble follows”

Caldecott winner. This is a perfect book to read aloud in a classroom. It is silly and fun and allows for a lot of engagement.

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann, 2002. This is a delightful story about friendship and how sometimes friends get into trouble. This story lets the illustrations speak for themselves for the most part and has a silly and fun tone throughout, even in the pictures.

Historical fiction. This book is wonderful for readers who may not be interested in historical literature because it is largely illustrations. This is a book I‘d love to continue.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, 2007. Once again Brian Selznick stuns his readers with a novel comprised of majority illustrations. It tells of the life of Hugo Cabret a boy fascinated by George Méliès , a pioneer of film. The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning and tell the story just as well as words could.

Caldecott winner. This is a wonderful and sweet story for a classroom with wonderfully engaging illustrations and characters.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, 2010. Full of simple colors and wonderful line drawings, this story is truly sweet and emphasizes the power of being kind and friendship. This book is truly so lovely to read.

Caldecott winner. This is a such a sweet book to have in a classroom and to read aloud. It‘s fun and ends on a happy note.

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat, 2014. This story was sweet and colorful and full of amazing illustrations that add so much to the story. It‘s about making friends and finding where you belong instead of waiting for it to come.

“Her actions remind me that, even under unbearable circumstances, one can still believe in justice. And above all, love.”

Biography. This is a story I would love to continue. It‘s engaging and fascinating story about a part of history many people may not really know about. It would be great for older children.