“The yellow sun rose, a giant balloon filled with prayers and hopes and promise.”

Fever 1793 can be used to spark classroom discussions about what life was like during an epidemic in early America. The story can help them think about how people stay strong during hard times. Students can also discuss how Mattie changes and grows throughout the book. Last, the book gives students a chance to talk about community, helping others, and how people react during a crisis.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is a historical fiction book published in 200. It follows the life of a teenage girl named Mattie Cook who must survive the yellow fever epidemic that spreads across Philadelphia in 1793. As the disease spreads, Mattie faces loss, hardship, and responsibility. Ultimately, she grows more resilient, independent, and finds strength she did not know she had as she helps rebuild her life and community.

“Pictures just come to my mind … and I tell my heart to go ahead.”

This book could be used in a classroom discussion to help students explore themes of perseverance and creativity. Horace Pippin‘s determination to keep painting, even after his injury, provides a meaningful example for talking about what a growth mindset is and overcoming challenges. The book also opens opportunities to discuss how art can be a form of self-expression.

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin is a biography written in 2013. Horace Pippin's life offers much meaning and interest for children. Horace Pippin is an inspiration to never give up on your dreams. Horace had to provide for his family when his father left, but he never gave up on his art. When WWI happened, he was shot and had to reteach himself how to paint. He painted by holding his left arm up with his right.

“In the ocean‘s deepest, darkest depths, where the water is icy cold and the light is dim, giant squid glide silently through the black.”

In a classroom, I could use the book in science to introduce ocean habitats, food chains, or animal adaptations. In addition, I could use the book during literacy and have students focus on the author‘s descriptive language. Students could find examples of vivid sensory details and discuss how those words make the story powerful. For writing, students could write a paragraph describing another mysterious animal using language like Fleming does.

Giant Squid by Candace Fleming is a nonfiction book published in 2016. The style is very engaging. The author uses short, suspenseful sentences and poetic language that draw the reader in and build curiosity about this mysterious sea creature. In addition, Fleming uses descriptive, sensory language that helps readers visualize the dark ocean world and imagine the giant squid‘s movements.

“When you‘re scared but you still do it anyway, that‘s brave.”

Coraline by Neil Gaiman could be used in a classroom discussion to explore the themes of bravery, identity, and the difference between reality and fantasy. Students could discuss why Coraline chooses her real world over the “perfect” one and what that says about human nature. This would encourage critical thinking about choices, temptation, and appreciating what we have.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a speculative fiction book published in 2002. This book explores “what if” questions about human nature, such as “What if you could escape your real life for a perfect world?“ Through the creepy “Other World,” Gaiman shows how the desire for comfort and control can become dangerous. The story reveals that true growth comes from facing fear, accepting imperfection, and valuing reality.

“You‘re just growing up is all. Feeling mixed up and mad at the world is part of that for almost everyone... It‘ll pass, Sugarpea. I promise.”

This book could be used to prompt class discussions that encourage students to look at others with empathy, to understand that everyone has hidden struggles, and to see that our past doesn‘t define our future. Discussions could also center around the themes of identity, belonging, family, and self-acceptance.

As Simple as It Seems by Sarah Weeks is a contemporary realistic fiction book. This book was published in 2010. The book focuses on the main character Verbena Colter who has always felt different, especially around her family. However, when a new boy moves in next door for the summer, Verbena discovers that friendship and courage can help her see herself in a whole new light. This book is about compassion and facing real-world issues.

“Like and equal are not the same thing at all.”

This book could aid in classroom discussions by asking students to explore the themes of courage, love, and individuality through the experiences of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin. Students can discuss how the characters face challenges and make choices, connecting these situations to their own lives.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a graphic novel published in 1962. This book makes mature/complex themes more accessible to younger readers through the format and storytelling style. The graphic novel adaptation of this story enhances this accessibility by using visual elements to clarify abstract concepts. Also, the story presents themes through relatable child protagonists whose emotions, fears, and growth mirror the young readers'.

“And they never did.“

We could use this for a classroom discussion by asking students to identify the lesson or moral of the story, such as respecting others‘ belongings. Students could compare Goldilocks‘ choices with the bears‘ reactions and discuss consequences of actions. We could also explore the fantasy elements, like talking bears, and ask why the author included them.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall is a traditional literature book published in 1989. It received the Caldecott Honor. This book is considered a fairytale. It is considered a fairytale because it includes talking bears and other imaginative, fictional elements. The story teaches a lesson about curiosity and respecting others‘ property, which is common in fairy tales.

“If you know my name, you can have your wish—but if you don‘t, you will lose everything.”

We could have a discussion about what makes this story a fairytale. For example, we could discuss the magic, the challenge the girl faces, and the trickster character. We might also talk about whether the miller‘s daughter made the right choices and how Rumpelstiltskin‘s secret name gave him power.

Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky is a traditional literature book published in 1986. This book is considered a fairytale. It was originally considered a European folktale by the Brothers Grimm, but Zelinsky's retelling is a fairytale. This book is considered a fairytale because of the magical elements it includes. For example, the little man spins straw into gold.

“There is a hawk that is my brother so I have a special power.“

This book could be used to discuss the importance of freedom and respecting nature. We could discuss these aspects by looking at the valuable lessons the boy learned from the hawk. Then, we can discuss how these messages connect to the students' lives.

Hawk, I'm Your Brother is a traditional literature book by Byrd Baylor published in 1977. This book is a folktale and a Caldecott Honor recipient. It fits in this category because it tells the tale of a boy who dreams of flying and feels a deep spiritual connection with a hawk. This book blends realistic elements with mythical/symbolic themes.

“Hare was clever, but Bear was strong. Together they learned that working with what you have can lead to success.“

Tops and Bottoms can start class discussions about problem-solving, fairness, and clever thinking. Students can talk about how Hare uses his wits to get what he wants and whether his actions are fair or tricky.

Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens is a picture book published in 1996 and is a Caldecott Honor book. Line and shape are used to show the expressions and movements of Hare and Bear, emphasizing Hare‘s cleverness and Bear‘s frustration. Color highlights the difference between the crops. The illustrator used bright greens for vegetables above ground and earthy tones for root vegetables. This helps readers understand the “tops and bottoms” concept.

“He blushed and blushed, for all the world to see, the happiest hippopotamus he could be.“

This story can inspire classroom discussions about emotions, self-awareness, and humor. Students can talk about times they‘ve felt shy or embarrassed and how the hippopotamus‘s reactions are similar or different from their own. They can also explore the illustrations, discussing how lines, color, and expressions help show feelings without words.

The Blushful Hippopotamus by Chris Raschka is a picture book that was published in 1996. The elements of art convey humor and emotion. Line is loose and energetic, showing the hippopotamus‘s exaggerated movements and playful personality. Color emphasizes his rosy blush, highlighting shyness and embarrassment in a funny, relatable way. Composition and space focus attention on his interactions with other animals.

“He would play his trumpet, tap his feet, and we would clap and cheer, feeling the music in our hearts.“

This story can inspire discussions about family, memories, and the joy of music and movement. Students can talk about how the grandfather shares his talents and what it feels like to connect with loved ones through music.

Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman is a picture book published in 1988 and is a Caldecott Award winner. The illustrator uses lines in the illustrations to suggest movement, showing the grandfather dancing and playing instruments, which brings the music to life visually. Color and contrast highlight warmth and excitement, with darker backgrounds to emphasize the energy of the grandfather‘s performances.

“Every day Annabelle kept knitting, and every day the colors spread a little farther.“

Extra Yarn can spark classroom discussions about kindness, generosity, and the impact of small actions. Students can talk about how Annabelle‘s knitting changes the town and relate it to times they helped someone or made a positive difference.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett is a picture book published in 2012. The illustrator uses color to create contrast between the town, which is very gray and gloomy, and when Annabelle knits, which is warm and vibrant. The use of line makes the knitted items stand out and draws the attention of the reader. The illustrator also used texture to make the yarn look very life-like.

“In the canoe, the Indian smiled. Once he paused in a stroke, and rested his blade. For that instant he looked like his own Paddle. There was a song in his heart. It crept to his lips, but only the water and the wind could hear.“

This story could be used to introduce geography and mapping skills. The class could discuss the journey from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and then review it on a map. This could lead to other discussions about mapping skills.

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling is a picture book published in 1941 and is a Caldecott Honor book. The illustrator uses very vibrant colors to make the illustrations appear life-like and very real. In addition to this, the illustrator uses line to convey motion and movement in various scenes. This makes your eyes travel along the page.

“Kitten was very small. The moon was very big. Kitten wanted the moon.“

This story could be used to discuss problem-solving and perseverance. The class could discuss Kitten's problem-solving skills and then brainstorm some of their own.

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes is a picture book published in 2004 and is a Caldecott Award winner. The illustrator uses lines to express movement in the pictures, define shapes and the form of characters, convey emotion, and direct the viewer's attention to certain spots in the picture. He also uses black and white to show contrast and the difference between light and dark spaces.

“And together they did the unimaginable.“

This story could inspire classroom discussions about empathy and feelings. The class could discuss how Beekle feels when his is unsure or lonely and relate it back to their personal experiences.

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat is a picture book published in 2014 and is a Caldecott Award winner. The illustrator uses color to create contrast between Beekle's world, which is muted and gray, and the real world, which is vibrant and bright. The soft, round shapes he used for Beekle and the child make them appear friendly and approachable.

“Sometimes when Jasper ate a carrot, he would hear a little ‘munch munch‘… and sometimes the carrot seemed to be looking back at him!“

This story could help promote discussions about perspective. After finishing the story, the class could discuss the differences between how the rabbit was feeling compared to how the carrots were feeling. This could lead to bigger discussions on students' personal perspectives.