“... Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.“

I would say this book is meant for higher middle school grades. It is a tough emotional read. While it is emotional and sad, it allows for many historical points. You could discuss the Holocaust, concentration camps, propaganda, etc. It gives such a sensitive point of view and should be approached with care.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a historical fiction that takes place in Poland during the times of WWII. It's about two boys who form a friendship through a concentration camp during the Holocaust. It gives a true feel for some of the emotions that were felt in this time period. The book is written mainly from the eyes of Bruno, one of the boys. It allows the reader to visualize the story and feel the feelings of the characters.

“Their wings take them anywhere they want to go.“

I would use this book in my classroom as a way to talk about the lives of different animals. It allows the incorporation of science into literature. You can also include different instruction on migration, and maybe compare and contrast with other animals.

Nesting is a nonfiction book published in the year of 2020. It follows the life of a robin. It discusses making nests, laying eggs, being parents, and what their days look like as a family. I like how this book incorporates so many different aspects of a robin's life.

“Hey, water, thank you!“

I would use this book in my classroom as a fun way to introduce the water cycle, weather, or different water forms. It is a great way to talk about all the things that are made up of water! It is informative, playful, and important

Hey, Water! is a great book, that discusses the different ways water can be found or presents itself in our world. It was published in 2019. It provides many different ways one may find water. It may not always look the same, but it shows up in many different ways.

“Little butterfly, you just caught my eye.“

I would use this book in my classroom as an introduction story to a migration unit, or a science unit about the life of butterflies. I always remember in elementary school of following the life of a butterfly, observing its journey from a caterpillar to a butterfly. I think it would be great to add this into that unit as a way of the audience to understand where the butterflies may go next.

Señorita Mariposa is a nonfiction book published in 2019. The story follows the journey of a butterfly on the way to Mexico, while also providing life facts about butterflies. It also switched from English to Spanish, with translations for each switch. It focuses on the migration of butterflies but incorporates illustrations and experiences the audience of the book would be able to relate to.

“Because failure isn't final. It's where new ideas are made.“

I would use this in my classroom to incorporate social-emotional topics into learning. I feel that in early elementary grades, students are learning social skills and begin to form friends and form personal opinions towards other things and people. This is a great book to emphasize that girls can do and build anything boys can.

A Girl Can Build Anything is a nonfiction story published in 2023. The story goes through all the different ways girls can make things. It has emphasis on girl power and empowering women to do things others may make them think they can't. Girls can do anything!

“Hummingbirds know exactly where they're going- and when they get there, they settle in.“

I would use this book in my classroom as a way to incorporate science into learning. In my classroom now, there isn't a lot of time for science and social studies. I love to read books to them so reading them nonfiction, informative books is a good way to incorporate multiple subjects into one time.

Hummingbird is a nonfiction that was published in 2019. The book is stated as almost a point of view of a hummingbird. Within the story encompassed around the story of the hummingbird, there are little hidden facts about hummingbirds that relate the story. It is a great story that follows the journey of different characters as well as a hummingbird.

“On sunny days, you could often find Tyrus Wong on the beach, facing the ocean he crossed so long ago, flying a large, colorful kite he'd made himself“

Paper Son is a powerful tool for teaching about immigration, perseverance, and the power of art. Wong's story inspires revolves around on discrimination and the importance of following one's dreams. Students can analyze his artwork, write creative pieces inspired by his journey, or research Chinese American history. This book sparks empathy and encourages students to appreciate diverse perspectives.

Paper Son is a memoir of Tyrus Wong, an artist and designer. Published in 2019. Wong recounts his harrowing journey as a Chinese immigrant during the Great Depression, sharing his experiences of discrimination, hardship, and resilience. The book offers a powerful and intimate look into the life of a remarkable man who overcame adversity to achieve artistic success.

“Gyo, along with the others living on the East Coast, was told to stay where she was”

This story would be used well to showcase a history lesson on Japanese internment camps and the history of racism during WWII.

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear is a picture book biography about Japanese American artist Gyo Fujikawa. This story talks about Gyo‘s struggle with racism, her love or art and her time in an internment camp. This story is full beautiful illustrations that showcase Gyo‘s life.

“Jeanne gazed at the ocean, her heart swelling with wonder. She knew there were secrets hidden beneath the waves, and she was determined to uncover them, no matter what.“

You could use this book as an introduction to a unit on marine biology. Explore different marine species, their habitats, and their importance in the ecosystem. You could even get a class pet fish and use it as the center for research.

“Secrets of the Sea“ is a beautifully crafted biography (2021) that not only educates children about marine science but also inspires them to pursue their passions despite any challenges they may face. Jeanne Power's legacy as a revolutionary marine scientist is celebrated in a way that is sure to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists.

“It was as if Ben could see into the future. Almost everything he created is still around today.“

In my future classrooms, I would use this book to explore history and invention. You could use the book to discuss Franklin's inventions, and compare them to modern inventions. The book could also be used to encourage students to design their own inventions or research other inventors.

Now & Ben is a biography published in 2006, going through inventions of Ben Franklin. It explores the connection between Benjamin Franklin's inventions and their modern counterparts. The book features vibrant illustrations and engaging text that makes Franklin's accomplishments accessible to young readers. This book is a great choice for introducing children to American history and inspiring them to think creatively.

“Marie's map had revealed the ocean's biggest secret.“

In my classroom, I would use this as an introduction to a geography map unit. Students could gain practice in creating maps for themselves. I think it would be meaningful to connecting it to an exploration lesson where students explore ocean life, or make their own models.

Ocean Speaks, Biography, published in 2020.
This biography talks about the life of Marie Tharp. It talks about her love of exploring from a young age, how she solved, problems, and pushed limits. She loved to push the limits of what girls and women were expected to be. One of her biggest accomplishments is the mapping of the mid-Atlantic ridge.

“If you know how to read, you can never be lonely.”

The style of these poems are all warm welcoming and inclusive. This book can be understood by a wide variety of people because of its use of everyday images and themes.

Everything Comes Next written by Naomi Shihab Nye was published in 2020. Is a collection of poems that explores human connection, childhood, conflict, and connectivity. The book includes new and old poems and is divided into 3 sections of poetry.

“The seeds of thoughts were planted. I had set my story free! That poem in my pocket turned into a POETREE“

This book can be used to teach students rhyming words by doing a rhyming word search as the book is read.

Poem in My Pocket by Chris Tougas was published in 2021. This story symbolizes how the story flows from the main character. The main character experiences a rip in his pocket that he does not know about. The hole demonstrates the words falling out rhythmically.

Pea Pod Lullaby then by Glenda Millard, a cute children's book that uses soothing and calm rhythms with a beautiful story about a mother‘s love for her child. The narrative and plot takes readers through a fun journey in a garden that is filled with vibrant and gorgeous imagery and gentle, moving text that evokes a calming and joyous atmosphere.

This book evokes calm and gentle feelings. It is soothing and calming and this makes it a beautiful read for students. This story could be added to morning meeting or even a relaxation routine to help students unwind!

“I am the sapphire night you are the lantern moon, light me“

“So he stood in his shoes
And he wonder'd,
He wonder'd,
He stood in his shoes.“

I would use this book in my future classroom to do self reflections. The students could create self-portraits and include images and words to represent their interests, families, and experiences to represent their individuality.

This poetry book was published in 2017. This is a reflective poem that has themes of identity, nature, and the human experience. He draws on imagery and talks about feelings of love, mortality, and the quest for understanding. The author makes connections to his personal experience and the real world.

June 30:
If you are wondering about me and where I could be on a day that drips hot and thick like honey walk down the river and around the bend to flat rocks, warm and waiting and there I will be and you will find me swimming.

I really likes the book and would implement it in my classroom as a way to introduce poetry. It can be very interactive especially in young readers and young grades. I would also do this accordingly to the dates that are in the book and coordinate fun activities to do with them. It is a great way to talk to students about the different structures of poems.

When Green Becomes Tomatoes is a poetry book and was published in 2016. This book is a collection of poems that depict the changing of the seasons throughout the year and how we change with the seasons as well. It goes from the beautiful blossoms of spring scenes to summer activities, to fall chills and the serene quiet of winter. With fast rhymes and beautiful imagery, this book brings poetry and the seasons to life.

“meet me in the park. I have that, and Dad's old flannel. still loose at my shoulders and long for my wrists. And I have the knife tucked inside my boot. Just in case“

I think the book is very interesting but not suitable for young readers in the classroom. It is more of a young adult read and the experiences in the story are too mature for elementary audience.