“...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.”

This is an amazing historical book for mature readers to enjoy. I loved this book and it pairs well with a movie. It puts a young boys perspective to life.

historical fiction, 2006. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a 2006 historical fiction novel by Irish novelist John Boyne. The plot concerns a German boy named Bruno whose father is the commandant of Auschwitz and Bruno's friendship with a Jewish detainee named Shmuel.

“I am Ivan, just Ivan, only Ivan“

I loved this book as a kid! I think students would enjoy learning about Ivan and his challenges. I could also pair it with the movie.

Historical fiction, 2012. Ivan has spent most of his life in a small cage, along with other animals, including an elephant named Stella and a young elephant named Ruby. The novel explores Ivan's thoughts, memories, and relationships as he reflects on his life in the mall, where he has been part of a display for human entertainment.

“The whole world is filled with big, enormous, gigantic, humongous, incredible numbers“.

Great way to incorporate STEM into the classroom as well as learning amazing facts about the world.

Non-fiction, 2017. This story explores the vastness of the universe by presenting incredibly large numbers, like the estimated number of stars in existence - a hundred billion trillion - and using relatable comparisons to help young readers grasp just how big that is

“With writhing arms/ and ghostly, lidless eyes/ they glide.”

Great book to incorporate animals and vocabulary into other subjects. Rich color and amazing pictures.

Non-fiction, 2016. An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale's belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape-- these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago.

“That was the Grand Canyon as we know it today. But it wasn't always that way.“

Amazing pictures and great connection to multiple subjects. I would use this book to talk about the plants, animals and habitats of the Grand Canyon.

Non-fiction, 2017. Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past.

“Be proud of your place in the cosmos. It is small, and yet it is. How unlikely! How fantastic!“.

Very factual. Incorporates math, science, social studies and lit all in one. I would use this book in my class.

Non-fiction. Jason Chin found a way to make a complex subject--size, scale and almost unimaginable distance--accessible and understandable to readers of all ages. Meticulously researched and featuring the highly detailed artwork.

“They are people with a plan.... They are prepared for the unexpected”.

This book if very informational but have very intense content. I would use this book for students who enjoy history and are at a high reading level.

Non-fiction. On May 4, 1961, a group of thirteen black and white civil rights activists launched the Freedom Ride, aiming to challenge the practice of segregation on buses and at bus terminal facilities in the South. As the Riders traveled deeper into the South, they encountered increasing violence and opposition.

“Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up.“

This book sheds light on how to have an ever changing view of the world and grow as you get older.

As a young boy, Stephen Hawking loved to read, stargaze, and figure out how things worked. He looked at the world and always asked, Why?
He never lost that curiosity, which led him to make groundbreaking discoveries about the universe as a young man. Even being diagnosed with ALS didn't slow Stephen down. Those questions kept coming.

“No two snowflakes are alike.“

I am not sure If my students would find this book relevant. I would use it in my classroom after the first snowfall. Students many enjoy this story if they are interested in art, photography, the outdoors, etc.

Biography, 1998. Caldecott Medal–winning picture book, the true story of Wilson Bentley and his singular fascination with snowflakes is rendered in rich prose and gorgeous artwork, perfect for the holidays, snow days, and everyday. With patience and determination, Wilson catalogued hundreds of snowflake photographs, gave slideshows of his findings and, when he was 66, published a book of his photos.

“Ethel Lois Payne always had an ear for stories“

Inspiring story for young readers. I think kids would enjoy listening to this story about a young African-American women.

Biography, 2020. Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist.

“So, if anyone ever tells you no, if anyone says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you.”

Great book to empower your students. For everyone who has ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who has ever tried to reach for the stars but was told to sit down, and for everyone who has ever been made to feel unworthy or unimportant or small.

Biography, 2017. In this book, Chelsea Clinton celebrates thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity. This book features: Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayo.

“Now... Ben....“

This is a great story to share with children about the many inventions Ben Franklin made in his lifetime. Can combine science, social studies, and reading.

Bibliography, 2007. Franklin designed the lightning rod, suggested the idea of daylight savings time, and invented bifocals-all inspired by his common sense and intelligence. In this informative book, Gene Barretta brings Benjamin Franklin's genius to life,

“You're a border kid, a foot on either bank. Your ancestors crossed this river a thousand times.“

I felt neutral toward this book however felt as though other poetry books would be more suited toward working with younger grades.

Poetry. Twelve-year-old Güero is Mexican American, at home with Spanish or English and on both sides of the river. He's starting 7th grade with a woke English teacher who knows how to make poetry cool.
“Güero“ is a nickname for guys with pale skin, Latino or Anglo. But make no mistake: our hero is puro mexicano, like Canelo Álvarez, the Mexican boxer. Güero is also a nerd reader gamer and musician who runs with a squad of misfits

But today we go bareheaded into the winter streets, stand hatless on frozen platforms.

Today the mailboxes on the roadside and the spruce trees behind the house wear cold white hats of snow.

Mice scurry from the stone walls at night in their thin fur hats to eat the birdseed that has spilled.

I would use this book when introducing poetry to my class. This is a great introduction to poetry.

Poetry.
A book-eating moth in the early Middle Ages. A peach blossom during the Renaissance. A haunted palace in the Victorian era. A lament for the hat in contemporary times. Poetry has been a living form of artistic expression for thousands of years, and throughout that time poets have found inspiration in everything from swords to stamp albums, candles to cobwebs, manhole covers to the moon.

“What shall we tell you when our world sometimes seems dark and uninviting? What shall we tell you when hateful words that wound and bully are thrown like bricks against a wall, shattering into debris?”

This book would be good to piece together with students, this is really helpful in bringing a realistic look to things and is very empowering.

Poetry. “What shall we tell you” - This beautiful collection provides children (and the adults in their lives) this safe space. Authors ask questions, share wisdom and provide support. By doing so, they open the window to talking about these difficult times. Dedicated to “those who advocate for and pursue a just society and basic human rights for all people”

“I watch myself, like some stranger, rise and march right over to sit beside my old enemy, because you tell me your plan for her includes something nicer than a lonely life.”

This is a powerful book. I would use it to combine a lesson of poetry with religion if school allows.

Poetry, 2017. Jordan lives in fear of Tanya, the class bully. It seems impossible that Jordan and Tanya could be anything other than enemies, but the Lord is watching over them, guiding each of them along a path that might just help them to understand one another. The story takes the words of a Psalm 121 and masterfully transforms them into a poem of compassion, friendship, and faith.

“I am not a pest,“ Ramona Quimby told her big sister Beezus. “I'm just trying to grow up.“

For Ramona Quimby, Age 8, create a lesson on responsibility and growing up. Start with a discussion about how Ramona handles new challenges, like riding the bus and helping her family. Have students reflect on their own responsibilities and how they feel about growing up. As an activity, students can create a “Responsibility Chart“ to track their tasks at home or school, teaching them about accountability and independence.