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Books that promote kindness, social justice, and care for our planet
BOOKS THAT MATTER
ABOUT ME
I graduated from William Paterson University in 1962 where I earned my B.A. in Elementary Education. In 1969, I received my Masters in Language Arts Education and became certified in School Administration. I taught at the elementary and middle school levels and classes for the gifted. I was also employed as a reading consultant and principal of a K-8 public school. I concluded my career as a supervisor of student teachers at Montclair State University.
My primary interest has always been children's literature. I have held thousands of book talks and have given presentations on developing interest in reading.
CONTACT: kidslit.mustreads@gmail.com
BOB BLUMENTHAL
BOOKS THAT MATTER
ECOLOGY
ACCEPTANCE
ECOLOGY
JUSTICE
ACCEPTANCE
ECOLOGY
ACCEPTANCE
ACCEPTANCE
ACCEPTANCE
PEACE
CRITICAL THINKING
ACCEPTANCE
CRITICAL THINKING
CRITICAL THINKING
CRITICAL THINKING
ACTS OF KINDNESS
CRITICAL THINKING
CRITICAL THINKING
RELATIONSHIPS
APPRECIATING NATURE
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
APPRECIATING NATURE
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
APPRECIATING NATURE
APPRECIATING NATURE
DEALING WITH ADVERSITY
DEALING WITH ADVERSITY
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
DEALING WITH ADVERSITY
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
CIVIL RIGHTS
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
HISTORY/ HISTORICAL FICTION
BOOKS THAT MATTER
POETRY
BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY
SLAVERY
SLAVERY
BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY
SLAVERY
BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY
BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY
BIOGRAPHY/ AUTOBIOGRAPHY
PHYLISS WHEATLEY BOOK AWARD ☮️
BORN ON THE WATER
AUTHOR - NIKOLE HANNAH JONES AND RENEE WATSON
GRADES - 2 - 5
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS☮️☮️ 👍👍👍👍
PHYLISS WHEATLEY BOOK AWARD - NONFICTION WINNER☮️
given to the best book written about slavery in the past five years
CYBILS- ☮️
seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 0 2021👍
A TIME MAGAZINE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF 2021👍
A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS OF 2021👍
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOKS 2021👍
BARNES AND NOBLE BEST PICTURE BOOK - 2021
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF 2021
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THEMES - HOPE, SURVIVAL, UNDERSTANDING
A young black girl is asked to trace her roots as part of a school assignment. She doesn’t know anything about her family tree. She seeks help from her grandmother and learns about the lives her ancestors led before they were kidnapped and taken to America. Young readers will discover the hardships endured by slaves and how they kept the faith over many years in their struggle to be free. If you are searching for a way to explain “Why Black Lives Matter,” this book is a good way to begin your presentation.
GENRES - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK, AMERICAN HISTORY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. If you were kidnapped and taken to another country, what would be your
biggest concern?
2. What do you think Black Lives Matter means?
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S PEACE AWARD - FINALIST☮️
BECAUSE OF YOU, JOHN LEWIS - The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
AUTHOR - ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY
GRADES - MATURE 3 - 6
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS☮️☮️ 👍👍
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD - FINALIST☮️
A national committee of members with passion for and expertise in children’s literature and social justice is responsible for making the choices each year.
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD☮️
This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.
NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
TEACHER FAVORITES AWARD👍
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS 2022👍
THEMES - COURAGE, INSPIRATION, FRIENDSHIP
When John Lewis was a boy, he was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr..
When Tybre Faw was a boy, he was inspired by John Lewis. This pictorial biography combines the two scenarios. Young readers will be introduced to Lewis and learn how he put his life on the line to fight racism. The author also sends a message that it is never too young to stand up for your beliefs.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHICAL PICTURE BOOK - JOHN LEWIS
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What do you think John Lewis meant by “getting into good trouble?”
2. If you could ask John Lewis a question, what would it be?
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD ☮️
FREEDOM SUMMER
AUTHOR - DEBORAH WILES
GRADES - 2-4
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️☮️
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD☮️
The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
ONCE UPON A WORLD CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD ☮️
This award was established by Sonia Levitin and her family to “support and perpetuate the values and mandate of the Simon Wiesenthal Center & Museum of Tolerance by honoring children’s books … which deal with issues of tolerance, diversity, human understanding and social justice, thus inspiring a young reader to promote positive change in the world.”
EZRA JACK KEATS - NEW WRITER AWARD
EZRA JACK KEATS NEW ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
THEMES - INJUSTICE, RACISM, FRIENDSHIP
When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, it had dramatic effects across the South. In this story, the author presents Joe and John Henry, two boys who are best friends. Although one boy is white and the other is black, this does not present a problem for them as it does to the adults in their community. They swim together at a creek because the town pool is for whites only. When the new law mandates that the pool must be open for everyone, the boys rejoice. However, when they arrive at the pool, they learn that laws do not change attitudes. Wiles deals with the subject of racism in a manner that allows young readers to understand it.
GENRES -HISTORICAL FICTION - CIVIL RIGHTS
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Who got punished when the people of the town filled in the pool?
Everyone - Now it cannot be used by anyone.
2. Who was more disappointed? - Joe or John Henry? Explain.
John Henry - He had never used the pool before.
3. At the end of the story, you see Joe and John Henry entering the store to get
ice pops. What do you think will happen when they get inside?
Answers will vary. The store owner might not serve John Henry and tell
him to leave. The owner might also decide to obey the law.
4. How do you know that Joe was a good friend?
He bought ice pops for John Henry. He went swimming with him at the
creek. He has his arm around John Henry as they walk into the store.
5. Near the end of the story, Joe wants to see the town through John Henry's
eyes. What does that mean? He wants to feel what John Henry feels.
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
NEW COAT FOR ANNA, A
AUTHOR - HARRIET ZIEFERT
GRADES - PRE-3
HONORS/AWARDS
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - STARRED REVIEW
LOS ANGELES TIMES - "ONE OF THE FINEST PICTURE BOOKS OF THE YEAR..."
THEMES - KINDNESS, DETERMINATION
The realities of war are depicted in this primary grade story of a young girl named Anna who is living in a war-torn town after WW11. Anna's mother trades family valuables for wool, and the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor, to make Anna a winter coat. At a Christmas party, all the people involved in making the coat are invited to Anna's house. The girl is so appreciative, that she even thanks the sheep. The illustrations by Anita Lobel are terrific. A New Coat for Anna is based on a true story.
GENRE -HISTORICAL FICTION - WORLD WAR II
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Can anyone remember how she got the coat?
First she traded a watch for wool. Then she traded a lamp to get the wool
made into yarn. Then she traded a necklace to a weaver to get the yarn
turned into cloth. Finally she traded a teapot to a tailor to get the cloth
made into a coat.
2. What do you think happened to Anna's father?
He was probably killed in the war.
SOCIAL JUSTICE LITERATURE AWARD ☮️
MILO IMAGINES THE WORLD
AUTHOR - MATT DE LA PENA
GRADES - K-3
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️👍👍👍👍
SOCIAL JUSTICE LITERATURE AWARD -☮️
is presented to honor books that address social responsibility towards individuals, communities, societies, and/or the environment as well as invite reflection and socially responsible action by the reader.”
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 👍
PARENTS MAGAZINE - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 👍
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 👍
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR👍
THEME - LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
As Milo takes the subway, he studies the other passengers and imagines what their lives are like. He uses a pad to illustrate his thoughts. He sees a boy dressed in a suit and assumes he is rich. He draws a picture of the boy going home to his castle. They get off at the same stop and they both go to the same place - a prison. They boys are visiting their mothers. Milo realizes that you cannot judge people by the way they look.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S REALISTIC FICTION - PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What did Milo learn about people in this story?
2. Did you ever change your opinion about someone? If you did, how did that
happen?
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
BEAUTY OF THE BEAST, THE
SELECTED BY - JACK PRELUTSKY
GRADES - PRE-3
HONORS/AWARDS
JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THEME - APPRECIATING LIVING THINGS
Over 200 poems about animals, insects, and birds make up this beautifully illustrated collection. More than 100 poets from different parts of the world contributed to this celebration of nature. Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, David McCord, and Carl Sandburg are just a few of the poets included here. This is a perfect read aloud. Check off the poems that you think your class will enjoy and you are set for the year. If you could only have one poetry book, and you already have A Light in the Attic, and Where the Sidewalk Ends, this is it.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S POETRY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
On a scale of 1-10, what rating would you give this book? Why?
CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW AWARD
BIG CAT, little cat
AUTHOR - ELISHA COOPER
GRADES - PRE-1
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿
CALDECOTT MEDAL - HONOR - BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK
CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW AWARD - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - 👍🏿
an American literary award presented annually for outstanding writing in a picture book published in the United States during the preceding year.
PARENTS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER: PICTURE BOOK, GOLD
BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
THEMES - UNDERSTANDING DEATH, THE CYCLE OF LIFE
The cycle of life is portrayed in this well illustrated story depicting the death of a cat.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why do you think the big cat helps the little cat?
2. Some people say cats are better pets than dogs. What do you think?
3. At the end of the story, why did the family get another cat?
ENDORSED BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ☮️
IMAGINE
AUTHOR - JOHN LENNON
GRADES - K-2
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️
ENDORSED BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ☮️
THEME - PEACE
A pigeon spreads the message of peace by delivering olive branches to other birds. While the illustrations match up perfectly with the lyrics, listeners will need some explanation. The last page shows all different birds being embraced by a larger bird next to the lyric - “and the world will live as one."
GENRE - CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Discuss the text and the illustration on page 9.
The pigeon is bringing an olive branch to the arguing seagulls.
2. Discuss the text and the illustration at the end of the book.
JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD ☮️
BIRMINGHAM, 1963
AUTHOR - CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD
GRADES - 3-6
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️ 👍👍
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD☮️ -
recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people
THE JEFFERSON CUP AWARD - WINNER - 👍
Honors a distinguished biography, historical fiction, or American history book for young people.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
LEE BENNETT HOPKINS AWARD - WINNER👍
Honoring the most outstanding new poetry books
THEME - CIVIL RIGHTS
One of the turning points of the Civil Rights Movement occurred when a church was bombed, killing four African American girls. The author uses a fictional witness, a ten-year old girl, to describe this horrible event. The narrative concludes with pictures of the four girls accompanied by poems describing their interests and personalities. Although this book contains only forty easy to read pages, the text and the photos send a powerful message.This emotional story makes a great read aloud as many of the photos could serve as a basis for class discussion.
GENRES - POETRY, HISTORY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Why do you think the church was blown up?
2 .On page 6, the author says that, "King's dream woke the nation from a long
night of wrongs." What do you think that means?
3. On page 18, the author says that someone "lit the fuse of hate." What did she
mean by that?
HENRY BERGH AWARD ☮️
BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW
AUTHOR - JOYCE SIDMAN
GRADES - 3-6
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️ ☮️
CYBILS AWARD FOR POETRY☮️ -
seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens.
HENRY BERGH AWARD☮️-
For a person or organization who has made a unique, significant, and measurable impact on animal welfare
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 100 TITLES FOR READING AND SHARING
THEME - APPRECIATION OF NATURE
How do you get children to appreciate nature? One way is to share Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. Outstanding illustrations and beautiful poetry produce the most vivid scenes nature has to offer. What makes this book so exceptional are the questions that appear following the poems, as listeners are asked to name the subject being described. Sometimes the answer is hidden in the picture; sometimes it is obvious. The pages after each two poems contain text which provides additional information about the subjects. You just couldn’t ask for a better read-aloud.
GENRES - POETRY, LIFE SCIENCE
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Would you rather be a deer or a tree? Explain
2. What is your favorite poem in this book? Why?
MALKA PENN AWARD ☮️
MY BEAUTIFUL BIRDS
AUTHOR - SUZANNE DEL RIZZO
GRADES - 1-3
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️☮️☮️☮️
MALKA PENN AWARD - For Human Rights in Children’s Literature - Winner☮️
This award is given annually to the author of an outstanding children's book addressing human rights issues or themes such as discrimination, equality, poverty, justice, war, peace, slavery, or freedom.
CRYSTAL KITE AWARD FOR CANADA - WINNER
MIDDLE EAST BOOK AWARD: ☮️
Picture Books Honor - recognize exemplary books for children and young adults that con-tribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East and its component societies and cultures. Books are judged on the authenticity of the portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience.
CYBILS AWARD - Fiction Picture Book Nominee☮️
seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens
NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD☮️
This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY’S Best Books for Kids and Teens
UNICEF USA VOICE - “The Perfect Gift for the Holidays: Books that Inspire Selection
THEMES - ANTI-WAR, COMPASSION
Readers will experience the life of a Syrian refugee through the eyes of a young boy who misses his pet pigeons. He has difficulty living in the tent city until he finds different birds to take care of. This book is a rare find, as the author delivers her anti -war message in a suitable way for this age group.
GENRE - CHILDREN'S REALISTIC FICTION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Sami had to leave his home because it was too dangerous to live there. He
could only take what he could carry. If this happened to you, what would you
take?
2. What do you think happened to Sami’s pigeons?
3. Why do you think Sami couldn’t paint the birds?
JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD ☮️
BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET
AUTHOR - LESA CLINE-RANSOME
GRADES - 3-6
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS ☮️ ☮️ ☮️ ☮️ ☮️ 👍
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - HONOR ☮️ -
The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.
CHRISTOPHER AWARD - WINNER - ☮️
This award is presented to authors who "affirm the highest values of the human spirit by making a positive difference in the world."
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD - HONOR - ☮️
The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.
NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK -
CHILDREN☮️
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
BEST BOOKS☮️
a committee of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) identifies the best in multicultural books.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR👍
THEMES - SLAVERY, RESISTANCE, COURAGE
This beautifully illustrated work of poetry traces Harriet Tubman’s life in reverse order.
GENRE - AFRICAN AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. What do you think was Harriet’s most dangerous job?
2. If you had the opportunity to ask her a question, what would it be?
3. Not everyone could do what Harriet did. Can you think of three personality
traits that allowed her to succeed?
Bravery, Intellect, Persistence, Empathy, Strength
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
DAY IN THE LIFE OF MARLON BUNDO, THE
AUTHORS - MARLON BUNDO AND JILL TWISS
GRADES - I-2
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
HONORS/AWARDS
GOODREADS CHOICE - AWARD NOMINEE
#1 NY TIMES BESTSELLER
#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER
RAINBOW BOOK LIST - PICTURE BOOK
THEME - ACCEPTANCE
Two male bunnies fall in love and decide to marry. While they are celebrated by their peers, the stinkbug, who makes the rules, objects. He claims that male bunnies should only marry female bunnies and that being different is a bad thing. The other animals try to convince the stinkbug that being different could be a good thing. Stinkbug refuses to change his ways and is voted out of office.
NOTE: From 2010 - 2019, this was the 19th most banned and challenged book in the United States.
GENRE - GAY RIGHTS
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
Is there someone in your life that you enjoy being with? What makes that person so special?