
AUTHOR - BETSY HEARNE
GRADES - 2-5
JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD👍🏿
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.
BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK - HONOR
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER (CCBC) - CHOICES
This book is divided into 8 two-page chapters, which coincide with each of the eight wars fought by Americans. The author describes what her female ancestors did during each of these time periods. Ironically, they were all involved in human and/or artistic pursuits. For example, her great-grandmother started a women’s hospital in India. These stories stress pacifism and feminism as readers will learn that there are other ways people could be brave besides going to war. This beautifully illustrated book may inspire readers/listeners to inquire about their own heritage.
1. Which of the girl’s ancestors do you think was the bravest? Explain.
2. In chapter 8, the girls says that she will make history the way her
ancestors did.
What do you think she will do to make the world a better place?
3.The girl in Chapter 8 received things that were passed along from each of her
ancestors. What do you think was the best one? Explain your answer.
She received a white handkerchief, a quilt, painted plates, a brass
teapot, books, a harp, her father, and stories about her family.

AUTHOR - ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY
GRADES - MATURE 3 - 6
😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪
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
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.
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?

AUTHOR - HARRIET ZIEFERT
GRADES - PRE-3
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - STARRED REVIEW
LOS ANGELES TIMES - "ONE OF THE FINEST PICTURE BOOKS OF THE YEAR..."
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.
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.

SELECTED BY - JACK PRELUTSKY
GRADES - PRE-3
JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW
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.
On a scale of 1-10, what rating would you give this book? Why?

AUTHOR - ELISHA COOPER
GRADES - PRE-1
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
The cycle of life is portrayed in this well illustrated story depicting the death of a cat.
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?

AUTHOR - JASON CHIN
GRADES - 3-6
GIVERNY AWARD - BEST CHILDREN'S SCIENCE PICTURE BOOK
BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW
AMAZON - TOP TEN EDITORS' PICK - 2009
At first glance, Redwoods appears to be a primary grade picture book, however, the concepts and vocabulary presented are more appropriate for upper elementary students. As a matter of fact, after reading the book, I learned quite a bit about redwoods and all the wildlife that inhabit these magnificent trees. The illustrations provoke the imagination as readers are presented with prehistoric and Roman scenes to depict the age of the redwoods. In addition, the trees are placed in a city skyline and by the Statue of Liberty to convey their tremendous height. The story of the redwoods is told through the imagination of a boy who finds the book while waiting for a train. After reading it, he leaves it on a park bench, where a girl discovers the book and starts her own adventure. An environmental warning follows the story describing the depletion of these trees by human activity. This is one beautiful book that is certain to provide readers with an appreciation of one of nature's finest accomplishments.
1.Redwoods are often cut down to make furniture. Is this a good idea?
Discuss the fact that redwoods are unique trees in terms of their size,
beauty, and longevity. They cannot be easily replaced. There is no
practical reason to make furniture out of a redwood.
2. Redwood won the award as the best children's science picture book.
Describe some of your favorite pictures and tell why you like them.
3. At the end of the story, the boy leaves the book on the bench. Did he do this
on purpose? Explain your answer.
He appears to be in a hurry to get away from the girl and leaves the book
there accidentally. He may be shy, so he decides to leave the book for the
girl, rather than give it to her.

AUTHOR - MITALI PERKINS
GRADES - 3-5
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.
SKIPPING STONES BOOK AWARD HONOR👍🏿
SKIPPING STONES promotes an understanding of cultures, cultivates cooperation and/or encourages a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies.
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.
BANK STREET COLLEGE - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK LIST
ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S BOOKSELLERS - BEST BOOK
I must confess that when someone mentions Bangladesh, I think of negative images. As a result, I found this book to be quite refreshing as the author placed me in a village where people were not starving to death or getting swept away by a tidal wave. Instead, they were celebrating a holiday and working hard at various jobs. The story revolves around a ten-year old girl who wrecked her father’s rickshaw and decides to make amends by disguising herself as a boy so she could make money and pay for the repairs. Children will not only be able to identify with the girl, but they will also learn some Bangladesh vocabulary as well as cultural preferences and prejudices.
1. How can you tell that Naima is part of a loving family? Give at least three
examples.
When she wrecks the rickshaw, the family does not overreact.
When Naima feels terrible and loses interest in everything, her father
encourages her to start drawing again.
Family members praise each other and talk kindly to each other.
Naima feels sorry for her dad because he is too tired.
Naima's mother suggests to her husband to take a rest because
he looks so tired.
She also is willing to sell her bracelets to ease the burden on her
husband.
She sang a lullaby to help Naima feel better after the accident.
Father mentions on several occasions how proud he is of his two
daughters.
2. Naima can be described as an independent, daring person. Give at least
three examples.
She drove her father's rickshaw even though she did not have the
proper training.
She dressed as a boy because only boys were given jobs.
When she was younger, she tried to walk to the zoo which was miles
away. Luckily, her father found her before it got dark.
She almost drowned trying to catch fish with a net.
She challenges the idea that only boys and men should have jobs.
3. When Naima went to the repair shop, the woman showed little interest in her.
What caused the woman to change her mind?
When she realized that Naima was a girl and heard her story, she decided
to help her. The woman knew how difficult it was for females to work in
Bangladesh.
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