SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

AUTHOR - KWAME ALEXANDER

GRADES - 3,4

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

How do you begin teaching children about slavery? You can start with this book that is told through the eyes of a teacher. The beautiful illustrations depict Africans in their native land leading happy lives. Then the slave hunters came and brought them to America where they were sold to the highest bidders. Listeners will learn how families were torn apart and how these people survived the abuse of their owners. An American Story is just perfect to get conversations going for this age group.

There are no follow-up questions as most pages lend themselves to class discussion.  

AUTHOR - PETER H. REYNOLDS

GRADES - 3-6

CHRISTOPHER AWARD 👍🏿

 (given to authors that affirm the values of the human
 spirit by making a  positive difference in the world)
 


CHAPMAN AWARDS FOR BEST CLASSROOM READ-ALOUDS  👍🏿 -  

promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOLASTIC - TOP 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS

OPPENHEIM TOY PORTFOLIO PLATINUM AWARD - WINNER 
  

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

If I were a school superintendent, I would ask my librarians to share this story with their children. The author challenges the creativity in all of us by focusing on a young girl who tells her art teacher that she cannot draw. The teacher responds by telling her to make a mark on a piece of paper. Then he asks her to sign it. The next time the girl enters the art room, she sees her art framed and hanging on the wall. She thinks she could do better, and her creative talents explode. The girl passes on this lesson to another child. This story of self-discovery has no age limit. While the book appears to be geared to primary readers, I would definitely share it with upper elementary students. 

1. Why do you think the teacher framed Vashti’s dot?
   

    He wanted to give her credit for trying. He also hoped she would  build on

    her success.

2. What do you think Vashti will do after she asks the boy to sign the paper?   


3. Can a person be very creative and not know it? Explain.  

AUTHOR - CHRIS CROWE

GRADES - 6-9

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.

YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES ASSN. (YALSA) 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

The author uses fiction to retell the story of Emmett Till and bring awareness to America’s racist past. A strong picture of life in the South during the fifties is presented as sixteen-year old Hiram Hillburn, a white boy, travels from Arizona to visit his grandfather in Mississippi. Hiram used to live there, before his family suddenly moved. During the summer of 1955, he meets Emmett and discovers that his beloved grandfather is a racist. He now realizes why his father wanted to be far away from Mississippi. Readers will learn the facts that led to the bogus trial, and hopefully will come away with the idea that it is best to practice understanding and love when faced with the forces of hate and prejudice.

1. What would you have done when R.C. tormented Emmett Till while he was 

    fishing? 

2. What might have happened if Hiram said something?  Answers will vary. 

3. In chapter one, why did Grandpa get so angry when Hiram picked up the hoe?


    He  believed that Negroes should do manual labor. 

4. Why do you think Grandpa was so nervous during the trial?


    He was afraid what would happen to him if Hiram testified. 

5. Would this story be different if Hiram never moved to Arizona?       

    He might have had different feelings about black-white 
relationships. 

AUTHOR - KATHERINE APPLEGATE

GRADES - 3-6

NEWBERY MEDAL - WINNER - 

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.


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." 

NEW YORK TIMES -BESTSELLER

BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - STARRED REVIEW

YOUNG READERS' CHOICE AWARD

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

REBECCA CAUDILL YOUNG READERS' CHOICE - NOMINEE

TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD -NOMINEE

Based on a true story, Ivan, a silverback gorilla, was captured in Africa and  taken to a mall in the United States where he lived for twenty-seven years. During that time, he never saw a live gorilla. He led a rather  lonely life. After a public outcry, he was placed in the Atlanta Zoo.

1. What do you think was the worst thing that happened to Ivan?

     Answers will vary. Perhaps the death of Stella or the death of his 
parents

2.  At the end of the story, Ivan was happy living in a zoo. 
Is a zoo a good place 

     for wild animals? 

3.  What did you like best about this story?


4.  Who was the person most responsible for getting the animals out of 
 the mall? 

     Explain. 

     Julia - She brought public attention to the living conditions at the 
mall by

     placing Ivan’s drawings on the billboard.   

AUTHOR - JACQUELINE WOODSON

GRADES - 4-6

NAACP IMAGE AWARD - WINNER 👍🏿

CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD - WINNER 👍🏿

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.

EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION 👍🏿

Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

SHELF AWARENESS - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW

HORNBOOK - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

Twelve year old Zachariah Jr. thinks he is the luckiest kid in the world. He has three great friends, lives in a beautiful house, and best of all, his father is a professional football player. Then tragedy strikes as his dad begins to forget things and become violent. He is suffering from CTE caused by so many head injuries. Life as Zach Jr. knows it will never be the same. This is a beautiful, moving tale that will embrace readers from start to finish as Zach Jr. tries to comprehend what is happening to his dad and if things will ever get back to normal. 

1. Should boys stop playing football knowing that they 
could get brain damaged?

2. Why do you think Zach gave Everett his father’s football?

      Answers will vary. 

      He knew his father would not use it again.

      Perhaps he did not want to be reminded of football 
and the harm it 

      caused his dad.

AUTHOR - WILSON RAWLS

GRADES - 5 AND UP

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - A TOP TEN CHILDREN'S NOVEL

OVER 7 MILLION COPIES IN PRINT

MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

GREAT STONE FACE AWARD

NORTH DAKOTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 

MICHIGAN YOUNG READERS' AWARD

NOTE: This book was published in the early 60's as an adult novel, which accounts for the fact that it did not win any children's awards at that time. In addition, there was no category for young adult literature.

There are a handful of classics in children’s literature and WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS certainly belongs on that list. Set in The Ozarks during The Depression, a ten-year-old boy named Billy Coleman desperately wanted two coon hound pups. However, his family was poor, so Billy had to work and save his money to buy the pups. Throughout this story, Billy faced adversity as he had to overcome bullies, mountain lions, blizzards, and death.
The author used his life experiences which he incorporated into his novel. This is the best young adult book I have ever read. If I were a school superintendent, I would require all students to read this book as the author sends a powerful message of love, loyalty, hard work, fairness, acceptance, and responsibility. It is one amazing story that will never be forgotten.

1. Did you ever want something so badly that you couldn’t eat or sleep
 properly?

    If yes,describe the experience. Is there anything you want 
now that compares 

    to Billy and his dogs? If yes, write about it.


2. This story contains many adventures. Describe your favorite part.
    

    Answers will vary.


3. Billy’s mother wants to move so that he could get a good education. Did she 

    make the right decision? Explain.


4. If the dogs didn’t die, what would have happened to them when the 
family 

    moved to town? How would that have affected Billy?


5. Little Ann died of a broken heart? Is that possible? Explain. 

AUTHOR - R.J. PALACIO

GRADES  - 4-6

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

TIME MAGAZINE - 100 BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOKS OF ALL TIME

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -BEST OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - 2012

PARENTS MAGAZINE -TOP TEN BOOKS OF THE YEAR

E.B WHITE - READ-ALOUD AWARD  - WINNER

INTERNATIONAL READING ASSN. - TEACHERS' CHOICE

BOOKLIST - EDITORS' CHOICE

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - 2012

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY - 10 GREAT KIDS' BOOK SELECTION

MARK TWAIN AWARD

USA TODAY -  TOP 100 BESTSELLER

August Pullman never went to school because of a facial deformity. Now, that he is ten years old, his parents decide to enroll him in a private middle school. In spite of the best efforts of the school administrator, August suffers from bullying, name calling, and intolerance. The story is told by August, his sister, and a few of his friends. As he experiences his fifth grade year, the other students gradually learn that they have more in common with August than they originally thought. 

1. Suppose August had Julian’s parents. How would his 
life been different?


2. Why do you think Julian does not like August? 

3. Who do you think August likes the most? Explain. 

4. At the end of the story, August gets an award for being 
great. Do you think he

    deserve it?
 Why?

5. Did August’s parents wait too long to send him to 
school? Explain. 

AUTHOR - ANGELA JOY

GRADES - 4 - 6

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - WINNER👍

aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.

WALTER DEAN MYER AWARD - WINNER👍

The Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature recognize diverse authors whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way.

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

CYBILS- 👍

seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens

ORBIS PICTUS - HONOR BOOK 

The Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children recognizes books which demonstrate excellence in the "writing of nonfiction for children." It is awarded annually by the National Council of Teachers of English to one American book published the previous year.

CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK

Caldecott Honor Book The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are considered the most prestigious American children's book awards.

ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK - HONOR 

This award is presented annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

CORETTA SCOTT KING - JOHN STEPTOE AWARD FOR ILLUSTRATIONS

KIRKUS REVIEWS - BEST OF THE YEAR LIST

HORN BOOK FANFARE BEST OF 2022 LIST

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOKS OF 2022

SHELF AWARENESS BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS OF 2022

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

In 1955, I was fourteen years old, the same age as Emmett when he was brutally murdered. I remember looking at his body in the casket and wondering why anyone would do such a thing. This biography of Emmett’s mom tells of the strong relationship she and Emmett had together. Readers will also learn about her accomplishments after the death of her son as she worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive during the civil rights movement. I do not know what a perfect book looks like, but this is about as close as one could get. Not only is the story of Emmett and his mom well written, but the excellent illustrations resulted in winning the Caldecott Award - Honor. (See above.) In addition, there are notes from the author and illustrator at the end of the book, as well as a timeline of historical data regarding the crime. Do not miss this one!

1. Why was it brave for Emmett’s mom to show the world his body in an open 

    casket?

2. Some people say that Emmett did not die in vain? What do you think that 

    means?                                                     

AUTHOR -MILDRED D. TAYLOR

GRADES - 5 AND UP

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.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.

NEWBERY AWARD - WINNER 

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.


NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - WINNER 

NEW YORK TIMES - BEST OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK 

The author takes advantage of stories she heard as a child to write four books describing the hardships faced by African-Americans in the South. In this book, the second in the series, readers will enter the mind of Cassie Logan, a young black girl who lives in rural Mississippi. She doesn’t understand why blacks are treated differently from whites, and she tries to fight the system. In the end, she realizes that life is not fair, particularly if you are black. The story takes place during The Depression. The prequel, The Land, does not need to be read first. Let the Circle be Unbroken and The Road to Memphis are the sequels. This classic has the unusual honor of winning the Newbery and the National Book Award - the two most prestigious awards for children's literature. 

1. The worst day of Cassie’s life was when she had to apologize to Lillian Jean. 

     What was the worst day of 
your life? Was your experience as bad as Cassie’s 

 
    experience? Explain.     Answers will vary. 

 2. What do you think will happen to T.J.? Explain your 
answer.
   

     T.J. gets blamed for killing Mr. Barnett, even though
 he didn’t do it. He 

     will probably be charged with murder because he is black and the police 

     are  white. Blacks have not been treated fairly, so this 
seems to be the 

     logical outcome.

3.  Cassie’s mama gets fired for teaching the truth about
 slavery, rather than the 

     version presented in the 
textbook. She feels terrible because she always 

     wanted to be a teacher. Did she make the right decision? What 
would you 

     have done?     

     Answers will vary.

AUTHOR - NANCY CASTALDO

GRADES - 4-6

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) A PERFECT TEN -

VOYA Founded in 1978, Voice of Youth Advocates, or (VOYA),This magazine is the leading library journal dedicated to the needs of young adult librarians, the advocacy of young adults, and the promotion of young adult literature and reading. Its most prestigious award is a Perfect Ten. This is given to a book that gets a five star rating for quality and a five star rating for popularity. 

EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION 👍🏿

Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW 

MAINE STATE LIBRARY - CREAM OF THE CROP LIST

CRYSTAL KITE AWARD - WINNER

As the title suggests, this easy to read book, with photos on just about every page, will introduce children to the variety of jobs that dog sniffers are trained to do. They will learn about eco sniffing dogs who track wild animals by locating their feces. They will read about a dog named Cairo, who was part of the combat assault team that captured Osama bin Laden. In addition, there are medical sniffers, bone sniffers, and live-find sniffers. A dog is the only animal that can do this because of the way its nose is constructed. This is a fascinating read about a subject that rarely receives any attention.

1. If you could go on a mission with one of these dogs, which one would  you 

    choose. Why?

2  Finish these sentences - 

    I never knew that _____________________________.     

    I was surprised to learn that _____________________.     

    I wish that there was as dog that could use its nose to____________. 

3. Suppose you had a nose like a dog? How would it help you? Be specific. 

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