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How to Train Your Dragon By: Cressida Cowell
Follow the adventures of viking outcast Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he tries to prove his worth to his tribes. He is able to find friendship in the strangest of places, and is able to take his place amonst his people. This book is an excellent read for students who feel they don't quite belong.
Ages 8-12
Cowell, C. (2004). How to train your dragon. New York: Little, Brown. -
The Hello, Goodbye Window By: Norton Juster, Chris Raschka (Illustrator)
This book shows the events a a granparents house through the eyes of a little girl. Everything that happens is magical. The book is told through her voice and is a celebration of ordinary everyday events.
Ages 1 and up
Juster, N., & Raschka, C. (2005). The hello, goodbye window. New York: Michael di Capua Books/Hyperion Books for Children. -
Chasing Lincoln's Killer By: James L. Swanson
This is a true account of the 12 day manhunt for the assasin of President Abrham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth had planned to kidnap and hold Lincoln hostage, but sometimes, plans change. After the infamous shooting, the story follows the search for Booth and what happens immediatly afterward.
Great companion book for middle school Civil War units.
Ages 13 and up.
Swanson, J. L. (2009). Chasing Lincoln's killer. New York: Scholastic Press. -
The Lion and The Mouse By: Jerry Pinkney
In this wordless adaptation of Aesop's fable, the lion decideds to save a mouse that he had planned to eat. Later the mouse returns the favor by saving the lion from a poacher's trap. The beauty of this book comes from the illustrations and the moral of the story.
Ages 2 and up
Pinkney, J. (2009). The lion & the mouse. New York: Little, Brown and Co. Books for Young Readers. -
Back of the Bus By: Aaron Reynolds (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
A boy is traveling with his "mama" on a bus in Alabama when a commotion started. At first he didn't realize what the big deal was, and then began to wonder why aren't certain people allowed to sit where they want.
Because this story is told through the eyes of a child, the author was able to personalize the famous event.
This story, complete with amazing illustrations is a great learning tool for younger grades.
Ages 6 - 9
Reynolds, A., & Cooper, F. (2010). Back of the bus. New York: Philomel -
The Hunger Games By: Suzanne Collins
In a dystopian future of North America there are 12 districts. Katniss Everdeen lives in the poorest one there is, District 12. Every year 24 tributes are choosen to fight to the death and win honor and food for their distrct. During her time in the arena Katniss will learn she is smarter and more powerful than she ever imagined.
Ages 12 and up
Great book for building self esteem and self respect.
Collins, S. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York -
Wonder By: R.J. Palacio
Auggie, who is a 10 year old boy, has a unique facial feature that has kept him from going to a regular school, until now. Join Auggie through his experiance of making new friends, dealing with bullies and other hurdles in his life. This moving story of a courageous boy is a perfect example of why you should never judge a book by it's cover.
Ages 8-12
Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers. -
Far Far Away By: Tom McNeal
This book is narrated by the ghost of Jacob Grimm who is caught in purgatory, and can speak to Jeremy Johnson Johnson. Because of his this characteristic Jeremy is pulled into a tragic mystery involving the town baker, and the disappearance of several children. The books provides a unique perspective on the caharcters, and at times it is hard to tells who is good and who is bad.
Ages 13 and up
McNeal, T. (2013). Far far away. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. -
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library By: Chris Grabenstein
Famed game maker Luigi Lemoncello has just designed a brand new library in his home town, and this is just what young Kyle has been waiting for. Kyle LOVES Mr. Lemoncello's games and he is choosen along with 12 other kids to be the first to see and spend the night in the library. Soon they find they only have 24 hours to solve puzzles in order to recieve the top prize
Ages 9-12
Grabenstein, C. (201). Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library. New York, NY: Random House Books for Young Readers. -
The Day the Crayons Quit By: Drew Daywalt
As Duncan goes for his favorite box of crayons he discovers an alarming surprise; his crayons have had enough! Inside the box each crayon has left a letter for Duncan listing their complaints. Some feel over-used while others think they are over-shadowed by more "popular" colors. Duncan quickly has to mediate all their problems so he can get back to his favorite acitivity.
Great book about problem solving.
Ages 3 - 8
Daywalt, D., & Jeffers, O. (2013). The day the crayons quit. London, Englan -
The Pigeon Needs a Bath! By: Mo Willems
The Pigeon is in desperate need of a bath, but he seems to disagree. This books lends itself to read alouds and interactive story time. It is sure to hbe enjoyed by all.
Ages 3 - 6
Copy & Paste | Parenthetical
Willems, M. (2014). The pigeon needs a bath!. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion.
