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Duck Rabbit
This clever book is a look at perspectives. Every page has an illustration and an "argument" between two viewers. One sees a duck, the other sees a rabbit. The audience is left to draw their own conclusions. Excellent for starting a dialogue on Point of View!
Recommended for any age. Great for K-2 as a fun read and for 3-8 as a look at perspectives. Rosenthal, A. K. (2009). Duck! Rabbit! San Francisco: Chronicle Books. -
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
This is an honest and humorous portrayal of one teen struggling with life on the reservation and with how to break free and survive. Cartoon illustrations in his diary help Junior make sense of his world.
Recommended for older teens, grade 11 or 12. Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2009). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and Co. -
Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist)
Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, leads us on extraordinary adventures with mythical creatures! Perfect for 4th graders with a penchant for supernatural creatures!
Recommended for grades 3-5...especially mythology lovers. LaFevers, R. L., & Murphy, K. (2010). Flight of the phoenix. Boston: Sandpiper. -
When You Reach Me
This is an intruguing mystery. It may take the reader a bit to realize it is also a sci-fi story...the references to A Wrinkle in Time help clue us in. Wild ride to the last page!
Recommended for grades 4-6 Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me. New York: Yearling/Random House Children’s Books. -
The Fault in Our Stars
Hazel lives with terminal cancer and does not want to be anyone's grenade...but the charming Augustus Waters adds a new plot twist to her life.
Recommended for grades 10-12 Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars (1st ed.). New York: Dutton Books. -
Ninth Ward
Young Lanesha has powers of sight that scare her classmates and make her a bit of an outcast. When Hurricane Katrina strikes, she is called upon to use her courage and insight to save herself and her only friend.
Recommended for grades 4-6. Rhodes, J. P. (2012). Ninth Ward. New York: Little, Brown and Co. -
Creepy Carrots
A fun scare for kids who aren't quite ready for real horror. Lots of great images that conjure up the Hitchcock memories.
Great for grades 3-5...can be used with K-2 with caution - some kiddos get too nervous! Reynolds, A. (2012). Creepy carrots! (1st ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. -
The Day the Crayons Quit
This is a very cute story detailing the complaints of crayons who are used too much, not enough, or have some other gripe. This would be great for introducing persuasive writing.
Recommended for any grade. Daywalt, D. (2013). The day the crayons quit. New York, NY: Philomel Books. -
Journey
For wordless book enthusiasts, this is a must read. A single red crayon opens the doorway to a magical journey. Poignant and beautiful.
Recommended for any age.
Becker, A. (2013). Journey (First edition.). Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. -
Locomotive
A fourth grade teacher introduced me to this gorgeous book. She planned to use it as part of a history lesson AND to use it with her preschool son. Great for historians and train enthusiasts alike!
Recommended for any age. Floca, B. (2013). Locomotive (First edition.). New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
