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Lord of the Flies
A plane crash strands a group of boys on an island. Forming a civilizied society comes with struggles. As their struggles become more prevalent, anarchy soon follows. Recommended Grades: 10-12.
Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber. -
Where the Wild Things Are
When Max is sent to bed without supper for misbehaving, he drifts off into a deep sleep where he visits an island where the wild things are. Recommended Grades: K-3.
Sendak, M. (1963). Where the Wild Things Are.New York: Harper & Row. -
The Little Red Hen
This story takes place on a farm when the Little Red Hen comes across grains of wheat and decides to plant it. She works hard turning this into a delicious cake. Her lazy farm friends never wanted to help make it, but when it comes to eating it.... Recommended Grades K-3.
Galdone, P. (1973). The Little Red Hen. NY:HMH Books for Young Readers -
The Whipping Boy
A bratty prince, lost in his arrogance, stumbles upon a daring adventure as he decides to run away with his whipping boy servant. The two boys come across dangerous highwaymen along their travels. Their journey brings about new perspectives as they unintentionally trade places. Full of irony, this book will surely keep you intrigued! Recommended Grades: 3-6.
Fleischman, S. (1986), The Whipping Boy, New York: Greenwillow Books. -
Hatchet
As Brian sits in the copilot's seat of the small plane soaring through the air, the thought of his parents divorce creeps in his head. Little does he know his worries will soon be much greater as his plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With only a hatchet, Brian must learn to survive another struggle. Recommended Grades: 5-8.
Paulsen, G. (1987), Hatchet, NY: Simon and Schuster. -
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
This rhythmic book helps children learn the 26 lowercase and capital letters of the alphabet as they race each other to the top of a coconut tree. As each letter climbs the coconut tree, the tree becomes heavy and slowly starts to bend. Recommended Grades: K-3.
Martin, B. (1989). Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. New York: Simon and Schuster. -
A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue
Josh has a terrible habit of tattling. Because of this bad habit, nobody wants to be Josh's friend. One night Josh developed a bad case of the tattle tongue. Every time he tattles, his tongue turns yellow with purple spots and becomes long and itchy. This bad case of the tattle tongue helps Josh to learn the difference between tattling and telling. Recommended Grades: K-3.
Cook, J. (2006). A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue. TN: National Center for Youth Issues -
Ling & Ting: not exactly the same!
No two people are the same as you'll learn by following the lives of two identical twins, Ling and Ting. Although they may look the same, they are very different people. Recommended Group: K-3.
Lin, G. (2010). Ling & Ting: not exactly the same!, New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. -
Wonder
Having a daughter with special needs, this book hits home as Auggie Pullman enters the 5th grade after only being homeschooled. Born with facial abnormalities, Auggie must face the difficult task of winning over friendships despite his unusual circumstances. Recommended Grades 3-6.
Palacio, R.J., (2012), Wonder, New York, NY: Knopf. -
The Fault in our Stars
Battling terminal cancer, 16-year old Hazel falls in love with an unexpected guest, Augustus Waters, at the Cancer Kid Support Group. From that moment, their journey begins together. Recommended grades: 10-12.
Green, J. (2012). The Fault in our Stars. New York, NY: Dutton -
The Boy Who Loved Math: the improbably life of Paul Erdos
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The Year of Billy Miller
Billy Miller's goal is to make it through the second grade. As he gets off to a bumpy start, literally, Billy finds his stride. Watch Billy grow as the year progresses during his second grade journey. Recommened Group: Grades 2-4
Henkes, K. (2013). The Year of Billy Miller. New York, NY: Harper Collins. -
One for the Murphys
An emotional story about a young girl, Carley, who is a foster child with the Murhpys. As she learns who the Murphys are, she realizes they are wonderful people and can see they will be a loving family for the rest of her life. One day, her birthmother wants her back. At such a young age, Carley has to make some very tough decisions. Recommended Group: 5-8.
Hunt, L. (2013). One for the Murphys. New York, NY: Penguin -
Counting by 7s
It's not always easy to fit in when you're a genius. Willow Chance knows just how it feels to be one as the precocious 12-year old interested in medicine and nature has her life challenged when her adoptive parents are killed in a car wreck. You will find yourself rooting for Willow through her journey of adapting to life's unexpected turn of events. Recommended Grades 5-8.
Sloan H. (2013). Counting by 7s. New York, NY: Penguin Group
