Required Reading List

 

Barnes, D. (2017). Crown: an ode to a fresh cut. Agate Bolden. 

This story is about a young boy getting his weekly haircut. He talks about the magic that happens when you go in for a fresh cut and the different types of hairstyles you can get. This book discusses the sense of pride and self-esteem the boy feels when he is sitting in the chair and letting the barber work his magic. When you get a haircut you come out a better person. Maybe you’ll get an A on your next assignment or maybe the girl next to you might think you’re cute. This book is a celebration of young black boys everywhere. The painted illustrations and bold colors add fun to the story. This book could be used to promote self-esteem as well as diversity in the classroom. A perfect addition to any library.

Newberry Honor Book

Caldecott Honor Book

Coretta Scott King Author/Illustrator Honor Book

Other books by Derrick Barnes include: The Queen of Kindergarten, I Am Every Good Thing, and We Could Be Brothers.

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. Harry N. Abrams. 

Cece is starting a new school and is worried about the other students staring at her Phonic Ear device that she needs for her hearing loss. Cece has left her school for deaf students to go to a “regular” school and is worried about fitting in. Once school starts Cece realizes that her Phonic Ear not only helps her hear the teacher in class but she can hear the teacher wherever she is in the building. She then becomes El Deafo with her superpowers. Cece learns what true friendship is and about growing up. This graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and has a 70’s flair. This book could be used to teach about inclusion and the struggles that come with a hearing impairment. This funny and fast paced graphic novel is a must read for any child.

Other books by Cece Bell include: Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover, Sock Monkey Takes a Bath, and  You Loves Ewe!

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. HarperCollins.

Leigh Botts is a sixth grade boy who is starting a new school. He lives in a small apartment with his mother and his parents are divorced. His father is never around because he is a long-haul trucker and someone keeps stealing the good stuff out of his lunch. Leigh has an assignment to write to a famous author to ask him a set of questions and he chooses Mr. Henshaw. What starts out as a class assignment turns into a multiple year friendship that guides him through a tough part of his life. This wonderful novel is written entirely in letters from Leigh to Mr. Henshaw. This novel could be used to teach about family relationships and bullying in school.

Newberry Award Winner

Other books by Beverly Cleary include: The Ralph Mouse Series, Ramona Quimby Series, and Henry Huggins Series.

Deedy, C.A. (2007) Martina the Beautiful Cockroach. Peachtree Publishing Company.

Martina the beautiful cockroach is looking for a suitable husband and receives a lot of advice from her family about how to choose a husband.  Her grandmother gives her advice to spill some coffee on her suitors to see how he handles anger.  Martina goes through a list of suitors trying the coffee trick and starts to feel hopeless about finding a husband.  In the end Martina finds a suitor who also uses the coffee trick and they are a perfect match.  The acrylic illustrations with their warm colors add to the tropical location of the book. This beautifully written picture book could be used to teach about folktales and is a perfect addition to any library.

Pura Belpre Medal Honor Book 

Odyssey Award Honor Book

Other books by Carmen Agra Deedy include: 14 Cows for America and The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark.

de la Pena, M. (2015). Last Stop on Market Street.  

In this picture book a young boy named CJ and his grandmother take the bus across town. CJ begins to see the differences between himself and his friends. CJ’s grandmother teaches him to see the beauty in the things around him. The illustrations are bright and vibrant done in cheery primary colors. This book is good to teach students about other socioeconomic backgrounds. This story will help develop empathy and understanding for students who’s homelife may look different from theirs. It also teaches students to appreciate the things you do have and the beauty around you.

Newberry Medal Winner
Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

Other books by Matt de la Pena include: Milo Imagines the World, We Were Here, and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Denise, A. (2019). Planting Stories. HarperCollins.

This inspiring picture book biography tells about the life of Pura Belpre. Pura moves from her homeland of Puerto Rico to New York city and gets a job as a bilingual assistant in a library. At first she starts out by telling stories to the children during the story hour. She tells the tales from her homeland and eventually writes many of her own stories. In this lyrically written picture book sprinkled with Spanish language is a beautiful story of one woman's love for stories. The illustrations are bright and colorful which adds to the enjoyment of the story.

Pura Belpre Honor Book

dePaola, T. (1983). Strega Nona. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

In a small little town lived Strega Nona which means “Grandma Witch”. The people of the town didn’t believe she was a witch but knew she had the magic touch. They saw her for help with headaches, husbands, and warts. Soon Strega Nona is getting too old and needs to find a helper. Big Anthony takes the job and things run smoothly until one day Anthony sees Strega Nona using her magic pasta pot. Anthony waits until Strega Nona goes to visit a friend and tries to use the magic pot himself. This of course ends in disaster with Strega Nona saving the day. The simple line drawings and muted colors create the feel of a medieval village. This book could be used to teach about good choices and following directions. This humorous book is a classic and perfect for any collection.

Caldecott Honor Book 

Other books by Tomie dePaola include: The Legend of the Bluebonnet, Strega Nona’s Harvest, and The Knight and the Dragon.

Lord, C. (2008). Rules. Scholastic Paperbacks.

In this story a girl named Catherine has a brother with Autism. She often is tasked with taking care of her brother and has taught him some “rules” to keep his embarrassing behaviors at bay. One summer a girl moves in next door who she hopes to be friends with. She also meets Jason while accompanying her brother to physical therapy, Jason is confined to a wheelchair and uses a book of pictures to speak. Through her friendship with Jason Catherine learns a lot about herself that summer and how your actions truly affect others. This beautifully written story should be available in every classroom and library. This novel could be used to discuss how to deal with each other's differences as well as developing empathy for others.

Newberry Honor Book

Schneider Family Book Award

Other books by Cynthia Lord include: A Handful of Stars, Because of the Rabbit, and Touch Blue.

Nelson, K. (2008). We Are the Ship. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

This book tells about the Negro League in baseball and how it came to be. The book shares how the Negro League started and some of the key players that kept it going. In this story the players had to overcome many obstacles for the game that they love. Traveling to unfriendly towns, sleeping in buses and dirty hotels, and being met with hostility. It also discusses the history of the time and the topic of segregation. This book is a must have for any baseball fan. Kadir Nelson’s oil painted illustrations are stunning. There is also a double page fold out illustration of the first colored world series teams. This book could be used to teach history, diversity, and overcoming obstacles to do what you love.

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Sibert Medal Winner

Other books by Kadir Nelson include: If You Plant a Seed, Nelson Mandela, and Baby Bear. 

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. HarperCollins.

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer to be the fastest runner in fifth grade. Then Leslie Burke moves in next door and blows his dreams of being the fastest runner out of the water. Eventually they become friends and together invent a magical make-believe land of Terabithia. Together they conquer the bully Janice Avery by teaching her a lesson. Leslie teaches Jess about the world outside of his small town. Then one day when Jess is away with his music teacher Leslie goes to Terabithia alone and tragedy strikes. Jess has to then rely on his family to get him through the grief. This heart wrenching novel is a must read. This book could be used to teach about friendship, family, and loss.  

Newberry Medal Winner 

Other books by Katherine Patterson include: The Great Gilly Hopkins, Birdie’s Bargain, and The Same Stuff as Stars.

Sendak, M. (1963).  Where the Wild Things Are. Harper & Row.  

In this story Max has been a naughty boy and is sent to his room with no supper. Then in his bedroom a forest grew and a boat showed up to take him far away. Max goes to the land where the wild things are and quickly becomes their king. They spend their time playing and “a wild rumpus” starts. Soon Max tires of the place where the wild things are and longs to be home with someone who loves him. Max returns home to find that his supper is waiting for him and it is still warm. The beautifully detailed line drawings pull the reader into the land of the wild things and add magic to the story. This book could be used to teach about family and using your imagination.

Caldecott Medal Winner

Other books by Maurice Sendak include: In the Night Kitchen, Little Bear, and Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months.

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, Mirror. Dutton Books for Young Readers.

This book is filled with reverso poems based on beloved fairy tales. Each poem gives two points of view from such fairy tales as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood to name a few. The brightly colored illustrations give clues to the speaker of the poems and the two sides portrayed. At the end of the book the author tells where she got the idea for her first reverso poem and how you too can create your own poetry. This story could be used to teach poetry and word play in the classroom. A delightful story and a great addition to any library.

Other books by Marilyn Singer include: Best Day Ever!, Echo Echo, and Tallulah’s Tap Shoes. 

Smith, L. (2011). It’s a Book. Roaring Book Press.

In this hilarious picture book monkey is annoyed by all of the questions that donkey asks him about the book he is reading. Donkey has been living in the age of technology and is confused about whether or not books need to be charged, if you blog with them, and if they need a password. After many questions about how to use a book the story ends with a rather cheeky final word that adults will get a kick out of. This story sparks the debate between print and ebooks. The simple illustrations include text like fonts for each character and classic line drawings. This book could be used to discuss the pros and cons of technology versus print.

Other books by Lane Smith include: Cat Problems, Grandpa Green, and A Perfect Day.

Stead, R. (2020). The List of Things That Will Not Change. Wendy Lamb Books.

When Bea’s parents get divorced they make a list of things that will not change to comfort her during this time of transition. Bea’s father comes out as gay and is going to marry Jesse. Bea is happy for her father and is excited to get a new sister. As the wedding approaches Bea learns that families are complicated. Jesse’s daughter Sonia is less than thrilled about this new transition and Jesse’s brother does not support his lifestyle. Bea has to deal with these new changes along with coming clean about an accident with her cousin in the past. We see how Bea deals with her anxiety and uses therapy as a tool to handle her parents divorce. This book is perfect to teach students about different family types and mental health. This book is a must read and perfect for every library.

Other books by Rebecca Stead include: When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy, and Bob.

Wiesner, D. (2001). The Three Pigs. Clarion Books.

This story begins as the typical three little pigs story. Then when the wolf goes to blow the house down he blows the pigs right out of the story. The pigs then travel through various stories and meet some new characters that tag along with them. They rescue a dragon and draw the cat and the fiddle right out of their book. Then the three pigs make a paper airplane out of their story and fly through the book. The illustrations are creative and varying, adding interest to the characters as they go in and out of other stories. Wiesner’s illustrations always give the reader much to imagine and infer. This book is a wonderful addition to any library.

Caldecott Honor Book

Other books by Daivd Wiesner include: Tuesday, Art & Max, and I Got It!

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.

In this novel in verse we learn about the childhood of Jacqueline Woodson. She talks about growing up and spending half of the time in South Carolina with her beloved grandparents and half of the time in New York City. Set in the 1960’s and 1970’s Jackie describes growing up with the remnants of the Jim Crow laws in the south and her starting to be more aware of the civil rights movement. Jackie shares her love of writing and how she always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. As a child she struggled in school with reading but never gave up on her passion. This book is beautifully written and tells of the love she had for her family, especially her grandfather. This book could be used to teach about diversity and growing up during the civil rights movement.

National Book Award Winner

Newberry Honor Book

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Other books by Jacqueline Woodson include: The Day You Begin, Each Kindness, and Before the Ever After. 

Bryant, J. (2014). The Right Word. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

This book tells about how the thesaurus came to be. Peter Roget was a smart boy who loved words. He often made lists of different words to help him describe how he was thinking or feeling. He was a shy child and did not have many friends. Peter enjoyed learning about the world around him. He went to school and became a doctor at the age of 19. He also was a teacher to a wealthy man’s sons. Eventually Peter published his first version of a thesaurus and it was a hit. He felt it was important for people to find just the right word. The illustrations are a mix of word collages to depict the different words used for different things. The author includes a detailed timeline of Peter’s life as well as important world events occurring at that time. There is also an author and illustrator's note at the end of the book. This book is perfect for teaching students about the history of the thesaurus as well as the importance of words.

Other books illustrated or written by Melissa Sweet include: Balloons Over Broadway, A River of Words, and Some Writer!

Alexander, K. (2019). How to Read a Book.  HarperCollins.

This delightful poem tells the reader how to read a book. The book takes you through the steps of finding the perfect reading spot, devouring each page of text, and letting your imagination soar as you read. The illustrations are collages made from other old books and found objects. The illustrations also include watercolor, mixed media, and handmade and vintage papers. The bright colors and different types of text add a fun element to the illustrations. Also included in the back of the book is a note from the author which explains how the poem in this story came to be as well as a note from the illustrator explaining her collage process. This book is pure delight and a welcome addition to any library.

Other books by Kwame Alexander include: Crossover, The Undefeated, and Rebound.

Grimes, N. (2015). Poems in the Attic. Lee & Low Books.

In this book of poems a little girl finds her mothers old poems that she wrote when she was little in the attic of her grandparents house. On the left side of the book is the little girl's poem and on the right is the poem her mother wrote. Her mother’s poems tell the story of growing up in a military family and having to move around often. The little girl then bundles up her poems and her mothers to give her as a gift when she comes to pick her up. She also leaves her mother’s original poems and a copy of her own in the box in the attic for someone else to find. The warm and vibrant illustrations compliment the poems beautifully. This book could be used to teach about military life and the art of poetry. Also included in the back of this book is a note from the author and a detailed list of the referenced air force bases. The author also includes information about free verse poetry and tanka poetry.

Other books by Nikki Grimes include: One Last Word, Almost Zero, and Garvey’s Choice. 

Scieszka, J. (1991). The Not So Jolly Roger. Viking Penguin.

This short chapter book is part of the Time Warp Trio series. In this book three boys, Fred, Sam, and Joe travel back to the time of Blackbeard the pirate. The boys are looking for treasure and run into Blackbeard himself. They are quickly captured by the sinister pirate and are taken aboard his ship. The boys try unsuccessfully to get themselves out of Blackbeard's grasp using magic. They must find the book in order to time warp back to their homes. The boys eventually trick Blackbeard into letting them off the ship to find the buried treasure which is the book. In the end the boys arrive home safe and sound. This book is great for reluctant readers and students new to chapter books. A great read for any student who loves adventure.

Other books by Jon Scieszka include: Math Curse, Squids Will Be Squids, and The Frog Prince Continued. 

Yang, K. (2018). Front Desk. Arthur A. Levine Books.

In this book a young girl named Mia lives in a motel with many secrets. Mia’s parents work at the hotel and often hide immigrants. Meg wants to be a writer even though English is not her first language. This story covers life in the 1990’s for people of color who are living in poverty. This book is good to build empathy and understanding for other cultures as well as different socioeconomic statuses.

Other books by Kelly Yang include: Room to Dream, Parachutes, and New From Here.

Engle, Margarita. (2014). Tiny Rabbit’s Big Wish. Clarion Books.

In this picture book a tiny rabbit wishes everyday to be big and tall. No matter how much he wished he was still small. Then he wishes to be strong like a gorilla but instead he grows two powerful ears that can hear every tiny noise in the forest. In the end the rabbit realizes that his ears and powerful hearing are what keep him safe in the forest. The brightly colored acrylic illustrations depict the beauty of the forest that the rabbit lives in. This story could be used to teach students about self esteem and to be proud of who you are.

Other books by Margarita Engle include: Hurricane Dancers, Mountain Dog, and All the Way to Havana. 

Harris, R. (1999). It’s So Amazing. Candlewick Press.

This picture book answers all of the questions children might have about their bodies and where babies come from. This book uses a comic style and humor to cover all of the facts about how our bodies work and how babies are conceived and grown in the mom’s belly. This book also discusses sexuality and sex in a positive way for children to understand. This book is perfect for parents to use to help children understand their bodies and what they can do in a fun and safe way.

Other books by Robie Harris include: It’s Not the Stork and It’s Perfectly Normal.

Santat, D. (2016). Are We There Yet?  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 

This picture book tells the story of a little boy going on a road trip and asking the age old question “are we there yet”? The little boy is going to his grandmother’s birthday party and the car slowly goes back into time. He sees dinosaurs, pirates, and princesses on his adventures through time. The text wraps around the pages and even has the reader turning the book around and upside down to read the story. The illustrations are detailed and add excitement to the storyline. This story is a fun read for people of all ages and perfect for any library.

Other books by Dan Santat include: Beekle, After the Fall, and Sidekicks.

Keats, E. J. (1968). A Letter to Amy. Viking Books for Young Readers.

In this picture book Peter wants to invite his friend Amy to his birthday party. He writes her a letter for an invitation and goes to mail the letter. He is worried about what the boys will think when he invites a girl to his party. Peter sees Amy when he goes to mail the letter and in his effort to hide the surprise he bumps into her and she falls down. Amy runs off crying while Peter puts the letter into the mailbox. When his birthday rolls around Peter is afraid that Amy will not show up. In the end Amy comes and brings along her parrot. The illustrator uses beautiful collage and water colors to add interest to the pictures. This book could be used to teach children about peer pressure and doing what is right.

Other books by Ezra Jack Keats include: The Snowy Day, A Whistle for Willie, and Goggles.