For the Love of Literacy

This book’s playful text and illustrations convey to readers that mistakes can be opportunities for learning, growth, and creativity. Illustrations expand on the story appropriately, reflecting and extending the messaging that mistakes can be a stepping stone to an inspiration or a masterpiece. Teachers can use this text to:  teach about Growth Mindset teach lessons about making mistakes ------- Author/ Illustrator: Corinna Luyken Year Published: 2017 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8, Grades PK - 3 Genre: Picture book

This true story teaches young readers that believing in oneself and having courage to persevere is the greatest ability of all. Born with a deformed leg in Ghana, many judged and dismissed Emmanuel due to his disability. Throughout this text, there is a unifying theme of overcoming adversity. Thompson does a fantastic job grounding the story in facts, providing details that are vivid, accurate and linked to the accomplishments of Emmanuel (Galda, 2017). Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as overcoming adversity, perseverance, and self-reliance Culturally Response Teaching discuss conversations about privilege  ------- Author:  Laurie Ann Thompson Illustrator:  Sean Qualls Year Published:  2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 5-8 , Grades  K-2 Genre: Memoir

This graphic novel perfectly combines historical facts with engaging storytelling about the real life shark attacks in the early 1900s. The plot is based on authentic facts that are subordinate to the story itself. At the end of the book, there are a number of pages devoted to engaging readers in real information about the shark attacks that actually took place.  Teachers can use this text to:  supplement to social studies/history/Science lesson about Shark Attacks introduce students to graphic novels engage readers in a blook club ------- Author:  Lauren Tarshis, Georgia Ball (adaptor) Illustrator:  Hause Studio Year Published:  2020 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7 Genre: Historical Fiction

Nguyen brings readers an unforgettable story about a Vietnamese American girl whose life in unexpectedly transformed by a California wildfire. The main character, Simone, is multidimensional; changing and developing over time as she experiences evacuating from her home and learning the tale of her mom's experience of evacuating as a kid due to flooding. This powerful tale is one that many can relate to  and has a theme that is intrinsic to the story and applicable to readers' lives. Hope and healing in the wake of generations of displacement is a real feeling for many.  Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as hope and healing fictional supplemental to nonfiction learning about wildfires in parts of our country Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author: Viet Thanh Nguyen Illustrator: Minnie Phan Year Published: 2024 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 5-9, Grades K-4 Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Culturally Diverse  

Uncle Jed is a talented barber, beloved by many, who even without a shop never gives up on his dream. The setting is integral to the story and evokes a vivid historical time consistent with historical and geographical evidence. Social issues are portrayed honestly, without condoning bias for race, gender, or other differences. "Even though I was unconscious, the doctors wouldn't look at me until they finished with all the white patients" (Mitchell, 1998). This book is a fantastic is a fantastic read aloud for young children to teach them, regardless of time, place, situation, to never give up on their dreams. Teachers can use this text:  to teach about topics such as saving money, segregation, perseverance, and grit culturally Response Teaching use as a read aloud or anchor text for writing ------- Author: Margaree King Mitchell Illustrator: James E. Ransome Year Published: 1998 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-7, Grades K-2 Genre: Historical Fiction  

Ruby is unlike most girls in her town in Old China. She wants to attend university like the boys. This story is a great example of striving for more and ultimately getting rewarded for hard work. This text is a great example of historical fiction as Events, attitudes, and social issues are portrayed honestly, with historical evidence, and appropriate to the culture and time period (Galda, 2017). "This was unusual in China in those days, as many girls didn't learn to read and write" (Bridges, 2015). The illustrations enhance an understanding of the plot, setting, characterizations, and theme through the use of realistic details and culturally appropriate color schemes. Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as self-esteem, gender equality, family relationships teach about perseverance and goal setting Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author: Shirin Yim Bridges Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Year Published: 2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7 ...

This story exemplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction. The text and illustrations work together to establish setting, characters, and theme that many students, especially student who move to a new place, can relate to. The way Vo illustrates the characters to look like aliens and the language they speak to look like symbols is a great analogy for what it must look/sound/feel like for students who are from a different place that speak a different language. The problems are believable and are solved in a realistic, culturally grounded way. The "foreign words and people" gradually start to morph into people Dat recognizes and understands. The illustrations clearly expand on the story appropriately, reflecting and extending the text. (Galda,2017)  Teachers can use this text to:  teach lessons of friendship and acceptance of differences inspire students to reach out to students who may be new Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author/Illustrator:  Young V...

Vera Brosgol provides readers of all ages with a heartwarming literary experience. As Freda thinks about all of the things she wants to save in jars, readers are undoubtedly prompted to think about things in their life that they would want to "bottle up" and save as well. Language is rich and Brosgol's extensive use of adjectives and figurative language helps readers connect with how Freda truly feels about Blueberries and other special things. The Illustrations expand on the story appropriately, reflecting and extending the text. The recipe at the end of the book is also a wonderful touch, that young readers with certainly enjoy! Teachers can use this text:  Anchor text for writing about favorite things enjoy a heartwarming read aloud ------- Autho/Illustrator:  Vera Brosgol Year Published:  2021 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8 / Grades PK+ Genre: Picture book

A young boy with Dyslexia loves to write, but struggles to get his ideas down on paper. Through grit, determination, and the support of an inspiring author, Abdul learns a powerful lesson about making mistakes. Illustrator, Tiffany Rose, captivates readers will illustrations that perfectly capture the emotions and experiences of Abdul. They expand on the story appropriately, reflecting and extending the text (specifically when showing what Abdul's stories look like on paper - eraser marks, holes, and all). A powerful text that can be enjoyed by teachers and students alike. Teachers can use this text:  to teach lessons about acceptance and learning differences read aloud featuring characters from Philadelphia ------- Author: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow Illustrator: Tiffany Rose Year Published: 2022 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8, Grades K-3   Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction 

 Mirha, the main character, is very excited for her first day of school. Unfortunately, when her classmates cannot pronounce her name, she contemplates changing it to an "easier name". As in all contemporary realistic fiction books, Mirha is a multidimensional characters, who's feelings change and develop overtime. Her problem is believable and is solved in a realistic, culturally grounded way, when she has a conversation with her mother learning the heritage of her name and the powerful meaning behind it. What a powerful book to use at the beginning of the school year to teach the power of one's name and how to stand up for yourself. Teachers can use this text:  as a beginning of the year read aloud/ discussion about names discussions about standing up for yourself and loving your name ------- Author/ Illustrator: Anoosha Syed Year Published: 2022 Target Age/ Grade Level: Grade PK - 1 Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Picture books   

  Known for her groundbreaking research and determination to change people's perspective on sharks, Eugenie Clark dedicated her life to discovering the truth about sharks that no other person was able to do. In this awe-inspiring biography, themes of grit and overcoming obstacles shine through. Readers will be able to tell that the story is grounded in fact as noted through the timeline included of Eugenie's life and many unknown shark facts.  Teachers can use this text:  to teach about inspiring women, STEM,  a narrative nonfiction supplement to learning about sharks ------- Author: Jess Keating Illustrator: Marta Alvarez Year Published: 2017 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 3-8, Grades K-4 Genre: Biography

  In this masterfully crafted memoir, written from the perspective of a four-year-old, Curtis captures the simple joys that come from "growing up" and the pride that comes with it. Children and adults will love sharing in the little girls celebration as she tells the tale of all of the things she has accomplished in her four and a half years. Cornell's illustrations help the reader visualize the time and place and illuminate the memories and moments the little girl shares.  Teachers can use this text:  as a mentor text for narrative writing to teach about perspective, craft, and other writing skills discuss themes of developing freedom and independence ------- Author: Jamie Lee Curtis Illustrator: Laura Cornell Year Published: 1995 Target Age/ Grade Level: Grades PK-3 Genre: Memoir, Picture book

Step into the childhood of author Ralph Fletcher, as he takes you on a journey through his humorous and captivating memoir tracing his roots in Marshfield Massachusetts.  The map at the beginning of the text helps readers visualize the places they are about to venture to and the photographs that appear throughout the text all attest to the integrity and accurate nature of the storyline.  Readers will feel instantly connected to Ralph, the oldest of nine children, his family, his friends, and his experiences.  Teachers can use this text to:  teach narrative writing show how good writers brainstorm and then use their brainstorming maps to elaborate in writing different essays ------- Author: Ralph Fletcher Year Published: 2012 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12/ Grades K-5 Genre: Memoir

  Words That built A Nation is a fantastic example of a nonfiction resource. that is clearly organized. Readers are able to pull information from a collection of historical resources as this text "looks at words and ideas from forty one important documents and speeches in American History (Miller, 2018). Facts are current and the authors appropriately balance fact and theory by noting that though many documents are cited, this text is just one of many interpretations.  Teachers can use this text:  resource in social studies to teach about American history and some of the  most important historical essays, speeches, and documents ------- Author: Marilyn Miller, Ellen Scordato, and Dan Tucker Illustrator: Mary Kate McDevitt Year Published: 2018 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12/ Grades 5-6 Genre: Nonfiction

  The War That Saved My Life  is a beautifully told example of historical fiction. The setting, both in London and the English Countryside, is integral to the story and evokes a vivid historical time consistent with that of WWII in Europe. Characters are well developed- with feelings, values, and behavior that reflect the historical period. It is nearly impossible to not hate Mam while adoring Ada, Jamie, and Miss Susan Smith. The themes of family and identity echo larger historical concerns and are important to today's readers (Galda 2017). This is a must read in all intermediate classrooms.  Teachers can use this text: during a book study to teach about WWII ------- Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Year Published: 2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 9-11/ Grades 4 - 7 Genre: Historical Fiction

  Authors John Skewes and Michael Mullen have created a series of nonfiction narrative style texts for children. This parallel text with a fictional story matches factual information in the captions to introduce young children to the beauty and history of the city of brotherly love in a fun and engaging way. The intriguing illustrations of historical sites and whimsical characters enhance and extend the understanding of Philadelphia and all of his history.  Teachers can use this text: as a read aloud during a social studies lesson to teach about the city of Philadelphia ------- Authors: Michael Mullin and John Skewes Illustrator: John Skewes Year Published: 2013 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 3-7/ Grades PreK - 2 Genre: Nonfiction, PictureBook

Kelly Yang brings young readers an awe-inspiring book about Asian American change agents who did everything they can to achieve their dreams and inspire others. Each illustration, created by a different Asian American artist, helps readers visualize the information presented in the text. The narrative style structure answers the questions can "we accomplish whatever we dream"  while simultaneously presenting facts about Asian Americans who helped shape our country (Yang, 2022). Readers can retrieve information in captions while also learning more about each person in the detailed authors note at the end of the book.  Teachers can use this text: as a read aloud for culturally response teaching  during Asian American Heritage Month  as an anchor text at the beginning of the year (hopes and dreams discussion) ------- Author: Kelly Yang Illustrator: (See text cover) Year Published: 2022 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8/ Grades PreK - 3 Genre: Nonfiction

In this "detailed and decadent" exploration of art history, children can "devour" the various styles of famous artist throughout history (Tyler, 2022). Tyler's intentional format and design of each spread that includes painted donuts in the style of the specific artist with facts to support it is both attractive and reader friendly. Nonfiction text features like a table of contents, glossary, bold words, and captions illuminate the authors expertise on this topic and reveal her enthusiasm about art history (simultaneously inspiring her readers as well).  Teachers can use this text: in art class or general education to teach nonfiction text features to launch lessons about painting and how famous artists have inspired and influenced each other over time. ------- Author/ Illustrator: Chloe Tyler Year Published: 2022 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12/ Grades 3-4 Genre: Nonfiction

"Many young readers prefer nonfiction to fiction; their insatiable curiosity about the world is fueled by nonfiction books" (Galda, 2017).  For young readers who love prehistoric life, this is just the book for them. Steve Jenkins takes his readers on a journey through prehistoric times by showing "actual size" creatures in his illustrations. The life size illustrations illuminate facts and concepts presented in the main texts and captions. He balances facts with theory using phrases like "may have looked like and may have been covered with feathers, etc." (Jenkins, 2003).  Teachers can use this text: as a read aloud to teach about nonfiction text features as a tool for research about prehistoric life ------- Author/ Illustrator: Steve Jenkins Year Published: 2005 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8/ Grades PreK - 3 Genre: Nonfiction, PictureBook

  In Tomie DePaola's version of Mother Goose young readers can enjoy the magic of the rhythmic nursery rhymes that have been handed down by word of mouth for generations in combination with his illustrations that fans have come to love. "The illustrations complement and extend the narrative" of each rhyme providing readers with vivid images that enhance the meaning DePaola wants his readers to take away (Galda, 2017).  Teachers can use this text to: help children develop early literacy skills such as rhyming, letter-sound correspondence, and print awareness.  build phonemic awareness and oral language fluency ------- Author/ Illustrator: Tomie DePaola Year Published: 1985/2011 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8/ Grades Preschool - 3 Genre: Folklore