Curling up with a good novel expands student reading skills. It can also give a new perspective on bullying… Jordan and Max, ShowtimeBy Suzanne SutherlandPicture Book Grade Levels: K-3rd A new school, a new beginning…that’s just what Jordan needs. He could not fit in with his old classmates, so he believes not sharing anything […]
High and Dry by Eric Walters (boy and grandfather save an orca), 1st-3rd The Harmonica by Tony Johnston (gift from father as family separated in Holocaust sustains boy), 2nd-6th Thunder Boy Jr. Sherman Alexie (Indigenous boy wants normal name; dad helps), K-3rd Into the Beautiful North: A Novel by Luis Urrea (Mexican girl leads quest
For A Diverse Father’s Day Read More »
Gay & Lesbian History For Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rightsby Vanita OelschlagerPicture Book Grade Levels: Grade Levels: 4-12 According to Leslea Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies, “This is a valuable book that puts the present-day gains of the LGBT movement into perspective for today’s youth.” Gay & Lesbian History For Kids is a well-designed
Having a history with strong role models creates pride… Read More »
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out By Susan Kuklin Picture Book Grade Levels: 7th-12th Summary: Susan Kuklin’s Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out is a written record of her meetings with six non-cisgender young adults. Using photography and transcribed interviews, she gives a candid look at their lives, covering everything from transition, to family, to
Young People tell their own stories… Read More »
Let’s start with an updated list of LGBTQIA+ books that divided by primary, middle school and high school and is searchable by title, author, and grade level. Click here to access the list. Family is important to all of us… A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager Picture Book Grade Levels: K-3 Summary: Not
It’s Gay Pride Month! Read More »
Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane by Kirsten W. Larson. Illustrated by Tracy Subisak Picture Book Grade Levels 2-5 Summary: Tinkering with stuff a delightful children’s activity. It’s the essence of exploration, testing hypotheses, trial and error, and much more. And that’s just what this book describes, a young girl who loves to
Wood, Wire, Wings by Kirsten W. Larson Read More »
Summary: This book would definitely be welcome in my classroom. It would appeal to girls and boys in grades 2-5. While the reading level would be more appropriate for grades 3-5, there is too much content and learning to pass it up as a read-aloud in order to discuss vocabulary and the challenges of Sue
When Sue Found Sue by Toni Buzzeo Read More »
Lizzie Demands a Seat! Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights by Beth Anderson. Illustrated by E.B. Lewis Picture Book – Suggested Grade Levels; 3-8 Summary: This is a noteworthy book about the ongoing struggles and hardships endured when fighting for basic rights and legal justice for African Americans in the United States. The author documents the experiences
Lizzie Demands a Seat! by Beth Anderson Read More »
LIBRARY ON WHEELS: MARY LEMIST TITCOMB AND AMERICA’S FIRST BOOKMOBILE Summary: The author grew up on a rural farm in Utah and had little access to books. But because of Mary Titcomb’s desire to make the library serve all the people, not just those who lived in towns or had leisure time to read, she
Library On Wheels by Sharlee Glenn Read More »
Let ‘er Buck! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Picture Book Grades 2-5 Summary: Invite your students to pretend their chair is a horse by straddling it backwards and holding onto its back. Encourage them to walk their “horse” into the “coral” facing you on your “horse.” Open this book and let the adventures begin! Your “buckaroos”
Let ‘er Buck! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Read More »
Since 2017, Books for Classrooms has enriched Arizona’s K-12 education by supplying nearly 50,000 carefully chosen books to promote diversity, social justice, and environmental awareness. We are curated by retired educators to support students at underfunded schools.
