Steffani Baxter

Reading File
Science Books:
1.

2.

3.

4.

Title: How a Seed Grows

Author: Helena J. Jordan
Grade level: Kindergarten
Genre: Science
Short synopsis: This book was about a How a Seed Grows. It was through a variety of examples of seeds.
It also shows how to plant seed. It also tells you the three things a seed needs to grow.
Activity: Have students plant their own seeds during class and record there growth
Personal Review: 5 out of 5. I really enjoyed this book because it gave a very step by step instruction on
how seeds grow. I also liked that it told the reader what types of things the seed would need to grow.
Overall I really enjoyed this book.
Title: National Geographic Kids Whales
Author: Laura Marsh
nd
Grade level: 2 grade
Genre: Science
Short synopsis: This book looked at whales and their migration patterns. It also shares a variety of facts
about whales. Some of the facts that this books shared was how much they weigh, skin, and what they
eat. It also shares some of the whales enemies.
Activity: Have students look at types of whales, and write a summary on their findings.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book because it looked at one of my favorite animals. I really
enjoyed learning about wales and the types of things that they do. I really found it interesting that they
talked about the whales enemies.
Title: Magic School Bus: On the Ocean floor
Author: Joanna Cole and Bruce Dean
Grade Level: 3-5
Genre: Science
Short Synopsis: This book was about Miss Frizzle taking her students on a field trip to the ocean. They
were learning about the oceans and she felt this was the best way for them to learn. There were also a
variety of ocean facts that were in this book.
Activity: Have students find an animal that lives in the ocean and learn more about it.
Personal Review 5/5. I really enjoyed this book because I love the ocean. I loved looking at all the things
Miss Frizzles class saw on their trip to the ocean. I also found it interesting to read all the facts about the
ocean that were in this book.
Title: From Tadpole to Frog
Author: Wendy Pfeffer
Grade Level: 1-2
Genre: Science
Short Synopsis: this book looked at how a tadpole becomes a frog. It shows their life cycle from birth until
they are frogs. It also shows what the frogs do in the water.
Activity: Have students find animals that kind of hibernate or go away for the winter and compare and
contrast them.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Personal Review 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was cool to see how a tadpole becomes a
frog. I didnt know about their life cycle till I had read this book.
Title: The Magic School Bus Presents Our Solar System
Author: Joanna Cole
Grade level: 3-5
Genre: Science
Short synopsis: This book looked at all the planets in our solar system. It also gives a variety of facts about
each planet as well. It also looks at what an asteroid is.
Activity: Assign each a planet that they have to research, and present their findings in a PowerPoint to the
class.
Personal Review 5/5. I really enjoyed this book because it talked about space. I really enjoy learning
about space, so this book was right up my alley. I thought it was cool this book also looked at what an
asteroid is
Title: What makes a Tornado Twist? And other questions about weather.
Author: Mary Kay Carson
Grade level: 4-5
Genre: Science
Short synopsis: This book looked at all the different types of weather. It looked at snow, tornadoes, sun
all types of weather. It even explained what weather was.
Activity: have students watch and record the weather for a whole week and then talk about it in class.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book because it talked about tornadoes. Tornadoes are one
those things that I dont necessarily like, but want to know more about. This book gave me a better
understanding of tornadoes and other types of weather.
Title: Who were the American Pioneers and Westward Expansion
Author: Martin W. Sandler
Grade level: 3-5
Genre: Science
Short synopsis: this book looked at Pioneers and their trip west. It also showed how they lived and just
their everyday life. It also looked at the conflicts between Native Americans and pioneers.
Activity: Put students in groups and have a mock journey west.
Personal review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this because it looked at pioneers. Pioneers were one of the things
that really interested me when I was in school, so Im glad I got to read a book about it. It is super cool to
see how they lived and what their life was like.
Title: What happens to our Trash?
Author: D.J. Ward
Grade level: 2-5
Genre: science
Short synopsis: This book looked trash. It showed all the trash and where it goes. It even looked at the
way we can reduce trash such as recycling more.
Activity: have students go home and make a list of all the times they recycle something. Also the types of
things they are recycling.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book because it showed me where all our trash goes. I have
always been curious to see what happens to our trash, and this book answered that for me. I was glad
that this book also told us how we can reduce how much trash, we throw away.
Title: Light is all around us
Author: Wendy Pfeffer

Grade level: 1-2

Genre: Science
Short synopsis: this book looked at light. It showed us how light gets to the earth and how bright it its
really is. It also showed us all the ways that we rely on light.
Activity: Have students each bring in a piece of wood and put it on the grass. See how much the grass is
affected when light doesnt reach it.
Personal Review: 3/5. This book was okay. It was cool to see how light gets to the earth and how bright it
really is. This would be a good book for young kids because it shows us how much we actually do rely on
light.
10. Title: Animal Homes
Author: Judy Allen and Simon Mendez
Grade level: K-2
Genre: Science
Short Synopsis: This book looked at a variety of different animal habitats. It showed what type of animals
lived in these places. Some of the habitats included trees and stones.
Activity: Assign groups of students to a habitat; have them make an example with the type of animal that
lives there.
Personal Review: 3/5 I enjoyed this book because it shows kids what habitats are and what animals live
inside of them. This would be good for younger kids because it can show them the types of animals that
live in places. Overall I enjoyed this book.
Issue Books
11. Title: Biscuit visits the Doctor
Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Grade level: K-2
Genre: Issue
Short synopsis: this book was about Biscuit the puppy and how he had to go to the doctor. Biscuit walked
through all of the steps we go through as humans at the doctor. It showed that although Biscuit was
scared he was okay.
Activity: Have students think about their first time they went to the doctor and how they felt. Ask them
how they got over their fears of going to the doctor.
Personal review: 5/5 I enjoyed this book. I really liked this book because it shows kids that they dont
need to be sacred to go to the doctor. Doing it with a puppy, will hopefully make kids less scared to go to
the doctor.
12. Title: Berenstein Bears: Report Card Trouble
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstein
Grade level: K-3
Genre: Issue book (relating to school)
Short synopsis: This book looked at how Brother Bear fell behind in school, and his grades slipped. It
showed that with a lot of hard work his grades could improve. Everyone pitched into help improve his
grades.
Activity: Have students come up with a list of strategies that they can use to help them keep their grades
up, so they dont fall behind.
Personal Review: 5/5. I enjoyed this book because I can relate to having report card trouble. I was always
that kid that was afraid to show their report card to their parent. I liked that everyone pitched in to help
get Brother Bears grades to where they needed to be.

13. Title: Berenstein Bears: Too Much Junk Food

Author: Stan and Jan Berenstein
Grade: K-3
Genre: Issue books (dealing with unhealthy food)
Short synopsis: Brother and Sister Bear were eating too much junk food and Mother Bear wasnt happy
about it. She wanted them to stop eating junk food. It even showed what happens to our bodies when we
eat too much junk food.
Activity: Have students record what they eat for a whole week. See how much healthy food they are
eating and if they are not eating enough, ways they can add healthier food into their diet.
Personal Review: 4/5. I enjoyed this book because I love junk food. I thought that it was good that
Mother Bear showed Brother and Sister Bear what happens to their body when they eat too much junk
food. After reading this book I definitely want to try and eat healthier as well.
14. Title: Berenstein Bears: Blame Game
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstein
Grade: K-3
Genre: Issue books (blaming friends)
Short synopsis: Mother Bear was getting annoyed because her house had turned into a huge blame
game. The kids were fighting a lot and the parents had, had enough. So they came up with the strategy of
working together to fix problems instead of blaming each other.
Activity: Have students think about situations in which it is better to work with a group instead of
individually. Compare and Contrast these two situations and see which ones students prefer.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was good that kids could see the
consequences of blaming other people. I thought Mother Bears strategy of working together was a good
way of stopping the blame game.
15. Title: Berenstein Bears: Too Much Teasing
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstein
Grade: K-3
Genre: Issue Books (teasing friends)
Short synopsis: Brother Bear was selected by the principal to be his special messenger. All the other kids
in the school started to tease him. Eventually the teasing stopped and there was cheering instead. Overall
this book talked about how teasing was a bad idea.
Activity: Have students think about how they feel when they are teased. Ask students to think about ways
to reduce teasing in their class.
Personal Review: 3/5. I enjoyed this book. I thought that it was good that this book addressed teasing
because it is such a problem in schools today. I would definitely use this book to teach kids that teasing is
not a good idea.
Seasonal Books
16. Title: On my Way to School: Time to Go
Author: Sarah Maizes
Grade: K-2
Genre: Seasonal- going back to school
Short synopsis: Livi is a little girl who doesnt want to go to school. Although she doesnt want to go to
school she makes an adventure out of everything she does. Eventually she makes it to school and loves it.
st
Activity: Have students write down their morning routines and how they felt about the 1 day of school.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book because I love the first day of school. I thought it was
funny how Livi didnt want to go to school at first but eventually she got really excited and went. At the
end of her first day she really loved it.
Title: Sophies Squash
Author: Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf
Grade: 2-4
Genre: thanksgiving/ fall
Short Synopsis: Sophie was a little girl who went to the farmers market and became friends with a
squash. She did everything with the squash. Eventually the squash started to get rotten, so she put it into
the ground. It eventually grew two additional squash.
Activity: Have students think about their favorite thanksgiving traditions and what their family likes to do
on thanksgiving. Have students write poems or letters about what they are thankful for during
thanksgiving.
Personal Review: 5/5 I really enjoyed this book because I love famers market and all things fall. I really
liked how much Sophie cared about her squash and wanted to be friends with it. I thought that it was cool
when she ended up planting the squash because it had gotten rotten and it grew two more squashes.
Title: I pledge Allegiance
Author: Pat Mora and Libby Martinez
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Seasonal (4th of July)
Short Synopsis: Libbys great aunt moved from Mexico into the United States. She has to take a
citizenship test and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Lobo and Libby say it together so they will officially be
citizens of the United States.
Activity: Have students write down what they think it means to be an American. Explain to the students
what the citizenship test is.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the story of Libbys grandmother and all
the steps that she was taking to become a citizen of the United States. I thought it was nice of Libbys
teacher to allow her to do the pledge of allegiance in front of the class because thats what her grandma
had to do for her test.
Title: The Biggest Snowman Ever
Author: Steven Kroll
Grade: K-2
Genre: Seasonal (things you would do in the winter)
Short synopsis: Desmond and Clayton were two field mice that entered into a snowman building contest.
At first they were trying to build the biggest snowman they could by themselves. Then one day they
realized that they should work together to build the biggest snowman. After the finished building the
snowman the whole town came and saw the snowman, and Desmond and Clayton won the snowman
building contest.
Activity: Have students write poems or short stories about things that they like to do in the winter. Make
their poems or stories on snowman made out of construction paper.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book because I love winter. I love building snowman during the
winter and just being outside. I really enjoyed how this story was about two friends coming together to
accomplish a common goal.
Title: Valentines Day
Author: Annie Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell
Grade: 1-2

Genre: Seasonal (Valentines Day)

Short Synopsis: This book was about the kids in Mrs. Madoffs class writing Valentines Day cards to each
other. Each student got to make a valentine and think about the things that they wanted to write on the
Valentines Day cards. At the end of the book they all got to pick a valentine out of the box and see who it
was from. They even had a classmate send each student a Valentines Day card all the way from Japan.
Activity: Have students write Valentines Day cards to their parents or a special friend in their lives.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book because I love Valentines Day. I liked that all the students
in Mrs. Madoffs class made valentines for each other. I really liked that one of the cards was even from
Japan.
21. Title: Thanksgiving Day
Author: Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell
Grade: K-2
Genre: Seasonal (Thanksgiving)
Synopsis: Mrs. Madoff read the story of the first thanksgiving to her class, right before thanksgiving. She
told them all about the Puritans and the Wampanoag people who lived on the land at first. She also told
her students about how the Puritans and Wampanoag people and different ways of doing life. For
example the puritans wore tall black hats, while the Wampanoag people wore leather headbands with
feathers in them.
Activity: Have students compare and contrast the Puritans and Wampanoag people. Write an essay
discussing both.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really liked this book because it clearly shared the story of the first thanksgiving in
a way that kids would understand. I liked the fact that the kids were doing some of the same things that
the Puritans and Indians were doing as well. I also liked that it showed one of the stduents having
thanksgiving with their family.
22. Title: Pumpkin Light
Author: David Ray
Grade: 4-5
Genre: Seasonal (Halloween)
Synopsis: Angus was a boy who loved Halloween and pumpkins a lot. One day he didnt obey his parents
so he was sent to bed without pie and without his pumpkin drawings that he kept in his room. So in his
dream he was yelled at by a scarecrow that turned him into a little dog. The scarecrow named the dog
Autumn and it was his job to guard a magic pumpkin. Once a forgiving soul carves it Autumn would be
turned back into a boy. Eventually his mom carves the pumpkin and Angus was back.
Activity: Have students write about their favorite Halloween traditions and what they like most about fall.
Personal Review: 2/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. It had a weird story line that I think would be hard
for students to follow. It did however have a happy ending. It was cool to see all the designs of the
pumpkins that Angus was so proud of.
23. Title: The Ugly Menorah
Author: Marissa Moss
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Seasonal (Hanukkah)
Synopsis: Rachel and her family celebrate Hanukkah and this year she was spending some time with her
grandma. Rachel and her family had a really nice shiny menorah, while her Grandma has this old piece of
wood that was from a long time ago. Rachels grandma shares the story of the menorah and why it is so
special to her. It was special to her because Rachels grandpa actually made the Menorah himself.

Activity: Have students think about their own holiday traditions. Have student bring in one item that is
special to their family at the holidays and explain to the class why it is special to them and their family.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book because it was just really family centered. I really enjoyed
how the Grandma shared the story about the Menorah to her granddaughter. I also really liked that the
Grandpa had made it out of practically nothing.
24. Title: Thats What Leprechauns Do
Author: Eve Bunting and Emily Arnold McCully
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Seasonal (St. Patricks Day)
Synopsis: This book is about three leprechauns who are racing to find their gold. They have to find their
gold before the rainbow comes. Along the way the leprechauns cause mischief because thats what
leprechauns do. Eventually they do find their gold.
Activity: Have students write poems about St. Patricks Day. During the week, have strange things
happening in the classroom, and by the end of the week, see if they can capture a leprechaun.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book. It was funny to see how the leprechauns like messing
with people. I liked that they had a goal and worked together to get the goal accomplished.
25. Title: April Foolishness
Author: Teresa Bateman and Nadine Bernard Westcott
Grade: K-2
Genre: Seasonal (April Fools)
Synopsis: It was just a normal day on the farm, at least thats what Grandpa thought. His grandkids
decided to be funny and play a bunch of April fools jokes on him. From the cows getting out to the pigs
breaking the gate, the grandkids tried it all. He tries to keep his cool, until his wife tells him that it is
actually happening. Then the kids and grandma yell April Fools and they trick the grandpa.
Activity: Have students think about a April Fools joke they would try to play on somebody and think
about how they would react.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I liked it because it was funny to see how the
grandparents and grandkids were working together to trick the others. It was funny to see how hard the
kids were working to get their Grandpa worked up.
Caldecott Books
26. Title: No David!
Author: David Shannon
Grade: K-2
Genre: Caldecott
Short synopsis: David is a little boy who always hears no He doesnt really like rules, so he always gets in
trouble. Eventually at the end he starts to listen and his mom stops yelling at him.
Activity: Have students list the rules they have at home, and think about why we have rules. Talk about
the importance of following rules.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think kids can relate to this book because there are a lot
of rules that they have to follow in school. Sometimes rules are hard to follow for kids but they are
necessary for certain situations.
27. Title: Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type
Author: Doreen Cronin
Grade: K-3

28.

29.

30.

31.

Genre: Caldecott
Short Synopsis: Farmer Brown is the owner of a farm where his cows and chickens found an old
typewriter. They began requesting things to make them feel more comfortable. At first Farmer Brown was
mad, but eventually he gave in and the cows and chickens were happier.
Activity: Have students write letters to a local farmer thanking them for what they do.
Personal review: 5/5 I really enjoyed this book because I love farm animals. I thought that it was funny
that the cows and chickens were requesting things to make them feel more comfortable even though
they are animals. I was glad to see that famer brown eventually gave in.
Title: Where the Wild Things Are
Author: Maurice Sendak
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Max was a little boy who got into some trouble so he was sent to bed without his supper. That
night his room turned into a forest and he went to where the wild things are. He then became King of
them, until he got lonely and went home. His dinner was then waiting in his room when he got back.
Activity: Have students think about what they would do if they were King or Queen of something.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book. This is one of those books that was read to me when I
was a kid. I like how Max becomes the king of where the wild things are and how much they look up to
him.
Title: Dont let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Author: Mo Willems
Grade: K-2
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: A bus driver had to leave the bus for a while and did not want the pigeon to drive the bus. At
first they were doing well with not letting pigeon drive the bus. Then they did and got into a crash, after
that the bus driver came back, not knowing that the pigeon had driven the bus.
Activity: Have students write letters to their bus drivers thanking them for what they do.
Personal Review: 4/5 I liked this book because I thought it was funny that a pigeon could even drive a
bus. I was surprised however that the bus driver would even leave his bus in the hands of pigeons. I think
kids will enjoy this book because pigeons dont normally drive buses.
Title: This is Not My Hat
Author: Jon Klassen
Grade: K-2
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: a fish had stolen a hat that had not belonged to him. He was convinced that he could swim
somewhere where no one would find him. Eventually the person caught him and got his hat back.
Activity: Have students think about the consequences of stealing and how it makes people feel.
Personal Review: 3/5 I didnt really like this book because it kind of had an intense story line. It was kind
of intense because at the end the fish died. This book would be good because it would teach students not
to steal and the consequences that follow.
Title: Swimmy
Author: Leo Lionni
Grade: K-2
Genre: Caldecott

32.

33.

34.

35.

Synopsis: Swimmy was the only black fish in a sea of red fish. One day a huge fish ate all of his friends and
he was the only one left. Eventually he found some other red fish and they worked together to become a
big fish, where Swimmy was the eye.
Activity: Have students think about situations in which it is important to rely on each other. Work on tasks
that are easier in a group setting, rather than by themselves.
Personal review 2/5 I didnt really like this book because there wasnt much of a story line. It kind of
made me feel sad for Swimmy because all his friends got eaten, and then he had no friends for a while. I
did like in the end that Swimmy found friends, and that we was really needed by them.
Title: Frog and Toad are Friends
Author: Arnold Lobel
Grade: K-2
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Frog and Toad are best friends. They like to do everything together. One day Frog was sick so
Toad had to take care of him and ended up telling him a story. Eventually Frog felt better.
Activity: Have students make a list of all the things they like doing with their friends.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book. This is a good book about friendship and how friends are
always there for you. I know that when Im sick, friends are the ones that I want taking care of me. Frog
and Toad are great friends.
Title Doctor DeSoto
Author: William Steig
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Doctor DeSoto was dentist who treated all types of animals. The only animals he would not
treat were animals that were harmful to mice. One day a fox came in with a tooth problem and the
Desotos had to decide if they would treat him or not. Eventually the decided they would treat him and
take care of his tooth problem.
Activity: Have students think about situations in which it is important to trust others. Have them think
about what it means to trust someone.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the fact that even though Doctor DeSoto
didnt want to work on the foxs tooth problem, he did so anyways. I liked that the Doctor and his wife
worked together to take care of the foxs tooth problem.
Title: Hey, AL
Author: Arthur Yorinks and Richard Egielski
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Al was a janitor who lived with his dog in a very small apartment. They had many problems,
which included their apartment being too small and cramped. They then get offered a chance to do
something new by a mysterious bird who takes them to a place where Al is no longer a janitor. After
spending time on this island, they start turning into birds. They soon realize that life wasnt so bad when
Al was just a janitor living in his cramped apartment with his dog.
Activity: Have students think about what their dream life would be, and what they could do to achieve it.
Personal Review: 4/5. I liked this book because I liked how there was such a strong friendship between Al
and his Dog. I also liked that although Al didnt have a lot he was still thankful for what he had. I thought
it was funny that a huge bird appeared to them and offers them a chance to change their fortune.
Title: The Polar Express
Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Grade: 4-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This book was about a little boy who stopped believing in Santa. On Christmas Eve he was taken
on a trip to the North Pole where he would meet Santa. Along the way he met many other kids who were
on their way as well. The whole time he didnt believe there was a Santa until he saw him finally. He found
a bell on the ground that had fallen off of one of the reindeer. He shook it trying to hear it but he wouldnt
hear it until he believed. Eventually he did hear the bell ring.
Activity: Have students read the book and watch the movie. Compare and Contrast how the movie and
book are the same and different.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how the kid went from not believing at all to
finally believing. I also liked that all the kids came together to support him when he lost his bell.
36. Title: The Gardner
Author: Sarah Stewart and David Small
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This book was about Lydia Grace who was very into gardening. She writes letters to her
grandma about all her adventures in the city. She brings lots of seeds so that she can plant them in the
city. Her ultimate goal is to make Uncle Jim Bob smile by planting as many seeds as possible.
Activity: Have students plant a variety of seeds in class and watch them grow. Record what they do on a
daily basis.
Personal Review: 4/5 I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was cool that the text was in forms of
letters instead of just regular paragraphs. I also really enjoy gardening, so this was a book that I would
recommend.
37. Title: In the Night Kitchen
Author: Maurice Sendak
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This book was about Mickey and how he made a racket during the middle of the night. He fell
into the midnight kitchen where the bakers were busy making cake. Mickey went through all the steps of
making cake and getting in the way of the bakers. Eventually the bakers end up with a cake and Mickey
back in his bed and thats why we have cake in the morning.
Activity: Have students think about their favorite recipe and bring them into class to share. Have students
practice their measuring skills by looking at the types of measurements that are on their recipes.
Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really like this book because it was sort of confusing to me. I did however
like that they made cake, because I really like cake. I liked that the bakers and Mickey worked together to
complete a task.
38. Title: A sick day for Amos McGee
Author: Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead
Grade: 2-4
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: this book was about Amos McGee who was an elephant. Amos was a very friendly elephant
who had lots of friends at the zoo. One day however he woke up sick, and couldnt make it to the zoo. All
of his friends at the zoo were waiting patiently for Amos to show up but he just couldnt make it. Later on
all of Amoss zoo friends came to hang out with him while he was sick.
Activity: Have students write letters to people who are sick or might not be feeling well. This could be a
good way to practice letter writing skills.

39.

40.

41.

42.

Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked that Amoss friends went to visit him when
they knew he wasnt feeling good. I thought that it was nice that everything Amos did for the animals they
did back for him.
Title: Grandfathers Journey
Author: Allen Say
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This book was a recount of a familys journey from Japan to America then back to Japan. The
author expresses his love for two countries. The author loves both countries for different reasons, but
ultimately ends up back in Japan.
Activity: Have students research their own family history. Write a paper on what they found out about
their history.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed the authors family history and journey. I enjoyed how the author
expressed his love for two countries. I really enjoyed this book overall.
Title: The House in the Night
Author: Susan Marie Swanson
Grade: 1-2
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: this book was about a house in the night. It also talks about all the things that happen at night
and all the things that might bring comfort to kids when they go to bed. It also tells the story of a little girl
getting ready for bed.
Activity: Have students write what they do each night before they go to bed.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how there was a little girl and we got to see all the
things that she does before she goes to bed. I also liked how the author connected everything to the
universe in some way.
Title: Blueberries for Sal
Author: Robert McCloskey
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Little Sal and her mom were picking blueberries so they could can them for winter. Little Sal got
tired of picking blueberries so she stopped picking them, and just ate them instead. Little Sal at one point
lost her mom, so it was up to her find her mother again.
Activity: Have students listen to the story and see if they can find examples of math and counting.
Personal Review. 5/5. I really enjoyed this book overall. I enjoy blueberries and jam so this book was
right up my alley. I liked how Little Sal and her mom went blueberry picking together.
Title: Mirette On the High Wire
Author: Emily Arnold McCully
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Madame Gateau and her daughter Mirette worked hard to make the guests that came to the
boarding house feel comfortable. One day a strange man came to the boarding house, and just needed a
place to rest. He was actually a tight rope walker and Mirette was so excited. Mirette wanted to learn
how to tightrope as well. Eventually she did, and wanted to show everyone.
Activity: Have students think about what they would like to do if they could be in a circus.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked Mirettes attitude when it came to wanting
to know how to tight rope. I really liked that the strange man was teaching her how to tight rope.

43. Title: Mirandy and Brother Wind

Author: Patrick C. McKissack
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: Mirandy was a little girl who wanted to chase Brother Wind. She tried asking all her neighbors
how to catch Brother Wind, but nobody could seem to answer. At one point Mirandy thought she had
caught Brother Wind, but he got away too fast. Towards the end, she did capture Brother Wind.
Activity: Have students think about something that they would like to capture and how it would feel to
capture it.
Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. I thought it was kind of funny that Mirandy
wanted to capture Brother Wind, even though it wasnt even possible at first.. I did like how much
effort she put in to trying to capture him.
44. Title: Time of Wonder
Author: Robert McCloskey
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This book was about the islands of Maine. It was about all the things that children and adults
love about the island. This book teaches about all the fun things there are to do on the islands of Maine.
Activity: Have students make travel guides of a place that they have visited, and share with the class.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book, because I liked learning about Maine. It was cool to see
all things that people liked to do on the islands of Maine. Overall this book was good because it taught me
about Maine.
45. Title: Flotsam
Author: David Wiesner
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Caldecott
Synopsis: This boy finds a camera, with some film in it, so he decides to get it developed. On the film is all
these pictures of previous people who have found the camera. The people who find the camera, then
take pictures with the camera, and throw it back into the ocean.
Activity: Have students make their own picture books about things that they might do at the beach.
Personal: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. It was neat to see and read a book that had no words but still
told a good story. I thought it was neat that everyone who found the camera took pictures with the
previous ones then through it back in the ocean.
Math:
46. Title: One Hundred Hungry Ants
Author: Elinor J. Pinczes
Grade: 1-3
Genre: math
Synopsis: A hundred ants were on their way to find food, but they ran into a problem. One of the
problems that they had was that they were moving way to slow, and by the time they got to the food it
would be gone. So they decided to make two lines of 50 to get their faster. That wasnt fast enough so
they decided to make 4 lines of 25. They continued splitting until they were in 10 lines of 10 and at the
picnic.
Activity: This would be a great book for celebrating 100 days of school and a math lesson. Students could
look at all the ways there are to break up a 100 into smaller groups.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a clever way to teach students how to
break up a 100. I thought it was funny that by the times the ants got to the picnic there was no food for
them to eat, and all the ants get mad at the lead ant.
Title: Annos Mysterious Multiplying Jar
Author: Masaichiro and Mitsumasa Anno
Grade: 5-6
Genre: Math
Synopsis: This book was about a jar and the contents that were inside it. Some of the things that were
found inside the jar included an island, countries, and mountains. This book was about learning about
factorials as well.
Activity: This would be a good book, if you were teaching kids about factorials. I would give students a
variety of numbers that were factorials so they could practice. They would have to use their calculators to
find the answers.
Personal Review: 4/5. I think this would be a great book to use when teaching factorials. I think that this
book puts the concept into terms that students would be able to understand. Overall this is a good book
when it comes to teaching kids about factorials and multiplication.
Title: Ten Black Dots
Author: Donald Crews
Grade: K-2
Genre: math
Synopsis: This book looked at what you could do with 10 dots. It looked at various things that used dots.
Some of these include dots on a snake, marbles, and portholes on a boat.
Activity: I would read this book to kids to teach them about the number 10. I would use this with them to
practice counting up to 10. I would then have them think about what they could do with 10 dots.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. This book would be good for students who are just
learning how to count. This would be a good book to review the number 10 with.
Title: The Grapes of Math
Author: Greg Tang
Grade: 1-3
Genre: Math
Synopsis: This book kind of had stories with one big story. It used a variety of animals to illustrate
counting and other math concepts. For example they used animals such as ants, snails, camels, and
cherries. On each story they told the reader the best way to count them.
Activity: This would be a good book for students to practice counting. It would also be a good way to
remind students of various ways they can count things. I would review with students counting in pairs,
subtraction and halves.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really liked this book. I liked that this book gave students various ways to count
objects. It would be a good book for students to practice their counting strategies.
Title: The Greedy Triangle
Author: Marilyn Burns
Grade: K-2
Genre: Math
Synopsis: This book starts off with triangles just doing what they normally do. One day one of the
triangles became dissatisfied because he was tired of doing the same things. SO he went to the shape
maker and asked to be changed. The shape maker then turned him into a square, now he could do lots of

different things. He got tired of that as well, and asked to be something else. The shape just continued to
be dissatisfied about every shape that he was.
Activity: I would use this book to teach students about shapes. I would then ask them to think about ways
that we use these shapes in everyday life.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. This is a good book when it comes to teaching kids about
shapes and how we use them in everyday life. I would definitely use this book to teach students shapes
during math.
Favorite Character/Series
51. Title: The Foot Book
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: K-1
Genre: Series
Synopsis: this book looked at feet. It looked at all things that we do with our feet. Some examples were
left and right feet, sick feet, clown feet, and even pig feet.
Activity: Teach students about feet, and all the things that are feet do. Have them trace their own feet
and write on them, things that their feet do on a daily basis.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book because it taught the reader all the things that our feet
do. This would be a good book to use if you were teaching kids about their bodies. It would also be a good
book to teach kids about all the types of feet that are out there.
52. Title: Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You?
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: K-1
Genre: Series
Synopsis: This book was about Mr. Brown and all the sounds that he makes. After listing out a variety of
sounds that Mr. Brown can do, the author asks if you can do them as well. Some of these sounds include
acting like an owl, a rooster, and even a shoe.
Activity: Have students identify the types of sounds that certain objects make. Some of the sound could
be like a cow, pig, horse, or even knocking.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book because it taught the reader a variety of sounds. It would
be good for the younger grades so that they could learn the sounds associated with certain words. I would
use this book if I was teaching sounds.
53. Title: D.W. Ride Again
Author: Marc Brown
Grade: K-2
Genre: Favorite Character
Synopsis: This book is about D.W. and how she has gone from riding a tricycle to riding a two wheeler. At
one point in the book she had an accident on her two wheeler, so Arthur was going to teach her how to
be safe on her bike. D.W. didnt want the training wheels to go back on so she practiced every day to get
better.
Activity: teach students about what goals are and why we have them. Ask them to identify D.W.s goal
and how she achieved it. Have students write their own goals and ways that they could achieve them.
Personal Review 5/5. I really enjoy Arthur so this book was right up my alley. I would use this book in
my classroom to teach kids about working hard and never giving up. I would also use this book to teach
kids about goal making as well.
54. Title: Arthurs Pet Business

Author: Marc Brown

Grade: K-3
Genre: Favorite Character
Synopsis: Arthur wanted a puppy, but his parents werent so sure he could handle it. Eventually they gave
in to getting a puppy only if Arthur would take care of it. Arthur decided to open up a pet business so that
he could show his parents that he was responsible enough to get a puppy. Arthur took care of his
neighbors puppy to show that he was responsible. Eventually Arthurs pet business got so busy that he
had so many pets to watch. Eventually Arthur earned the puppy because he showed that he was
responsible enough.
Activity: Have students talk about what they think responsibility means. Have them share with groups or
the class on ways that they can be responsible at home and even during school.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book because it taught kids how important it is to be
responsible. I think that this would be a good book to use when talking about responsibilities with kids. I
would even ask kids to share ways that they can be responsible.
55. Title: Arthurs Teacher Trouble
Author: Marc Brown
Grade: 1-3
Genre: Favorite Character
Synopsis: Arthur wasnt very happy with the teacher he got this year. He had the hardest teacher out of
all the teachers at the school. Mr.Ratburn was going to give a spelling test, and the students with the
highest scores would be in the spellathon. Arthur ended up being one of the representatives for his class.
Arthur got a list of all the words that he needed to study for the spellathon. Arthur was really nervous, but
ended up doing really well in the spellathon, he won.
Activity: Have a mini spelling contest within the class. Have prizes for everyone that participates.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was good to see that even though Arthur was
nervous, he still could perform really well when it came to the main event. I think that this would be a
good book to encourage spelling with kids.
56. Title: One Fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: K-2
Genre: Favorite Character/Series
Synopsis: This is a book about opposites and rhyming. It looks at a variety of examples that deal with
rhymes and opposites. Even though objects may look the same everyone uses the in different ways.
Activity: I would use this book to assess students fluency. I would also use this book so I could teach
students about rhymes and opposites.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. This is definitely a book I would use in my classroom
during reading time. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. I just really like Dr. Seuss in general so
this book was right up my alley.
57. Title: The Cat in the Hat
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: K-1
Genre: Favorite Character/Series
Synopsis: This book was about these two kids that were stuck inside all day because it was raining. They
were visited by the Cat in the Hat, who liked to cause a lot of trouble. The Cat had a bunch of tricks up his
sleeve to get the children to have more fun. The fish however did not think the Cat should stay and tried
to get him to go away. The cat was full of tricks that the kids were so excited to see.

Activity: Have students brainstorm things that they would do on a rainy day. Write a story about what
they would do, if the Cat in the Hat came to their house.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. This was one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books that I read
as a kid. I thought that it was cool to see how the Cat tried to get the kids to have fun. He was super
creative.
58. Title: Oh say can you say
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: K-1
Genre: Favorite Character/Series
Synopsis: This book was designed to test the readers fluency. Some of the words will challenge the
reader because they were words that dont necessarily roll off the tongue. There were a variety of funny
stories that had words that would be challenging to young readers but will help their fluency.
Activity: Have students write their own tricky word stories and share them with the class.
Personal Review: 3/5. This book was alright, not my favorite. I think that this would be a harder book for
students to grasp because of the tricky word language. I would maybe use this book in the classroom if my
students were really fluent.
59. Title: Fox in Socks
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: 1-3
Genre: Favorite Character/ Series
Synopsis: Fox was full of tricks that he was trying to get his best friend to do. For example one of the tricks
included putting bricks and blocks on his friend. This book also had lots of rhymes in it.
Activity: Have students make their own rhyming sentences. Have partners read them to eachother and
see if they can be fluent.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how it teaches the readers about rhymes and how
to be fluent. I think that this would be a good way to teach kids about fluency and rhymes.
60. Title: Oh, the Places youll go
Author: Dr. Seuss
Grade: 4-6
Genre: Favorite Character/Series
Synopsis: This is Dr. Seusss version of a graduation speech. He addresses various stages of life and all the
things that one can expect, after graduation. He even lets the readers know there will be ups and downs
that they will face throughout life.
Activity: Have students write their own graduation speech about all the things they are looking forward to
after they finish elementary school.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book and the graduation speech. I really enjoyed how he talked
th
about various stages of life after graduation. Overall I would use this book if I was teaching like 5 grade,
right before they were graduating from elementary school.
Folktale/Fairytale
61. Title: The Day Jimmys Boa Ate the Wash
Author: Trinka Hakes Noble
Grade: 2-3
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: This book was about Jimmys Boa constrictor. A little girl was telling her mom about the class
field trip to the farm and all the weird things that happened on the field trip. Jimmy had brought his boa

constrictor to the farm to meet all the other animals. The other animals did not like the boa constrictor,
therefore chaos ensued. The boa constrictor ended up eating the farmers wifes laundry.
Activity: Teach students the characteristics of a folktale/fairytale. See if they can idnentify the
characteristics in this book.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the story line and I think that kids would
enjoy it as well. I think that this would be a good book to use when teaching students about folktales/
fairytales.
62. Title: Coyote: A Trickster tale from the American Southwest
Author: Gerald McDermott
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: This book was about a coyote who liked to find trouble. Everywhere the coyote went he was
getting into trouble. The coyote met some crows and he wanted to be just like them, he wanted to be
able to fly. The crows tried to help the coyote but he soon became rude and boastful. The Coyote
ultimately has a nose for trouble and always finds it.
Activity: Have students think about ways that the coyote could have stayed out of trouble. Have students
write down what they would have done if they were the coyote.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed how it told the reader about what
happened to the coyote when he started being mean to the crows. It taught kids that when they are
mean, feelings get hurt and people get sad.
63. Title: Pecos Bill
Author: Steven Kellogg
Grade: 4-5
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: Pecos Bill family decided that New England was too crowded so they decided to head west. Bill
was fishing, but was unfortunately pulled overboard and was grabbed by a coyote. The coyotes then
decided to raise him. One day a Texan found him and told Bill that he was a Texan just like him. So Bill
decided to leave and explore life with the other Texan. Bill ran into a rattlesnake and another critter that
would have hurt him, but Bill defeated them. Everyone was so impressed that they wanted to be around
Bill.
Activity: Have students research what people did for fun on the West. Research the Western style of life.
Personal Review: 3/5. This book was okay, not my favorite. I did like that it showed what could happen
with some hard work. Bill was one of the people that showed that hard work really does pay off. I also
liked how everyone came together to work towards a common cause which was becoming cowboys.
64. Title: Anansi the Spider
Author: Gerald McDermott
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: This book was about Anansi the Spider, who had six sons. One day Anansi traveled away from
home and fell into trouble. All of Anansis sons went to help their father get out of trouble. Anansi kept
running into trouble, but his sons were there to help him. The sons all worked together to earn a prize.
The prize ended up being a big white light in the sky that we might call the moon.
Activity: I would have students think about the things they like doing as a family. Have students write
stories about what their families like doing.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how all of Anansis son worked together to help
their dad out. This would be a good book to teach kids about family and how important it really is.

65. Title: Johnny Appleseed

Author: Steven Kellogg
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: This book is about Jonny Appleseed. Johnny was having a rough time because his father had left
for the war and his mother and brother had died. Johnny and the family liked to pick the apples that grew
on the orchard near their house. Johnny loved nature and apples so much that he when he was old
enough he planted his own apple orchard. Johnny kept planting apple orchards wherever he went. He
planted seeds across the state of Ohio. He got his name, Johnny Appleseed because he would give small
apple trees to the people that he helped.
Activity: Have students list facts about Indians and Settlers. Compare and Contrast them.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. This was the first time that I had read this book and I
thoroughly enjoyed it. This is definitely a book that I would use when teaching Social studies or a lesson
about Indians and settlers.
66. Title: Sukey and the Mermaid
Author: Robert D. San Souci
Grade: 4-5
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: This book was about a girl named Sukey, who lived with her mom and step dad. One day Sukey
stopped working for a minute and went down to the ocean, where she ran into a mermaid. The mermaid
gave Sukey a coin so she didnt get scolded and so she could come back the next day. Sukeys mom and
dad tried to capture the mermaid but they were unsuccessful. At one point Sukey even went to live with
the mermaid in the water and was happy for a little bit, but then got tired of it.
Activity: Have students think about what they would do if they ran into a mermaid. This could be used as
a creative writing prompt.
Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. I found it sort of hard to follow, and I think it would
be hard for kids to understand. I dont really see myself using this book in the classroom if I were to teach
folktales/ fairytales.
67. Title: Sir Whong and the Golden Pig
Author: Oki S. Han
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Folktale/ Fairytale
Synopsis: This book was about Sir Whong who was very well liked by his community. One day a strange
man arrived in the village. The strange man went to Sir Whongs house in search of money. The stranger
knew that it was a lot of money, so he brought something in return for the money. The gift that Sir Whong
had gotten had disappeared several months later. Sir Whong was devastated that the object was gone.
The stranger later on came back and gave the money back to Sir Whong.
Activity: Ask students to think about the difference between humor and wisdom. Ask students to discuss
which one they would rather have.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. This would be a good book to use if I was teaching kids
about being honest and true to their word. Overall I think that this book had a great story line and I think
kids would really enjoy it.
68. Title: Kate and the Beanstalk
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Grade: 2-4
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale

Synopsis: Kate was a girl who lived with her mom and they were in dire need of food. Kate decided to sell
their only cow in exchange for some magic beans that she got from a beggar. Her mom was so unhappy
that she tossed the seeds out the window. The seeds grew into a huge beanstalk which Kate started
climbing. Kate climbed all the way up the beanstalk until she reached a castle, where she was in charge of
getting three objects. Eventually she found all the objects that the fairy told her to get.
Activity: Have students read Jack and the Beanstalk. Compare and Contrast the two.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I personally really like the story of Jack and the Beanstalk
and I think that students will as well. This is definitely a book that I would use in my classroom.
69. Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Bonnie Dobkin
Grade: 1-3
Genre: Folktale/Fairytale
Synopsis: Little Red Riding Hood was bored so her mother sent her to her grandmas house because she
was old enough to go on her own. Her mother had told her to go straight to Grandmas house but there
was just so much to look at in the woods that she got distracted. While on her way, she ran into the wolf
that ended up scaring Little Red Riding Hoods grandma. The wolf pretended to be her Grandma and
scared her, and she wished she would have listened to her mother. Her brother ultimately came to the
rescue.
Activity: Have students read this story and write what they would do if they met a wolf in the woods. This
would be like an expository writing activity.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. This is one of those books that I grew up reading as a
kid. This is definitely a book that I would use in my classroom, when it came to teaching fairytales.
70. Title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Author: Bonnie Dobkin
Grade: K-2
Genre: Fairytale/Folktale
Synopsis: This was about a little girl named Goldilocks who lived in a cottage by the edge of the woods.
She was advised to not go in the woods, but she did so anyways. She came across a cottage that was the
home to three bears. Goldilocks was wondering in the woods, where she got lost and didnt know which
way to go. Goldilocks wondered into the home of the bears where she made herself perfectly
comfortable. She tried everything that belonged to the bears. The three bears discovered that someone
had been in their house and they were less than happy about it so Goldilocks ran as fast as she could back
to her house.
Activity: Have students work on logical order. Have students put the events in the story in the order that
they belong.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed reading this book. This is one of the books that I grew up reading
when I was younger. I think that students will really enjoy reading this book.
Multicultural
71. Title: Anansi and His Children
Author: Bonnie Dobkin
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about a Spider named Anansi. He was very well respected and friends with
everyone. Anansi is described as being clever and a mischief maker, and even a father to six kids. Each of
his kids had a special gift. For example one of his kids was named See Trouble because he could see

trouble. Anansi found a glowing object and was trying to figure out what kid to give it too. Something
happened to Anansi before he could return to his kids, so his kids had to come help their dad.
Activity: Have students make puppets to recreate the story. Some example puppets could be having all
the spiders represented. This would help students retell the story.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely use this book in my classroom to teach
students about family and how important it is to rely on each other. I think that this book has a really
good message that students will enjoy.
72. Title: The Pot that Juan Built
Author: Nancy Andrews- Goebel
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book is about Juan and the pot that he built. This book looks at all the steps that Juan went
through to make this pot. Along with telling the story of the pot, the book also tells about Juans life. For
example Juan became a professional potter maker in the 1970s.
Activity: Have students make their own clay pots. Go through all the steps that Juan went through to
make their own pots.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was cool that this book also offered a
biography of Juan as well. I think that students will enjoy this book because they can see all the steps that
go into making a clay pot.
73. Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo
Author: retold by Arlene Mosel
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about two little boys whose mother told them not go near the well, but they did
so anyways. One of the boys fell into the well, and the other son had to go get help. Chang had to run to
the old man with the ladder to help him get him out. At one point Tikki Tikki Tembo fell into the well as
well, so Chang had to get help.
Activity: Have students think about what they would do if they fell into a well. Share with the class when
done.
Personal Review: 4/5. I enjoyed this book. I thought it had a good message, because it will teach students
to follow their parents instructions, when given. I think this would be a good book for students to learn
about other cultures.
74. Title: The Egyptian Cinderella
Author: Shirley Climo
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about a girl named Rhodopis who was captured by pirates. The servant girls
teased Rhodopis because she did not look like the other girls. Her master had enough of Rhodopis getting
teased so he ordered her a fancy new pair of shoes, making the other girls jealous. At one point Rhodopis
lost one of her shoes, and it ended up at the Pharaohs party. He went on a search to find the owner of
the shoes. The servant girls were jealous of Rhodopis so they tried to hide her other shoe. Ultimately
Pharaoh found the owner of the shoes.
Activity: Have students compare and contrast the American version of Cinderella compared to the
Egyptian version. Have students watch Cinderella if there is time.

75.

76.

77.

78.

Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book because I personally love Cinderella.
I think students will really enjoy this book because it is similar to the Cinderella story that they know
already.
Title: Knots on a Counting Rope
Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about a Grandfather telling a story to his grandson. The boy was being told about
how he came into the world. He was named Boy-Strength-of- Blue-Horse which they considered a strong
name for a boy. This book is a recount of his life and how he came into the world.
Activity: Have students look at the lifestyle of Native Americans. Compare and Contrast it to the life of
Americans.
Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. I found it really hard to understand. I dont think that
students would really enjoy this book. I dont think I would use this book in my classroom.
Title: When the Monkeys Came Back
Author: Kristine L. Franklin
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about Monkeys and how they were a crucial part of society. They announced
many things including when the day was changing into night. When the town was getting more developed
there were less and less forests for the monkeys to be in. Eventually they went away because there
werent enough trees for them. Marta was really sad that the monkeys went away because she grew up
with them being around. She started planting trees when she was young and they grew to be super tall
and the monkeys eventually came back.
Activity: Talk to students about how important it is to conserve our resources. Have students brainstorm
ways that we can conserve our resources.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it had a good message about how
important it is to conserve resources. I think this would be a good book to use when it comes to teaching
conservation.
Title: Paper Crane
Author: Molly Bang
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about a man who used to be a very busy man running his restaurant. One day he
became less busy so he was left polishing his plates and soon became poor. One day a man came into the
restaurant, he didnt have money to pay for his meal so he decided to make a crane instead as his
payment for his meal. The crane became a real bird and people came from all over to see the bird
perform.
Activity: Have students practice making cranes. Explain to the students about origami.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think this would be a good book to use to teach student
about different cultures and what they do. I think this would be a good book to use if I was teaching a Art
lesson.
Title: Abuela
Author: Arthur Dorros
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural

Synopsis: this book was about a girl and her Abuela and how they like to do lots of things together. They
do a variety of things around the city. This book also had a variety of phrases in Spanish as well.
Activity: have students write letters to their grandparents about all the things that they like to with each
other.
Personal Review 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this is a book that a lot of students can relate
to. I know that I like hanging out with my grandparents, and this was a book that I could relate to. This
book would be good to use on grandparents appreciation day.
79. Title: Around the World With my Red Balloon
Author: V. Gilbert Beers
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about a red balloon and all the places that it would go with the humans. The
humans were saying that they would take it all around the world. Some of the places that the red balloon
went were to visit the Eskimos and igloos. The red balloon went all around the world to visit people from
all different parts of the world.
Activity: Have students research countries from around the world. Have them report back on the
customs that they found.
Personal Review: 4/5. I enjoyed this book. I thought that it was cool all the places the red balloon went. I
think that students will really enjoy this book because they get a glimpse of children and places from
around the world.
80. Title: Whoever You Are
Author: Mem Fox
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Multicultural
Synopsis: This book was about children from all over the world. It stated that there are children just like
us that are the same even though our skin might be different we are all the same in some way. This book
looked at how their skin, schools, and land might be different from ours.
Activity: Have students draw a picture of them and write down everything that they like to do. Compare
them with the other students in their class.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that this would be a good book when it comes
to self-image and accepting others for the way that they are. I would definitely use this book if I was
teaching students about accepting themselves.
Fantasy/Other
81. Title: Duck for President
Author: Doreen Cronin
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Farmer Brown and all the things that he has to do on the barn. He even
assigns chores for his animals as well. Duck didnt like the farmer being in control so he decided to hold an
election to replace him. Farmer Brown was so mad that he made voter registration harder so that the
animals couldnt vote. Ultimately the duck ended up winning the election and became president. He soon
realized that he didnt want to be president because of all the work that it required.
Activity: Have students research the various branches of government and what each branch does. Have
them compare the sections.

Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use for social
studies if you were teaching about government and what each branch has to do. Overall I really enjoyed
this book. I think that this would be a good book to use in the classroom.
82. Title: Who ate all the Cookie Dough?
Author: Karen Beaumont
Grade: K-2
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about a Kanagroo trying to figure out who ate the cookie dough. She questions a
variety of characters such as zebras and llamas. After questioning all these animals it ultimately ended up
being the kangaroos kid.
Activity: Have students practice rhyming and repetition. See if they can find all the examples in this story.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use if I was
going to teach a lesson on rhyming and repetition. I think that students will really enjoy this book because
it all about cookie dough and who doesnt love cookie dough.
83. Title: Read All About It!
Author: Laura Bush and Jenna Bush
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Tyrone and how he ruled the school and was a class clown. Tyrone really
doesnt like to read, but his teacher really loves reading and books. One day Tyrone actually liked story
time because it was about space. Soon after that, characters started appearing out of nowhere from the
stories that Miss Libro was reading. All the characters that appeared were from books. Ultimately Tyrone
grew to have a love of reading.
Activity: Have students design a poster that is ALL ABOUT ME! Have them put facts on there that no one
else knows. Share the completed posters with the class.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use for students
who might not enjoy reading. Reading this book might encourage them to want to read and learn about
books. I would definitely use this book in my classroom to teach about reading.
84. Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Grade: K-2
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about a caterpillar and how he was super hungry. He was so hungry that he went
on a search for some food. Everyday throughout the week he ate something but he was still hungry so he
kept on eating. For example on Monday he ate through one apple. Every day he ate more and more and
ultimately became a big caterpillar. He built a small house and became a butterfly.
Activity: Have students create their own caterpillars and put them around the classroom. Make these
after reading this book.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use for art and
also math. I think that students will enjoy seeing how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
85. Title: Grumpy Grandpa
Author: Heather Henson
Grade: K-2
Genre: Fantasy/Other

Synopsis: This book was about a boy and how he had a really grump Grandpa. The boy explains how his
grandpa is grumpy doing everyday tasks such as reading the newspaper and feeding his dog. One day
Grandpa takes his grandson fishing so that they can spend some time together. They have a heart to heart
and ultimately Grandpa starts having fun with his grandson. He might have been grumpy because he
forgot what it was like to be little.
Activity: Have students write letters to their grandparents day. If there is grandparents day at the school,
the students could give them the letters then.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use if there was
Grandparents day at the school. I think that a lot of students could relate to this book.
86. Title: Franklins Bicycle Helmet
Author: Paulette Bourgeois
Grade: K-2
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Franklin and how his bicycle helmet was now too small for his head.
Franklin and his mom went shopping to get a new helmet and they got one with a flashing light on top of
it. The next day when Franklin went to school, he heard his friends talking about how weird they were and
Franklin got sad. Franklin thought that people were going to make fun of his helmet but his friends
thought that it was cool.
Activity: Have students think about how people feel when we make fun of them. Discuss why we
shouldnt do that.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how at first Franklin wasnt too sure about
his helmet and he thought that his friends would make fun of him. I think that this is a concept that a lot
of students can relate too. I really liked how at the end, his friends really liked his helmet.
87. Title: Knuffle Bunny Free
Author: Mo Willems
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Trixie and how she was going on a trip to visit her grandparents. Trixie left
Knuffle Bunny on the plane, and ultimately had to do life without it for a little bit. On the way back home
she found it on the plane, and realized that she was old enough and didnt need it anymore. She gave
knuffle bunny to a baby who was crying on the plane.
Activity: Have students draw pictures of a trip that they have been on. After they have done this have
them bring pictures to put on top of them, kind of like Mo Willems.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was cool how Mo Willems used mixed media
to tell a story. I think that students can relate to this book because a lot of students can relate to having a
stuffed animal and eventually having to let it go.
88. Title: Meet the Barkers Morgan and Moffat go to school
Author: Tommie De Paola
Grade: K-3
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Moffat and Morgan and how they were getting ready to start school. This
book looked at all the things that they did to get ready for school. While at school, it was easy to see
which twin knew more than the other one did. Ultimately both twins got more acquainted for school and
really liked it.
Activity: Have students make a list of all the things that they did to get ready for the start of school. Have
them journal how they felt about the first day of school.

Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that students can really relate to this book
because it has to do with the first day of school. I thought that it was good to see the twins succeed after
they got more acquainted to school.
89. Title: My Mom had X-Ray Vision
Author: Angela McAllister
Grade: K-3
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Matthews Mom and how she was just like the other moms. Matthew was
convinced that she had X-ray vision because she also knew when he was doing something he shouldnt
be. Matthew put his mom to the test, and she passed and now he thinks that she has eyes in the back of
her head.
Activity: Have students write poems about their moms. Present them to their moms on Mothers day
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I know that when I was a kid I thought my mom had xray vision because she always knew what I was doing and when I was about to get into trouble. I think
that this book is something that kids can relate too.
90. Title: Professor Puffendorfs Secret Potions
Author: Robin Tzannes and Korky Paul
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Fantasy/Other
Synopsis: This book was about Professor Puffendorfs and how she was the greatest scientist of all time.
The professor had an assistant, Slag who was in charge when the professor left for vacation. Slag broke
into the professors top secret cabinet and tested them on the professors guniea pig. Slag continued
testing all the professors potions while she was gone. Eventually Slag got caught and the professor had
lunch with her guinea pig.
Activity: Have students come up with their own secret potions. Share them with the class.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoy science so it was nice to read a book about
science. I think that students will enjoy reading this book because it allows them to think about the
potions that they might want to create if they could.
Social Studies
91. Title: The Magic Bojabi Tree
Author: Piet Grobler
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about a python and how he guarded a tree with the best fruit on it. The python
wouldnt let anyone eat the fruit off the tree until they told him the name of it. So the zebra ran off, to ask
the king to name the tree. On his way back he forgot the name of the tree, so the other animals had to go
ask the king to tell them the name again. The animals took turns trying to remember the name of the
tree. Ultimately it was the tortoise who remembered the name of the tree, and the python uncoiled
himself and let the animals eat the fruit.
Activity: Have students make a list of all the things that can be accomplished when we help eachother.
Ask students why it is important to help each other.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. I think that this book would be good to use if I was
teaching teamwork or even a lesson on corporative learning. Overall this is definitely a book that I would
have in my classroom.
92. Title: Dust for Dinner

93.

94.

95.

96.

Author: Ann Turner

Grade: 2-5
Genre: Historical/Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about the dust bowl, and how it affected the people who lived on the plains. The
dust storm had a negative impact on the people who lived on the plains. Since there was no water it was
really affecting peoples lifestyle. Eventually the family had to leave to find a better quality of life.
Activity: Have students write reports on how the Dust Bowl affected people who lived on the plain. Also
use a Cause and Effect Chart so that students can see the effects of the Dust Bowl.
Personal Review: 5/5.I really enjoyed this book. I think that this would be a good book to use when
teaching the Dust Bowl. I think that this book put it in terms that students would understand.
Title: The Little Boy Star: An Allegory of the Holocaust
Author: Rachel Hausfater
Grade: 4-5
Genre: Historical/ Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about a boy who was a star. The star represented that he was Jewish. As he grew
older he became more ashamed of the star. At one point the stars were being attacked and taken places
that no one would want to go to. This book was ultimately about the Holocaust.
Activity: Have students recount the events of the Holocaust. Have students present their findings to the
class.
Personal Review: 4/5. I enjoyed this book. I think that this was a clever way to present the Holocaust in a
childrens book. I think that students will understand more of the material since it was presented in a kid
friendly way.
Title: Pink and Say
Author: Patricia Polacco
Grade: 3-5
Genre: historical/Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about Sheldon and how he had been injured in a battle. Another soldier came to
his rescue and helped him, so that he would feel better. The African American man was helping the white
man since he was injured. Pinkuss family took care of Sheldon, since he was injured badly. Eventually the
two became really good friends.
Activity: Have students discuss the effects of segregation. Make a chart of what they say.
Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. I found this book hard to understand, and I think
students would too. I do think that this would be a good book to use when teaching segregation.
Title: The Butterfly
Author: Patricia Polacco
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Historical/Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about the Holocaust. It was about a little girl, Monique and how the Nazis had
come into her village and started causing trouble. One day Monique notices that a little girl has been
hiding from the Nazis in her room. Eventually they become friends, but one day everything changes.
Activity: Have students read the story of Anne Frank. Have a mini book club with the students.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. This book kind of reminded me of the story of Anne
Frank. I think that students would enjoy hearing about the Holocaust from a kids perspective.
Title: Leonardos Horse
Author: Jean Fritz
Grade: 4-6

Genre: Historical/Social Studies

Synopsis: This book was about Leonardo de Vinci and how everyone knew that he would be an artist. This
book was kind of like a recount of Leonardos life. He studied a variety of things and one of the things that
he created was a horse. He worked very hard to come up with the best looking horse possible. Ultimately
he created a giant horse statue made out of clay. Then one day something happened to the horse and
Leonardo was very unhappy, so he created another one, made out of plaster.
Activity: Have students make their own clay horses. Have them explain the process of how they made
their horses.
Personal Review: 5/5. I really enjoyed this book. As a kid, I also heard the name De Vinci, but I never
knew much about him. This book really allowed me to learn more about him. I think kids will enjoy this
book because it shows how he made some of his most noteworthy work.
97. Title: El Chino
Author: Allen Say
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Historical/ Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about a boy named Billy and how his family came from Canton, China. It was also
about how they came to America, and started living the American way of life. For example they opened a
grocery store and went to school to study things such as being a librarian and even a teacher. Bobby
wanted to be an athlete but his family didnt understand but he continued playing anyways. Ultimately
Bobby ended up being a bull fighter. He kind of had an identity crisis, and ultimately found himself back in
a Chinese costume. They called him El Chino which means the Chinese, and everyone respected him.
Activity: Have students learn about immigration, and some of the reasons why people leave their home
country in search of a better life in America.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was cool how Bobby had so much
determination to find something that he was passionate about, and go after it. I think that this will be a
good book to use when it comes to teaching determination.
98. Title: The Seasons Sewn
Author: Ann Whitford Paul
Grade: 2-5
Genre: Historical/Social studies
Synopsis: this book was about a year in patchwork. It looked at the various types of patchwork and what
they represent. For example some of the patchwork represented includes crossroad canoes, bear paws
and dolley Madison star.
Activity: Have students come up with their own patchwork. Have them write a reflection of why they
chose that type of patchwork.
Personal Review: 4/5. I enjoyed this book. I thought it was cool to see a variety of patchworks. I think
that this would be a good book to use if I wanted to teach students how to make their own patchwork.
99. Title: Black Cowboy Wild Horses
Author: Julius Lester
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Historical/ Social Studies
Synopsis: This book was about Bob lemmons and how he and horse discovered new things. Bob some
mustangs that he had never seen before on his land. Bobs horse soon warmed up to the other horses and
they soon became friends and got along really well. Eventually trouble struck, and it was up to Bob and his
horse to solve it.
Activity: Have students research characteristics of cowboys. Also talk about westward expansion.

Personal Review: 3/5. I didnt really enjoy this book. I found it hard to understand, and I think that kids
would as well. I would maybe use this book in my classroom if I was teaching about cowboys or the west.
100. Title: Always Remember Me: How one Family Survived World War II
Author: Marisabina Russo
Grade: 3-5
Genre: Historical/ Social Studies
Synopsis: This was about a girl and how she always spent Sundays with her Grandma. Each Sunday, her
grandma told her the story of her life. She had a good life until World War 1 started. Oma told Sabina
about the Nazis and how there was super strict laws for the Jews. This recounted all the events of World
War 1 from a survivors perspective.
Activity: Have students write reports on World War. Recount the events on World War II.
Personal Review: 4/5. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was very well told from a survivors
perspective. I think this would be a good book to use when going over the events in World War II.