The smart cookie by Jory John is about a cookie that lives in a bakery and has a great life in a great community but does not always feel fulfilled. He meets a younger cookie that he mentors and motivates to be confident at school.

The Couch Potato by Jory John is a great children's book about a Couch Potato that has everything he could ever need in arm's reach but will not get up off the couch. This story is great for young children about determination and the benefits of getting active and being outside.

The Bad Seed by Jory John is about a seed with a temper and bad attitude. This book is about him and his journey to be happy.
This is a great book about behavior that would be extremely beneficial to a classroom.

The Good Egg by Jory John is about an egg that embarks on a self-care and reflection journey. The good egg is about finding healthy coping mechanisms and ways to feel good about yourself. This is a great great book that I hope to have readily available to my students when they need a reminder of how to cope or feel good.

Holes by Louis Sachar is a classic story and a great movie... about a young man who is sent to a boot camp and struggles to accept his past and why he is there.

I loved this book when I was younger and think it would be a great read-aloud for older grades.

Holes is a Newberry Award winner

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a classic story about a young boy named Max who makes up an imaginary place “where the wild things are“ to escape his real world. This is a classic story that means a lot to me and my family, so I will certainly be reading this in my classroom.

This book is a Caldecott Medal Award winner

Elephant Island is a children's book by Leo Timmer's about an Elephant named Arnold who adventures the sea but ends up on a small island in the middle of the sea. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be using it in my future classroom.

Lights of Winter by Heather Conrad is a children's book about different kinds of celebrations that occur around the world in the winter. This book lists and explains numerous amounts of holidays, ceremonies, and celebrations around the world.
This book is a great read-aloud that represents all different kinds of holidays that students may not be familiar with.
Would definitely use in my classroom!

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen and Kadir Nelson Levine is a children's book about “the Underground Railroad's most famous runaway slaves“ and Henry's great idea to help these enslaved escape in a creative way.

Duck for President is a children's book by Doreen Cronin about a duck who is introduced to the political world starting with an election on his farm home.

This is a great book for a read-aloud, especially when introducing democracy to an older grade! Definitely recommend for any grade though!

This book of few words by Mihn Lee is an incredible story of a Grandpa and Grandson who speak different languages and have trouble connecting because of it. However, they find a common ground through art.

This is a spectacular book about family, differences in culture, and ways to communicate with people through things other than words.

This short “chapter“ book by James Howe is a great story about trying something to new and overcoming disappointment and fear with the help of great friends. Great read aloud for a class (that is willing to sit through a couple different stories).

This real-life story is about a young girl that struggles with dyslexia. Her teacher, Mr. Falker is determined to help her thrive.

This is a great book about determination and empathy between students and teachers.

Fry Bread is an informational children's book about Fry Bread, which is exactly what it sounds like- an informational text Fry Bread. Fry Bread is a Native American recipe and this book illustrates a young girl making the bread.

This book is a slow read, and although I appreciate the information inside, I would not recommend it for a read-aloud, unless planning to make Fry Bread while learning about Native American culture.

This is a book about a father and daughter who work together to do her hair as her mom usually does. This is a fantastic book by Matthew A. Cherry that has incredible African American representation and gives all readers an understanding of how life is different for others!

This children's book is about marine biologist Eugenie Clark and her adventure to become the most fearless woman in the ocean. This is a great book with an underlying message about finding truths that others cannot or will not see, as Eugenie wants to save the sharks and spread awareness.

This children's book is about a young girl who was sent to America by her grandmother. This is a great story when introducing immigration to young learners.

This book is a bit slow, but a great piece of historical fiction!

Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill is about Bo, an Alaskan orphan who was adopted and raised by two locals that teach him the Alaskan way.

This is a great read-aloud for younger readers to introduce the idea of the gold mine and historical fiction!

Would love to use this in my classroom someday!

This book is about a young girl who does not accept a new girl at school. This young girl quickly is taught the power of kindness.

This is a great read-aloud for any aged student, or adult about the power of each kindness.

Will definitely be using this in my future classroom

This book is about two young people trying to find their footing after enduring hardships in their rural hometown. This book seems like a fantastic book for older students to learn about differences around the world. I would definitely use this book in an older classroom!

This book is a Whipporwill Award Winner

This story is about a young boy who has to surrender his beloved pet when his dad is enlisted in the military.
This book is a great tool to teach empathy to young children! Seems like a great read and something I would love to have in my classroom!

This story is about a newly disabled woman, Jessica, and a newly trained service dog, Rescue who band together and make a great team that helps one another immensely!

This book is also a Schneider Family Book Award.

Owl moon is a calming, centered book about a young boy who goes owling with his father. Throughout his owling adventure, the boy learns patience and grace while watching his father model these actions.

Great book for the classroom after recess or when students need to settle down.

This book by Jeanette Winter is about a young girl living in a community where women are not allowed to learn. Nasreen and other women in her community go against the law and attend a secret school to learn.
Great read to show a perspective of another part of the world. I will be using this in my classroom!

The Hate U Give is about young Starr Carter who grows up in Garden Heights and travels outside of town to go to school, to avoid everything Garden Heights brings. By the end of the story Starr has seen her two best friends get shot and killed- one from gang violence, the other by a police officer. Starr stands up and starts a movement.

The City of Ember is a story about a post-apocalyptic, underground world where young Lina and Doon are adventuring, following clues to leave the city and make it safely to the outside world.

One of my favorite reads in high elementary!

Protector of the Small is about a young girl who wants nothing more than to be a knight and to do all the things a knight does. Being a girl does not make this easy. However, this story shows her prevail against all odds and shows what women can do.

This book is excellent for young children, as it relates to a friendship between a duck, a squirrel, and a cat. The moral of the story is that many things can come from the power of friendship! Plus a great Halloween time read!

Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick was published in 1996. This book is about a boy that challenges his teacher about a choice of the word for pen.

I remember reading this book in elementary school and ADORED it! I will most certainly have this available in my classroom.

Frindle is a Pheonix award winner.

This graphic novel is about a seventh-grade boy, Jordan Banks. Jordan is passionate about art and cartoons. His parents send him to a private school where he is one of the only children of color in his entire grade.

This is a great book for young readers to introduce them to the different walks of life people go through and how race affects life for people.

This book is about a boy's crayons in his crayon box. All the different crayons have issues with the boy whether it be being overworked, or forgotten. Great light-hearted read-aloud.

E.B. White read aloud award winner.

Granny teaches her grandson to cook the family meal in this loving celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table.
This book would be great for a classroom to demonstrate traditions all students may not share and start a conversation about different traditions each student has at home.
Soul Food Sunday is a Golden Kite Award Winner.

Snowy Day is about a young African American boy, Peter, who ventures outside for the first snowfall of the season.
Snowy Day is a Caldecott Metal Award Winner and was one of the first children's picture books with a Black person as the protagonist.

This Children's book is about the timeline of Martin Luther King Jr's life. The book is given from Martin Luther King Jr's perspective, starting as a young boy that looks up to his father as a preacher at church. And moves to his life as a young man, talking about the Civil Rights Movement and his actions during this time.

I give this book a 5/5. I will be using it in my classroom in the future.