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Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer,  written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Natasha Donovan, is a treasure!  My fourth graders are HUGE Traci Sorell fans and they were so excited when this book arrived in our classroom. The story of Mary Golda Ross is one that will resonate with… Continue reading Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

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Too Small Tola by Atinuke and illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

I am always on the lookout for great chapter books to share with children who have progressed beyond early readers, but are not yet ready for the sophistication and length of middle grade novels. Too Small Tola is a chapter book divided into three stories that tell about Tola and her life living in Lagos,… Continue reading Too Small Tola by Atinuke and illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

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Jump At The Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston

Check out #MeetSomeoneNewMonday on social media. Join us! Jump At The Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston is a captivating picture book biography that you'll want on your shelf. The lyrical text paired with the vibrant illustrations brought joy to our fourth grade classroom. I'll let the young readers say… Continue reading Jump At The Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston

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Kindness Is a Kite String: The Uplifting Power of Empathy

Kindness is a Kite String by Michelle Schaub is a must have for National Poetry Month. Read on to find out why. Figurative language is a powerful writing tool and Kindnes Is a Kite String flows with similes and metaphors. Sure, you could hand out a boring worksheet that drills the differences between similes and… Continue reading Kindness Is a Kite String: The Uplifting Power of Empathy

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The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca

The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca by Amanda Abler I’ve got a second-grade class full of animal lovers this year, so I knew I’d need to share The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca with them when it crossed my desk. In text by Amanda Abler… Continue reading The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca

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The Ramble Shamble Children by Christina Soontornvat

Looking for a lovely read aloud for elementary students? The Ramble Shamble Children by Christina Soontornvat is a perfect fit. The five ramble shamble children live together in a ramble shamble house. When they see a proper house in a storybook, they ponder whether their home needs changes. The changes they make don’t turn out… Continue reading The Ramble Shamble Children by Christina Soontornvat

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My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness By Georgia Heard

My Thoughts Are Like Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness By Georgia Heard Last month, I taught my distance learning first graders a unit on writing poetry. When thinking about where to begin, I went back to my roots, where I really learned about poetry myself. Over ten years ago, when I was a third grade teacher,… Continue reading My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness By Georgia Heard

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Let’s Eat! Written by Ana Zamorano – Illustrated by Julie Vivas

This wonderful book tells the story of a big happy family who eat a big lunch together every day and enjoy each other’s company. The warm colors and creative perspectives (overhead, up close, from afar) of the pictures kept our readers eager to turn the pages to see what was next.The book has a terrific,… Continue reading Let’s Eat! Written by Ana Zamorano – Illustrated by Julie Vivas

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Emma Every Day series by C.L. Reid & illustrated by Elena Aiello

I am so excited to share the Emma Every Day series with you! With four titles already available and four more due out August 1, 2021, this own voice series is a must have on your classroom bookshelves. Emma is a deaf third grader and in her books we learn about Emma’s likes and dislikes,… Continue reading Emma Every Day series by C.L. Reid & illustrated by Elena Aiello

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Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways

While attending a Diversity training by Dr. Kalise Wornum, she mentioned a book Ouch! Moments by Michael Genhart. Dr. Wornum recommended this book specifically for helping young students understand microaggressions. With everything going on in the news, I felt this was the perfect time to address this with my students. This book describes the different… Continue reading Ouch! Moments: When Words Are Used in Hurtful Ways

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Planet Omar Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian and illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik

My name is Omar—this is my face. I have a HUGE imagination. I hate carrots. I once raced against my dad’s car on my bike—and won! Finding wonderful new chapter books for read aloud has been my quest this school year. I was so pleased to discover Planet Omar Accidental Trouble Magnet by #ownvoices author… Continue reading Planet Omar Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian and illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik