Who Was Thomas Jefferson? by Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrated John O'Brien and Nancy Harrison, 2003

Brief annotation:

Did you know that John Adams had to coax Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence? It's true. The shy Virginia statesman refused at first, but then went on to author one of our nation's most important and inspiring documents. The third U.S. president, Jefferson was also an architect, inventor, musician, farmer, and-what is certainly the most troubling aspect of his life-a slave owner. Finally, here's a biography for kids that unveils the many facets of this founding father's remarkable and complicated life.

Themes include US history, slavery, and the personal and political life of a funding father.

This is a great book for a young student who is looking to do a project on an historical figure. It would be good to use in the history class to talk about the many aspects of US history that Thomas Jefferson influenced. It could also lead to interesting discussion on how Thomas Jefferson overcame his shyness and his stutter as well as his failures in terms of allowing slavery to continue in the the young nation.

Muti’s Necklace: The Oldest Story In The World

Muti’s Necklace: The Oldest Story In The World by Louise Hawes and illustrated by Rebecca Guay, 2006

Brief annotation:

Muti treasures the necklace her father gave her so much that she risks the wrath of Egypt's pharaoh when it falls into the water. Based on an ancient Egyptian story.

Themes include ancient Egyptian folklore, family and a strong female character.

See linked document for classroom ideas.

Who Built the Pyramids?

Who Built the Pyramids? by Jane Chisholm and Struan Reid and illustrated by Sue Stitt, 2004

Brief annotation:

Packed full of fun and facts about everyday life in Ancient Egypt, this is the sort of book you dip into to find out about one thing...and end up reading from cover to cover!

Themes include, specifically, the Pyramids but also ancient Egyptian civilization, history and everyday life.

See linked document for classroom ideas.

Egypt ABC’s: a Book About the People and Places of Egyt

Egypt ABC’s: a Book About the People and Places of Egyt by Sarah Heiman and illustrated by Todd Ouren, 2003

Brief annotation:

An alphabetical exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of Egypt.

Themes include modern and ancient Egypt, cultural understanding and appreciation as well as connections to our modern life.

See linked document for classroom ideas.

Library Lion

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, 2006

Brief annotation:

A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend.

Themes include libraries, rules, obedience and friendship.

This is a great book for first visits to the library in the school year. It is a good way to start talking about how to make the most of the library and to enjoy it while still understanding and following the rules ... within reason.

- Virginia Readers’ Choice, 2009

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi, 2002

Brief annotation:

Set in 14th-century England, this Newbery-winning novel centers on an orphaned outcast who gets pegged for murder.

Themes include orphans, hero story, apprenticeships and 14th-century England.

This is a good book for studying Medieval England to get a personal connection to the life of the lower class in the 14th-century. It is a good read with a lot of adventure to keep even reluctant readers interested.

- John Newbery Medal, 2003

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrated by Betty Fraser, 1998

Brief annotation:

An illustrated collection of poems about all sorts of subjects, including "Wishes," "Ducks," "When I Need a Real Baby," and "Growing."

Themes include whimsical poems on many, many topics such as play, seasons, animals and growing up.

Since this book has poems of dealing with so many different topics, it would be a good book to use to have children pick their own favorites poem. Perhaps have a student read a poem of their choosing before each class during a poetry unit.

Handsprings

Handsprings, by Douglas Florian, 2006

Brief annotation:

This collection of poems and paintings captures the freshness and promise of spring, whether it comes in like a lion or a lamb. A companion to the highly praised Winter Eyes, Summersaults, and Autumnblings, Handsprings completes Douglas Florian's seasonal celebration.

Themes including winter to spring, spring, growth and poetry.

This is a good book for spring time and a poetry unit. It does not need to be an intense study of poetry, simply exposure to poetry with the timely topic of spring.

The Day I Fell Down the Toilet and Other Poems

The Day I Fell Down the Toilet and Other Poems by Steve Turner and illustrated by David Mostyn, 1996

Brief annotation:

Best friends and animals, schooldays and secret ambitions, boring days and embarrassing moments—these are a few of the topics featured in this collection. Also included are more serious subjects such as creation, death, and pollution.

Themes include poetry, creation, environmentalism, every day life and death.

This is another fun book for a poetry unit. This is appropriate for older children and the humor as well as relatability of these poems will help children appreciate poetry.

The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom

The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Meilo So, 1997

Brief annotation:

An illustrated collection of poems about animals, insects, and birds by poets from different parts of the world.

Themes include poetry, animals and world culture.

This is a good book for a poetry unit because it is a varied collection in terms of cultural elements and it deals with a favorite topic of children: animals.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, 2000

Brief annotation:

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.

Themes include loneliness, friendship, family and the relationships between dogs and people.

This book would be a good book for a class to read together. Discuss questions could include:
If you ate one of Miss Franny's Littmus Lozenges, what would it taste like to you?
What do you think of the preacher as a father?
What is the significance of the various friendships Opal forms over her first summer in Florida? What does she learn from this diverse group of people?
How do you think Winn-Dixie changed the people whose lives he touched? Was his impact more significant on some characters than others?

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, 2000

Brief annotation:

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

Themes include immigration, family, minorities and responsibility.

This story is a good look at the conditions for minorities and immigrants during the Great Depression. It could be paired with current events topics of immigration.

- Pura Belpre Award, 2002

The Way We Work

The Way We Work by David Macaulay, 2008
Brief annotation

Many of us spend most of our lives oblivious to even basic information about the most amazing thing we'll ever take for granted-our own bodies. In The Way We Work, David Macaulay gives readers an opportunity to discover just how remarkable the human body really is. This comprehensive and entertaining resource reveals the inner workings of the human body and all of its systems and mechanisms, as only David Macaulay could. Page after page of beautifully illustrated spreads detail everything from cells to the bones and organs they build, clearly explaining the function of each, and offering up-close glimpses, unique cross-sections and perspectives, and even a little humor along the way. This book is for you and everyone you know. It can serve as a reference for children of all ages, families, teachers, and anyone who has questions about how their body works. This informative and engaging guide introduces you to you, and you will come away with a new appreciation of the amazing world inside yourself. When you open the cover you will see how David Macaulay builds a body and explains THE WAY WE WORK. There is no other book like it!

Themes include human physiology and anatomy and understanding your own body.

This would be a good book to use in health or physical education classes. It can be used as a reference book for projects.

Mosque

Mosque by David Macaulay, 2003

Brief annotation:

An author and artist who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern people, David Macaulay here reveals the methods and materials used to design and construct a mosque in late-sixteenth- century Turkey. Through the fictional story and Macaulay’s distinctive full-color illustrations, readers will learn not only how such monumental structures were built but also how they functioned in relation to the society they served.
As always, Macaulay has given a great deal of attention to the relationship between pictures and text, creating another brilliant celebration of an architectural wonder.

Themes include architecture, 16th century Turkish civilation and culture. Cultural understanding and diversity.

This is a great book to use to give a better understanding of Muslim culture during the 16th century. It is not trying to convince anyone of anything and therefor should not be at all contravorsal. It simply is a look at a moment in time, just as Cathedral and Pyramid look at the entire civilazation surrounding the building of the catherdral and the pyramid.

Cathedral

Cathedral by David Macaulay, 1973

Brief annotation:

Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the imaginary French town of Chutreaux during the thirteenth century.

Themes include architecture, 13th century civilization and culture.

This book would be great to use in an introductory French class, just as a way to learn about French culture historically. It would also be a good book for an art class that is looking at how to draw architecture.

– New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year in 1973 and Caldecott Honor Award (1974)

Pyramid

Pyramid by David Macaulay, 1975

Brief annotation:

Text and black-and-white illustrations follow the intricate step-by-step process of the building of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.

Themes include architecture, ancient civilization and Egyptian culture.

This book would go great with the 2nd grade social studies SOL's regarding ancient Egypt. The reading level is probably a little high for 2nd graders to get through the entire book but it can be used as a reference book if they are focusing on one aspect of ancient Egypt.

– New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (Honor Book, 1976) and Christopher Award (1976)

The Way Things Work

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay, 1988

Brief annotation:

Text and numerous detailed illustrations introduce and explain the scientific principles and workings of hundreds of machines including a lawn sprinkler, pneumatic drill, electric guitar, and a smoke detector.

Themes include science, mechanics, household items and innovation

This is a good informational book to use like a reference book. It could be helpful for science fair projects or simply a good recommendation for students who are interested in how things work.

– Best Nonfiction awarded by Boston Globe-Horn Book (1989)

Black and White

Black and White by David Macaulay, 1990

Brief annotation:

Four brief "stories" about parents, trains, and cows, or is it really all one story? The author recommends careful inspection of words and pictures to both minimize and enhance confusion.

Themes include family, creativity and looking at the world in different ways. In the four stories, 3 of the four have words while the other one has no words.

Readers really have to pay attention with this book. Get students to point out differences from one page to the next, similarities occurring within the four stories and how these stories might be influencing each other ... or not.

– Caldecott Medal Winner

Beauty and the Beast

Eilenberg, Max. (2006). Beauty and the beast. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Pr.
Appropriate for students in second to sixth grades.
This story is a basic retelling of the original French Beauty and the Beast and the watercolor illustrations fittingly have an impressionist quality about them. There is a love of gardens and flowers in particular that also corresponds well with the romance often associated with French stories.
Best Books:
Children’s Books 2006: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006
Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007
School Library Journal Best Books, 2006
This is a good book to use for students with active imaginations, or to try to cultivate imaginations in students who fall under the “low-fantasy” category. There are enough pictures to give readers a good start, but the muted quality invites the reader to fill in more details in their own mind. Teachers and librarians could use this book in combination with an art class, asking students to draw scenes, rooms, costumes and other details that are not depicted by illustrator, Angela Barrett.
French roots.