An “A” from Miss Keller by Patricia Polacco

Polacco, Patricia. An “A” from Miss Keller. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2015.

This is a great book about a girl named Trisha who is nervous about having one of the most strict teachers. Her teacher, Miss Keller, has never given any of her students A’s. Trisha is desperately trying her best on all of her assignments and is still not getting the best grades! Trisha faces a tragedy in her neighborhood during her troubles of getting an A. Will she ever get an A?  

This book will get an A from your students! It is perfect for teaching kids to be persistent. It is also a great book for teaching kids how to include more detail in their writing.  

By guest bloggers Kirsten and Naiya, 4 Chaddock

For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story by Rebecca Langston-George

Langston-George, Rebecca. For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story. North Mankato: Capstone Young Readers, 2016. 40p.

This is an amazing, true story about a girl named Malala who fought for the right to learn. Malala was the daughter of Ziauddin Yousafzai, who owned a school in Mingora, Pakistan. Malala loved school and books very much. She would do anything to learn, even if it meant she had to fight a group that was outlawing education for girls. 

Soon, it was against the law for girls to go to school where Malala lived. Malala started writing a blog to put how she felt about girls not going to school into words. When her blog was seen, Malala was in great danger. She was on a bus when something horrible happened. What happened to her? Could she survive? Read For The Right To Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story to find out!

This story is perfect for teaching older students about biographies and character education. It's also great for teaching students about nonfiction writing, and it includes wonderful artwork. This book features some social studies information too, as it takes readers from Pakistan to England.

By guest bloggers Natalie and Angela, 4 Chaddock

Lives of the Explorers: Discoveries, Disasters (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull

Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Explorers: Discoveries, Disasters (and What the Neighbors Thought). New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 96p.

This is a fascinating book about explorers' lives! The awesome illustrations make the famous people look real. In this book, you will learn about Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson, and many more explorers. This book will also tell you a little about these famous explorers' lives before they went on their journeys.

This book is perfect for social studies and biography units. If you`re learning about explorers and voyages, it would definitely make learning fun! It's all about famous people who overcame many challenges to follow their dreams!

By: Guest bloggers Jamie and Lincoln, 4 Chaddock

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

Sisson,Stephanie. Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2014. 40p.

As a young boy, Carl Sagan was curious about everything around him. His imagination took him everywhere. But then, he saw some stars. Not knowing what they were, he looked at them every day. How did he find out what they really were? How did he become one of the world's most famous astronomers? Read this interesting book to find out!!! 

This book teaches kids about creativity and some basic facts about space. It's perfect for science and for reading and writing biographies. Its illustrations show some important facts as well.

By: Guest bloggers Jaden, Jake and Zack F., 4 Chaddock

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock

Rosenstock, Barb. The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 40p.
 
This picture book biography shares the life of Vasya Kandinsky, a child who was expected to be a proper Russian boy but whose ability to hear sounds in colors made him stand out. After receiving a paint box from his aunt, Vasya began to develop creative, abstract, "noisy" paintings that changed art forever! 

Mary Grandpre's expressive acrylic paint and paper collage illustrations enhance the text, earning the book a 2015 Caldecott Honor medal! 

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014. 320 p.

This 2015 Newbery Honor Book is moving, inspirational and essential for writing workshop in grades 4 and up! Through free verse poems, acclaimed author Jacqueline Woodson shares her childhood with readers, giving us glimpses of the moments that shaped her development as a writer. While highlighting memories of life in Ohio, South Carolina and Brooklyn during the 1960s and 1970s, she expresses the frustrations and triumphs of desegregation, the joys of time spent with family and friends, the pain of losing loved ones, the excitement she feels when she begins emulating famous authors, and her gradual realization that, "Words are my brilliance."

This is a book that you and your students will revisit often! It's a beautiful read and a powerful mentor text.

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant

Bryant, Jen. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Books, 2014. 42 p.

In this exquisite picture book biography, readers experience Peter Mark Roget's journey from a shy boy who found comfort in lists of words to a medical student, tutor, lecturer, author and inventor of the Thesaurus. Through Jen Bryant's text and Melissa Sweet's watercolor, collage and mixed media illustrations, we learn how Peter Roget has given us an incredible gift- the ability to find precisely the right word for any occasion. This Caldecott Honor book is a treat for all ages!     

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Bell, Cece. El Deafo. New York: Amulet Books, 2014. 248 p.

This Newbery Honor book, presented in graphic novel format, features the story of Cece, a girl who tries to navigate school, family and friendships after losing her hearing at an early age. Based on the author's childhood, the story portrays the hilarity and heartbreak of growing up and is sure to open readers' hearts while helping them become more empathetic, understanding people.  

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen: Ruth Wakefield and Her Yummy Invention by Carmen Bredeson

Bredeson, Carmen. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen: Ruth Wakefield and Her Yummy Invention. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, 2014. 48p.  

In this fascinating biography, readers will discover interesting facts about Ruth Wakefield, the accidental inventor of chocolate chip cookies! Recipes, photographs, fact boxes, timelines and a "You Be the Inventor" section at the end add to the book's appeal. 

Young inventors will find inspiration in this book and in others within the Inventors at Work series! 

Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley

Kerley, Barbara. Those Rebels, John & Tom. New York: Scholastic Press, 2012. 48p.

In this nonfiction picture book, readers learn how John Adams and Thomas Jefferson set aside their major differences to recognize each other's strengths and to work together for American independence. The "Author's Note" at the conclusion of the story includes facts about the complicated relationship between these two American heroes in the years following the Declaration of Independence.   

For further reading, check out Worst of Friends by Suzanne Jurmain! 

The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco

Polacco, Patricia. The Art of Miss Chew. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2012. 32p.

In this autobiographical book, author/ illustrator Patricia Polacco shares the "defining moment" in her childhood when she knew she would grow up to become an artist. This is the inspiring tale of a classroom teacher and an art teacher who, despite Patricia's difficulties reading and taking tests, recognized her strengths and fought for her ability to develop them.  

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant

Bryant, Jen. A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. 40p.

This beautifully written and illustrated children's book chronicles the life of artist Horace Pippin. Children will be inspired by Mr. Pippin's perseverance, as he continued to draw and paint despite an injury that caused him to lose control of his right arm. His positive attitude and determination helped him survive this injury and overcome many additional obstacles.

This is an excellent book for art classes, character education discussions, or biography units!

Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares

Tavares, Matt. Becoming Babe Ruth. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2013. 40p.


As a young boy, George Herman Ruth got into a lot of trouble.  At age seven his parents sent him to Saint Mary's Industrial School for Boys, a reform school, in hopes that living under strict rules would help turn him around.  At Saint Mary's, George found one thing that made him most happy, playing baseball every day. Word spread of George's ability on the baseball field, and soon he had a contract with the minor-league Baltimore Orioles. George became known as Babe Ruth. Becoming Babe Ruth shows us how he became the greatest all-around player in baseball history.


An author's note and a George "Babe" Ruth stats segment at the end enhance and extend the text. This book is great for students who like to read about sports heroes, as a class read-aloud, or as part of a character education discussion on perseverance.

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III

King, Martin Luther III. My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Amistad, 2013. 32p. 

Martin Luther King III provides readers with a moving account of childhood memories with his dad, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sharing common father-son memories (like playing airplane and tossing a football) as well as unique memories such as comforting his sister when their father went to jail to stand up for people's rights, he gives readers insight into the caring, courageous man who helped raise him while changing the world.

This is an outstanding read-aloud selection with a touching introduction and conclusion. Gorgeous, life-like illustrations by A.G. Ford support the text of this powerful memoir.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

Markel, Michelle. Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2013. 32p.  

Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant, goes to work in a New York City garment factory and realizes what horrific conditions workers there must face. She stages the "largest walkout of women workers in U.S. history," inspiring workers in other cities to fight for better working conditions as well. 

This book's beautiful lead and conclusion make it a strong historical writing mentor text, and its information about working conditions for immigrants make it an excellent selection for social studies units. 

   

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock

Rosenstock, Barb. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library. Honesdale: Calkins Creek. 2013. 32p.  

Lovely watercolor illustrations accompanied by facts, statistics, interactive text and humor combine to form an entertaining book that takes the reader through Jefferson's obsession with reading as a child and during his presidency. Small boxes on each page shaped like open books include quotes by Thomas Jefferson or interesting facts about his interests.  This story will supplement units on presidents, biographies or historical time periods nicely.

The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins

Hopkins, H. Joseph. The Tree Lady. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2013. 32p.  

This delightful picture book introduces students to Katherine Olivia Sessions who grew up in Northern California in 1860. She loved trees from the time she was a little girl, and despite the fact that girls were discouraged from getting their hands dirty, she went to the University of California to study science.  This is based on the true story of the planting project that occurred in 1915 in San Diego and was known as the Panama-California Exposition. A beautifully illustrated picture book that captures the spirit of what one woman can accomplish, while also exposing children to the joys of science and the wonders of our environment.

George Washington by Erin Edison

Edison, Erin. George Washington. North Mankato: Capstone Press, 2013. 24p.  

This presidential biography would work well for introducing features of nonfiction text (including table of contents, headings, timelines, glossary and index) while teaching students about the life and accomplishments of our first president. When paired with Abraham Lincoln by the same author, it's an excellent choice for Presidents' Day discussions in the early elementary grades.

Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Gym Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball by John Coy

Coy, John. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Gym Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2013. 32p.  

James Naismith, a new teacher, invents basketball to engage a difficult-to-manage gym class in this brief but fascinating story of perseverance. This book, perfect for read-alouds or independent reading, will entice basketball fans, young inventors and students who love biographies.       

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball by David Kelly

Kelly, David. Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2013. 32p.  

Lena Blackburne wanted to be an outstanding baseball player, but he did not become the star player he had hoped to be. As a coach, he found a way to change baseball- by discovering Baseball Rubbing Mud that's used by all Major League teams to remove shine and slickness. This engaging picture book, dedicated to "everyone who believes we can achieve our dreams in unexpected ways," will help inspire readers to make the best of initially disappointing situations.