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

Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs by Meghan McCarthy

McCarthy, Meghan. Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2015. 48p.

This interesting book is all about how earmuffs were made. It includes a lot of diagrams of different earmuffs throughout history. Readers will learn that Chester Greenwood did not invent earmuffs, but that he made them way better! 

This is a great book for nonfiction units and for learning about inventions in science. Students will also learn about patents and how important they are!  

By guest bloggers Harrison and Mohamed, 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

Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle by George Hagen

Hagen, George. Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014. 371p.

Gabriel Finley loves solving riddles. He learned many riddles from his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. As Gabriel's twelfth birthday approaches, he meets a young raven and discovers that they can communicate with one another. He and the raven set forth on a quest to find Gabriel's father and to save their own lives, one riddle at a time.

Readers looking for a spooky, intriguing adventure filled with brainteasers and mystery will love this first book in a promising new series!   

The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt

Daywalt, Drew. The Day the Crayons Came Home. New York: Philomel Books, 2015. 48 p.

In this highly anticipated sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit, Duncan receives postcards from the crayons that he has abandoned in various locations. This hilarious book, great for read-alouds and independent reading, is perfect for teaching the skill of inferring (as much of the humor comes from readers' inferences). It will also make an outstanding mentor text for teaching writing from someone or something else's perspective.   

Austin, Lost in America: A Geography Adventure by Jef Czekaj

Czekaj, Jef. Austin, Lost in America: A Geography Adventure. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2015. 40 p.

Austin the dog, having recently escaped from a pet store, searches for a new home while exploring the United States. Fun, quirky facts about each state, a list of states and capitals, and U.S. maps on the endpapers make this an engaging, informative choice for geography units!

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

Sachar, Louis. Fuzzy Mud. New York: Delacorte Press, 2015. 192 p.

In this fast-paced environmental thriller, fifth-grader Tamaya and her seventh-grade neighbor Marshall take a shortcut through the woods on their way home from school. During a conflict with a bully, they discover some "fuzzy mud," uncovering a corporate disaster that will soon affect their entire town.

Alternating between accounts of the middle schoolers' actions and transcripts of Senate hearings, this is a book that will keep readers hooked while sparking lively conversations in classroom environmental units.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Beasley, Cassie. Circus Mirandus. New York: Dial Books, 2015. 304 p.

Micah, a ten-year-old boy, has been under the care of his Grandpa Ephraim for many years. Micah's head and heart are filled with stories of a magical circus, Circus Mirandus, that changed his grandpa's life forever. When Grandpa Ephraim becomes gravely ill, however, strict Aunt Gertrudis moves in. Aunt Gertrudis does NOT believe in magic and forbids Micah from talking about it.  

Will Micah be able to help his grandpa achieve a mysterious miracle through Circus Mirandus while under the strict watch of Aunt Gertrudis? And what is the mysterious miracle after all...?

Warning: Once you start reading this book, you will not want to put it down until the mysterious request is revealed. Be prepared to feel every emotion as you flip through the pages of this magical, heartfelt and truly unforgettable journey!

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Applegate, Katherine. Crenshaw. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2015. 256p.

Jackson is a fifth grader who believes in hard facts. When his family comes upon financial trouble, he and his little sister are facing a tough move. In the midst of this difficult time, Jackson is VERY surprised by the return of his childhood imaginary friend, a large skateboarding cat named Crenshaw. Is Jackson losing his marbles, or will Crenshaw be able to help Jackson and his family when they need it the most? 

Alternating between humorous and tender, this book will warm readers' hearts while keeping them turning the pages to reach the ultimate resolution!  Fans of Katherine Applegate's Newbery Award winner The One and Only Ivan will definitely want to add this recent offering to their reading lists!

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Hunt, Lynda Mullaly. Fish in a Tree. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015. 266p.

Ally, a sixth-grade girl who has moved to seven schools in seven years, has been able to fool many teachers and classmates in the past. Her jokes and refusal to do assignments have masked her true struggle, which Mr. Daniels, her new teacher, is determined to discover. This remarkable book about finding bravery, friendship, confidence and determination against all odds, will resonate with students and teachers alike. For anyone who has had a teacher who has changed his/her life or anyone who strives to be that teacher every day, this book is for you!

Fans of this heartfelt novel will also want to read Lynda Mullaly Hunt's poignant chapter book debut, One for the Murphys, and Patricia Polacco's picture books Thank You, Mr. Falker and The Junkyard Wonders.  

Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain by Russell Freedman

Freedman, Russell. Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain. New York: Clarion Books, 2013. 96p.

This book is about immigrants who traveled from Asia to America for wealth, peace and a better life. These immigrants coming to America landed at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. They had to pass through the Angel Island Immigration Station. Also, they had to pass many difficult examinations and were treated like prisoners. This historical, heartbreaking book tells the immigrants' stories.

This book is great for fourth grade. It is nonfiction. It has chapters, and teachers can use it for their immigration social studies unit. It also has historical photographs. It teaches kids about what it was like to immigrate and how immigrants were treated back then.

By: Guest bloggers Ella and Emily, 4 Chaddock

20 Fun Facts About Galaxies by Michael Sabatino

Sabatino, Michael. 20 Fun Facts About Galaxies. New York: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2015. 32p.

This amazing book is all about galaxies from outer space. It also has super fun and cool facts about outer space like, "Galaxies will eventually fade into nothing!" Also, did you know that, "The first galaxies were formed over 13 billion years ago?" Another awesome fact is that, "The largest known galaxy is about 60 times bigger than our galaxy, the Milky Way." There are many, many more interesting facts about galaxies that you can learn about if you read this fascinating book!

This nonfiction book is useful to teachers because it teaches many things about the universe. It will make science and nonfiction reading units really exciting!

By: Guest bloggers Noah and Zachary W., 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

Wall by Tom Clohosy Cole

Cole, Tom. Wall. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2014. 32p.

In this picture book, a little boy's dad gets stuck on the other side of the Berlin Wall that was built to divide Germany. The little boy was so worried about his dad. He had a dream of his dad breaking through the wall and coming to see him. You will have to read Wall to find out what happens next! 

This fantastic read-aloud book is great for art because it shows on the front cover red, black, and orange mixed together. It can help with color mixing and watercolor painting. This book is also great for fourth grade while you are learning about social studies, because it talks about the Berlin Wall and how people couldn't escape. 

By: Guest bloggers Avery and Lucia, 4 Chaddock

Winter Is Coming by Tony Johnston

Johnston, Tony. Winter is Coming. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014. 40p.

A little girl is exploring outside in autumn. She draws pictures of every animal she sees while watching them from a tree house. All of the things she sees and draws are signs that winter is coming. The little girl feels that winter is coming- but will it?

This beautifully illustrated book is great for kindergarten through fourth grade. It's the perfect book for teaching about the environment, seasons and writing that paints a picture in your mind. Last but definitely not least, this book is wonderful for art. We hope you enjoy this majestic book!    
     
By: Guest bloggers Amanda and Brooke, 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.  

Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole by Irene Latham

Latham, Irene. Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2014. 34 p.

Animal lovers will adore these beautifully written and illustrated poems about the animals of the African grasslands! Fact boxes accompanying each poem provide additional information on the animals and their environments.