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.

King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the American Revolution by Steve Sheinkin

Sheinkin, Steve. King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the American Revolution. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. 208p.

Readers will be captivated right from the start of this funny and informative book! In the introduction, Steve Sheinkin shares his "Confessions of a Textbook Writer," apologizing to all of us for his former job writing "those big books that break your back when you carry them and put you to sleep when you read them." The text that follows is filled with interesting, odd and oftentimes hilarious information that makes the major people and events in the American Revolution come alive. This is history the way it should be written... and read!

Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal

Pascal, Janet.  Who Was Abraham Lincoln? New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 2008. 112p.

Learn all about Abraham Lincoln's life in this fascinating, fast-paced chapter book biography that lets readers in on challenges overcome, family secrets, neighbors' perceptions, strengths, flaws and much more! In each book in this Who Is...?/ Who Was...? series, important people throughout history are described in wonderfully down-to-earth, oftentimes funny narratives. Students will learn about each famous person's difficulties, successes, perseverance, and the interesting quirks that made these heroes and their families very, very human!  

Fans of the Who Is...?/ Who Was...? series will also enjoy the What Was...? series (also published by Grosset and Dunlap) in which historical events are described through engaging narratives filled with interesting trivia that both kids and adults will love!

Who Was Roald Dahl? by True Kelley

Kelley, True. Who Was Roald Dahl? New York: Grossett & Dunlap, 2012. 102p.

Discover Roald Dahl's life as a student with poor writing skills, a fighter pilot, a chocolate lover, an art collector, a stay-at-home father, an author and much more! Read this book aloud to your class after enjoying one of Roald Dahl's fiction books together, or place it in the hands of his fans, who will be intrigued by his persistence throughout the many ups and downs he experienced in life.

For other fascinating biographies that reveal the human side of famous figures, read the rest of the Who Was...? series! If you and your students like these books, Scholastic's I Am series is another great choice.

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka

Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories about Growing Up Scieszka.  New York: Viking, 2008. 106p.

This very funny memior is Jon Scieszka's look back at growing up in the 1950's.  Growing up as the second oldest of six boys in the family, Jon has many funny stories to share with readers. This book will appeal to even the most reluctant readers.