3-6 Non-fiction
Science
I'm Trying to Love Spiders, by Bethany Barton
Children’s Book Council book of the Year Winner 2016
Grade Level: 3rd-4th
This book tackles the scary subject of spiders for second graders in a funny narrative with realistic examples that is “chock-full of amazing arachnid facts!” The illustrations present spiders in a charming way, which I feel makes this a better choice to read to children (in contrast to one with life-like photos).
This book would work well in a unit on nonfiction/informational writing. For example, students could write a one-page summary with a picture after we read the book together, or we could branch out and report on something other than spiders to continue with the theme of factual reporting. If we were talking about insects and bugs in class this would be a great book to read. This could lead to a project about other insects. I think students would enjoy learning so much information about spiders.
Children’s Book Council book of the Year Winner 2016
Grade Level: 3rd-4th
This book tackles the scary subject of spiders for second graders in a funny narrative with realistic examples that is “chock-full of amazing arachnid facts!” The illustrations present spiders in a charming way, which I feel makes this a better choice to read to children (in contrast to one with life-like photos).
This book would work well in a unit on nonfiction/informational writing. For example, students could write a one-page summary with a picture after we read the book together, or we could branch out and report on something other than spiders to continue with the theme of factual reporting. If we were talking about insects and bugs in class this would be a great book to read. This could lead to a project about other insects. I think students would enjoy learning so much information about spiders.
Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands, by Katherine Roy
Children’s Choice Book Award 2015
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book goes inside all the details of the Great White Shark. Telling readers about the sharks hunting skills and grounds, the things they eat and how they move through the water, about the shark’s natural predators and much more. It goes into great detail about all things involving the animal, along with very detailed illustrations.
This book could be very useful in a lesson about marine life, or for students that want to do a project on the Great White Shark. (As a warning, the pictures are very detailed and could be considered a little graphic for your younger readers!) Also you could use this book to encage some students that aren't really into reading, but love intense animals like sharks! Using this book during Shark Week could be really fun as well.
Children’s Choice Book Award 2015
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book goes inside all the details of the Great White Shark. Telling readers about the sharks hunting skills and grounds, the things they eat and how they move through the water, about the shark’s natural predators and much more. It goes into great detail about all things involving the animal, along with very detailed illustrations.
This book could be very useful in a lesson about marine life, or for students that want to do a project on the Great White Shark. (As a warning, the pictures are very detailed and could be considered a little graphic for your younger readers!) Also you could use this book to encage some students that aren't really into reading, but love intense animals like sharks! Using this book during Shark Week could be really fun as well.
Feathers: Not Just for Flying
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2015
Grade Level: 5th Grade
This book explores sixteen different birds and the multiple ways birds use their feathers including to protect against the sun, attract attention, and distract predators. All of these functions are compared to everyday objects to help readers understand and connect with the text. I will use this book in my future classroom during a science lesson to help teach about how birds use their feathers to meet their basic needs. This book features life-size illustrations of feathers and displays them in a scrapbook-style format as if they are taped or stapled onto the page. This book is written by Melissa Stewart and is illustrated with watercolor paintings by Sarah S. Brannen.
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2015
Grade Level: 5th Grade
This book explores sixteen different birds and the multiple ways birds use their feathers including to protect against the sun, attract attention, and distract predators. All of these functions are compared to everyday objects to help readers understand and connect with the text. I will use this book in my future classroom during a science lesson to help teach about how birds use their feathers to meet their basic needs. This book features life-size illustrations of feathers and displays them in a scrapbook-style format as if they are taped or stapled onto the page. This book is written by Melissa Stewart and is illustrated with watercolor paintings by Sarah S. Brannen.
Social Studies
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, by Alan Schroeder and Jerry Pinkney
Coretta Scott King Award 1971
Grade Level: 5th- 6th
This is a story based on true events about the time in our country when slavery was still present and as children are born farther from the time which that was something about everyday life this book can help reeducate them about what our country used to be like and that it is something that actually happened and not something they just read about.
I would like to use Minty to tell the story of Harriet Tubman during an American History lesson in upper grades such as 4th or 5th grade. This book could also be a good introduction to significant figures in history regarding slavery and the civil right movement. Children could make profiles on different historical figures.
Coretta Scott King Award 1971
Grade Level: 5th- 6th
This is a story based on true events about the time in our country when slavery was still present and as children are born farther from the time which that was something about everyday life this book can help reeducate them about what our country used to be like and that it is something that actually happened and not something they just read about.
I would like to use Minty to tell the story of Harriet Tubman during an American History lesson in upper grades such as 4th or 5th grade. This book could also be a good introduction to significant figures in history regarding slavery and the civil right movement. Children could make profiles on different historical figures.
I Am Malala (young learners edition), by Malala Yousafzai
Children’s Choice Book Award 2015
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book has been adapted for young readers to learn about Malala – the young girl who was shot by a terrorist group for wanting an education. It tells her inspiring story of coming out of the attack (which no one expected her to survive), and becoming a voice for education, community, and the change she wanted to see. This book would open up children’s eyes to ways that education is viewed in other parts of the world, and also give them the hope that they can make change even if they are young. Malala at a young age started to fight back, she knew that things did not have to be as complex and frustrating as they were for her. She knew that with hard work and perseverance she could complete any task, which is important for students to see a strong women doing for her country and family.
This book could be a great way to introduce a "Multi-cultural Week" and get to talking about different cultures. A fun way, especially in a multicultural school is to have every one research their heritage and bring it back to class. Sharing the different stories and sharing Malala's will bring the culture of the world into perspective.
Children’s Choice Book Award 2015
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book has been adapted for young readers to learn about Malala – the young girl who was shot by a terrorist group for wanting an education. It tells her inspiring story of coming out of the attack (which no one expected her to survive), and becoming a voice for education, community, and the change she wanted to see. This book would open up children’s eyes to ways that education is viewed in other parts of the world, and also give them the hope that they can make change even if they are young. Malala at a young age started to fight back, she knew that things did not have to be as complex and frustrating as they were for her. She knew that with hard work and perseverance she could complete any task, which is important for students to see a strong women doing for her country and family.
This book could be a great way to introduce a "Multi-cultural Week" and get to talking about different cultures. A fun way, especially in a multicultural school is to have every one research their heritage and bring it back to class. Sharing the different stories and sharing Malala's will bring the culture of the world into perspective.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, by Jen Bryant
Bluebonnet Nominee 2015
Caldecott Honor Book 2015
Sibert Medal
Grade Level: 4th
This is a biographical picture book for fourth grade that revolves around the creator of the thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget, in his early years.
This picture book takes you on a unique journey through the life of Peter Roget – the man who published the first Thesaurus in 1852. This book discusses Peter’s shy personality, his love of lists, and the power of words. This book can be used in the classroom during a reading lesson when we are learning about the use of dictionaries and a thesaurus. The introduction of the thesaurus and how and why it is used will be beneficial in each child’s vocabulary and reading development. In addition, this book will show children that a thesaurus can be used to find synonyms and antonyms of a word.
I would use this book in my classroom as an introduction to the thesaurus. Elementary students often have to discover reference books for themselves, so reading this book in conjunction would provide solid context going forward. The way the visuals are laid out on each page grabs the reader’s attention; it is a cleverly designed book. You could use this book for a language arts lesson where the students choose different made up words that they could potentially add to the thesaurus following the guidelines of how words are laid out in the text.
This book is written by Jennifer Bryant and is illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
Bluebonnet Nominee 2015
Caldecott Honor Book 2015
Sibert Medal
Grade Level: 4th
This is a biographical picture book for fourth grade that revolves around the creator of the thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget, in his early years.
This picture book takes you on a unique journey through the life of Peter Roget – the man who published the first Thesaurus in 1852. This book discusses Peter’s shy personality, his love of lists, and the power of words. This book can be used in the classroom during a reading lesson when we are learning about the use of dictionaries and a thesaurus. The introduction of the thesaurus and how and why it is used will be beneficial in each child’s vocabulary and reading development. In addition, this book will show children that a thesaurus can be used to find synonyms and antonyms of a word.
I would use this book in my classroom as an introduction to the thesaurus. Elementary students often have to discover reference books for themselves, so reading this book in conjunction would provide solid context going forward. The way the visuals are laid out on each page grabs the reader’s attention; it is a cleverly designed book. You could use this book for a language arts lesson where the students choose different made up words that they could potentially add to the thesaurus following the guidelines of how words are laid out in the text.
This book is written by Jennifer Bryant and is illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
Trombone Shorty, by Troy Andrews
Caldecott Honor Book 2016
Grade Level: 4th
This book is a nonfiction biography filled with collage and water color illustrations about a small boy who becomes a trombone prodigy in New Orleans.
I would utilize this text in a history lesson about southern culture or jazz music. It is a third or fourth grade level book that could easily be read aloud in order to show off the pictures. I also like the message that even humans as young as elementary students have the potential to do big things in this world. Our learning could stem into a writing reflection on what kind of impact we want to have or what we want to do with our talents.
Caldecott Honor Book 2016
Grade Level: 4th
This book is a nonfiction biography filled with collage and water color illustrations about a small boy who becomes a trombone prodigy in New Orleans.
I would utilize this text in a history lesson about southern culture or jazz music. It is a third or fourth grade level book that could easily be read aloud in order to show off the pictures. I also like the message that even humans as young as elementary students have the potential to do big things in this world. Our learning could stem into a writing reflection on what kind of impact we want to have or what we want to do with our talents.
Looking at Lincoln, by Maira Kalman
Bluebonnet Nominee 2013
Grade Level: 3rd
This book is a historical biography that gives information about Abraham Lincoln through the discoveries of a little girl. Rather than relaying conventional Honest Abe factoids, this book for third graders focuses on unique and interesting ideas that showcase the curiosity of youth.
I would use this book for a history lesson on the presidents since it provides a brief overview of Abraham Lincoln while keeping the reading interesting. We would discuss the book after reading, seeing what parts of Lincoln’s life students find most exciting.
Bluebonnet Nominee 2013
Grade Level: 3rd
This book is a historical biography that gives information about Abraham Lincoln through the discoveries of a little girl. Rather than relaying conventional Honest Abe factoids, this book for third graders focuses on unique and interesting ideas that showcase the curiosity of youth.
I would use this book for a history lesson on the presidents since it provides a brief overview of Abraham Lincoln while keeping the reading interesting. We would discuss the book after reading, seeing what parts of Lincoln’s life students find most exciting.
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, by Duncan Tonatiuh
Sibert Award 2016
Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book is great on so many levels! First, it tells the story of how Calaveras (skeletons performing different activities) came to be. It talks about how they came to be through the life of artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. It gives lots of information about the artist and his history, as well as the connection these Calaveras came to have with Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Posada’s drawings were intended to show the celebration of life. This story shows beautiful calavera drawings that come to life from the pages. Children can learn about a different culture through Posada’s story.
This is a great thing to have in your classroom for multicultural subjects. It provides a rich history, and if any students celebrate this Dia de los Muertos you could have them teach the class about it/what they do in their families. This could be used if you were doing introductory lessons on artists lives, as well as making connections to other cultures.
Sibert Award 2016
Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd-6th
This book is great on so many levels! First, it tells the story of how Calaveras (skeletons performing different activities) came to be. It talks about how they came to be through the life of artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. It gives lots of information about the artist and his history, as well as the connection these Calaveras came to have with Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Posada’s drawings were intended to show the celebration of life. This story shows beautiful calavera drawings that come to life from the pages. Children can learn about a different culture through Posada’s story.
This is a great thing to have in your classroom for multicultural subjects. It provides a rich history, and if any students celebrate this Dia de los Muertos you could have them teach the class about it/what they do in their families. This could be used if you were doing introductory lessons on artists lives, as well as making connections to other cultures.
The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius, by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Sibert Award 2014
Grade Level : 3rd-6th
This book is about George E. Ohr, and his life with pottery. It tells of how he fell in love with pottery once he was introduced to the pottery wheel. He made thousands of crafted pots, and sculptures that he took around the country trying to sell – with no luck! The Mad Potter tells us of how George E. Ohr hid all of this pottery, and of the discovery of his “trove of pottery” in 1967.
This book has great pictures, and really brings the story of his pottery to the reader. It would be great when doing introductory lessons on artists lives, or when children might be learning/doing pottery in their art class!
Sibert Award 2014
Grade Level : 3rd-6th
This book is about George E. Ohr, and his life with pottery. It tells of how he fell in love with pottery once he was introduced to the pottery wheel. He made thousands of crafted pots, and sculptures that he took around the country trying to sell – with no luck! The Mad Potter tells us of how George E. Ohr hid all of this pottery, and of the discovery of his “trove of pottery” in 1967.
This book has great pictures, and really brings the story of his pottery to the reader. It would be great when doing introductory lessons on artists lives, or when children might be learning/doing pottery in their art class!
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, by Don Brown
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Winner 2016
Grade Level: 5th
This book is aimed towards capturing one of the worst natural disasters through simplicity and drama. The graphic novel pulls readers into the ocean on a journey to find heroes and courage. Drowned City covers more than just the natural disaster; it calls attention to the incompetence, racism, and resilience of the New Orleans people.
A way to utilize this graphic novel in the classroom would be when discussing natural disasters and how those affected feel. Students could write about how they may feel if a similar event happened to them or how they may help those affected by a natural disaster. Depending on location, many students may have never considered the idea that their entire life can be changed in an instant by extreme weather. An activity on characterization/empathy can be used to have students explore the mind of someone who has suddenly lost all that they own.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Winner 2016
Grade Level: 5th
This book is aimed towards capturing one of the worst natural disasters through simplicity and drama. The graphic novel pulls readers into the ocean on a journey to find heroes and courage. Drowned City covers more than just the natural disaster; it calls attention to the incompetence, racism, and resilience of the New Orleans people.
A way to utilize this graphic novel in the classroom would be when discussing natural disasters and how those affected feel. Students could write about how they may feel if a similar event happened to them or how they may help those affected by a natural disaster. Depending on location, many students may have never considered the idea that their entire life can be changed in an instant by extreme weather. An activity on characterization/empathy can be used to have students explore the mind of someone who has suddenly lost all that they own.
Parrots Over Puerto Rico, by Susan Roth and Cindy Trumbore
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner 2014
Grade Level: 5th
This vibrantly colorful book covers the history of Puerto Rican parrots and how they are now flying over Puerto Rico again. The many factors that contributed to their near extinction in the 1960's are covered throughout the book as we see how scientists and recovery programs worked to reverse these effects. With tidbits of Puerto Rican history strung into the story, these authors tell an engaging story of a beloved animal.
This book would be great for learning about extinction. It not only covers how animals go extinct but also talks about recovery programs and ways to help solve the problem. To extend from this book, we could do research on other animals that are on their way to being extinct. Children could choose an animal from their research that they would create a profile over that they would present to the class. This would be a great way to help children see that there are a large number of animals that are at risk of extinction that we would not normally think about.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner 2014
Grade Level: 5th
This vibrantly colorful book covers the history of Puerto Rican parrots and how they are now flying over Puerto Rico again. The many factors that contributed to their near extinction in the 1960's are covered throughout the book as we see how scientists and recovery programs worked to reverse these effects. With tidbits of Puerto Rican history strung into the story, these authors tell an engaging story of a beloved animal.
This book would be great for learning about extinction. It not only covers how animals go extinct but also talks about recovery programs and ways to help solve the problem. To extend from this book, we could do research on other animals that are on their way to being extinct. Children could choose an animal from their research that they would create a profile over that they would present to the class. This would be a great way to help children see that there are a large number of animals that are at risk of extinction that we would not normally think about.
Separate is Never Equal, by Duncan Tonatiuh
Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book 2015
Grade Level: 5th
This book tells the history of segregation in schools prior to the Brown vs Board of Education case. Sylvia Mendez lived in California and was of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. She was a young girl denied access to an all white school. Soon after, the Hispanic community and her parents came together in Mendez vs. Westminster, a case that had an instrumental impact on segregated education in California. Serving as an addition to a study on the history of segregation, this children's book helps put the complicated times in terms easier to understand.
I think this book combined with another few books on segregation could lead to a point of view discussion and learning opportunity.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book 2015
Grade Level: 5th
This book tells the history of segregation in schools prior to the Brown vs Board of Education case. Sylvia Mendez lived in California and was of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. She was a young girl denied access to an all white school. Soon after, the Hispanic community and her parents came together in Mendez vs. Westminster, a case that had an instrumental impact on segregated education in California. Serving as an addition to a study on the history of segregation, this children's book helps put the complicated times in terms easier to understand.
I think this book combined with another few books on segregation could lead to a point of view discussion and learning opportunity.
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art, by Barb Rosenstock
Caldecott Honor Book 2015
Grade Level: 4th
Kandinsky was a proper boy who studied math, history, and piano. His impeccable posture and politeness defined him. When he went to art class though, everything seemed to change. The colors of the paint box sang to him and he could see the colors dancing around. His whole life he had been taught about properness but now color and music seemed improper. The book goes on a journey to see if he can leave his proper past at the door and paint music, the abstract. The Noisy Paint Box is about the life of Vasily Kandinsky.
I think this would be a fun book to teach about individuality and how there is no one way to depict something. It could be a good way to learn about this history of art for all students.
Caldecott Honor Book 2015
Grade Level: 4th
Kandinsky was a proper boy who studied math, history, and piano. His impeccable posture and politeness defined him. When he went to art class though, everything seemed to change. The colors of the paint box sang to him and he could see the colors dancing around. His whole life he had been taught about properness but now color and music seemed improper. The book goes on a journey to see if he can leave his proper past at the door and paint music, the abstract. The Noisy Paint Box is about the life of Vasily Kandinsky.
I think this would be a fun book to teach about individuality and how there is no one way to depict something. It could be a good way to learn about this history of art for all students.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir by Margarita Engle.
Pura Belpré Award 2016
Grade Level: 5th
In this poetic memoir we get to see the stories of the author during a time of almost-war and tension between two cultures. Margarita puts her heart into each poem that allows us to see her emotions. This memoir tells us each personal story of the author and what helped her become an award-winning poet despite her struggling situation. She gains an understanding of her two cultures. This book can possibly relate to some of the students in the classroom that may come from immigrant families.
Pura Belpré Award 2016
Grade Level: 5th
In this poetic memoir we get to see the stories of the author during a time of almost-war and tension between two cultures. Margarita puts her heart into each poem that allows us to see her emotions. This memoir tells us each personal story of the author and what helped her become an award-winning poet despite her struggling situation. She gains an understanding of her two cultures. This book can possibly relate to some of the students in the classroom that may come from immigrant families.
Math
Really Big Numbers, by Richard Evan Schwartz
Mathical Book Award 2014
Grade Level: 4th-6th
This book focuses uses imaginative illustrations and neat facts to explore the massive concept of numbers that extend beyond the millions. To students in the middle grades, this concept is important to introduce as multiplication and division skills will bring about the usage of larger numbers.
To extend learning from this book, have students pair up and create their own massive numbers. Then, they can work together to try and name them, either by their actual place value or by counting zeros. To add a writing aspect to this book they can then write a story about their number. How they got their number, why that number is named that way and so on.
Mathical Book Award 2014
Grade Level: 4th-6th
This book focuses uses imaginative illustrations and neat facts to explore the massive concept of numbers that extend beyond the millions. To students in the middle grades, this concept is important to introduce as multiplication and division skills will bring about the usage of larger numbers.
To extend learning from this book, have students pair up and create their own massive numbers. Then, they can work together to try and name them, either by their actual place value or by counting zeros. To add a writing aspect to this book they can then write a story about their number. How they got their number, why that number is named that way and so on.
The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos
ALA Notable Children's Book 2014
Grade Level: 3rd
This book takes you through the life of Paul Erdos who showed mathematical promise from a young age. During WWI, Erdos grew up in Hungary and tried school but became annoyed with the rules and convinced his mother to study at home. He traveled the world, collaborating with other mathematicians. This book can be used in the classroom during a math lesson and, alongside Paul, your students can discover a world full of math. This book is written by Deborah Heiligman and is illustrated by LeUyen Pham.
This book would be a fun activity for the whole class to read together. If enough book are distributed, The students can popcorn read and then talk about what they dislike about math and find people who like that topic. This gets kids to show their weaknesses to each other then find why other peers enjoy what they do not. Being aware of strength and passions of other fuel a child's motivation.
ALA Notable Children's Book 2014
Grade Level: 3rd
This book takes you through the life of Paul Erdos who showed mathematical promise from a young age. During WWI, Erdos grew up in Hungary and tried school but became annoyed with the rules and convinced his mother to study at home. He traveled the world, collaborating with other mathematicians. This book can be used in the classroom during a math lesson and, alongside Paul, your students can discover a world full of math. This book is written by Deborah Heiligman and is illustrated by LeUyen Pham.
This book would be a fun activity for the whole class to read together. If enough book are distributed, The students can popcorn read and then talk about what they dislike about math and find people who like that topic. This gets kids to show their weaknesses to each other then find why other peers enjoy what they do not. Being aware of strength and passions of other fuel a child's motivation.