Savannah Holtz

November 12, 2015

LAE 4424
Dr. Meadows
Classroom Library Wish List
Bravery
Bravery is a fundamental attribute that we want children to have in order to face adversity
and life trails as they appear. Since this life lesson is so important I have compiled a list of great
books on bravery across many different genres.
Abraham Lincoln: A Man for All People A Ballad by Myra Cohn Livingston and illustrated by
Samuel Byrd
Livingston, M., & Byrd, S. (1993). Abraham Lincoln: A man for all the people : A ballad.
New York: Holiday House.
This ballad is a wonderful introduction to one of the most important people in
United States history. It tell of the man behind the beards life as he grew up, his election
as president, famous speeches, and even his tragic death. The color and illustration in this
book are simply wonderful and with these paired with the interesting form of text it
makes a wonderful read aloud piece to introduce the civil war to students.
GENRE: Biographies
SUGGESTED GRADES: kindergarten- 3rd grade

I am Walt Disney by Grace Norwich

Norwich, G (2014). I am Walt Disney. Scholastic Paperbacks.
The I am series is a wonderful way to introduce biographies in a fun way for
students. One of my favorites of these is the one about Walt Disney who already
captivates the hearts of so many students and adults alike. Making it an excellent way to
get student to read biographies in the classroom as they explore more and more genres of
books.
GENRE: Biographies
SUGGEST GRADES: 2nd-4th grade
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
This wonderfully historic book tell the story of a young girl names Annemarie
during the holocaust in Denmark. Through the book she learns to be brave and value
friendship and family above all other things in her world. A wonderful introduction book
for student on the harsh and cruel topic of the holocaust.
GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUGGESTED GRADES: 2nd-5th grade
The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill
Hill, K. (2000). The year of Miss Agnes. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
This wonderfully captivating intimidate level fiction book tells the wonderful
story of a family and community that grows as a new teacher comes into their lives. The
book not only teaches the lesson of the worth of education but takes students into the far
off state of Alaska and snow something that most Florida student near get insight on.

With the wonderful story, setting, and lesson on education this book makes a wonderful
addition to the classroom library.
GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
SUGGESTED GRADES: 3rd- 5th grade
Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
Whelan, G. (2005). Listening for lions. New York: HarperCollins.
This book tells the inspiring tale of a young lady whose parents die of the
influenza epidemic. She makes the long and dangerous journey from Africa and
eventually back to her home in England using bravery and cunningness to survive along
the way; during the time of colonization is Africa. This captivating story is one that will
live on in every student after they read it while still learning about England colonization
of Africa.
GENRE: Historical Fiction
SUGGESTED GRADES: 3rd-6th grade
The Incident at Hawks Hill by Allan Eckert
Eckert, A. (1995). Incident at Hawk's Hill. Boston: Little, Brown.
This book tells the realistic story of young Ben who is simply trying to learn to fit
in with the people around him in the best way for him. This type of lesson for students
who wish to fit in but struggle with how to do so would be wonderful since they would
find just like Ben in the story sometimes the best way to fit in is to be yourself. Thus

since several students always experience this issue I feel that it would make a wonderful
addition to the classroom library.
GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
SUGGESTED GRADES: 4th-6th grade
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Law, I. (2008). Savvy. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers ;.
Savvy is the fascinating story of a young girl who comes from a family of people
with super powers which all start when they turn thirteen. As the main character
approaches her thirteenth birthday strange things begin to happen and her family has to
move as she tries to overcome change and take hold of her new powers. With the power
message of dealing with change this book makes a great addition to classrooms where the
students are undergoing changes of their own.
GENRE: Fantasy
SUGGESTED GRADES: 4th grade- 8th grade
The Animal Kingdom
Animals are a wonderful way to introduce topics and lessons since they have (and always
will) captivate the imagination of children. That is why I have included a section dedicated to
books dealing with the animal kingdom across many subject areas. Click the button link on the
right for the books that fall under this theme.
The Water Hole by Graeme Base
Base, G. (2004). The water hole. Puffin Books.

This book is a counting book for smaller children but has an amazing purpose
behind the counting in the book. The purpose in this book is to introduce children to the
idea of conservation and sharing. I believe that this purpose in the book while it seems
like a big topic it is always good to introduce students at a young age to these very
important messages. Which is why you will see this counting book on my classroom
library shelve in the future.
GENRE: Emergent Picture Books
SUGGESTED GRADES: Pre- K 2nd Grade
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk and illustrated by Alexandria Neoakis
Kalluk, C., & Neonakis, A. (n.d.). Sweetest Kulu. Ontario.
This book is an amazing lullaby for an Inuit baby. While this seems to narrow the
demographic I feel that this would make a great book for any young reader. It not only
brings in diversity to the classroom but the pictures of animal spirts in the book surely
captivate readers of all ages.
GENRE: Emergent Picture Books
SUGGESTED GRADES: Kindergarten 2nd grade
A Curious Collection of Cats by Betsy Franco and illustrated by Michael Wertz
Franco, B., & Wertz, M. (2009). A curious collection of cats. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.
This book is a colorful collection of concrete poems about cats. With the amazing
illustrations and great poems this book is a wonderful introduction for students to the
world of poetry. A must have in any library.
GENRE: Poetry Anthologies
SUGGESTED GRADES: Kindergarten- 4th grade

If You Were a Fraction (Math Fun) by Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrated by Francesca
Carabelli
Shaskan, T., & Carabelli, F. (2009). If you were a fraction. Minneapolis, Minn.: Picture
Window Books.
This book is part of a student friendly series of math books that uses animals as a
way to talk about some of the most difficult math topics. Weither I would use it as a
lesson introduction or as simply a book to get student into math I hope to have this book
in my future classroom.
GENRE: Informational
SUGGESTED GRADES: 1st-3rd grade
Human Curiosity
Curiosity is a fundamental human attribute that plays a strong role in understanding and
exploration of different topics. That is why I have brought this list of great literature together to
show case how curiosity helps the learning process.
The light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Silverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic. New York, N.Y.: Harper & Row.
The fun and imaginative world of Shel Silverstein has captured the hearts of
children for as long as the books have been around. The light in the Attic is one of my alltime favorite books from him with the wonderful imagery and amazing poems that spark
interest in students of all ages.
GENRE: Poetry Anthologies
SUGGESTED GRADES: Kindergarten- Adult

Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Gordon, R., & Williams, B. (2008). Tunnels. New York: Chicken House/Scholastic.
This is book one of a wonderful series of books that take students on a journey
through exploration of human dug tunnels while trying to find the main characters
grandfather. This realistic mystery not only teaches students about exploring but also the
commitment to family and friends which is vital to growing up physiological.
GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
SUGGESTED GRADES: 4th-7th grade
Whisper in the Dark by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
Bruchac, J., & Comport, S. (2005). Whisper in the dark. New York: HarperCollins.
This upper level read tell the curious story of Maddy a Native American who
loves the spooky legends of her ancestors. But one day one of the worst stories comes
back and haunts her and her family. It is up to her to overcome this obstacle and put the
monster back in his place. The captivating story of this book makes it a must have in
every classroom.
GENRE: Fantasy
SUGGESTED GRADES: 4th- 8th grade
Fantastical Worlds
Fantasy worlds have captured the imagination of people for generations. With their
wonderful stories, lovable characters, and compelling lessons these stories are sure to get any
passive reader to love literature.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Daywalt, D., & Jeffers, O. (2013). The day the crayons quit. Philomel Books.
This wonderful fictional picture book takes you on the journey into the life of a
student favorite box of crayons. The great personification and colors in this book tell a
young student the hard tails of the crayons they love. I simply love this book because it
opens the eyes of student to respect everything in the classroom even the crayons they
use daily in interactive note.
GENRE: Fictional Picture Books
SUGGESTED GRADE: Pre-K - Kindergarten
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss. (1968). The foot book. New York: Random House.
The foot book is a classic picture book that was my favorite Dr. Suess book
growing up. It is here on this list now because it has stood the test of time as a wonderful
teaching tool. Not only does it teach rhyming words but it also teaches opposites, or
antonyms, to small children a skill which is contently built upon through their education.
GENRE: Classic Picture Books
SUGGESTED GRADES: Pre-K 1st grade
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne and illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
Milne, A., & Shepard, E. (1961). Winnie-the-Pooh. New York: Dutton.
Winnie the Pooh has captured the hearts of so many young readers; to this day the
original book is a classic to have in the classroom. With the cute pictures, great life

lessons, exploration in imagination and curiosity, and familiar characters it will always be
a staple for teachers in their classrooms.
GENRE: Classic Pieces of Literature
SUGGESTED GRADES: Kindergarten- 3rd grade
Disney Storybook Collection by Disney Book Group and illustrated by Disney Storybook Art
Team
Disney Book Group, & Disney Storybook Art Team. (2015). Storybook collection. New
York, NY: Disney Press.
Disney has always captivated the hearts of children, families and adults with their
wonderful renditions of traditional literature stories. This book is a collection of these
folktale and Disney stories that as movies snagged the audience and are now doing the
same for young readers.
GENRE: Traditional Literature Books
SUGGEST GRADES: Kindergarten- 5th grade
Guardians of Gahoole: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
Lasky, K. (2010). Guardians of Ga'hoole:. New York: Scholastic.
This series is a wonderful fantasy series which personifies owls with human
qualities. This book shows bravery, value in forgiveness, and value of protecting those
you love. A wonderful choose for middle grade readers who want a captivating series to
take them on a journey in the animal world.
GENRE: Fantasy
SUGGESTED GRADES: 4th- 7th grade
Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
Hunter, E. (2003). Warriors: Into the wild. New York: HarperCollins.

This animal based fantasy series is a wonderful selection for any relocate reader
in the classroom. With its rich story, personification, and fantastical imagery that is great
for a young reader who needs a good serious to really get into reading.
GENRE: Fantasy
SUGGESTED GRADES: 5th-8th grade