Required Reading - Books 1-15

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Barnes, D., & James, G.C. (2017). Crown: an ode to the fresh cut. Chicago, IL: Bolden,
    an Agate imprint.

This story portrays a young black boy whose self-esteem sky rockets from the admiration he gets from a fresh haircut. No matter the style, he'll be looking fly. Readers get a sneak peak into his personal experience walking into the barber shop as a blank canvas and strutting out with the confidence and swagger needed to conquer anything in his path.

This book is a multi-award winning children’s book that earned the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery, and Ezra Jack Keats awards in 2018 that’s geared for ages 5 and up. The artwork demands your attention and invites you to be a part of the barbershop community. This highly spirited book creates a theme about self-esteem and always respecting the reflection in the mirror.

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford.

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Belle, C. (2014). El Deafo. NY: Abrams.

Cece Bell writes a graphic memoir about how she became deaf at 4 years old when she contracted meningitis. Cece has to learn many things once her meningitis is cured. Once she starts school, she is able to attend a school with other deaf students where she feels normal and part of the group. Her family has to move and she now has to attend a mainstream school. Being the “new kid” is already hard enough, having a huge hearing aid around your neck isn’t going to make the process any better. The hardest part for her was feeling accepted and treated like a normal girl even though she is deaf and has to wear a hearing aid. Cece creates an alter ego who she names “El Deafo,” to help her cope with some of her issues with others.

If you enjoy this book you might also like, The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell.

Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. NY: Morrow.

In this relatable story, Leigh Bott is a sixth grade boy who moves to a new
town with his mom because his parents got a divorce.  On top of feeling anger
towards his parents' situation, he is warring with making friends at his new school
and can’t figure out who is stealing his lunch everyday.  From the divorce, bullying,
and self-doubt, Leigh finds the outlet of writing from a class assignment in which
he must write a letter to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw.  After being pen pals for
quite some time, the unsuspecting Mr. Henshaw became somewhat of a mentor to Leigh. 
Keep reading to discover how Leigh comes to terms with his circumstances.

Dear Mr. Henshaw won the John Newbery Medal in 1984 and the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award in 1985.  This book is directed for ages 8 and up and covers the difficult topic of divorce from a child’s perspective.  Cleary was able to capture a very valid and realistic topic of today’s youth without being obtrusive on the issue of divorce. 

If you enjoy this book you might also like, Onion John by Joseph Krumgold.

Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

In this tale, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, a Cuban folktale retold by Carmen Deedy, is about a young cockroach, known for her good looks, who is looking for a husband. Her wise Cuban grandmother tells her to test each suitor by spilling coffee on his shoes to discover how they will respond to her when they are angry. Although she is wary of this in the beginning, she soon sees the value of the test as it revels one self-centered male after another. She begins to despair, but once again listens to the advice of her grandmother and looks back out below her balcony to perhaps find the anthropomorphized male vertebrate of her dreams.

Great read because it will teach readers a very important lesson - always listen to your elders. Martina also learns how someone should treat another person in a relationship. The attitude of each failed suitor shines through the dialogue and description, and the author manages to include a tasty pun as Martina dismisses each of the rejects. Deedy also mixes in some Spanish vocabulary to add some flavor and learning opportunities for readers. Another selling point of the book is Michael Austin’s artwork. Every page is full of crisp, colorful images that express the flaws or emotions for each character. A close rereading and inspection of the early illustrations should please the observant reader with a glimpse of Martina’s future husband and add some truth to the grandmother’s state that Martina’s perfect match was there all along.

De La Pena, M. (2015). Last stop on Market Street. NY: Penguin.

The adventures in this story explain how CJ and his grandma go about an ordinary

Sunday routine which involves church, walk, bus stop, bus ride, walk, and then to the

soup kitchen.  They bump into other people who have more luxuries than they do, and CJ

always asks his grandma why they don’t have the same things as others.  She happily gives

him a wise answer explaining how rich they already are and describes their world more

beautifully when taking a closer look.  CJ begins by having a different perspective than his

grandma but quickly realizes he appreciates his lifestyle and the familiar faces that surround

him.   

This piece won the Newbery Medal in 2016  as well as the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and Caldecott Honor.  It’s intended for ages 3 and up.  This story is a great lesson to learn about being humble and not looking to be like others.

If you enjoy this book you might also like, Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo.

Denise, A. (2019) Planting Stories. NY: Harper Collins

Readers will enjoy this account of an uplifting picture book biography of New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian who spearheaded bilingual literature. Pura Belpré came to America in 1921.  She carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homelife. The New York Public Library became a home to Pura while she served as a bilingual assistant. During her work she turned stores into libros and spread literacy influences across the area. These ‘seeds’ have developed into a lush garden as generations of children continue to share her stories and celebrate her legacy.

This text is perfect for the pioneer woman in your life.

If you like this book, you might want to check out Little Ree by Ree Drummond.

de Paola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

The infamous Tomie de Paola retells a piece of Comanche folklore about the development of the state flower, the bluebonnet.  The legend begins with the Comanche people struggling from drought and famine.  The story’s heroin, She-Who-Is-Alone, has already lost her grandparents and parents and the only item she has to remember them by is a warrior doll.  This doll has two amazing feathers from a blue jay, made by her mother and father. The shaman of the tribe speaks with the Great Spirits, and they suggest that the People must learn sacrifice and burn their most cherished possession. This is where She-Who-Is-Alone comes in to save her people and make the most selfless sacrifice she can to help others.

The power of this story is in how well it delivers the theme of sacrifice. She-Who-Is-Alone understands that you sacrifice from love and a desire to protect the ones around you. She is so young yet she understands this better than the adults of her tribe. This story should also be required reading for all young Texas students because of our rich culture and history.

Want another Native American folktale?  Read The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble.

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Rosa Parks.  It paints a picture of a dedicated and hard working woman who thinks of her family and others before herself. Readers will see her unfathomable strength as she stood for what is right seeing that the supreme court had ruled that separate is not equal.

This book also teaches about the strength of the African American community during this time.  It showcases the year long boycott of the bus system where residents experienced the miserable range of weather that comes with living down south. Bryan Collier’s illustrations help to bring this point to life as readers will be able to see the determination, hope, and dedication through each person.

This text has many possibilities for lessons. It could easily be used in a history class as part of a unit on the Civil Rights movement, not only because of Rosa Parks, but because it shows how the Civil Rights movement didn’t only happen because of its amazing leaders. It happened because of the strength and determination of the entire African American community.  Its serves as an excellent example on the power of peaceful protest. Additionally, this book would make a great mentor text when teaching word choice as Giovanni has written some truly inspiring lines in Rosa.  If not used to address these two skills, it could also be used to diligence and determination.

If you are interested in another book where building positive relationships is the topic, check out Same, Same but Different by Jenny Shaw.

Harris, R. (1999). It’s so amazing: A book about eggs, sperm, birth, babies, and families. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

This is a book about “the birds and the bees”, or better yet how babies are made and how they’re born.  This book contains all the answers you’ve been curious about and more.  It’s okay to feel interested in the topic, and it’s also okay to feel like you would rather be doing something else with your time, just like the bird and the bee in the book. They felt silly, embarrassed, and curious about the topics too, but they can help you through them. This book takes children through the entire process of how babies are conceived and explores the variety of families that babies can come into.

This book is designed for ages 7 and up.  This book about conception is a much needed book to start the uncomfortable conversation every parent must have with their children. 

If you enjoy this book you might also like, What’s the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurene Krasny Brown.

Holm, J & M (2014). Comics squad. NY: Random House.

Most students that you ask will say recess is their favorite time of day.  As you read these
eight action packed stories about kids during recess, you’re sure to get plenty of laughs and
giggles. This is a great book for sampling to see which type of comic or author/illustrator you
like the best.

This is appropriate for ages 7 and up with humorous orange colored artwork that lets each artist's particular style shine through.  Everyone involved in creating this graphic novel has won some type of award for their previous work.  This book is comprised of creations from the most beloved names in the comic industry and is a tribute to the classic Sunday comics that’s packed with hilarious stories about recess.  Aside from being humorous, it’s also a book filled with subtle messages about growing up and just being a kid. 

If you enjoy this book you might also like, Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable.

Keating, J. (2019). Gross As a Snot Otter. The World of Weird Animals. Random House.

In this fun text, the author intertwines Animal Plantet with Captain Underpants in this book of unusual species.  The same creators of Pink Is for Blobfish crafted this wonderful piece that is sure to cater to every child's love of grossness and disgust.ting habits are what helps them to survive.  This book is perfect for the young scientist in children.


If you want to read another book about stinky, smelly things, check out This Book Stinks! by Sarah Flynn.

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Rules by Cynthia Lord tells the story of Catherine, a twelve year old girl alone for the summer with the prospect of a possible new friend, Kristi, moving next door. Catherine has always dreamed of having a friend right next door- someone to swim with and exchange secret Morse code messages by flashlight at night. However, Catherine’s life is far from simple. Her younger brother, David, has autism and embarrasses and aggravates her on a constant basis. He has trouble learning what to do in situations by watching others around him, so Catherine develops an ongoing list of rules that she shares with David to help him and try to save herself a bit of her sanity.

This plot might seem like the beginning of a TV special, Lord is able to take the characters of Jason and David and raise them above their handicaps. They are not just plot points with disabilities to force Catherine to make choices about how she will treat them and feel about them when her peers are around. Her prose brings about the nuances of each character, showing us their strengths of heart and, sometimes, breaking the reader’s hearts. I knew Jason was an intelligent young man with a razor sharp wit from the way Lord has him use his communication book, and David has such a unique character. His behaviors and difficulty in comprehending the world around him are delivered with insightful tenderness, often through a lens of humor (because a kid constantly putting toys in the fish tank is simply funny), that sometimes I wanted to yell at Catherine for the way she views David through parts of the book. But that’s the power of Lord’s characterization, and I know that I would have been just the same as Catherine at that age, too. All of her characters will bring your emotions right up to the surface and stay with you long after you close the book.

If you liked this book, check out Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of Negro League Baseball. NY: Hyperion.

Baseball fans - this is for your. We Are the Ship relays the rise and fall of Negro League Baseball. 
You'll learn about the skills of some of the more famous players and get a glimpse of what life was
like on the road and in ballparks.  The players less than glamorous life in the Negro League didn’t
tarnish their passion for the sport, but instead ignited their grit to achieve greatness and demanded
attention from all lookers.

The text won the Sibert Medal and the Coretta Scott King for Authors Medal in 2009.  This book is geared for ages 9 and up and is covered in masterful art of the Negro League baseball players.  Readers will learn how the league began, the primary players of the league, and what began the downfall of the all black baseball teams. 

If you enjoy this book you might also like, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terebithia. New York, NY: Harper Entertainment.

Jesse Aarons is looking for something that will help to identify who he is- something that will make him feel special. He thinks his ‘thing’ will be running and being the fastest kid in 5th grade, but when a new kid moves into his school and next door, his plans and all of his training fall apart. This new neighbor, Leslie Burke, seems annoying to him at first, however they soon become friends and forge a life defining bond in Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terebithia.

In the story, Jess finds something that makes him special in Leslie and their friendship. Together, they create an imaginary kingdom known as Terabithia in the woods close to their homes, and this magical kingdom becomes a place of escape and beauty for the two. Through his friendship with Leslie and their time in Terabithia, Jess is pushed to be something greater than he is in the beginning of the book. Readers will see him grow and find his place in the world. He finds new pleasure in stories and sees his art work as more than just drawing animals, and his creativity becomes something he starts to value. Bridge to Terabithia, is a coming of age story, but the ending that Katherine Paterson has designed is breathtaking and highly likely to move you.

Paterson’s use of words is breathtaking. At times her language creates clear pictures that will stick with readers and act as shining examples of what an author can do with language, and Paterson uses that mastery to bring out Jesse’s voice in a way that moves readers by his insights, especially on the people around him, but does not betray his rural background and upbringing.

If you like this book, you might also like Patterson’s other book, Park’s Quest.

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. NY: HarperCollins.

In this classic tale, Max is suiting himself with a wolf suit and creates mischief.  In result, his mother calls him “Wild Thing”, and sends him to bed without dinner.  In the loneliness of his room, Max creates an imaginary world and sails to a land with monsters called wild things.  Max tames the wild things and becomes king.  After their wild show, Max sends his monsters to bed and becomes lonely because of the quietness of the land.  He decides to sail to the place he is loved the most - at home with Mom . When he arrives home his dinner is waiting for him, and it’s still warm and ready for his arrival.

Where the Wild Things Are won the 1964 Caldecott Medal and 1981 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for illustration. Alongside these, the book won 8 other awards for the masterpiece that inspired other theatrical shows.  A major theme that the book emphasizes is the unmistakable love of a mother.  With its whimsical text and expressive illustrations, this book takes the reader through multiple experiences. 

If you enjoy this book you might also like, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatball by Judi Barrett.