Wonder
What I like most about this book is how it can help children build up empathy by showing multiple perspectives form different individuals, and encourages them to think outside their own point of view.
Lesson Idea: Students can interview others on an event and write from different perspectives of the same event to see how others see things.
Author Website: Twitter
YouTube: Read Aloud
Bridge to Terabithia
The thing I like most about this book is that it deals with grief from the perspective of child that feels very honest and emotional. It's definitely a tear jerking book, that may not be for more sensitive readers. I learned that friendship can deeply impact who we are, and that loss, while painful, can ultimately help us grow and see the world differently.
Lesson Idea: Students analyze the theme of friendship and loss by finding the key moments in the story and explaining how they impacted Jess’s character.
Author Website: Katherine Paterson
YouTube: Read Aloud
Finally Seen
As an adult, finally seen was a pretty neat book to read. It was of the first I've read that dealt with immigration and language barriers. I relate to Lina with her feelings of feeling like her parents liked one child more than the other.
Lesson Idea: Students can write about a time where they felt out of place
Author Website: Kelly Yang / Instagram
Honestly Elliot
Honestly Elliot is such a good book for boys who go outside gender norms in their extracurricular activities. I like how this book effectively deals with multiple realistic norms like dealing with disabilities like ADHD and Celiacs disease, navigating having a blended family and split household, friendships, fear of disappointing parents, and owning up to ones mistakes. One of my favorite characters outside of Elliot is Elliots stepmother. She didn't force her position in his life on him, and went at his own pace, while constantly supporting him.
Lesson Idea: Students can do a T-chart of Elliots character developments and his challenges
Author Website: Gillian McDunn / Twitter
New Kid
I like the books use to use humor and illustrations to tackle serious topics like race and belonging in a new environment ,especially one as scary as middle school. I feel like the book does a good job at making Jordans experiences feel realistic is such a easy to read way (a graphic novel)
Lesson Idea: Students can do a butterfly life cycle activity that has them label each stage
Author Website: Jerry Craft / Instagram
YouTube: Read Aloud
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