Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street

By Roni Schotter

Eva listens to her teacher's advice: "Write about what you know." She doesn't believe she has anything in her life worth writing about. She finds out differently!

Use this book to teach how to generate a writing topic.

Make a list of the things Eva could write about in her neighborhood.

Have students create their own lists of topics.

Chicken Little

By Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley

"The sky is falling!" This is a charming retelling of the old story with great vocabulary and colorful pictures.

Compare and contrast this story with the traditional version.

Work with the wealth of vocabulary from the book.

Rewrite another well-known tale.

You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?

By Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

Here is the truth told by the Tooth Fairy herself! Learn what her job entails and how to keep her happy and willing to make visits!

Explore and discuss point of view in writing.

Write a story from the point of view of another famous character.

ABIYOYO

Pete Seeger's song illustrated by Michael Hays

Learn how a father and son save their village from a mean giant and go from outcasts to heroes.

Use this book when studying the folktale genre.

Find the problem and resolution of this story.

Talk about acceptance.

PUNCTUATION Takes a Vacation

By Robin Pulver

The punctuation marks feel ignored and misunderstood in Mr. Wright's classroom. They decide to take a vacation!

Try reading without the punctuation marks to find out why they are so important.

Write postcards from the point of view of a punctuation mark.

Carlos and the Cornfield

By Jan Romero Stevens

Carlos learns an important lesson about being trustworthy and working hard.

Discuss character traits that students notice in the story.

Work with cause and effect.

Use the blue cornmeal pancake recipe that is included.

Freckleface Strawberry

By Julianne Moore

Freckleface Strawberry doesn't like her freckles and the attention other people give them. It takes her a long time to accept them — and herself.

Use for discussions about self-esteem and valuing the differences between classmates.

Find problem and resolution within the story.

Crazy Hair Day

By Barney Saltzberg

Stanley arrives at school prepared for Crazy Hair Day only to find out he has the wrong day, and it is actually picture day!

Use for discussions about self-esteem and valuing the differences between classmates and sticking together.

Find problem and resolution within the story.

Tar Beach

By Faith Ringgold

A young girl living in an urban landscape has grand dreams at night on a rooftop. She and her brother lie on a blanket and imagine flying over the city.

Discuss self-esteem and belonging, citizenship, and family.

Ask students to draw, write, or tell about their favorite parts of their neighborhoods.

Scary Sharks

By Camilla de la Bedoyere

What student doesn't like a good shark story? This is a great nonfiction book with a foldout of a shark's mouth in actual size! Great text features, pictures, and facts.

Use during discussions and lessons about text features.

Demonstrate researching skills for animal research activities.