Choice Lit Topic: Booklists
There are so many wonderful new children’s and young adult books published each year — and there is a lot of dreck out there too. We aim to be curators as we sort through, organize, and group books so that you can find just what you need.
Whether it’s mentor texts for a unit on persuasive writing, or just-right books for a fifth-grade English language learner, we’ve scoured lists of award winners, recommendations from colleagues, and the Kidlitsophere to come up with these lists.
Results
Rethinking My Nonfiction Library in Response to the Common Core
The focus on nonfiction reading in the Common Core has us all thinking of ways to move our students forward as nonfiction readers. The new focus on nonfiction has provided...
Worldwide Cinderellas
Like many teachers, I see my classroom growing more diverse each year. My students can tell stories about crossing the Mexican border, or recount how different their classrooms were in...
Book Matchmaker: Read Alouds for 1st Grade
Lori Sabo is looking for new read alouds for her first-grade class. There are so many terrific picture books that are great read alouds in first grade. When I...
Matching Students to Nonfiction Texts in Grades 3-6 (BOOKLIST)
We hear so much about matching students to nonfiction texts based on their needs and interests. Often the lens is very broad (“tweens will like this book”) or very narrow,...
Book Matchmaker: Texts for Young English Language Learners
Paulette teaches English language learners at an overseas school. Children come to the school from many countries, and many have very limited English. Paulette wants to share her...
Fresh Books and Age-old Skills
Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables. Spanish Proverb Getting stuck in a rut is easy because making a change is difficult. Take the story of my kitchen clock and...
Poetry that Celebrates Summertime and the Outdoors
Summer is the perfect time for poetry. The warm, relaxed days are filled with great images and memories. There are many poetry books for children that celebrate nature and the...
Book Matchmaker: Picture Book Biographies
Melanie Quinn is an instructional coach is looking for new picture book biographies to share with teachers and students. In the last several years, there are many picture...
Book Matchmaker: Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility
When I thought about the idea of citizenship and all that could be learned about such an important topic with young readers, I wanted to share some books that...
Book Matchmaker: Wordless Picture Books
 Brad Smedley, an elementary principal, is looking for wordless picture books to share with his preschool classes. No matter what age we work with, I find the...
Book Matchmaker: “Cool” Books for a Struggling Second Grader
Peggy asked me to help her find books for a second grader. The student is struggling, but still wants to read the kinds of books her friends are...
What’s On Your Summer Pleasure Reading List? (Round-Up)
A lazy day, a cool drink, and a great book — that's the perfect summer day for many literacy teachers. We don't get nearly as many days off in the...
If You Like Junie B. Jones, You Might Like . . .
Getting hooked on a series is an important part of a child’s reading development. I remember as a child getting addicted to Nancy Drew, the Betsy books, The Secret Seven...
Book Matchmaker: Texts for an Advanced First Grader
Joan is a first-grade teacher who has one reader in mind – a student who is reading well above grade-level expectations (a level 44 on the Developmental Reading...
Beyond Harry Potter: Tapping Student Interest in Fantasy
Ever since the Harry Potter craze several years ago, the fantasy genre has been a popular one. I often have students in the library who would like to read more...
Book Matchmaker: Intermediate Read-Alouds
A Dog's Way Home by Bobbie Pyron is about Abby and her dog, Tam. Abby and Tam are inseparable. Tragedy strikes and they are separated. Both have trouble moving...
Book Matchmaker: Graphic Novels for a 6th Grader
Heather Rader, an instructional specialist, is looking for some graphic novels to share with a group of 6th grade girls. The girls are graphic novel fans and have already...
Book Matchmaker: 5th Grade English Language Learners
Robin Heist is an elementary ELL teacher. She is thinking about her older English language learners who are reading below grade-level expectations. She is hoping to find books...
Unpacking the Common Core Standards: Compare and Contrast Nonfiction
Informational texts will become more and more important as states move toward implementing the Common Core. Looking carefully at the nonfiction standards is essential for teaching well. As teachers, we...
Unpacking the Common Core Standards: First Grade Information Texts
The Common Core Standards have students working with complex nonfiction texts at all grade levels. For primary teachers, including more nonfiction texts may seem like a challenge. But students of...
Books that Make Kids Squeal
When kindergarten teacher Michelle Martinez read my article, “Books that Touch the Heart,” she wasn’t impressed. While she personally enjoys a good cry over a book, the list did not...
