Category Archives: Recommendation

Saving Zalea by Nicola Jones

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The story begins with Zalea, a northern spotted owl, falling from her nest. Researchers find her and take her to a rehabilitation center. The rest of the book tracks Zalea’s recovery story and life at the research center until her release back into the wild. Alongside this recovery story, the author provides detailed information about owls as well as endangered animals, egg incubation, biologists, and more. 

This is a challenging book for elementary age readers due to the fact that it is quite long and the information about Zalea is interspersed with additional nonfiction content, but any child who reads this book will come away with a wealth of knowledge. The glossary of terms at the back will help them develop new vocabulary and access the information within the book, and the story of Zalea’s successful recovery will fill them with hope and inspiration.

Morocco (Countries of the World)

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Featuring maps, photographs, graphs, and fast facts, the Countries of the World series is perfect for primary readers looking to gather information about various countries for reports or general knowledge. The series presents information about habitats, animals, language, religion, sports, and other key details about the countries and their people using simple, easy to understand sentences.

From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert to the beautiful beaches, young readers will enjoy learning about the country of Morocco. The food and drinks, markets, and sports are all presented through short, easy to understand sentences. Students will come away with a clear overview of this country and its people. The main take away for many kids, though, will likely be a love of the adorable sand cat.

Pakistan (Countries of the World)

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Featuring maps, photographs, graphs, and fast facts, the Countries of the World series is perfect for primary readers looking to gather information about other countries for reports or general knowledge. The series presents information about habitats, animals, language, religion, sports, and other key details about the countries and their people using simple, easy to understand sentences.

From the second tallest mountain in the world to the beaches of the southern coast, this book provides an overview of the diverse landscape of Pakistan in a way early readers will understand. There are photographs of both cities and villages as well kids and adults engaged in a variety of activities. Kids will also enjoy seeing animals, like the markhor, they may not have heard of before. This would be a great addition to any school or classroom library.

Beginning to End: Wind to Electricity

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“Wind to Electricity” simplifies the process of converting wind into energy, making it easy for students to understand. The book features photographs of wind turbines, generators, substations, and more, which help illustrate each step of the process, making it both educational and engaging for students.

The book includes several helpful text features, such as a table of contents, headings, labels, bold words, a glossary, a map, and an index. It’s designed for primary students, with just 1-3 short sentences on each page. This book is an excellent source to introduce younger students to renewable energy. 

I recommend adding this book to your library collection.

Beginning to End: Sand to Glass

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“Sand to Glass” is a journey through a glass factory, where students can see the fascinating machines and equipment used in the glass making process. Part of a series that explains how everyday items are made, this book features photographs that vividly illustrate each step, making it both educational and enjoyable for students.

The book includes several helpful text features, such as a table of contents, headings, labels, bold words, a glossary, a map, and an index. It’s designed for primary students, with just 1-3 short sentences on each page.

This book is an excellent tool for teaching students about processes. On page 19, it provides a simple diagram that recaps each step, making it easy to understand.

I recommend adding this book to your library collection.

Beginning to End: Wax to Crayon

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“Wax to Crayon” takes students on a journey to discover how colorless wax is transformed into one of their favorite school supplies! Reading this book is like taking a field trip to a crayon factory, where students can explore the fascinating machines involved in the process. Part of a series that explains how everyday items are made, this book features photographs that vividly illustrate each step, making it both educational and enjoyable for students.

The book includes several helpful text features, such as a table of contents, headings, labels, bold words, a glossary, a map, and an index. It’s designed for primary students, with just 1-3 short sentences on each page.

This book is an excellent tool for teaching students about processes. On page 19, it provides a simple diagram that recaps each step, making it easy to understand.

I recommend adding this book to your library collection.

Beginning to End: Apple Seed to Juice

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“Apple Seed to Juice” guides students through the fascinating journey of turning apples into apple juice, from the orchard to the factory, and finally into their juice boxes! This book is part of a series that explains how everyday items are made. Students will enjoy the photographs that illustrate each step of the process.

The book includes several helpful text features, such as a table of contents, headings, labels, bold words, a glossary, a map, and an index. Although it’s designed for grades 1-3, younger students may find the vocabulary a bit challenging and might need to use the glossary frequently.

This book is an excellent tool for teaching students about processes. On page 19, it provides a simple diagram that recaps each step, making it easy to understand.

I recommend adding this book to your library collection.

The Dallas Cowboys (EPIC NFL Team Profiles)

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Learn more about the Dallas Cowboys through this captivating team profile! Written at a 2nd grade reading level, this book is ideal for elementary to middle school students. With vibrant photos and engaging text, it highlights the team’s history, accomplishments, and legendary players, keeping readers thoroughly engaged.

The book also includes useful text features like a table of contents, a timeline of key events, a map of the team’s location, a glossary, and an index. A “To Learn More” page encourages students to continue exploring the Cowboys both in the library and online. This book is a must-read for any young Cowboys fan!

Chicago Bears (EPIC NFL Team Profiles)

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Learn more about the Monsters of the Midway through this captivating team profile of the Chicago Bears! Written at a 2nd grade reading level, this book is ideal for elementary to middle school students. With dynamic photos and engaging text, it highlights the team’s history, accomplishments, and legendary players, keeping readers thoroughly engaged.

The book also includes useful text features like a table of contents, a timeline of key events, a map of the team’s location, a glossary, and an index. A “To Learn More” page encourages students to continue exploring the Bears both in the library and online. This book is a must-read for any young Bears fan!

The New York Giants (EPIC NFL Team Profiles)

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Discover the New York Giants through this captivating team profile! Written at a 2nd grade reading level, this book is ideal for elementary to middle school students. With fun photos and engaging text, it highlights the team’s history, accomplishments, and legendary players, keeping readers thoroughly engaged.

The book also includes useful text features like a table of contents, a timeline of key events, a map of the team’s location, a glossary, and an index. A “To Learn More” page encourages students to continue exploring the Giants both in the library and online. This book is a must-read for any young Giants fan!

The Los Angeles Chargers (EPIC NFL Team Profiles)

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Discover the Los Angeles Chargers through this captivating team profile! Written at a 2nd grade reading level, this book is ideal for elementary to middle school students. With vibrant photos and engaging text, it highlights the team’s history, accomplishments, and legendary players, keeping readers thoroughly engaged.

The book includes helpful features like a table of contents, a timeline of key events in the team’s history, a map of the team’s location, a glossary, and an index. A “To Learn More” page encourages students to further explore the Chargers, both in the library and online. This book is a must-read for any young Chargers fan!

The Most Magnificent Maker’s A to Z by Ashley Spires

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    This ABC book pairs perfectly with the popular The Most Magnificent Thing. As readers go through the alphabet, we follow the maker as she tries to create yet another magnificent thing. Each featured word or phrase is followed by descriptions that support STEAM thinking, like “Q is for QUESTIONS. Why isn’t it working? What would make it better?” Readers will be inspired as the maker “Experiments” and makes “Mistakes” until the girl and her pup assistant find success.

    Alex Morgan (Sports Superstars Series)

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    “Sports Superstars” presents biographies of some of today’s most popular athletes. These books introduce the athlete’s background with a focus on how they became the superstars they are today. There are also numerous “fun facts” about everything from their favorite hobby to what’s on their trophy shelves. Full of nonfiction text features, these books would be great for students writing reports, getting an introduction to biographies, or just learning about one of their favorite athletes.

    Alex Morgan has been inspiring young soccer players for over ten years, and this biography shows why. Following her early skill in the sport, hard work in school, and eventual success on the world stage, the book gives a full picture of why Alex Morgan is such a superstar. Morgan’s role in the US Women’s National Team’s fight for equal pay also gives students a model for self-advocacy. I highly recommend adding this biography to any school library.

    A Bindi Can Be… by Suma Subramaniam

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    Suma Subramaniam’s joyful book highlights all the things a bindi can be to the young narrator of this story. The illustrations are bright, beautiful, and full of the delight the girl feels while wearing her bindi. The book does a fantastic job balancing providing information about what a bindi is and celebrating its place on the girl’s forehead. The back of the book features information about what bindis are, why people wear them, and how they are made. There is also a glossary of terms and pronunciation guide to help anyone not familiar with the terminology in the book. This is a great addition to any home or school library.

    Kevin Durant (Sports Superstars Series)

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    “Sports Superstars” presents biographies of some of today’s most popular athletes. These books introduce the athlete’s background with a focus on how they became the superstars they are today. There are also numerous “fun facts” about everything from their favorite hobby to what’s on their trophy shelves. Full of nonfiction text features, these books would be great for students writing reports, getting an introduction to biographies, or just learning about one of their favorite athletes.

    After watching team USA take home the gold medal in the 2024 Olympics, kids will love learning more about superstar Kevin Durant. Kids will also enjoy the early photographs of Durant and learning about how his long career began. The book follows his career from being drafted to the NBA through championships and trades to where he is today. It also gives information about his career threatening injury and how he now supports injured athletes on their road to recovery. This is an inspiring and high interest pick for any school library.

    Cristiano Ronaldo (Sports Superstars Series)

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    “Sports Superstars” presents biographies of some of today’s most popular athletes. These books introduce the athlete’s background with a focus on how they became the superstars they are today. There are also numerous “fun facts” about everything from their favorite hobby to what’s on their trophy shelves. Full of nonfiction text features, these books would be great for students writing reports, getting an introduction to biographies, or just learning about one of their favorite athletes.

    The debate about whether Messi or Ronaldo holds the title of greatest soccer player of all time is often heard in the sports section of my library. This book is the perfect resource for all those kids needing some backup for their argument that it is, in fact, Ronaldo. The book provides a timeline of Ronaldo’s rise to soccer stardom and also gives information about his business enterprises. This one won’t stay on the shelf.

    Chloe Kim (Sports Superstars Series)

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    “Sports Superstars” presents biographies of some of today’s most popular athletes. These books introduce the athlete’s background with a focus on how they became the superstars they are today. There are also numerous “fun facts” about everything from their favorite hobby to what’s on their trophy shelves. Full of nonfiction text features, these books would be great for students writing reports, getting an introduction to biographies, or just learning about one of their favorite athletes.

    Chloe Kim has been a competitive snowboarder since the time she was six years old. By age eight, she was training with the U.S national team. Young snowboarders and athletes of all types will love learning about Kim’s path and successes. There are numerous interesting facts about Kim’s traditions, her favorite things, and even her own Barbie doll. This is a great addition to any school library.

    Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes

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    Derrick Barnes has created yet another empowering and engaging picture book that will inspire elementary age kids. Like Lava in My Veins follows Bobby Beacon as he starts at a new school for kids with superpowers. Bobby has the power to control fire and lava, but when he gets heated, those powers can get away from him. His teacher at his new school doesn’t understand Bobby or see his amazing talents, and he ends up in the principal’s office. When he’s transferred to a new class, though, Bobby finally starts to feel seen and understand how to control his fire. This picture book is drawn in graphic novel style, which will make it immediately appealing to many readers, but it’s also a phenomenal story for social emotional development. I love that his “fire” is shown to be a superpower. The book showed the value of controlled anger when faced with injustice, which is something I haven’t seen tackled in a picture book. Like Lava in My Veins is a unique and powerful book that will be appreciated by adults and kids alike.

    This Wolf Was Different by Katie Slivensky

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    A wolf cub is born to a pack, but she doesn’t feel or act like her brothers and sisters. She is, as the title says, a little bit different. Eventually the wolf finds something else in the forest that is quite different, and a bond is formed. This lovely imagining of how wolves began their transition to domestication will capture the hearts of young wolf and dog lovers alike. The beautiful illustrations add to the dreamy quality of this envisioned tale. The text is simple enough to be understood by very young readers but the ideas are complex enough to capture the imagination of mid level elementary students as well.

    Yaya and the Sea by Karen Good Marable

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    Yaya and the Sea lets readers follow along on a special trip to the ocean. The book begins with Yaya and her mom waking before dawn and traveling through the city to meet Yaya’s aunties on the train. On the train, Yaya listens to her mom and her friends chat, and we understand how fortunate she feels to be included on this journey. When they reach their destination, we get to watch along with Yaya as the four friends participate in a special ritual to welcome spring and new beginnings. Tonya Engel’s illustrations depict this peaceful and significant moment in beautiful detail. Yaya and the Sea is a lovely story, and I can see many readers wanting to take this serene journey with Yaya time and time again.

    These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh

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    Aya Ghanameh tells the story of her grandmother’s youth in Palestine. Oraib has a deep connection to the olives she collects with her mother, and, together, they use the olives in many ways to aid and improve their lives in the refugee camp. When the war comes to their camp, Oraib is forced to quickly gather her things to leave the only home she has known. As she leaves, Oraib uses an olive to give a message of hope for a better tomorrow. Ghanameh does a nice job presenting a complicated and heartbreaking story in a child-appropriate manner. The illustrations of Oraib and her family are charming, while the illustrations of the occupying forces as large ghostly hands are powerful and haunting. The author’s note in the back gives additional information about her grandmother’s story and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. 

    Oodles of Doodles

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    It’s a fairly silly story in the spirit of Hop on Pop or Green Eggs and Ham, where it’s playing with words that rhyme: it’s got oodles of noodle dooles, doodled by a poodle, and it’s got two cartoony dudes negotiating for those doodles before saying, “tootle-Lou.” It works pretty well for what it is, though there are some uses of some words/word structures that may need to be explained to some small readers.

    Interrupting Cow and the Horse of a Different Color

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    I’m sorry to say it, but I was disappointed. I couldn’t really tell what the purpose of this book was. It can’t count as a joke book, because the story really only contains two jokes, and they’re not especially good jokes. The main character even says his friends don’t like his jokes, and the zebra he’s telling them to straight-out tells him that jokes that have to be explained aren’t funny. It tells us the zebra showed up because he got left by a traveling circus, and it says they should find the circus so the ringmaster can teach them more jokes, but then they don’t actually go look. The book just ends with them rolling around in a field laughing with each other. And there were some pretty challenging words for an “easy reader.”

    The Boy Who Said Wow

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    What a sweet book celebrating the power of music to move us! Based on a true story, it tells of a young boy who is non-verbal, rarely speaking, accompanying his grandfather on an outing to the symphony. When the music ends, in that moment of silence, Ronin bursts out with his first, “Wow!” Obviously impacted by the music he’s just heard, his Wow is a celebration, which further impacts the rest of the audience in its genuine, uninhibited joy. Ronin returns to being quiet, but the final page of the book shows him going to sleep night, and ponders what he may still be listening to in his dreams.

    Not My Cat

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    It’s all about the power of a cat to worm its way into our lives whether we like it or not. The narrator professes to not like cats, and when one starts coming around every day, she says she doesn’t like it, even though she gives it food, and she names it Not My Cat so that every knows it’s not her cat. She says she doesn’t know where the cat lives, or what it does at night, even though she wonders about it sometimes. But when Not My Cat doesn’t show up for several days in a row, she’s worried, and all her normal routines feel empty. When she does return, our narrator doesn’t know where she’s been, but she know she looks hungry and curious, and she looks like she’s hers. The logical, responsible pet owner in me wishes there was some sort of little afterward to comment that now she’s claimed the cat it will mean taking her to the vet and keeping track of where she is because there are so many dangers for cats left to stray, but the mushy side of me just feels warm and fuzzy, which is what the kids will feel.