Under the Mesquite

McCall, G. (2011). Under the mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books.

As the oldest of eight siblings, Lupita is used to taking the lead—and staying busy behind the scenes to help keep everyone together. But when she discovers Mami has been diagnosed with cancer, Lupita is terrified by the possibility of losing her mother, the anchor of her close-knit Mexican American family. Suddenly Lupita must face a whole new set of challenges, with new roles to play, and no one is handing her the script.

Smile

Telgemeier, R., & Yue, S. (2014). Smile. Graphix.

From the artist of BSC Graphix comes this humorous coming-of-age true story about the dental drama that ensues after a trip-and-fall mishap.

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly.

Brown Girl Dreaming

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.

           

            Jacqueline Woodson, on of today’s best authors, was raised in South Carolina and New York. However, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and the powerful Civil Rights movement. Each poem is both relatable and emotionally charged. Woodson’s eloquent poetry reflects her story, and how she became the writer she is.

Jacqueline Woodson's website 

        

Planting a Rainbow

Ehlert, L. (1988). Planting a rainbow. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

This educational, nonfiction book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. The collage illustrations bring science to life.

There are countless art and science projects to do with this book:lesson plans, crafts, science activities. This book is perfect for young explorers.

The Ugly Duckling

Pinkney, J., & Andersen, H. (1999). The ugly duckling. New York: Morrow

Junior Books.

For many generations, The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite. Jerry Pinkney's beautifully written adaptation brings the beloved story to many younger generations to come. The journey of the awkward little bird, courageously fending off hecklers and bullies, blooming into a graceful swan is a reminder that patience is a virtue and sometimes the path to true happiness. The beautiful watercolors create wonderful images of the story.

 Lesson Plans here. Movie Trailer also available. 

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Cleary, B., & Tiegreen, A. (1981). Ramona Quimby, Age 8. New York: Morrow.

The schools in Ramona Quimby's neighborhood have been reorganized, and now she gets to ride the bus to Cedarhurst Primary, where she and her fellow third graders will be the biggest kids in the school. Ramona is happy about the changes until a boy on the bus steals her new eraser, but she rises to the challenge and ends up deciding the "Yard Ape" (the boy who stole her eraser) may not be so bad, after all.

Ramona feels the best part of being in third grade is Sustained Silent Reading. Ramona loves getting time to read in school every day. The worst part is that she isn't sure if her teacher, Mrs. Whaley, likes her. When Ramona cracks a hard boiled egg on her head at lunch—and finds out her mother forgot to boil it—she ends up in the secretary's office with a head full of raw egg, where she overhears Mrs. Whaley describe her as a show-off and a nuisance. Even Yard Ape can't make her feel better about that. Things get worse when she throws up in class and her mother has to leave work to take her home.

For Ramona, there's also the problem of spoiled Willa Jean. Every day after school Howie goes outside to ride bikes with his friends, and Ramona is forced to play baby games with Willa Jean. Beezus can always say she's busy doing homework, but that doesn't work for Ramona. She strives to use her creativity to find ways to help her family get along.

This is a Newbery Honor winner.