Something beautiful

 Wyeth, S., & Soentpiet, C. (1998). Something beautiful. New York: Doubleday Books

for Young Readers.

Something beautiful is an inspiring story about how even in the worst circumstances beauty can be seen. The main character is a little girl who lives in an urban community with angry graffiti and hateful vandalism.  Her teacher writes the word “beautiful” on the board and encourages her to find beauty in the world. Her neighbors tell her about their own beautiful things. Miss Delphine serves her a "beautiful" fried fish sandwich at her diner. Mr. Lee's offers her an apple at his “beautiful” fruit store. Mr. Sims invites her to touch a smooth stone he always carries. The girl comes to believe that beautiful means "something that when you have it, your heart is happy." Her search for "something beautiful" leaves her full of hope and optimism.

This story is a perfect way to inspire students who live in low socioeconomic communities or in cities with turmoil. It is a wonderful reminder that beauty can be found in all people and in all places.

Jumanji

Allsburg, C. (1981). Jumanji. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

            Jumanji is an adventure story that tells of the exciting day when two bored, mischievous children are left home alone by their parents, with instructions to behave and keep the house clean. However, the parents’ wishes are disregarded when the two children find a game named Jumanji in the park with the only instructions, “Do not begin unless you intend to finish.”  The children begin to play the game, in which the must overcome dangers that come to life! The game brings about live monkeys, volcanoes, monsoons, and lions… all within their house! The children must find a way to end the dangerous game (and clean the house) before their parents arrive home!

The Jumanji movie was made in 1995. Students can watch movie, and compare and contrast it with the book.

Four Feet, Two Sandals

William, K., & Mohammed, K. (2007). Four Feet, Two Sandals. Grand Rapids, Mich.:

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 



           

Relief workers bring used clothing to a refugee camp in Pakistan, and ten-year-old Lina is thrilled when she finds a sandal that fits her foot perfectly. However, another little girl has the matching shoe. Soon, the two girls, Lina and Feroza, meet and decide that it is better to share the sandals than for each to wear only one. The girls, as well as the readers, discover the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq

Winter, J. (2005). The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. Orlando, Fla.:

Harcourt.

Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in Basra, Iraq. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for the entire community. However, now war has come, and Alia fears that the library and the thirty thousand books in it will be destroyed. In a country where people, especially women, have little influence, this true story about a librarian's inspiring courage and will to save her community's priceless collection of books is a reminder that anything is possible with bravery.

Thunder Cake

Polacco, P. (1990). Thunder Cake. New York: Philomel Books.

Thunder Cake is about a little girl who is terrified of thunderstorms. Her grandmother distracts her and hers the little girl conquer her fears by making a Thunder Cake. 

There are story resources, games, vocabulary words and more here!