Shelley Swanson Sateren

This is an easy read, great for independent reading in classroom libraries. The plot starts with the main character, Zoe, who has always excelled in Art, but this time was not the case. She struggled with drawing facial feature proportions and become so agitated with herself that she nearly gave up. Her friend, Max, kept encouraging her to do her best and keep trying. Finally, Zoe decided to call Max and ask him to come help her with her drawings. Max did so and soon Zoe was trying her best and pleased with the work she had accomplished. This story is great for elementary students learning about friendship and how hard work really can pay off.… (more)

This is a good book that teaches social skills and problem-solving skills at the same time. The story is about a child named Anna who has a peanut allergy. She has to pick a student every day to sit with her and all the kids want to sit with her at the same time. Max and Zoe get in an argument about who will be able to sit with Anna so the problem solve and come up with an idea. They create a signup sheet in the form of a peanut so kids can schedule themselves in to sit with Anna. This is a good book that teaches children how to resolve conflicts and how to problem solve.… (more)