This book tells the true story of Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, a young disability rights activist who participated in the 1990 "Capitol Crawl". The story is aimed at young readers and highlights the obstacles faced by people with disabilities before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed.

I would use this book in my classroom as part of a history lesson and as an example of how even small acts of determination can change the course of history in a positive way.

grades 3-4

This book is about the inspiring story of Django Reinhardt, a Roma guitarist who overcame a tragic hand injury to become a jazz legend. Despite a fire leaving his fretting hand severely burned, he developed a new, unique playing style and became one of the most important European jazz musicians.

I would have this book in my class to teach students about overcoming hardships and to teach them empathy towards people who have suffered from hardships.

Grades 4-5th

This is an autobiography by Alan Rabinowitz about his journey as a stutterer who finds his voice through his connection with animals and becomes a wildlife conservationist. The book follows his life, showing how he overcame his stutter to become an advocate for big cats, particularly jaguars, and ultimately succeeded in creating the world's first jaguar preserve.

I would include this book in the class to show students how one can overcome something through the things they love. I would use it as an example of a disability and how it affects the person.

Grades 3-4th

This book is about a 7th grader named Andrew who navigates an eventful school picture day while dealing with escalating anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This used comic-style illustrations to portray Andrew's struggles with bullies, a science experiment gone wrong, family crises, and a public panic attack.

I would have this book in my classroom to highlight to what some students with Anxiety and OCD go through and how we can learn to help them.

grades 3-5th

Rules was about a girl and her brother who has autism, who are navigating daily life. The sister makes rules for her brother to follow in order to help him out. The both of them feel isolated as their family seems to exclude them due to David, the brothers, autism. Towards the end of the book the sister realizes that she has to see people for who they are and not their disability.

I would have this book in my classroom for students to read because it helps to show what some kids with autism go through and how they need a little extra help sometimes. It teaches the kids empathy and gives them a better understanding.

4-5th Grade

This was a book about a boy named Henry who liked things always the same. When one thing gets changed on his schedule this causes him to have feelings of discomfort and overstimulation. He doesn't appreciate when routine changes.

I would recommend this book for classrooms because it teaches kids abot differences and how it is different for everyone. Sometimes its a way for kids to think about a Henry in their class who is having a hard time with changing routines.

Grades 2-4th

This is a book where Gerald the elephant learns that while waiting is difficult, some things are worth the patience. His friend Piggie has a surprise for him, but he must wait, which leads Gerald to complain and groan throughout the day.

I would have this in my classroom to teach the importance and the results of patience.

1-3

This book was about a young girl named Katie who writes a letter to her family's beloved car, "Bob," to say goodbye. The letter reminisces about the many memories they shared, including trips to powwows, family vacations, and everyday errands, while acknowledging that the growing family needs a bigger car. It had a good balance of historic and modern depictions and included real life events and activities the family would go on.

Grades 3-5

This book celebrates new babies and their potential. The book uses poetic language and positive warm, collage-style art to depict a contemporary First Nations family welcoming and cherishing their child from infancy to toddlerhood.

2-3

This book is a mystery for young readers about twins Marie and Jamie who investigate a "ghost dog" that steals food at the powwow. This book respectfully showed diversity, especially in the beginning when introducing different characters into the group.

Grades 4-5

This is a book that celebrates Native American pride and culture through the tradition of wearing moccasins, or "Mocs". This bok celebrated the importance of diversity in each different Indigenous culture and the importance of protecting heritage.

grades 3-4

This is a book that celebrates the love between a mother and child, focusing on an Indigenous perspective of welcoming a new baby.

grades 2-4

The author used many positive images through out the book to represent the culture of the characters and the importance of it all.

This book is about fifth-grader Nick Allen, who invents a new word, "frindle," for "pen" to challenge his strict but creative English teacher, Mrs. Granger. What starts as a classroom prank quickly spreads, first through the school and then across town, as people begin to use and understand the new word, just as Mrs. Granger had taught.

I would have my students read this book for class during a reading unit.

3-5

The book explores common symptoms of anxiety through relatable, everyday bird-like worries, such as concern about airplanes, windows, or finding enough food.

2-4

a story about Shermy, a meticulous and quiet boy, whose summer is disrupted when his rambunctious new neighbor, Shake, moves in next door. Initially, the boys clash due to their opposite personalities, with Shake constantly upsetting Shermy's organized life through loud activities and thoughtless actions. However, as the summer progresses, Shermy gradually realizes that despite their differences, they have become friends, especially when he finds Shake homesick and sad.

I would include this book in my classroom as a fun way for kids to learn about friendships

4-5

Brief Summary: Jingle dancer accurately and respectfully portrays Muscogee (creek) traditions, including authentic images of regalia, customs, and daily life. It balances historic and modern depictions, showing Indigenous people of yesterday and today through real-life events and daily activities. The story presents gender positivity, with a young girl actively participating in cultural rituals, and the author's language celebrates Native culture without bias or stereotyping.

Classroom Use: Great for teaching about Native American culture, traditions, and family roles. Can be used to discuss cultural heritage, community celebrations, and to inspire students to share their own family traditions through art, music, or writing.

Guiding Question Responses:
1. Is the history accurate?
Jingle Dancer accurately portrays Muscogee (Creek) traditions, including the jingle dress dance and family involvement.
2. How does the author/illustrator present gender?
The story presents gender positively, showing a young girl as active, proud, and empowered while male family members support her.
3. Does the author's word choice indicate bias against Native peoples?
The author’s word choice is respectful and affirming, celebrating Native culture without bias or stereotyping.

Ages: 4-8

This was a short story about identity and how you need to stay strong throughout hardships and how we are all bright stars. I would read this book to my students because there is a powerful message and metaphor behind the illustration and storyline.

This was a sweet book about how family bonds and tradition can remain firm throughout generations and that those things keep people together. This book takes us through Abuela's past as she explains how to make the Tamales.

This was a book about a girl who wanted to help her father and brothers fight but due to her gender. This book is the story of her life and how she became someone who would make a difference in the Mexican culture.

This was a very colorful diverse book that seemed to go through all the different cultures. It used artwork to show all this. I would show this to my class maybe to inspire them in art and diversity.

This was a cute book that follows the fairytale princess and the Pea. The illustration shows the culture and the uniqueness of it. I would defiantly read this book to my students to show them what different cultures can look like and what storytelling in this sense is like.

This was a book about a family who, instead of leaving Mexico to go to the states, are going back to Mexico from the states. This is a short but touching story about the thoughts and feelings the young boy feels as he is leaving his home. I would read this book to my students to add to the diversity of the classroom.

This was a short story about a kid and his Grandfather who are trying to find work together. The kid finds them work but lies about their skills, leading to him learning an important lesson about lies. I would read this book to my students to show them about what this culture looks like and the importance of being honest.

This was a touching book about a a girls journey in a new culture and what she went through as she grows and adapts to this new place. I would read this book to my classroom to help them learn about cultural identity and what immigration can look like.

This was a nice book about how different people interpret their world and things like that. I would have this book in my classroom to add to the diversity of books. I think it would help students understand kindness and cultures.

This is a fun poetry book full of poems for kids. I would read this in my classroom to kids for a poetry unit.

This is a book about a girl who got in a accident that knocked out her two front teeth. This is a story of her journey to self discovery and finding true friendship.

I would include this book in my classroom because it would highlight the importance of self love, friendship and mental health.

This was a very emotional book with a lot of complicated topics. I found it to be an interesting read, though I'm not sure if I would include it in an elementary classroom due to the range of themes in this book.

It was a book about a girl who goes to the beach cabin with her family every year, there she meets up with her friend and they hang out. There's different drama throughout the book that includes the mom struggling with her mental health and the girls witnessing drama at the general store.

This was a fun book about the Monarch Butterfly's circle of life and what all it goes through on its life cycle.

I would recommend this book in classrooms to encourage curiosity and wonder about nature and life cycles of butterflies. I would say this book is good. for 2-4 grade.

This was a interesting book that went through all the historical events of solar power ad how it slowly evolved throughout the years.

I think that I would include this in my classroom and use it for a science lesson on what solar energy is. I would recommend this book 5-6 grade.