The Book Thief

Zusak, M. (2006). The book thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This book would be appropriate for older classrooms. I, myself, read it in 8th grade and absolutely loved it at that time. However, the content is mature as is the reading level. I do not think students much younger than 7th or 8th grade would handle the book well. It could absolutely be used for a novel study or a read aloud. It is fantastic. 

The Book Thief is a fascinating piece of historical fiction told from death's point of view. It centers around a young girl, Liesel,  who loses her family to illness during World War II. She is taken in by an older couple who later also take in a Jewish young adult named Max. Max is in hiding because of the dangers surrounding the time period. This book follows Liesel through countless trying times as well as some genuine moments of youthful happiness. Zusak's words make the story come to life.

Wonder

This incredible, moving story is about August Pullman, a fifth-grader with a facial deformity. He has never gone to a normal school, until now. He has to learn how to make friends and navigate the challenges of being the new kid in school, all while trying to cope with his extraordinary exterior. This novel is uplifting, emotional, and beautifully written. I think it would be an excellent read aloud and could really help kids see how their actions affect others. I truly hope to use this in my classroom someday.

 Palacio, R. (2012). Wonder. Knopf. 

Hoot

This novel has middle-schooler Roy Eberhardt starting over as the new kid in school once again. Bullies and loneliness haunt his daily life. Roy becomes fascinated by endangered burrowing owls that reside in his new town. He teams up with two unlikely allies and together they form a plan to save these endangered creatures. The New York Daily News called Hoot "offbeat" and "hilarious". It is very likable and is certainly worth a read. I will certainly include it in my classroom and may even use it for a read aloud or even a novel study in upper grades.

 Hiaasen, C., & Knopf, I. (2002). Hoot. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

One Crazy Summer

This novel by Rita Williams-Garcia has received many acknowledgements for its impressive content, including the Coretta Scott King Award, the Newbery Honor, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and a finalist place for the National Book Award. The book follows three sisters, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, who travel to California to visit their mother who abandoned them. The story is set in 1968, a "tumultuous" time in American history. The girls are exposed to many different things in California, most notably the Black Panther group.

This historical fiction piece is moving and thought-provoking. I would definitely use it in my class for a read aloud, if not for a novel study. I would do this only in upper grades, as the content is somewhat sensitive and mature. I wouldn't want to overwhelm younger students with concepts they may not understand or be mature enough to handle.

Hansel and Gretel

 Marshall, J. (1990). Hansel and Gretel. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

This classic tale is perfect for a read aloud. Hansel and Gretel live with their father and stepmother. The stepmother is desperate to get rid of the children, so she leads them deep into the forest with a plan to abandon them. However, Hansel suspects her plan and leaves a trail of rocks to find their way home by. The stepmother tries her plan again. This time, Hansel leaves a trail of breadcrumbs which is eaten by animals and is thus ineffective. The children stumble upon a candy cottage in the woods, home to an evil witch. Hansel and Gretel must figure out how to foil the witch's plan to eat them for dinner and find their way home.

I would definitely include this book in my classroom library. It teaches a good lesson on being resourceful, solving problems with creative solutions, and having faith that things will be okay.