The Keeping Quilt, Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco
        This story is an autobiographical picture storybook and it tells about an important quilt from Polacco's heritage. The story begins when her great-great-grandmother comes to America with her parents. Her dress and babushka remind her of home. These items become part of the quilt that the family creates then to remember Russia. Many different articles of clothing are sewn on to it and the babushka creates its border. The quilt sees many weddings, celebrations, and children coming into the world and is passed down to Polacco's great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and then to herself. She plans to pass the quilt to her daughter someday. This quilt was wrapped around her own daughter after she was born as well. It tells the story of their heritage so they never forget home.
       This story would be most appropriate for second and third-grade students. The language is simple and the illustrations carry the story. This would be a great way to introduce the idea of "heritage" to students. After reading this story as a read-aloud to the class, they could reflect on the importance of remembering the past. The students could share or create items that help them remember where they originate whether that is in the U.S. or from another country. No matter where anyone is from, every student has a cultural identity. It is important to foster this identity and this book would be a great way to start this.

Anne of Green Gables: a Graphic Novel, Adapted by Mariah Marsden, Illustrated by Brenna Thummler.
       This graphic novel tells the classic tale of Anne Shirley but through beautiful, colorful, cartoonish illustrations. It begins with the Cuthberts receiving Anne, an orphan. They hoped to get a boy that would help them with their farm. Matthew Cuthbert acts like a father to her and they become really close. Marilla, Matthew's wife, does not take well to Anne at first, but grows to love her spiritedness even though she tries to still make a polite lady out of her. Anne finds a wonderful friend in Dianna and they enjoy school and life together. Gilbert Blithe, a boy from school, and Anne do not see eye to eye at first. Eventually, as Anne grows older they become friends and possible romantic interests of each other towards the end of the story. Anne also gets the opportunity to go to a school for teachers. After, this higher education, she moves back home. However, while she was at school, Matthew passes away and Anne grieves him greatly. The book ends with Anne and Gilbert reconciling and Anne reflects on how great a home Avonlea has been.
     This book would be most appropriate for third and fourth-grade students. It is as long as a chapter book, but the pictures really help to break up overwhelming text. The illustrations also serve to move the story in ways like demonstrating subtle facial expressions without having to expressly describe them in words. This book could help students transition from reading picture books to reading chapter books. Additionally, it could help build
students' confidence in reading by helping them infer words and plot through pictures and text.

Something from Nothing, Written and Illustrated by Phoebe Gilman,
      This story originated from a Jewish folktale and is about a boy named Joseph and his grandfather. Joseph's grandfather makes him a blanket when he is born. The blanket wears out and Joseph takes it to his grandfather. He makes the blanket a jacket. The jacket eventually is too small and his grandfather turns it into a vest. Eventually, the material becomes so worn that there is only enough left for a button. Joseph wears this button proudly until he loses the button. Joseph's grandfather says that he cannot make something new without any of the blanket. Joseph does not lose heart and says that he can make a story out of all of these events. In this way, he made "something from nothing."
       This story is most appropriate for first and second grade. It has a lot of repetition, so the students can find comfort and confidence in knowing and saying some of the words with the teacher during a class read-aloud. Additionally, the illustrations add to the story and do not only tell the events. For example, the scraps of the material of the blanket end up with the mice that live below the house. The mice can be seen on each page with curtains, clothes, and tablecloths made out of the blanket. This would help the students be engaged in the story. The students could also reflect on what it means to create "something from nothing" and if that is truly possible.

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968, Written by Alice Faye Duncan, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
         This book details the events of the 1968 Sanitation Strike through the eyes of a Lorraine, a young girl when the strike happened. The strike occurred because the sanitation workers, who were mostly black, were not treated well by the city and severely underpaid. Lorraine's father was one of these workers and went on strike with the rest of the workers. Their family struggled financially during the strike but never lost hope. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also worked and marched with the sanitation workers of Memphis, but the Mayor remained stubborn in not working with the sanitation workers. During the strike, Dr. King gets assassinated and his wife carries on his legacy. The community grieves his loss but does not lose hope. Eventually, the President goes over the mayor's head and gives the sanitation workers better conditions and a pay raise. The book ends with resources and a timeline of the Sanitation Strike.
        This book is most appropriate for fourth and fifth graders. Some of the content could be too overwhelming for younger students and there are a lot of words on each page. The number of words could overwhelm second and some third-grade students. This book expertly and engagingly details the events of the strike. This book would accompany a Civil Rights history lesson or Black History Month lesson very well. One of the most memorable phrases of the book is when the author says that "Freedom is never free." This would make a great writing prompt for students to write about what this means to them. The students could create an artistic expression of their writing as well, just like the writer and illustrator of this book did. This allows students to personally and deeply reflect on an important part history and extend their learning past a history book.

Ada's Violin, Written by Susan Hood, Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
       This story is set in a poor town in Paraguay where the people live at a dump. Most of the people there make money by scavenging around the dump for recyclable materials to sell, but this does not pay very well. A young girl who lives here, Ada, eventually fears that this could be her future. However, her grandmother who loves music with such a passion signs up Ada and her sisters for string instrument lessons as soon as a music teacher makes this available. Ada becomes so excited at this. However, there are not enough instruments for all of the children to use and instruments are high money items that could easily get stolen in this town. So, some resourceful men figure out how to make cellos, violins, and other instruments with material from the dump. This is how Ada gets her own violin that she treasures dearly. While other children quit lessons because it is so difficult, Ada never gives up. Her perseverance is rewarded as the orchestra gets asked to perform at local and eventually national gigs. The orchestra's biggest invitation is to open for a famous rock and roll group. Ada gets nervous at this performance but soon forgets her nerves when the crowd celebrates their orchestra with cheers and encouragement. The book ends with an author's note that talks about Ada and "Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay." This note contains real pictures, links to videos, and other resources.
       This book would be most appropriate for third, fourth, and fifth-grade students. This book uses collage for the illustrations which is truly interesting to see. This would be a great inspiration for students to make their own collage about an experience that has formed who they are. Additionally, this book shows what perseverance can do in impacting someone's life. If Ada had quit early like some of the other students had, then she would not have had such amazing experiences outside of her town. It was her perseverance and her passion that allowed her to travel and play for huge crowds. Additionally, it shows students that some people are forced to live in such heartbreaking poverty. Students need to read stories like this to gain a global view of the world around them. This story definitely portrays in an age-appropriate way that some people do not have all of the luxuries
that most people in the U.S. get to enjoy.

Kami and the Yaks, Written by Stenn Stryer, Illustrated by Bert Dodson
       This Schneider Family Book Award-winning book tells the story of Kami, a young, deaf Sherpa boy who lives with his family. Kami and his brother and father's job is to help hikers in the mountains by guiding yaks that carry the hiker's gear. One night, the yaks are nowhere to be found, so Kami takes off to find them. As he looks for them, he gets caught in a storm that rains down hail. He finds the yaks and sees that a calf has got its foot stuck in a crack. Kami treks through the storm to tell his father and brother. He does not know how to speak since he cannot hear. He mimes a yak getting its foot caught between rocks and his brother understands. The trio head in the direction of the yaks and his father frees the calf from the rocks. Kami proudly guides the yak herd and his family back home with the understanding that his father is proud of him for his courage and resourcefulness. The end of the book contains information about the Sherpa people.
     This book would be appropriate for first and second graders. I love how this book empowers Kami. It shows how he was still courageous and intelligent to work with all of his abilities instead of letting his disability discourage him. This book would be a great read-aloud for the classroom and to have in my classroom library. It shows students that no matter what they feel insecure about or what they think they cannot do, everyone can rise above their circumstances to solve problems in a different way. Although Kami could not speak to his family, he still found a way to communicate with his family. This kind of victory is what students need to see. Even if the students do not have an impairment like deafness, they still most likely feel incapable of doing something or feel vulnerable in a given situation. By reading about Kami and his fearlessness, they could be inspired to the same kind of courage.

Santa Claus, Written by Rod Green, Illustrated by Jon Lucas, Carol Wright, Simon Danaher, and Craig Sudac
       This book explains in detail the lore of Santa Claus and related figures like Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, and the North Pole. It begins by describing the North Pole and the Arctic. It says that magic is required to enter the part of the Arctic where the North Pole and it describes how igloos are made. Santa's ice dome is built like a giant igloo and the elves use an ice dome to cultivate crops and Christmas trees. Additionally, the book describes the reindeer and how each of them differs from each other. It also describes the rank of the elves and how Santa's sleigh works. It also provides detailed illustrations of each subject, especially the inside of the workshop. There are many flaps and pages that fold out. There are letters to Santa that are glued into the book. Santa even has a diary that is in one of the pockets of the book. The elves also glued a book of their wisdom on one of the pages.
     This book would be appropriate for second, third, and fourth-graders. It is highly interactive and engaging. Additionally, it also has many boxes with actual facts in them about reindeers, the Arctic, igloos, Christmas trees, and teddy bears. This helps students learn the facts more easily than if they had read about them in an uninteresting article without illustrations. However, because this book is associated with Christmas, a religious holiday, and parents have different views about their children believing in Santa Claus, this book would have to be used very carefully in schools. This book would need to be accompanied by books about other December holidays and religious holidays from around the world and from many cultures. This makes it more fair and educational for all students in the class. It helps them gain a more global perspective. Additionally, this would allow students who do not celebrate Christmas to not feel alienated. Overall, this book is a fun and interactive blend of fact and fiction.