Because of Winn-Dixie

Author/Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award, Newberry Award

Grade Level: 3rd-5th

This book is about a young girl named Opal. Opal lives with her dad who is a preacher in a small town, her mother left them years ago. Opal is missing what used to be her home she is struggling to fit in to this new small town that she is now a part of. The kids judge her, her dad is too busy to spend time with her, and she feels alone. One day she found a dog in a grocery store, and named it after the grocery store Winn-Dixie. This became her new best friend. Throughout the book Opal meets new people from around the town and starts to answer the questions she hasn't been able to figure out. She learns so much about her mom and why she could have left to begin with.

This was one of my personal favorites growing up. This book focuses on heavier topics and I feel it would be best suitable for students from 3rd to 5th grade. I might use this book during a guided reading book club session. I have already purchased this one for my future classroom.

The Day The Crayons Quit

Author/Illustrator: Drew Daywalt/Oliver Jeffers
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award
Grade Level: Prek-2nd

This book is about a boy named Duncan and his very angry and upset crayons. His crayons all wrote him letters telling him how unfair it was for him to use some more than others, and how others are tired of being used so much. They want to quit. Duncan turns everything around by creating a drawing using every color.

This is a cute book fro young elementary students ranging from Prek to 2nd grade. I would not use this book for instructional purposes but I would keep it in my classroom. This book is designed in a fun, unique way that will keep readers, or listeners, interested.

Wonder

Author/Illustrator: R.J. Palacio
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Bluebonnet Award, #1 New York Times Bestseller, One of Time Magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time, A Parents Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year, An NPR Outstanding Backseat Book Club Pick,, An Entertainment Weekly 10 Great Kid's Books Selection, An E.B. White Read Aloud Award Winner, A USA Today Top 100 Best Seller, An ALA-ALSC Notable Book, A Washington Post Best Kid's Book, An IRA-CBC Teachers' Choice
Grade: 3-6

Summary: August Pullam, also known as Auggie is a 10-year-old boy with a unique face. He was born with a rare facial deformity that set him apart from others. He has been homeschooled for most of his life. His parents decide it is time for him to go to school. He was accepted to one of the top prestigious schools in the area, Beecher Prep. The administrative team set Auggie up to be successful and even gathered students to help his transition go smoothly. Auggie dreaded going to school at first because the students would stare as always. After his first few days, he started to make a few friends, Jack Will and Summer. This helped him to become comfortable with the school. Though he made a few friends students would still make fun of him, calling him names, playing games behind his back, and making jokes about him in front of the class. Auggie was able to block all of this out until he overheard Jack Will say something that crushed Auggie. He never wanted to return to school, but with the help of his sister, he was able to return. After a few days and confrontation, Auggie forgave Jack and they were inseparable. Julian, Auggies main bully, started a war between the students because he didn't like that Jack was friends with Auggie again. During the school retreat, things took a turn. Auggie was bullied by a kid from another school and everyone stood up for Auggie. After this Auggie was one in the same with the students.

I would use this book in my classroom for grades 3-6 book club depending on student's reading levels. This book teaches students to accept each other's differences. I might even just read a few chapters a day to the students since they are so short.