“Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power.” (Louis Braille) Content Qualities Author: Russell Freedman Illustrator: Kate Kiesler Genre: Biographical Age Interest Range: 5+ (ANYONE) Optimal for Grades: 3 – 6 Guided Reading Level: S Lexile Level: 1000 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Overall Tone: Inspiring; Hopeful; Motivational Scariness: 0 Note: Sensitive children may be upset by the… Read more The Story of Louis Braille
“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.” (Lynda Hunt) Content Qualities Overview Author: Lynda Hunt Genre: Contemporary Fiction Theme: Disability Awareness Interest Age Range: 11 – 15 Optimal for Grades: 5 – 8 Guided… Read more Fish in a Tree
Content Overview Author: Frank L. Cole Series: Potion Masters Book 1 Genre: Fantasy Interest Age Range: 9 – 13 Optimal for Grades: 4 – 8 Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Some violence, primarily involving fantastic, unrealistic elements such as mummies, skeletons, and magic potions. Adults try to hold tweens captive for brief periods of… Read more The Eternity Elixir
“Your birthday is always the one that is not now.” Content Qualities Overview Author: Russell Hoban Illustrator: Lillian Hoban Type: Picture Book I Can Read! Level 2: High-Interest stories for developing readers Interest Age Range: 4 – 9 Optimal for Grades: PreK – 3 Guided Reading Level: K Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Not Present Scariness:… Read more A Birthday for Frances
Content Qualities Overview Author: Karen Inglis Genre: Mystery, Time Travel Adventure Interest Age Range: 8 to 12 Optimal for Grades: 4 to 6 Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Some violence, hinted at more than described Scariness: 2 Key: 0 = virtually none 1 = very mild, some parts may be slightly frightening to the youngest… Read more The Secret Lake
Content Qualities Overview Author: Cynthia Rylant Genre: Realistic Fiction Interest Age Range: 4 – 9 Optimal For Grades: K – 2 Guided Reading Level: K Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Not Present Scariness: 1 Explanation: In this picture book designed for younger readers, a pet dog ends up leaving the safety of home and running away… Read more The Great Gracie Chase: “Stop That Dog!”
“I’ve always believed that learning to think for yourself, learning to make intelligent, thoughtful decisions, is one of the most important parts of an education. ” Judy Blume — National Book Awards speech Content Qualities Overview Genre: Realistic Fiction Interest Age Range: 10 – 14 Optimal For Grades: 4 – 8 Guided Reading Level: R Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity,… Read more Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume
“Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!” ― Marc Brown Content Qualities Overview Genre: Realistic FIction Interest Age Range: 4 – 8 Optimal for Grades: K – 3 Guided Reading Level: K Questionable Content: (e.g. Profanity, Violence, Sex, Drugs) Not Present Uplifting Messages: Self-acceptance, friendship, asking for help Scariness: 0 Key 0 = virtually none 1 = very mild (some… Read more Arthur’s Eyes by Marc Brown
“There’s nothing as cozy as a piece of candy and a book.” ― Betty MacDonald, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic Content Qualities Overview Author: Betty MacDonald Genre: Fanciful Contemporary Fiction Interest Age Range: 5 – 11 Optimal For Grades: 3 – 5 Guided Reading Level: O Questionable Content: none Uplifting Messages: Responsibility, friendship, family, understanding: its never too late to learn, laugh at… Read more The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Series