Review: Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

*I received a copy of Ban This Book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Happy Publishing Day, Alan Gratz! 

The exciting book I am talking about today is also being published today, which means you can read this review, then go out and pick up a copy! I will start by saying I really enjoyed this book, it was quirky and charming, and discussed some very important issues that are near and dear to my heart. This is also a book I have wanted to be published for a long time, I just didn't know it. 

While this book is written for children and would easily be appropriate for children who are reading chapter books and above, I think parents and teachers can learn from this book as well. Before I get into the review, I want to summarize that this book is about banning books and the consequences of taking books off the shelf. My opinion is that it is never justified to ban a book. Parents, teachers, or other adults can suggest a child does not read a certain book, or a person can make the decision independently. This book does such a good job in describing reasons books do get banned, but showing the repercussions that come from those decisions. 

My preservice teachers and I have discussions about banning books every semester. I cannot wait to share this book with them because I believe it will open their eyes to the various discussions surrounding this topic. 

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

We meet Amy Anne, an elementary bibliophile. Amy Anne is one of three kids living in a tiny house with her parents and dogs. She loves to read but struggles to find quiet time at home to enjoy her books. One of the ways she squeezes in more quality time for reading is by staying late at school and hanging out in the school library (but, she lies to her parents and tells them she is over-active in extracurricular activities). While in the library so often, Amy Anne befriends the school librarian, who shares many wonderful books with her. Amy Anne's favorite book is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler. Amy Anne loves this book so much, she has checked it out 5 times from the library. In order to allow other children to read popular books, the librarian has decided that students must wait a week to recheck a book. 

One day, Amy Anne goes to the library after school specifically to check out her favorite book - it's been a week, and if it is on the shelf, she gets it again. She cannot wait to read the book again. But today, the book is gone! She runs to Mrs. Jones' surprised the book has been checked out. Mrs. Jones, the librarian, tells her that the book has been "banned" and removed from the school library. Apparently, one parent has decided many books are inappropriate for elementary students and went to the school board to have them banned. Amy Anne cannot believe her ears! Mrs. Jones asks Amy Anne if she will come to the school board meeting and support her right to read. She agrees.

Amy Anne tells her father the story and he purchases her favorite book for her. The next day at school, while Amy Anne is recounting these stories to her friends, they decide to create a library out of their locker - The Banned Books Locker Library (BBLL). Amy Anne feels this is wrong, but also feels she must stand up for students' rights to read. The BBLL is a big hit and soon, students are trading books, donating books, and talking non-stop about books. The only problem, they are only interested in the banned books. This secret is sure to get out. Eventually, the kids do get caught. They also take their argument to the school board. Who will win this battle over books? 

What I love most about this book is Amy Anne's spirit. She is willing to break the rules for a good cause. I also loved seeing the kids get so involved with reading, even though they were breaking the "rules". This is often the consequence of banned books. Particularly, in this case. A parent was upset and went over the rules of the school, resulting in severe consequences. 

In this book, both kids and adults discuss the dangers of banning books, as well as reasons this happens. Both also brainstorm ways to help children make good reading choices, that are appropriate to them. One example in Ban This Book includes a book about puberty. This is one of the banned books and many of the girls want to read it and discuss it. Amy Anne checks this book out from the BBLL, but decides after skimming a few pages, that this book isn't for her right now. This is a powerful message about choice - kids can decide what is too mature for them and what they are prepared to read. 

This is a book I would recommend to elementary readers, that would bring up some great topics, and middle level readers. The writing is engaging and fun. I also recommend this book to adults who work with or read to children. 

Finally, this book is filled with reading recommendations. Alan Gratz used the list of books compiled by the American Library Association to endorse books that have been challenged in the past few decades. Banned Books Week starts on September 24th and is a great time to reacquaint with books that are challenged. 

Happy Reading! 

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Ever since I read Counting by 7s, the story of a young girl on the Autism spectrum who suddenly loses her parents in a car crash, I knew I would love Holly Goldberg Sloan forever. She is on my favorite authors list, and I try to stay up-to-date on what she is publishing. So, when I heard about this new book coming out, I had to grab it. 

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I love books that help children see their unique qualities. Many times, we think of "unique qualities" as being exceptional intelligence, creativity, a specialized skill, or a devote interest in a topic. However, our physical characteristics can also be unique qualities. This is the main idea in Wonder by R.J. Palacio (another amazing book, if you haven't picked it up). 

In this book, we meet Julia, a preteen who is tiny, miniscule, height challenged...you get the idea (don't say the dreaded "s" word here, aka "short"). Her least favorite word is short because she feels it describes her and is the first thing people notice about her. At under 5-feet, she certainly is shorter than the other kids at school. Now, it is summer and Julia doesn't have big plans. Her mother, however, does have plans for her. Her mother sets Julia and her brother to audition for the local university's summer production of The Wizard of Oz. They are casting for - you guessed it - munchkins! 

Julia is not excited to audition but her brother is super excited. Surprisingly, both Julia and her brother are chosen, so they now have daily rehearsals. Her mother is excited that both kids will have an activity to keep them busy, but Julia isn't so sure. At first rehearsals are just the children. Soon though, professional actors show up to round out the munchkin cast and play the other roles. Julia meets a woman, who appears to be very short, named Olive. She is playing one of the adult munchkins and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. 

One day, the director announces that they need a few cast members to audition for the role of flying monkeys. Olive suggests that Julia audition but that means she would have to fly across the stage, hanging from a rope. That sounds scary! 

This is one of the most charming books I've ever read. The characters are incredibly enduring and likable. Julia learns there is more to her than being short and she takes on leadership roles over the summer. She finds a mentor who can help her be comfortable in her skin. And, she even struggles with orthodontics - oh, the joys of being a preteen. :) 

Once again, this book is a perfect read-aloud. I especially like the connections to other literature - The Wizard of Oz - and bringing that older text to a new generation of readers. The two books would make an excellent book pairing. This is also a book kids can read independently. It is a perfect book for any child who can read a chapter-length book. It is charming and the content would be appropriate for even young readers. 

Another 5/5 star book from Dr. Hodges Reads!

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Today's book spotlight is a on a book I posted about on Instagram a few days ago (follow me @drhodgesreads). 

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Hunt

This book captured me from the first word. I read it in one sitting because I could not stop - that is always a great sign! This book is perfect for students reading chapter books. The content is appropriate for any age level and the writing style is very accessible to students. The voice of the main character, Ally, is clear and relatable. Best of all, this book tackles an important issue without being overt. 

In Fish in a Tree, we meet Ally. Ally is a preteen who does not enjoy school because she often gets in trouble. Worst yet, she hardly ever understands why she is getting in trouble. Her teachers are frustrated and have somewhat given up on her, and believe she is just trying to get attention. Ally is also hiding a big secret from her friends, family, and teachers - she cannot read. She is certain no one knows this about her, but it makes school difficult and exhausting. 

One day, things get really bad for Ally. Her teacher is pregnant, and the entire class throws her a baby shower. Ally picks out "the perfect card" for her teacher, but is stunned when the other teachers react negatively to her. One teacher pulls Ally aside and reprimands her, but Ally is so confused. Finally, Ally understands her mistake, but she does not tell anyone because then she would have to reveal that she cannot read. The teachers decide that Ally needs to be moved to another classroom, and she is placed in Mr. Hunt's class. Mr. Hunt is a new teacher who is also pursuing his master's degree in special education. 

Ally likes Mr. Hunt's class better - he has a much different approach to instruction, and she makes some new friends, who still do not know she cannot read. Her secret isn't as well kept as she thinks because Mr. Hunt begins to suspect something. He pulls Ally aside one day and shares his theory with her - she may have dyslexia. He agrees to tutor her to see if he can help her learn to read. And...that is the first 20 or so pages. So, you'll have to pick up the book to find out what happens next. :) 

This book is a perfect read-aloud. I truly believe many children who strive to read will enjoy this text and relate to Ally's concerns. For teachers, I think this is a good book to remind us that children may be hiding more than we know, and that approaching them in a compassionate way can make a huge difference. This is also a wonderful addition to a classroom library. Children can pick up this book independently or read it in literature circles. Finally, this book helps dispel myths about dyslexia that are still too common in our culture. Ally is bright, creative, and courageous, but these qualities get hidden by her dyslexia. 

This is a 5/5 star book for me! 

Motivating Middle School Readers with Dystopian

Today, I'm sharing two new and fresh dystopian books for middle school readers. These are great books to stock in your classroom library - they make great literature circle reads or independent reads.

One of the most important things a teacher can do for his or her students is motivate them to read. Particularly with children who are striving to read, motivation is key. Much of the research on motivation draws the same conclusion, when children have great literature to choose from, they become more motivated. Additionally, when children are rewarded for reading with more reading, they become more motivated. Motivation comes when children want to read and enjoy the books they pick up. 

Most of us can probably remember really enjoying dystopian literature at this age. There is something about anticipating what the future might hold that is really exciting. Some of my personal favorites, that I still love today, are The Giver series, The Divergent series, Legend series, The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, and A Wrinkle in Time. These books are great to share with students today, particularly as many have had movies made in recent years - or coming soon. :) 

If you want to update some of the dystopian literature, I am sharing two that I read in August 2017 and loved. 

The List by Patricia Forde

The List is a fresh, new dystopian book that combines a few of my favorite things - discussion of controversial topics and jeopardizing the spoken word. Stay with me on this one! In this book, we meet Letta who is the apprentice to the town Wordsmith. The Wordsmith's job is to keep The List, documenting all the words allowed to be spoken within the community. The List is quite limited and every so often, the town leadership decides The List should be cut, as there are too many words. When students enter school, they are provided with a box of all the words they are allowed to speak and learn. Specific trades are allowed words appropriate to them, such as the Healer, but not everyone can know those words. When the story opens, Letta and the Wordsmith have just been told they need to cut The List to only 500 words. 

The characters live in Ark, which is a post-apocalyptic town. Most of the world was drowned during The Melting - the time when all the polar ice caps melted. Only people who opted to come to Ark survived. The leadership of Ark has determined that the world came to an end due to words. People were constantly fighting and using their words to incite violence, ultimately resulting in the world being punished. 

One day, the Wordsmith sets off on a journey to collect words. While he is away, Letta receives a strange visitor to her door - an injured teenage boy who is clearly not from Ark. She takes him in and begins caring for him, but at her own risk, for it is unallowed to have outsiders enter Ark. She then receives word that the Wordsmith has been found slaughtered by animals. At the same time, she learns that the leadership may be up to no good and hiding secrets from Ark. She is faced with challenges and choices for her own sake and the sake of her community. 

This is a book of courage and provides a great deal of fodder for discussion. The premise of this book is that language is inherently dangerous and should be controlled - a fascinating topic for teaching empathy to middle grade readers. There are also opportunities to discuss environmental concerns, laws, and compassion. 

This is definitely a middle grades reading level and would be appropriate for about 4th grade and higher, depending on the students' interests. 

This is Not the End by Chandler Baker 

This is Not the End is another new release (out summer 2017) set in a dystopian world. First off, I love this book because the dystopian world does not look much different from our own. Except for the major content of the book, it could have fooled me on setting. That makes this an especially good book for adolescent readers because this book's premise could happen in the next 10-20 years. 

In this book, we meet Lake, a soon-to-be 18-year-old enjoying her summer with her best friend and boyfriend. They are a great trio of friends who enjoy spending time together and having adventures. In this world, an interesting event can take place on a person's 18th birthday - they can choose to resurrect someone. Yep, it is called Resurrection Technology. Scientists have discovered how to regenerate dead cells, so someone can be brought back from the dead. There are many laws surrounding Resurrection Technology dictating who can be brought back (not Shakespeare or Marie Curie). And, a person can only use this privilige on their 18th birthday and they have a finite amount of time to decide if they are using it and who they want to bring back. After that, the chance is gone forever. People take this event so seriously that parents purchase insurance for their children, in case they die before their 18th birthday. 

The key to Resurrection Technology is that it can only regenerate cells of someone who is dead, meaning all their cells have been destroyed. Because of this, Letta has promised her Resurrection to someone. She is spoken for. Three weeks before her 18th birthday, Letta, her best friend, and her boyfriend are in a terrible car accident. Letta's boyfriend and best friend are both killed in the accident, while Letta lives. Now, she has a life-altering choice to make - who will she choose to resurrect? Her boyfriend? Her best friend? Or the original person she promised her Resurrection choice to? 

This book is heavy, but includes topics that hold great meaning - what are the consequences of Resurrection Technology? Could society ever move in that direction? What is the "correct" choice for Letta to make? Due to the content, this book is most appropriate for more mature readers. It is un-put-down-able. 

What dystopian literature are you using to motivate readers? 

YA Book Recommendations for Middle and High School Readers

Looking for some great books to add to your classroom libraries? If you are a middle school or high school teacher, these books are highly recommended! They span diverse authors, diverse issues, and diverse styles. What I love most about each of these books is that they are riveting and motivate readers to engage in more stories. Plus, a few of these authors have new books coming out in the fall of 2017, so if a student finds an author they like, there are more books coming. 

(from top left to right)

Row 1:

The Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

This book was released in 2015 and I read it because many bloggers have hypothesized that it might be up for a Newbery. That is a great reason to read a book in my opinion! :) Overall, I liked this book. It tells the story of one "family" (in a very modern definition) struggling with a kidnapping. The story takes some surprising twists and shows the reader that things are not always as they seem. It kept me riveted and after reading, I have a lot of questions. This is a book I would like to sit down and discuss with the author.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

If you don't know about this series by now, you have been living under a rock. Harry Potter is celebrity because as an infant, he sent the darkest wizarding lord into hiding; however, he lost his parents in the battle. This series is about good versus evil, the importance of friendship, and how standing up for your beliefs can make a difference. That has to be why, after 20 years, people still love these books and are introducing them to a new generation of readers. 

The Royal We by Heather Cocks

Personally, I did not enjoy this book because I felt it was a bit flat. However, it has made so many "best book lists" of bloggers I follow, I added it here. It just goes to show you even books that aren't for you can find their readers. Essentially, this is Kate Middleton fan fiction - the story of an American girl who falls for a prince. This is their love story and romance. If you know Kate Middleton's story, nothing in here will be surprising, but it can still be fun.

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright

This is a great ghost story for kids! I read this book for the first time in 2nd grade and was terrified for weeks. I found this book again in 2015 and could not wait to re-experience it. Because I'm a scaredy cat, it still got me, but it was so much better than I remember. If you want a nice, clean ghost story, this is my recommendation! 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This is a modern twist on Cinderella, only Cinderella is a cy-borg. Crazy! If you know Cinderella, you can guess the story. Middle grade readers will enjoy the twist on a fairytale they may know well. This is also the first book in a series, so if a student enjoys this book, they have several more to keep them busy. 

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Graphic novels are in! Seriously, if you aren't reading graphic novels, you are missing a huge trend right now. I loved this one! The pictures do such a nice job telling the story and the limited text is chosen with such care. The story is heartbreaking and beautiful. I was riveted as I read through. Satrapi does a good job tackling issues related to race, gender, and religion. Whoever says graphic novels can't have depth hasn't read this book yet. 

Row 2: 

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

A boy living a double life on the Indian reservation and attending public school off the reservation. He is coming of age and trying to figure out his place in these two worlds - what could be better? This book also made many banned lists because it deals with the boys sexual development, includes cursing, and of course, tackles issues of race. I really enjoyed this one and there are some illustrations throughout!

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Imagine the richest man in the world (combine Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Trump together) has died. He left his fortune to the person who can beat the virtual world video game he created. Who is that person? It is yet to be decided. The entire world has been living in this "virtual world" for years and most people have completely forgotten the non-virtual world. For years people compete to beat the game, but no one can make progress. Will anyone win the fortune? While this is marketed as a adult fiction, nothing in this book would be inappropriate for middle or high school readers, and it is a really fun jaunt into pop culture. 

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Again, this book was making the rounds on blogger lists, so I figured I would give it a try. This is the story of a boy and girl who meet randomly and somewhat start a love affair. But, as usually befalls young love, they are separated. Over time, the two travel and send each other postcards to keep their relationship alive. 

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodsen

Of all the YA books I've read recently, this is one of the best! This book won many awards through 2014 and 2015, and it is well deserved. This book is written in prose and documents the coming-of-age of Jackie. The book is somewhat autobiographical but is definitely fiction. It follows Jackie's childhood through the 1960s and moving from North to South during that time. What I love most about this book is the way Jackie questions the world around her - including questions of race, identify, religion, bullying, and being a woman. There is so much to think about and learn through this book. I recommend this book to every person I meet. 

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

In October 2015, I was so excited to see that Gary D. Schmidt was coming out with a new book. The Wednesday Wars is one of my all-time favorites! This book also intrigued me because it is the story of a 13-year-old father (yep, you read that right). I couldn't resist. The book is tragic and that is putting it mildly. I feel that this book exposes the dangers of child abuse and shows how every situation has multiple layers that should be explored. I bawled my eyes out as I read this book and could not get enough of it. 

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This book was also making the rounds as a Newbery suggestion. (FYI, the Newbery books are announced in early February and I cannot wait to see the results!) This book deals with suicide and mental illness. It shows that a person can be struggling and not show those struggles, even to the people closest to the person. It also brings up a conversation about what might lead a person to suicide and how it affects the loved ones of that person. It was not an easy read, emotionally, and has really impacted how I think about suicide. 

Row 3: 

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier

Robert Cormier is one of the best YA authors I've ever read. In fact, The Chocolate Wars and Beyond the Chocolate Wars are two of my favorite books. I could reread The Chocolate Wars one hundred times and would never get tired of it. One of my goals is to read all of his books. In 2015, I crossed this book off my list. This book is about a boy who has experienced trauma. He is an unreliable narrator and I was actually really surprised at the twist at the end. Definitely another book I highly recommend for a surprise.

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

I've mentioned how I love Gary D. Schmidt. This book was not one of my favorites of his, but I'm still glad I got to read it in 2015. This book is heartbreaking and deals with family drama and what it is like to grow up in a poor family. We follow a family as they relocate for jobs and see how financial stress can affect everyone. For adults or advanced high school readers, I would pair this book with Hillbilly Elegy to see how class impacts people in America. 

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

That title! How can you not want to read this book? It is about a young girl attending a fancy boarding school with secret societies. There is corruption, competition, and pranks. This book is just plain fun. 

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

There is a nice trend in young adult fiction to write in prose. This is the story Ha who travels with her family from Vietnam to Alabama. Again, this is autobiographical about the author's experiences as a child. The author does a great job describing the challenges families face as they relocate to new countries and vastly different environments.

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

Kira-Kira is about Katie and her family. They travel around the United States as Katie's father gets relocated for work. Katie's family moves from a Japanese community in Iowa to the deep-south of Georgia. Like Inside Out & Back Again, Kadohata tackles issues that immigrant families face and how they are judged by their culture. This book is heartbreaking and has a surprisingly sad ending. 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I love this sort-of series. I read all three books. Each book includes reference to the same characters, but they are stand-alone novels (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, Isla and the Happily Ever After). These books are romances made for young adults. They are fun, include travel, and are everything I would want in a young adult romance.

Row 4:

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Another graphic novel! I love this one because it is about a young girl with a hearing disability. The author does a good job showing how she is approached by different students, how she is bullied, and how she copes with hearing aids of various sizes. 

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

This is another Newbery book from this year, and it is so good! This book is told in prose, but intertwines chapters that are written in a rap format. I feel that the author gives credibility to other dialects and ways of speaking while telling a compelling story of coming-of-age. I also got to see a great interview with Alexander in which he talks about wanting to inspire kids to read more poetry. This book is a great start! 

The Selection series by Kiera Cass

I read all four books in this series in 2015 and they were a great, fun read. Imagine combining The Bachelor with Hunger Games - what more could you want? These books are not deep and the characters stay very surface-level, but the book is fun and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the series and can't wait for the next book in the series! 

Messenger by Lois Lowry

Messenger is the third book in The Giver quartet. These books are loosely called a series in that they use some of the same characters, but each is an independent book. This is the final book in the series for me to read and I love Lois Lowry. My dream is that she will write another book. I get to meet in her in April as she is coming to a book festival at my university. :) I recommend reading everything by Lois Lowry.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in 2013. It was strange and I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. In 2014, Riggs debuted this sequel, Hollow City. And, in 2015, released a third piece called Library of Souls. I wasn't the biggest fan of Hallow City but I am excited to read the third book. Also, the movie comes out in 2016 and I can't wait to see it.

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Another book about young love gone wrong. This book adds suspense by telling much of the story through letters one lover has written to another. Each tells about different reasons why the couple broke up. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this book but I'm not dying to re-read it. I would recommend it for a younger audience. As a more mature reader, it left me wanting more. 

What books will you be recommending to your students this school year? 

Happy August! Back to School Books for Elementary Readers!

It's August! 

For many, that means back to school time. Back to school is such an exciting time, and for me, it really feels like the beginning of something great. This is a good time to harness students' enthusiasm and energy in positive ways, so today, I'm sharing five books that can help motivate and engage students from day 1!

I recommend reading these books out loud to and with students, depending on the age of your students. Then, engage them in dialogues about what they expect in the new year and what your expectations are for them. Make this process fun and use it as an activity to help you get to know your students. 

We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

R.J. Palacio's hit book, Wonder, teaches lessons in acceptance, being true to yourself, and facing your fears. This new picturebooks helps younger audiences now enjoy these themes and meet Auggie! This is a perfect back-to-school book that can help teachers create a sense of community in the classroom. Pair this text with a discussion on what strengths each student brings to the classroom to help students see how they all fit in the community. It is also a great book for bridging conversations about respect and belonging.

Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World by Mo Willems

I absolutely adore Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, and this sequel about Sam comes out in September 2017. Both Sam and his friend, Kerry, are scared and must help each other overcome their fears. This is another great book to help students face their fears - and understand that having fears is part of life. I recommend using this book to help ease any tension and anxiety students may have about beginning the new year. While new years can be full of excitement, some children may come with anxiety about the upcoming year and its unique challenges. This book would also pair nicely with a writing activity where students could reflect on what they are most and least looking forward to during this school year.

Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen 

Jon Klassen is one of my favorite picturebook authors and illustrators. In this new collaboration, he and Mac Barnett create a fun, mysterious world of shapes. Children need books that motivate and engage them, but it is also important to hit the ground running with academic content as well. This book provides a unique and interesting combination of both. Students can learn lessons in friendship and honesty while exploring shapes. This book would be great to pair with some introductory mathematics content, from shapes to sides and edges, to even allowing students to create their own math problems with the shapes. 

The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

A new year comes with many opportunities for mistakes. Mistakes are another part of life that is unavoidable, and it is important to teach children that mistakes are okay and even encouraged - how else will you learn? Consider establishing a "Growth Mindset" in your classroom in which progress is encouraged and the focus of achievement is on small gains. Not everything is learned all at once, quickly, or completely. Children perform better over time and learn more when they are encouraged to slowly build their knowledge, especially when they are faced with challenging content. This book is perfect for helping students understand that mistakes can happen to anyone and help you learn. Pair this book with an activity that helps students see the benefit of mistakes and teh advantages to learning from them. 

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Betty

One final goal for the first days of school is to help your students dream about the possibilities. Teachers want to encourage students to see themselves in a variety of roles, and books such as this one can help them consider those opportunities. Teachers can also motivate students to think about different content and what they hope to learn over the school year - what do they want to know about science? What do they want to write about? What questions do they have about history? How does math fit into their lives? I think pairing this book with an activity in which you encourage students to ask and write these questions can set a positive tone for the school year. Use anchor charts to document what students are curious about and use these to help plan thoughtful lessons over the school year. Again, this builds community by allowing students to be part of the planning process. 

Have a great year full of enthusiasm, possibilities, and lots of learning! :)