Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Books

The Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Book awards are awards that are given out to authors and illustrators in order to recognize their outstanding work in children's literature.

We are Water Protectors Written by Coralike Linderson and Illustrated by Michaela Goade.

• This book tells the story of a young girl named Ojibwe and how she fights against an oil pipeline in order to protect the water supply of her community. This story teaches us the importance of being courageous and advocating for oneself. 

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction books focus on stories set in the past, often incorporating real historical events, people, and places. The stories are not completely real however they aim to bring history to readers. They teach readers about different cultures, politics, and social norms of the time. They are a great way to teach readers about history.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

• This book focuses on the events that happened in WWII. This book focuses on the themes of friendship, innocence, and the impact of hatred on people. The story follows two young boys who form a friendship although being in very different situations. This book teaches us about the holocaust through the eyes of a young boy. 

I Survived: The Destruction Of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis

• This book focuses on the story of a young boy named Marcus, who lives in the ancient city of Pompeii. When Mount Vesuvius erupts, Marcus must use all his courage and quick thinking to survive the catastrophic disaster. This book teaches us about the actual eruption and the aftermath from the eyes of a young boy. 

Reflection: This genre of books are very interesting and exciting because they allow us to think about historical events in a different light. They make history more inviting for readers and keeps them entertained. Sometimes when reading and learning about history people can get lost because it doesn't allow for a deeper emotional response. But when books like these are written it allows for a deeper understanding of how life used to be back then. These book engage us as readers through compelling stories in which we get a different perspective to what happened during those times. 

Realistic Fiction

 Realistic Fiction book are books that are not real however they are very realistic and could happen in real life. Realistic fiction books allows us to better connect to the story and we tend to understand the story better. Realistic fiction also expose us to the world because they show us what people go through and how they react to them. 

Wonder by R. J. Palacios 

• This book focuses on acceptance and empathy. The story follows a young boy named Auggie who has a facial deformity. This story tell the story of his experience going to school and how he's treated by his classmates. This book deals his struggles with bullying and his journey through friendships.

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali

• This children's book focuses on the story of two sisters on their first day of school. One of the sisters wear her blue hijab and faces some teasing because of this. Her sisters stands by her side learning what it means to be proud of yourself and to have resilience. This book highlights themes of pride, identity ,and to standing up for yourself.

Reflection: I really enjoy the genre of realistic fiction. The books that are a part of this genre allow us to truly immerse ourselves into the story. These types of stories also allows us to understand and learn about different cultures all around the world. For example the book "The proudest blue" teaches us about things that we may have not been very informed in. This genre also includes more people because they represent more diverse characters, experience, and showing us different perspective.

Fantasy and Science Fiction

  Fantasy and Science Fiction Book List

1. Coraline By Neil Gaiman (Favorite Fantasy Book)
2. A Wrinkle In Time By Madeleine L'Engle 
3. The City Of Ember By Jeanne DuPrau

Fantasy and science fiction books allow us to escape our world and enter a new one that is filled with adventure and mystery. My favorite book in this genre is Coraline by Neil Gaiman. This book is written in such a captivating way that it hooks you throughout the entire story. The book has many elements of magic with mystery. The characters are well written and are very unique. This story lets you join a new world while also teaching you that you should be grateful for what you have. It also teaches you to face your fears and to believe in yourself. This book also includes mystery and danger in the writing. The book has many suspenseful parts that keep you hooked on the story.

Traditional literature

Traditional Literature Book List

1.  Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman (Favorite Traditional Literature Book)
2. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
3. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Traditional Literature are great stories that have great themes that teach us valuable lessons. My favorite Traditional Literature book is Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman. This book teaches us about listening and how our actions have consequences. I really enjoy this book because it adds fantasy into the story. It makes it an enjoyable story that teaches us the dangers of talking to strangers as well. The story has elements of suspense that keep you at the edge of your seat. The wolf's character adds a sense of danger because you as the reader know to not trust him but Red Riding Hood does. 

Favorite Picture Book

My favorite picture book from my childhood is Corduroy by Don Freeman. This is the only book that I have a fond memory of from my childhood. I think it's definitely one of the first books that I read and it has resonated with me. This book taught me about kindness and a sense of belonging. I liked this book a lot because it taught me how much friends matter and how wanting to fit in can sometimes change you. But you should stay true to yourself and realize how much you are truly worth. This book teaches us about self-acceptance and love which is such a great message. I think this book resonated with me because I read it when I was just barely starting school and it was a nice message to younger me that I should stay true to myself. 

Hibiscus

It's only a flowering plant

Yet it's the most beautiful flower 

To some it's too simple

To some it's too much 

But to me its calm 

Calm like the ocean waves 

Beautiful as them as well