Picture Book, Grades K-5
Meet Shanti, a girl who navigates two worlds. Whether she is learning Bangla or English letters, watching Bollywood with her family or Hollywood flicks with her friends, Shanti is learning how to integrate her two lives.
Graphic Novel, Grades 3-5
Moon and Christine are a powerful duo that playfully challenge each other’s roles and paths put forth (or not) before them. The simplicity of the story makes it poignant, and offers a great perspective on Asian-American culture and what makes us all unique.
Picture Book, Grades K-3
A picture book written in verse about the day in the life of a dog; and it didn't even feel cliché! Based on the cover, it looks like a book geared toward the life of a child in a wheelchair and his relationship with the dog. However, the book is really about a dogs different activities, which includes getting into trouble. The illustrations and text keep the book playful, while it also touches upon the struggles of having a dog, such as rolling in dead animals and breaking lamps.
The book was not an explicit text on the life of a child with a disability, but implicitly included the boy. This is effective in normalizing students with disabilities with the basic dynamic of pet ownership. Well done!
Picture Book, Grades K-5
A touching story about a relentless animal-lovers attempt in rescuing a herd of elephants from being poached. The progression of their friendship is a real tear-jerker!
Picture Book, Gr. K-2
Captures the fun kids have exploring the water in an artful and poetic fashion. The words are free form and have onomatopoeic movement. Well done!
Picture Book, K-5
A wonderful display of different families and their nuances. Simple and straightforward. Loved it!
Picture Book, Grades K-3
For both those students who want to hug everything in sight, and those that do not like physical touch, this book captures the concept of personal bubbles (pun intended). Stunning digital art!
Picture Book, K-5
Illustrations are brilliantly spaced, fun color, splattering form, and captivating lines.
Chapter Book, Sci-fi, Grades 3-5
An alien warlord cat gets exiled to planet Earth and is faced with the idiocracy of the primitive species, humans. An absolutely hilarious read with the most-unlikely of friendship that forms between an evil cat and a boy struggling with a transition to a new city.
Chapter Book, Realistic Fiction, Gr. 4-5
Wow, I was not expecting to get swept into this story, yet it captured the assumptions and projections exchanged between an American and Pakistani girl. Once they realize their similarities and learn from each other's way of being, they form a powerful and poignant alliance and friendship.
