The Principal's Book of the Month
2022-2023 Principal's Books of the Month
2021-2022 Principal's Books of the Month
The Principal’s Book of the Month
2023-24
June 2024
AN AMERICAN STORY, BY KWAME ALEXANDER
Summary: #1 New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author of The Undefeated, Kwame Alexander, pens a powerful picture book that tells the story of American slavery through the voice of a teacher struggling to help her students understand its harrowing history.
Resources: https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?aid=18785
https://aalbc.com/authors/article.php?id=2354
May 2024
WATERCRESS, BY ANDREA WANG
Summary: A young girl is driving with her immigrant parents as they stop to pick watercress on the side of the road. The girl is embarrassed at first and doesn’t understand why they don’t just buy it at a grocery store. While picking, her mother shares a story of her family foraging for fresh food. Through this experience, she learns abot the power of sharing memories, and how our heritage shapes us.
Resources: https://forum.teachingbooks.net/2021/03/andrea-wang-on-watercress/
https://www.bookconnections.org/tb.cgi?tid=75090
April 2024
THE EMPTY POT, BY DEMI
Summary: The Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping's empty pot is best of all.
Resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:the%20empty%20pot%20activity/Order:Price-Asc
https://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade2/empty-pot/read-aloud-lesson
March 2024
THE WORST PRINCESS, BY ANNA KEMP
Summary: Princess Sue dreams of finding her Prince Charming. But when that Prince proves to be a bit more traditional than what she had hoped for, Princess Sue—along with the help of fiery dragon—becomes determined to find a way to get the fairy-tale ending that she always envisioned for herself.
– Find the beauty in everything and everyone.
– The difference between wants and needs.
Resources: https://andreahillbrick.com.au/take-away-teaching-ideas-35-the-worst-princess/
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=38276
February 2024
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET, BY MATT DE LA PENA
Summary: In Last Stop on Market Street
In Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, CJ's nana teaches him to appreciate his surroundings and what he has rather than wanting what others have. Its themes include:
– Find the beauty in everything and everyone.
– The difference between wants and needs.
Resources: https://childrenslibrarylady.com/last-stop-market-street/
https://youtu.be/0-m6mIZY8aI
January 2024
THE PROUDEST BLUE, BY IBTIHAJ MUHAMMED
Summary: The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali promotes themes of being proud of our identity and what makes us different.
Resources: https://childrenslibrarylady.com/the-proudest-blue/
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/proudest-blue-literature-guide
December 2023
THE SOUR GRAPE, BY JORY JOHN AND PETE OSWALD
Summary: The Sour Grape holds a grudge for every raisin under the sun. When a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape, she realizes how unfair grudges can be. Can forgiveness and empathy turn a sour grape into a sweet one?
Resources: https://noveleffect.com/2022/12/05/sour-grape-activities/
https://littlesmartfox.com/the-sour-grape-read-aloud-activities/
November 2023
I CAN DO HARD THINGS, BY GABI GARCIA
Summary: What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It can help them connect with their power within. Help your child tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise. I Can Do Hard Things introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it. It reflects the beautiful diversity in our world.
Resources: https://skillsonthehill.com/i-can-do-hard-things-downloadable-worksheet/ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:i+can+do+hard+things/Order:Price-Asc
October 2023
ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME, BY JUANA MARTINEZ-NEAL
Resources:
https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book/alma-and-how-she-got
https://seldallas.org/unit-1-skills-building-alma-and-how-she-got-her-name/
Summary: Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks that six is way too many names! But as she learns more about how her names connect her to her family, Alma becomes very proud of all her names.
September 2023
ALL ARE WELCOME HERE, BY ALEXANDRA PENFOLD
Resources:
https://www.twolittlebirdsteaching.com/all-are-welcome-activities-to-build-a-class-community/
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/all-are-welcome-literature-guide