Books
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2017 Book Selection
Suggested age: K through 2nd grade
“Peace Is An Offering”
by Annette LeBox
Illustrated
by Stephanie Graegin
Join this group of neighborhood children as they find love in everyday things—in sunlight shining through the leaves and cookies shared with friends—and learn that peace is all around, if you just look for it. With rhyming verse and soft illustrations, this book will help families and teachers look for the light moments when tragedy strikes and remind readers of the calm and happiness they find in their own community every day.
Author’s website: annettelebox.com
Suggested Activities:
http://www.teachpeacenow.org/teachers.html
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/pre-k-and-k-lesson-plans/129366-promote-peace-kindergarten-lesson/
(PDF) http://maslmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PeaceIsAnOffering.pdf
Suggested age: 2nd through 4th grade
“Each Kindness”
by Jaqueline Woodson.
Illustrated
by E.B. Lewis
“At some point in our lives, we are all unkind. At some point, we are all treated unkindly. I wanted to understand this more. I think too often we believe we’ll have a second chance at kindness – and sometimes we don’t. I do believe, as Chloe’s teacher, Ms. Albert, says, that everything we do goes out, like a ripple into the world. I wrote this because I believe in kindness.”
– – Jaqueline Woodson (Author).
Author’s website: jacquelinewoodson.com
Awards:
- Coretta Scott King Honor Book
- 2013 Jane Addams Peace Award
- 2013 Charlotte Zolotow Award
- Best Book of 2012 – School Library Journal
Suggested Activities:
https://thinkkindness.org/rocking-kindness-classroom-beyond/
http://readwithmeabc.blogspot.com/2014/01/each-kindness-freebie.html
Suggested age: 4th grade and above
“Hiawatha and the Peacemaker”
by Robbie Robertson
Illustrated
by David Shannon
Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Now he shares the same gift of storytelling with a new generation.
Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution.
Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon brings the journey of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker to life with arresting oil paintings. Together, Robertson and Shannon have crafted a new children’s classic that will both educate and inspire readers of all ages.
Suggested Activities:
“Hiawatha and The Peacemaker Reinforcing Activity”
https://www.learningtogive.org/units/real-heroes/hiawatha-great-peacemaker
Also Recommended
Suggested age: 4th grade and above.
This is not one of our books this year, but we highly recommend it.
“Wonder” is probably in your School library already.
“Wonder”
by R. J. Palacio
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is, Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.
Author’s website: rjpalacio.com