Advocacy
WINTER READING LIST
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall A wonderful read-aloud to promote discussions about identity and being proud of yourself. A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as “red” suffers an identity crisis in this picture book by the New York Times–bestselling creator of My Heart Is Like a Zoo and It’s an Orange Aardvark! Funny, insightful, and colorful, Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall, is about being true to your inner self and following your own path despite obstacles that may come your way. • Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Ghost and the entire track series by Jason Reynolds “These novels engage readers with relatable characters and complex narratives. They also address important issues that many students grapple with—fear of success/failure, racial bias and economic barriers.” -Becca Redman Digital Media Teacher, Richmond, 7-12 ELA • Grade Level: 5-7
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Maine Educator • December 2018
Educators from around Maine shared their recommended books for students of all grade levels.
Check them out!
I Survived Series “My students love the I Survived series. They’re books based on real events with fictional characters. Students get to explore a bit of history and go on an exciting adventure at the same time!” - Rachel Bourgeois, Caribou, Grade 3 teacher The I Survived historical fiction series takes young readers on journeys into the past, giving them an up close and personal view of terrifying and thrilling adventures based on disasters that have left their mark on history. • Grade Level: 3-6
The Sympathizer by Thanh Nguyen The Sympathizer won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The title character is a captain in the South Vietnamese army, who, when the South fell to the North in 1975, fled with other military leaders and citizens on the last planes out of the country. The captain experiences all that is wondrous and barbarous in his new home in Los Angeles while continuing to work as a communist informant, spying on his army fellows as they plot a counter revolution. • Grade Level: 11-12
