This book provides a brief biography of Marie Curie, highlighting key facts about her life and career. It notes that she was born in Poland in 1867 and dreamed of being a scientist from a young age. As an adult, Marie Curie discovered two new elements, polonium and radium, making her the first scientist to discover multiple elements. The book also mentions that she worked with her husband Pierre to uncover secrets about X-rays and the atom. Overall, the summary introduces Marie Curie as a pioneering female scientist who achieved breakthrough discoveries in physics and chemistry despite facing challenges as a woman in science.

1. A fish only
discovers its
need for water
when it is no
longer in it.
Our own
culture is like
water for the
fish. It
sustains us.
We live and
breathe
through it.”
by Stephanie
Quappe and
Giovanna
Cantatore

2. The fearless little old lady decided
to take a walk in the night. She
discovered that she was being followed
by a big pair of shoes, pants, shirt, hat
and gloves. When that was not strange
enough, a jack-o'-lantern followed her
home. When the little old lady woke
up the next morning she found a
pleasant surprise, a scare crow in her
garden.
This delightful book illustrates that
older people can be adventurous, have
a full life and have a sense of humor.
Reference:
Williams, L. 1988). The Little Old Lady
Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. New
York: HarperCollins

3. An older woman who lives alone moves
from the city to the country in Australia in
hopes of a quiet and peaceful life and time
to read. She soon realizes that she has a
lot of work to do on the farm including
gardening, harvesting, canning and caring
for animals. The only time she has to read
is during the winter months. It is a bit odd
that the wild animals hang around inside
her house.
This story is a happy tale of a busy
older woman leading a full life. It portrays
a self-sustaining older woman in an upbeat
manner.
Reference:
Winch, J. (1998). The Old Woman Who
Loved to Read. New York: Holiday House

4. Let’s Talk About What It’s Like to be Old
describes old age being relevant to every
individual. Some people may view 44 years old as
“old” but 44 years old could be considered young
to some. Also, the book discusses retirement, the
wisdom of older people may have and the fact
that they may need help with personal needs such
as shopping as they age.
This book is a nice introduction to what it's like
to be old; both physically and mentally and
describes the joys and challenges of old age. Also,
it provides a glossary of ageism, adult residence,
arthritis and a senior citizen.
Reference:
Sanders, P. (1991). “Let’s Talk About” What it’s
Like to be Old. New York: Gloucester Press.

5. These two stories, combined into one book,
show the difficulties a child faces when
coming to a new land and the unique heritage
each one of us has. In Painted Words, Mari
begins school not knowing anyone and is
unable to speak or understand the language.
She expresses herself and her feelings through
her art. She shares her experiences and new
knowledge with her mother, who provides the
girl with warm reassurance. Finally the day
comes when Mari is able to stand before the
class with her paintings and tells her story with
her new language.
Flip the book over for Spoken Memories. It
is Mari's turn to tell her class what her life was
like in her native land. The setting is a small,
poor village, probably in Greece, but it could
be anywhere. In simple, understated language,
this book captures the emotions and
experiences of children.
Reference:
Brandenburg, A. (1998). Spoken Memories,
Painted Words. New York: Greenwillow Books.

6. My First Book of German Words is an
introduction to basic words in German.
How do you say “Mother” and “Father”? It
not only provides the correct German
spelling but it also gives the phonetically
correct pronunciation and pictures.
The book provides a foundation for
building language fluency, an understanding
of other languages and cultural awareness.
Reference:
Kudela, K.R. (2010). My First Book of
German Words. Mankato, Minnesota:
Capstone Press.

7. Rwanda is best known for one of the world's worst
ethnic-based conflicts. Roughly 1 million people were
killed in 100 days in 1994 and millions more left the
country while the world watched the daily bloodshed
of human massacre. Rwanda is a small and beautiful
country about the size of Maryland; however, it has
many names. Because of its mountainous landscape, it
has been called the "Land of a Thousand Hills." Early
European travelers admiring Rwanda's natural beauty
called the country the "Pearl of Africa." Residents of
Rwanda have an even deeper name "Rwanda Nziza,"
meaning "beautiful Rwanda."
These many names capture the natural beauty of
Rwanda. Rwanda explores the history, culture,
geography, economy, and government of this African
nation.
Reference:
Oppong, J. R. (2008). Rwanda. New York: Chelsea
House.

8. In Chad, Africa, it was the first day of school
and the children were excited to learn and have
a notebook and a pencil to write with. When
the children arrived at the school yard, the
school was nowhere to be seen. The teacher
approached the students and said that “we will
build our school,” then follows that with “This
is the first lesson”. (Rumford, page 8) The
students learned how the build mud bricks, mud
walls and mud desks. They gathered grass to
place on the roof. The instructor teaches the
students how to read and write during school
hours. During the summer, strong winds and
rain tear the school down. The following year,
the students have the knowledge of how to
build a school.
This experience happened to a Peace Corps
volunteer who taught the students to build a
structure from mud. This book will provide a
moment of appreciation for the school that is
down the street and to the men and woman who
make education so easily available in our
country.
Reference:
Rumford, J. (2010). Rain School. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Books For Children

9. Miri, a mountain girl named after a mountain flower aspires to
earn a paltry living by working in the quarry like her older sister
and father. Although she thinks she too small to perform the
laborious work involved she is able to contribute to the family.
The king’s priests decided that the next princess will be from
Mount Eskel. All young women in the village are ordered to
attend the Princess Academy to be groomed for lowlander life.
During school, Miri realizes there is harsh competition with the
other girls and her own conflicted wishes to be the princess.
When danger comes to the academy, it is Miri who must find a
way to save her classmates to secure her own fate at becoming
the next princess. Miri discovers that she is has a hidden talent
called quarry speak, which is a silent way to communicate. She
uses this ability in many ways, most importantly to save herself
and the other girls from harm.
Because the girls have never been officially schooled most of
them cannot read or write. However, as the story progresses, Miri
and her class mates begin to recognize that there are many
different levels of intelligence, including social emotional
intelligence. Social emotional intelligence is how individuals
relate to one another.
Reference:
Hale, S. (2005). Princess Academy. New York: Bloomsbury
Publishing.

10. Start the adventure of meeting the students around
the world! Solomon in Australia, Riku in Japan, Rupa in
India, Aseye in Ghana, Francis in England, Frida in Peru
and lastly Samantha in the United States. Each student
walks through their typical day of school including what
time school begins, reviewing classroom lessons, recess
and after school activities. Riku in Japan explains that
when he enters the classroom, it is customary for all the
students to take their shoes off and place them in their
cubby. Also the students learn how to wipe down the gym
floor after gym class.
In addition to students learning Math, English, Arts and
Science students learn about the environment and having
an exposure to how others live and the different studies
in schools around the world. It is a look at an average
school day in the lives of children from seven countries
around the world, showing how they are all different and
yet all the same.
Reference:
Chambers, C (2007). School Days Around the Culture
World. New York: DK Publishing

11. Sarah Jean became very sick and her family
needed money for her surgery. Unfortunately her
family did not have the money. Her uncle Jed was
the only black barber in the county. He would travel
all over to cut hair. Because he was African American
residing in the south in the 1920’s, earning a living
was much more difficult because of racism. Uncle
Jed loaned Sarah Jean’s father the money to pay for
her surgery. This delayed his dream of opening his
Barber Shop. Despite a few setbacks, Uncle Jed still
pursued his dream even if it did take him longer than
expected.
Uncle Jed’s Barbershop talks about segregation
and poverty. This book can be used on various units
on The Great Depression and on racism and
segregation. Segregation began to be eliminated in
the United States in the 1950s.
Reference:
King-Mitchell, M. (1993) Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. Yew
YorK: Simon & Schuster Books for Young
Readers

12. Two fifteen-year-old Union soldiers form a
bond of friendship on the battlefield. Sheldon
Curtis, a white soldier also known as Say, lies
badly wounded when Pinkus, an African
American soldier also known as Pink, rescues
him. Pink carries Say to his home where Say is
cared for by Pink's mother, Moe Moe Bay. While
Say is recovering, Pink reads aloud to him and
Moe Moe Bay from the Bible. Say confesses that
he can't read but he is proud that he once
touched the hand of Abraham Lincoln. In a very
sad section of the book, marauders kill Moe
Moe Bay and Pink and Say return to their units.
Shortly after, the Confederate Army captures
them and they hang Pink. Before he is hung,
Pink request to touch the hand that touched Mr.
Lincoln. Touching the hand of Lincoln is
representative for hope for a better future and
a country without slavery.
Pink and Say addresses racism and even
classism to an extent. Classism is also
mentioned because Pink is a slave and his
wealthy owner educated him and provided him
with some opportunities that Say, a white boy,
had never received.
Reference:
Polacco, P (1994). Pink and Say. New York:
.
Philomel Books

13. Let’s Talk About Race introduces race as just one of
many chapters in a person's story. Beginning with the
line, "I am a story," Lester tells his own story with details
that young readers will benefit from. Then he writes,
"Oh. There's something else that is part of my story…I'm
black." Throughout the storyline, he asks questions that
young readers can answer. Also, he prompts young
readers to talk about who they are and encourages them
to tell their own stories.
Lester discusses "stories" that are not always true,
pointing out that we form discrimination by perceiving
ourselves as better than other people. Remove our skin
and we would all look the same. Lester's charming and
warm nature is just right and his words are effective while
maintaining the readers' interest by discussing race
awareness, tolerance and racism.
Reference:
Lester, J. (2005). Let’s Talk About Race. China.
HarperCollins Publishers

14. An infant was left at the Buddhist temple
and was adopted by the Buddha’s. He tended
their garden which is considered sacred to the
Buddhist. While the monks travel the world
seeking clarification, the young boy takes care
of the temple garden. He befriends a blind
monk who sits by the garden gate, too old to
travel. One day the old monk tells the boy,
"Buddha is in the garden!" and the boy,
captivated with hope, walks in the garden
hoping to find Buddha. Buddha, however, is
nowhere to be seen; instead, the boy finds an
injured bird. This happens three times, and
each time the boy finds a different creature to
care for. In the moving conclusion, the boy
discovers the true nature of enlightenment, to
the surprise of the monks returning from
abroad.
The book is an introduction to the Buddhist
culture and religion as well as to such concepts
as enlightenment and reincarnation.
Reference:
Bouchard, D., (2001). Buddha in the Garden.
Vancouver: Raincoast Books.

15. Hakeem exclaims, “Assalamu Alikiem!” meaning,
“May peace be with you”! Hakeem is Muslim and his
religion is Islam. On the ninth month of the Muslim
lunar year he and his family go to the highest mountain
to look for the thin crescent of a new moon. If they
cannot find it, they will return the next night. Once
they finally see the crescent they say, “Ramadan
Mubarch everyone”! This interprets to “have a blessed
and happy Ramadan”. This is how the Muslims bless
and congratulate each other on the eve of the most
special month of the calendar year.
Hakeem and his family have a big feast during the
evening and will fast until the sun is fully set. Hakeem
explains that Ramadan is the most difficult time for
Muslims because of the fasting, he also illustrates that
it is also the best time for Muslims because they spend
a lot of time praying and celebrating with his family
and friends.
Reference:
Ghazi, S.H. (1996). Ramadan. New York: Holiday House

16. The Story of Religion is an introduction to world
religions. After introducing each of the more popular
religions, there is additional information about other
religions that are not as popular. There is information
about atheism, diversity, and the "Golden Rule". The
very last pages of the book contain a glossary which
includes information about religions that weren't
included in the book.
This book has the viewpoint that all religions are
equally legitimate, and tries to show thoughts and
traditions that are found in most faiths, thus providing
children with a diversity of beliefs in the world and
encouraging acceptance.
Reference
Maestro, B, Maestro, G. (1996). The Story of Religion.
New York: Clarion Books

17. In the New York City Zoo there were two
male penguins that bonded with each other.
This is a bit out of the ordinary for penguins
because they usually bond with the female
penguins. Roy and Silo were a little bit
different. They did everything together.
While the other mates were nesting, Roy
and Silo began to build a nest of their own.
Roy found a rock similar to the shape of an
egg and Silo and Roy took turns sitting on
the rock but the rock did not hatch. The
zoo keeper had an idea, he found an egg
that needed to be cared for and he brought
it to Roy and Silo’s nest. After much care,
out came Tango!
Tango makes three is appropriate teaching
resource to help promote equality for same
sex couples and teaching tolerance.
Reference
Richardson, J. Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango
Makes Three. New York: Simon & Schuster
Books for Young Readers.

18. A fictionalized story mixed with facts about the young
Harriet Tubman. As a young slave nicknamed "Minty,"
Harriet was a feisty and stubborn girl with a dream to
escape. Her mother tried to teach her to be more
disciplined and listen to her master. She disobeys the
overseer by freeing some muskrats from their traps and is
whipped for her stubbornness. After this event, Minty's
father takes her dreams of escape seriously and educates
her to survive in the wild. Minty vows that someday she
will run away. The book chronicles her life from the
Maryland plantation from which she escaped, and
provides details of what life was like as a slave on a
plantation. Harriet Tubman was a hero of her time and
this book does an excellent job of telling her story.
Schroeder's mixture of fact and fiction make this book a
joy to read.
Harriet Tubman introduces the injustice of slavery to
young audiences. An author's note tells of the realization
of her dream and her work with the Underground
Railroad. This book is a nice illustration to remind
children that it's important to dream, hope, and have
faith.
Reference:
Schroeder, A. Pinkney, J. (1996). Minty – A Story of Young
Harriet Tubman. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

19. Marie Curie was born in Poland in 1867 and as a little
girl she dreamed of being a scientist. Her husband
was also a scientist. She was the first scientist to
discover two new elements. She named one
polonium and the other radium. Marie and her
husband Pierre, uncovered the reason why X-rays
worked as well as the secrets of the atom. Even as a
child Marie was clearly the brightest child in the
family, unfortunately in Poland at that time women
could not attend any university. Her only hope was to
go to Paris, but money was an issue. Marie and her
sister Bronya worked out an arrangement to help
each other. Marie would work to help her sister go to
medical school and then Bronya would work to help
Marie achieve her dream of obtaining a college
degree. She became the first woman to obtain a
physics degree at the Sorbonne and she was first in
her class.
Marie had to overcome barriers that were placed in
her way because she was a woman. Unfortunately
women did not have the same rights as men during
the 1800’s. Initially women of that era were not
allowed to attend college. She secretly attended
college for women until she moved to Paris, France.
Reference:
Venizia, M. (2009) Marie Curie, Scientist Who Made
Glowing Discoveries. China: Scholastic, Children’s
Press

20. Four Feet, Two Sandals is based on co-author
Khadra Mohammed's experiences with refugees
in Peshawar, a city on the Afghanistan-Pakistan
border. It is about ten-year-old Lina and her
young friend who each discover one of a
wonderful pair of sandals. Together they must
solve the problem of how to share one pair of
sandals between four feet! As they wait and
hope for their names to appear on a list for a
new home, the sandals become a symbol of
their fast friendship; a bond that will endure
even when one of them finally has the
opportunity to escape the poor conditions and
move to America. “As-salaam alaykum.” Lina
said to her friend. “Peace be with you.”
This book portrays the harsh and barren world
of the refugees, where positive human
relationships are a treasure in the midst of the
daily difficult world of survival. Also, it
introduces readers to the realities of
children growing up in refugee camps.
Reference:
Williams, K.L., Mohammad, K. (2007) Four Feet,
Two Sandals. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans Books
for Young Readers

21. Lords, Ladies, Peasants, and Knights review
the social hierarchy that represented the
European medieval world. At the uppermost,
kings and popes battled it out for top position.
At the bottom, serfs toiled hopelessly, and no
women had rights. They were to be seen and
not heard. Knights and the clergy made up
much of the rest of society. In the last chapter
there is a section of Leonardo Da Vinci’s resume
to the king applying for a job making weapons!
Clerical divisions are fully clarified here. As
explained, at the end of the Middle Ages,
merchants and scholars began to rise in
importance.
In studying the great historical eras, students
will develop a better understanding of our own
times. They also learn about people from many
years ago reading records, such as diaries left
behind. In medieval times, only the wealthiest
people such as the lords, knights, and ladies
were able to read and write.
Reference:
Nardo, D. (2007). Lords, Ladies, Peasants, and
Knights: Class in the Middle Ages. Farmington
Hills, MI: Lucent Books.

22. Old Yeller is a story of a family who finds a
stray dog. The dog is not welcomed by all in
the home. While the father is away on a cattle
drive, the eldest son, Travis does not want the
dog but his younger brother and mother win.
Eventually Travis begins to see the benefits of
Old Yeller and begins to love him.
This book depicts the time period of Texas
in the late 1800's and the challenges of daily
life including the mix of chores, adventures and
the need for farming.
Reference:
Gipson, F., (1974 R). Old Yeller. Santa Ana, CA:
Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.