Wednesday, August 10, 2016

#pb10for10: Top 10 Picture Books for Middle School


Hooray! Today is August 10th, which means it is time for the annual Picture Books 10 for 10 event (#pb10for10). Teachers and educators are challenged to choose and share their 10 favorite picture books, and the posts will be aggregated by Cathy of Reflect and Refine and Mandy of Enjoy and Embrace Learning.


Previous #pb10for10




Top 10 Picture Books for Middle School


(In order of publication. I'm no good at playing favorites.)


Ish (2004) by Peter Reynolds. Perfectionism and the idea of trying to do things "perfectly" is something that many students struggle with. I love the message of this book: both the idea of "ish" over perfectionism and the triumph of art and creativity.


The Invisible Boy (2013) by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton. Middle school can, at times, seem like a constant race for attention, for visibility. This quiet book shows the importance of noticing others, of taking first steps, and of acknowledging that there are likely times when each of us has felt invisible. I think this will be a great book early in the year for building our classroom community and empathy.


Water Rolls, Water Rises = El agua rueda, el agua sube (2014) written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Meilo So with Spanish translation by Adriana Domínguez and Pat Mora. The picture book as pure poetry. Water Rolls, Water Rises = El agua rueda, el agua sube is a gorgeous poetry tribute to water and the role that it plays in the lives of all people, plants, and animals on our planet. I love how the author and illustrator relied on different locations around the world as the basis for the illustrations, and the style is so fun-loving and free. Another amazing book to share, and one that I am planning to read aloud as part of our poetry unit at the beginning of the year.


The Case for Loving: the fight for interracial marriage (2015) by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko. The story of Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter and their fight for interracial marriage is presented very much from today's point-of-view but also offers children background about how this fight came to be. The author's note draws the natural connection between the history of this fight and the current battle for recognition of same sex marriages and also shares some of the authors' backstory as an interracial couple. (Click here for more books written and/or illustrated by Sean Qualls.)


How to Read a Story (2015) by Kate Messner and illustrated by Mark Siegel. It is impossible to read this book and not want to immediately grab a huge pile of picture books, a reading buddy, and snuggle up for some amazing read alouds! I think this will be a great book to read and discuss as we prepare to be reading buddies with the second grade class. So fun!


Last Stop on Market Street (2015) by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson [winner of the Newbery Award, a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor...]. Ok, I admit that this is a repeat from last year's list, but this book has so much going for it. This is a powerful and important story told through the eyes of our young male narrator, who is finding a lot to complain about on this rainy Sunday. As the story progresses, however, his Nana wins him over and keeps showing him the beauty of the world around him, which culminates naturally into a lovely act of service. This is a great book for celebrating diversity and action in so many different ways!


Ideas Are All Around (2016) by Philip C. Stead. I immensely enjoyed this meta-take on inspiration and picture books. A bit long and wordy for a read aloud, but I'm thinking about how to incorporate this into lessons with my middle schoolers about finding ideas and inspiration in the little things in like that are "all around." It would also be interesting to use as part of an author study of Philip C. Stead to see if there are references to ideas/inspirations for some of his other published works.


A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals (2016) by Lucy Ruth Cummings. Sarcastic irreverent picture books have almost become a genre in themselves (I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat, Carnivores, and more). This book plays on that idea, as the title sets you up immediately, but perhaps this book is not what you are expecting. Or is it? I anticipate that this will be a big hit with my middle schoolers.


School's First Day of School (2016) by Adam Rex and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Just out, this is a must-have book for back to school - and for talking about perspective and point-of-view. School has just been built and soon discovers exactly what his new mission entails ... with both heart-warming and laugh-out-loud moments on his first day of being a school.


They All Saw a Cat (Aug. 30, 2016) by Brendan Wenzel. Though this book doesn't come out until the end of the month, I got to hear it read aloud last month at  #nErDcampMI. It is an incredible take on the idea of perspective and multiple points of view. I am very excited about discussing this one with my students!

Looking for more #pb10for10? Check out #pb10for10 on Twitter or click the #pb10for10 tag to see my previous years' posts.

DiverseKidLit

Shared with #DiverseKidLit

18 comments:

  1. What a great list! Thanks for sharing, and for the direct link to pin your list.

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    1. Thanks, Julie! I find Pinterest is a great way to keep track of all the booklists I come across, so I try to return the favor.

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  2. It makes my reading heart so happy to see how you're using picture books with your middle school readers! You've included fantastic titles that are not only great on the first read, but get better with each re-read as well.

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    1. Thanks, Susan! I love how much these titles have to offer.

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  3. I've used so many picture books with middle schoolers, and am happy to see your list, Katie. I've pre-ordered They All Saw A Cat-can't wait. These books make me wish I wasn't retired-will have to count on sharing with my granddaughters! Thanks for all!

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    1. I'm sure your granddaughters will love these too!

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  4. Now why didn't I think of this theme? I just recently set up a Pinterest board for titles of picture books for older readers to direct student-teachers to. Student-teachers headed to secondary schools often don't think picture books are for them. I'll be adding a few of your titles to my board. Thanks so much for your recommendations.
    Tammy (Doucette Library)
    Apples with Many Seeds

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  5. I love so many of these! I'm looking forward to They All Saw a Cat. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. So happy that you are sharing picture books with middle schoolers. What a gift!

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  7. Like everyone else, I'm so glad more and more educators are talking about using picture books with older students! Keep shouting and sharing :)
    You had asked about Girl in Pieces on my blog on Monday - there are very mature themes in the book: sex, drugs, cutting. I think about my daughter who is going into 6th grade and I can't imagine her reading it a year from now. However, I had a conversation this weekend with someone who works with 8th graders and she said it wouldn't be for everyone, but some are ready and need those type of books. I'm not sure if that answers your question, but maybe gives you two sides to think about? Either way, you should read it, it's fantastic!

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  8. I love that you shared A Hungry Lion on this list. One of my favourites of the year! Enjoyed your comments about each of these titles.

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  9. I just added Water Rolls, Water Rises to my To Read list. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Have just pre-ordered I Saw A Cat - it looks amazing. Also I don't know A Hungry Lion so have also noted that one. Thanks for this list and also for promoting using picture books with older students!

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  11. I just finished reading Unleashing Readers' list of picture book for secondary readers. I love that you all are promoting picture books for older kids. Great list!

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  12. I'm doing a blog post about picture books with MS and HS students. I can't wait to link to your incredible list in my post.

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  13. Beautiful list! The ones I know I love, so I can't wait to check out the rest. Thank you so much for linking up at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

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  14. LOVE your list! Definitely saving for later and getting the ones I don't have!

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