Special Collections
District List: NYC Summer in the City Reading List
Description: A list of books from New York City's summer reading for #kids
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Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King
by Jean MarzolloAn eloquent and powerful introduction to the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. This simplified summation leaves out most of the details, while bringing the essence of his life and work to young readers. A foreword offers options for softening the facts surrounding his murder for preschoolers.
The Great Greene Heist
by Varian JohnsonSaving the school -- one con at a time."A political heist page-turner set in middle school? Is that even possible? Varian Johnson shows us how it's done." - Gordon Korman, author of SWINDLE "Do yourself a favor and start reading immediately." - Rebecca Stead, author of WHEN YOU REACH ME Jackson Greene swears he's given up scheming. Then school bully Keith Sinclair announces he's running for Student Council president, against Jackson's former friend Gaby de la Cruz. Gaby wants Jackson to stay out of it -- but he knows Keith has "connections" to the principal, which could win him the presidency no matter the vote count. So Jackson assembles a crack team: Hashemi Larijani, tech genius. Victor Cho, bankroll. Megan Feldman, science goddess. Charlie de la Cruz, reporter. Together they devise a plan that will take down Keith, win Gaby's respect, and make sure the election is done right. If they can pull it off, it will be remembered as the school's greatest con ever -- one worthy of the name THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.
Frog and Toad All Year
by Arnold LobelGo sledding with Frog and Toad and see what happens when Frog tumbles off and Toad has to steer by himself. See how frog cheers Toad up on a rainy day when it feels as if spring will never come. See why Frog and Toad go to bed happy after raking yards all day even though the wind scatters the leaves all around until it looks as if the leaves were never raked up at all. Toad the ice-cream monster may be the funniest Toad you've seen yet. On Christmas Eve find out how worries can grow and grow even when there's nothing to worry about. Two of the four Frog and Toad books by Lobel have won major awards. In Frog and Toad All Year, the third book in this hilarious series of easy to read chapter books about best friends, children will laugh and cheer at the five stories: one for each season and one about Christmas Eve. The pictures are carefully and humorously described.
For You are a Kenyan Child
by Kelly CunnaneIn this lyrical story, rich in detail, the reader is asked to imagine that he or she is a child living in a small Kenyan village who must take his grandfather's cows out to pasture. Although life in the boy's African village is very different from life in America in some ways, in other ways this Kenyan child is like children you know.
Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos
by Susan Middleton ElyaAt the station, sirens sound. Corazones start to pound. "House fire!" says el capitán. "Fuego! Get your helmets on!" So begins a rollicking race to save a burning casa from the roaring flames-and these bomberos are up to the task, with hoses ready and sirens blaring. Spanish words sprinkled throughout the lively text-plus a glossary at the end-will enrich young readers as they cheer for the firefighters to save the day.
The Famous Story of Mookie and Gorbit
by Rupa MehtaMookie the ant and Gorbit the elephant are best friends. They eat together, they play together, and they both weigh 20,000 pounds! How can this be? Well, that's the Weight of Words mystery! Mookie and Gorbit have a lot to learn about what makes us feel heavy and light, both in our bodies and in our minds. Join these best buds on their journey to understanding emotional weight and how the words we use can weigh us down OR lift us up. As part of the Connect Collection, this book is intended to be illustrated by you-the reader! As a parent and/or teacher, encourage your child and/or student to imagine what the characters in the story look like and bring them to life. Through illustrating the book, your child and/ or student will personally understand the book's valuable lesson and have a keepsake forever. We encourage you to check out more books in the Connect Collection at connectcollection.com.
Everything Pets
by James Spears and Virginia MorellEverything Pets helps kids absorb layers of information and is made extra fun with its humor-infused presentation.
Esperanza Rising (Scholastic Gold)
by Pam Muñoz RyanEsperanza Rising joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Esperanza thought she'd always live a privileged life on her family's ranch in Mexico. She'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa, and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances-because Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.
The Dot
by Peter H. ReynoldsWith a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us. Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you. " Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw - she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
Doctor De Soto
by William Steig"Doctor De Soto, the dentist, did very good work." With the aid of his able assistant, Mrs. De Soto, he copes with the toothaches of animals large and small. His expertise is so great that his fortunate patients never feel any pain.
Since he's a mouse, Doctor De Soto refuses to treat "dangerous" animals--that is, animals who have a taste for mice. But one day a fox shows up and begs for relief from the tooth that's killing him. How can the kindhearted De Sotos turn him away? But how can they make sure that the fox doesn't give in to his baser instincts once his tooth is fixed? Those clever De Sotos will find a way.
Doctor De Soto is a 1982 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, a 1983 Boston Globe - Horn Book Awards Honor Book for Picture Books, and a 1983 Newbery Honor Book.
Diary of a Spider
by Doreen CroninFrom the book: This is the diary ... of a spider. But don't be worried--he's more scared of you and your gigantic shoe! Actually, he's a lot like you. He goes to gym class and has grandparens Day at school. But he also spins sticky webs, scales walls, and takes wind-catching lessons. Lucky for him, his best friend is a fly. Includes picture descriptions. Other clever books by Doreen Cronin are available from Bookshare. This book contains picture descriptions.
Crow Call
by Lois LowryThe story of young Liz and her father, who has been away at WWII for longer than she can remember. They begin their journey of reconnection through a hunting shirt, cherry pie, tender conversation, and the crow call. This allegorical story shows how, like the birds gathering above, the relationship between the girl and her father is graced with the chance to fly.
Crossing Bok Chitto
by Tim TingleThere is a river called Bok Chitto that cuts through Mississippi. In the days before the War Between the States, in the days before the Trail of Tears, Bok Chitto was a boundary. On one side of the river lived the Choctaws. On the other side lived the plantation owners and their slaves. If a slave escaped and made his way across Bok Chitto, the slave was free.
Connect To Your One (NaliniKids)
by Rupa MehtaHow can so many people in our society be physically light and fit, but emotionally heavy and out-of-shape? We think about the food we digest into our bodies, but do we think about the words we digest into our spirits? Could one word have the power to weigh more than a gallon of ice cream? Connect to Your One is about acknowledging the weight of words and the impact words have on shaping our identity. In her first book, Rupa Mehta motivates us to start a word detox, lose the weight of words, and connect to the One Word that represents our core identity. With her signature style, Rupa is a generous guide as she shares the journey to her ONE WORD through vivid life lessons from her childhood and present life. These lessons, garnered from her parents, present unconventional wisdom about living healthy, loving successfully, dealing with issues, understanding happiness, and letting go and moving on.
Connect to Your One Magic Word
by Rupa MehtaThe effervescent character Oopa takes readers on an upbeat journey to find their magic word. As Oopa says, "The best magic word for you = your heart's favorite thing to do". A magic word has so much power. It can help strengthen your daily life and help you achieve your goals. Join Oopa and her friends and connect to your magic word! As part of the Connect Collection, this book is intended to be illustrated by you--the reader! As a parent and/or teacher, encourage your child and/or student to imagine what the characters in the story look like and bring them to life. Through illustrating the book, your child and/ or student will personally understand the book's valuable lesson and have a keepsake forever. We encourage you to check out more books in the Connect Collection at connectcollection.com.
Come On, Rain
by Karen Hesse"Come on, Rain!" Tess pleads to the sky as listless vines and parched plants droop in the endless heat. Then the clouds roll in and the rain pours. And Tess, her friends, and their mothers join in together in a rain dance to celebrate the shower that renews both body and spirit.
Clever Trevor
by Sarah AlbeeTrevor outsmarts a group of schoolyard bullies by using some very handy science knowledge.
Chrysanthemum
by Kevin HenkesWritten and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round.
Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?
This popular picture book has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association.
Chicken Sunday
by Patricia PolaccoStewart and Winston were my neighbors. They were my brothers by a solemn ceremony we had performed in their backyard one summer....Their gramma, Eula Mae Walker, was my gramma now.
More than anything in the world, the children want to buy that special Easter bonnet in Mr. Kodinski's shop window for their Miss Eula. She is always so good to them, and how they love to hear her sing - her voice is like slow thunder and sweet rain. But the hat costs money, and the children do not have enough.
Then one day, when they are mistakenly accused of throwing eggs at the shop owner's window, they discover just the right way to prove their innocence - and earn money for the hat at the same time.
With her characteristic full, vibrant colors and rich, folk-art style, author-artist Patricia Polacco once again reaches into her childhood and weaves a lasting story of acceptance, trust, and love.
A Chair For My Mother
by Vera B. WilliamsThe jar of coins is full. The day has come to buy the chair--the big, fat, comfortable, wonderful chair they have been saving for. The chair that will replace the one that was burned up--along with everything else--in the terrible fire. A book of love and tenderness filled with the affirmation of life.