The Day You Begin

 APA: Woodson, J., & López, R. (2018). The day you begin. CNIB.

Genre: Fiction

Summary: This book follows the idea within a young student’s life of feeling left out or misunderstood. It begins with one student but switches between different students in the classroom that are all different in their own ways. The book brings about a tone, after explaining the differences that may occur in the classroom, a tone of hopefulness that encourages you to be the best you that you can be. The book, near the end, is very positive about the fact that you may not be similar to others, but encourages you to be loud and proud about who you are even if others do not understand you, or even if you do not have the same kind of exciting travels as others do. 

Target Audience: I believe this book's target audience will be good for the ages 5-8. As for the audience that would best enjoy this book, I would have to say that the older students in this range would better enjoy the book because they may understand the message within the book.

Blog Requirements: Diverse Protagonist, Written in the Past 4 Years, Picture Book

https://socialjusticebooks.org/the-day-you-begin/

Curious George Visits the Library

 APA: Ray, H.A., & Weston, M. (2003). Curious George Visits the Library.

Genre: Fiction

Summary: The curious George adventure in this book begins much like his others; he sees something he likes and pursues it to a hilarious extent. At the library, Curious George sits in at a librarian reading session and enjoys it very much, so much that he takes the next book in the reading with him to read at home instead. After taking this book from the librarian’s pile, Curious George gets carried away around the library and begins scooping up all sorts of books all around the library that catch his attention. Near the end of this book, George is shown that with a library card, he is able to take whichever of his favorites he wants home with him.

Target Audience: I believe that the target audience for this book is the grades of preschool through 3rd grade. I believe that the audience to enjoy this book the most would be children that are a little younger in that audience range as the antics of George are very wacky and goofy; something that the younger children may cling to a little more than the older grades.

Blog Requirements: Picture Book

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141935.Curious_George_Visits_the_Library#:~:text=The%20book%20describes%20an%20impatient,the%20library%20for%20more%20books.&text=Curious%20George%20Visits%20the%20Library%20by%20Margaret,Rey%20is%20a%20picture%20book.

Pete the Cat 12 Groovy Days of Christmas

 APA: Dean, K., & Dean, J. (2018). Pete the Cat 12 Days of Christmas. Harper.

Genre: Fiction

Summary: This book takes the original ‘12 Days of Christmas’ and puts a Pete the Cat twist on them. Throughout the story, Pete is going through each of the traditional 12 days of Christmas and instead of regular gifts, some gifts that he gives his friends are a little out of the ordinary. These gifts follow a similar theme but go to the length of ‘Onion Rings’ instead of gold rings, and Surfboards as well as other wacky items. 

Target Audience: The target audience for this book I would picture it for the ages between 4 and 8 years old. The ages will correspond with the grade levels kindergarten through 3rd grade. This book is one of many Pete the Cat books, so if a child finds an interest, they will be able to continue with the series.

Blog Requirements: Written in the Last 4 Years (2018)

https://www.petethecatbooks.com/9780062675279/pete-the-cats-12-groovy-days-of-christmas/

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

 APA: Park, B., & Brunkus, D. (1992). Junie B. Jones and the stupid Smelly Bus. Random House.

Genre: Fiction

Summary: Junie B. Jones is starting kindergarten and she has to take the bus to school. She ends up not liking the bus because she gets bullied by Jim. Once she gets to class, her teacher Mrs. shows the class around the school and to meet the principal, as well as the school nurse. While on the field trip around the school, one of Junie B.’s friend, Lucille, tells her what happens if she takes the bus after school. With the new information, Junie B finds out and ends up hiding in a closet after school. She eventually leaves the closet when she needs to use the restroom after finding out the restrooms have been all locked up and she calls 911.

Target Audience: The target audience for this book I feel would be for grades levels between 1st and 5th grade.

Blog Requirements: Diverse Protagonist, Early Chapter Book K-2

https://blogs.iwu.edu/edu320spring14clrb/2014/04/03/junie-b-jones-and-the-stupid-smelly-bus/

Between Us and Abuela, A Family Story from the Border

 APA:Perkins, M., & Palacios, S. (2019). Between us and Abuela: A family story from the border. Farrar Straus Giroux.

Genre: Picture Book

Summary: This story is about a hispanic family that is taking a trip to visit their abuela who currently lives on the other side of the United States and Mexico border. Maria and Juan are excited to see their abuela, and so they both make gifts to celebrate La Posada Sin Fronteras. It has been over 5 years since they have last seen their abuela. As their time to visit comes to an end, they forgot about the gifts. Maria ends up having to mail her gift, however she finds a way to get her little brother Juan’s gift over the border to their abuela.

Target Audience: The target audience for this book I believe are mainly ages 5-8 as well as possibly the families structures that have a similar setup as the characters in the book do. For example, having a loved one currently living in a different country. 

Blog Requirements: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonist, Bilingual, Written in the Last 4 Years (2019)

https://www.amazon.com/Between-Us-Abuela-Family-Border/dp/0374303738

Pete the Cat Snow Daze

APA: Dean, J. (2017). Pete the Cat: Snow daze. Scholastic.

Genre: Fiction

Summary: Pete the Cat wakes up and with the intention to go to school for show and tell; however, he discovers it is a snow day! He ends up having a great time with his friends building snowcats, going sledding, and drinking hot chocolate. He plans on telling his classmates all about the awesome day he had but he wakes up the next day for it to be another snow day! After having three snow days in a row he is starting to miss going to school on the fourth day the schools are open and the streets are clear so Pete the cat is able to share about what he did for the past 3 days.

Target Audience: The target audience for this book I would picture it for the ages between 4 and 8 years old. The ages will correspond with the grade levels kindergarten through 3rd grade. This book is one of many Pete the Cat books, so if a child finds an interest, they will be able to continue with the series.

Blog Requirements: Written in the Last 4 years, Picture Book

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/pete-the-cat-snow-daze-james-dean?variant=32112639639586

El Deafo

APA: Bell, C., & Lasky, D. (2014). El deafo. Amulet Books

Genre: Graphic Novel, Autobiography 

Summary: Cece was only 4 years old when she got really sick and little did she know, that would be the last time she would be able to hear without assistance of a device. In this book we are able to see first hand the many different struggles throughout her childhood that many people that are “hearing” would not encounter. Cece encounters many new concepts that are new to her; for example, having to get fitted for her hearing aid and having regular conversations paired with the need to lip read to help her understand the topic of the conversation. 

Target Audience: I believe this book's target audience will be good for the grade levels between 3rd and 8th grade since it is a longer book, however the main idea of the book is very eye-opening. Although students may not know someone that is deaf, they may never know if they will meet someone in the near future.

Blog Requirements: Diverse Protagonist, Middle School Readers, Graphic Novel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Deafo#:~:text=El%20Deafo%20is%20a%20graphic,the%20book%20are%20all%20bunnies.