Holes tells the tale of the unfortunate Stanley Yelnats and the characters he encounters at Camp Green Lake. This book is definitely for older students and it is one they will enjoy. A cause and effect activity would go great with Holes. The decision his great-great-grandfather makes effects many generations after him so I would have students explore it. 

Lexile 660L

Grace took many adventures by reading books. She acted out all of the characters. Grace tried out for Peter Pan and was amazing. She got the part even tough she was told that she didn't fit the part.

Lexile Measure: 680L

I would use this in the classroom to teach kids that they can be anything.  I would have a creative writing activity to tell what they wanted to be. 

Because of Winn-Dixie, is about a young girl named Opal who has already faced many challenges in her ten years of life. When going to the grocery store, she stumbles upon a special dog, with a sweet little grin. You’ll have have to read this story for yourself to see how this dog helps Opal through her challenges. This book is on 670L Lexile reading level, which is equivalent to a 4th grade reading level. Teachers can use this book to teach students about the structure of a story. 

The following book was kindly sent to me by the author, Sara Y. Aharon, who requested a review. This book will be published on September 1, 2018 and you can check out the author's website or Amazon for more information on purchasing the book.

One Step at a Time by Sara Y. Aharon is a picture book which teaches children the value of perseverance and personal growth. Emma is a little girl who loves butterflies so it's lucky that her classroom has one for a pet. However, Emma gets so excited about playing with Belle the Butterfly that she accidentally sets her free. What should she do? Can she ever face her teacher and classmates again?  One Step at a Time demonstrates the advantages of accepting responsibility even when it's uncomfortable (especially then) and how being brave doesn't necessarily mean that you are totally confident that things will go your way. It's a gentle way to visually display the significance of doing the right thing even when you may be afraid. As this is self-published, I think there are a few things that could be done to set it apart and give it a chance against some of its mainstream contemporaries. Adding questions to test comprehension at the back of the book (nothing too daunting) would give the message that this would be a great teaching supplement. Perhaps including a link back to the author's website where additional information about metamorphosis and free downloadable butterfly coloring sheets are available would sweeten the pot even further. [A/N: I give these suggestions based on my own experience reading children's books and recommending them to the parents and teachers in my community. These are definitely hot ticket additions to any book and would make a great selling point. ;-)] It's a cute little story that has a good message. 7/10

What I'm Currently Reading: Mary B: An Untold Story of Pride and Prejudice by Katherine J. Chen

This book is great for showing that when you put your mind to something you can do anything. That having self talks with ourselves are healthy and very encouraging at times. This book shows that doubting yourself does not get you anywhere but confidence and perseverance does. I would use this in my classroom by giving them a train that has "I think I can..." and they will have to write things that they can do and are good at. After they write this they can draw themselves in the train and we will hang them on a track going up a hill and hang in the hallway. My classroom will be filled with encouraging words and positive thoughts. I think this book could be read with anyone but is mainly for the younger grades. The Lexile Level is AD740L.