Temple Cat

Temple Cat
By Andrew Clements
Illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Published by Clarion Books (1996)

This is the story of a temple cat who dreams of living as a normal cat outside the temple walls. He slips out one night to follow his dream, and discovers what his heart desires at the edge of the sea. This is a great introduction to historical fiction for young readers in grades one and two. It presents the Egyptian culture from the unique perspective of a cat, which young readers will adore. The illustrations are very realistic, making Egypt come alive for readers.

While Andrew Clements is not always known for his picture books, he is a successful writer. Learn more about him on his website!


Clements, A., & Kiesler, K. (1996). Temple cat. New York: Clarion Books.

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan
By Katherine Applegate
Published by Harper Collins (2012)

Newberry Medal Winner 2013

Ivan is a gorilla who lives at a mall for many years. He doesn't even think of his life back in the jungle, but rather watches TV, paints, and hangs with his friends Stella and Bob. Soon Ivan meets Ruby, a small elephant who makes him see his life in a new way. The heartwarming book has themes of friendship, art, and hope. I would recommend this book as a class read aloud because it is such a crowd favorite! There are many resources available to help incorporate the book into your classroom!

Check out this link to great classroom ideas from Pinterest.

Check out the website and book trailer below!

Applegate, K. (2012). The one and only Ivan. New York: Harper.

Are You There God, It's Me Margaret

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
By Judy Blume
Published by Bradbury Press (1970)

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a coming of age story that almost every middle school girl will relate to. From a new school, boys, and physical changes, Margaret handles the awkward middle school years with humor and perseverance. I read this story when I was in middle school, and it has left a lasting impression on me. I would easily recommend this to any of my young female students. The quick read may not be openly discussed, but I believe many girls can relate to Margaret. Judy Blume is a wonderful author for all students to know.

Hear from Judy herself about the book!


Blume, J. (1970). Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Bradbury Press.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars
By John Green
Published by Dutton Books (2012)

While I wouldn't have guessed I would be teaching any students who be reading The Fault in Our Stars, I was proven wrong when substitute teaching. I found out quickly that sixth grade girls were huge fans of the book. This sparked my interest, especially since many of my close friends raved about the book. I was not disappointed in this young love story.

It tells the emotional story of Hazel and Augustus. Hazel is faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The two meet in a support group for cancer survivors and those suffering from cancer currently. The rest is history as the two fall in love. I won't ruin the ending, but you will sure be surprised when you finish reading, and most likely in tears. The movie also had my mother and I in tears.

This is mature story that will not be appropriate for all readers, but it is a good book to connect with young female readers. John Green is a well-liked author with many books that would be great to recommend. Check out the movie trailer below!

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan
Published by Miramax Books (2005)

When I step into my fourth grade classroom, I can easily spot several students reading Rick Riordan books. Both girls and boys really enjoy the fantasy adventure books that he writes. I myself recall reading The Lightning Thief when I was their age. Percy Jackson, a twelve-year old boy, goes on an adventure with greek gods to catch the thief of Zeus' master bolt. He is faced with many enemies on his journey. He also must deal with an Oracle of betrayal and a father he doesn't know.

If you are teaching grades 3 through 5, this a must have book in your classroom library as it appeals to many. It's also great because it is part of series. This provides many books for lung readers to dive into. Rick Riordan's website has excellent resources to take advantage of when using this in the classroom.

I also found some great resources on Pinterest to utilize!

Check out the movie trailer below.























Riordan, R. (2005). The lightning thief. 

Viola in Reel Life

Viola in Reel Life
By Adriana Triagani
Published by Harper Teen (2009)

Viola in Reel Life is the work of Saint Mary's grad, Adriana Triagnai. After flipping through a few pages and reading the summary, I was sure this was set in Saint Mary's. It tells the story of Viola, who reluctantly ends up at a boarding school in South Bend, Indiana (sound familiar?) where she does not feel like she fits in at all. She is not much for the preppy style and living with roommates who actually like the school. Viola hides behind the lens of her camera, and slowly sees that there is more to the boarding school than she initially thought.

This novel is more appropriate for upper grades, as it is a piece of young adult literature. I think girls would love this book because boarding school is a different experience than many have. With only 288 pages, the book is a fairly quick read. As a Saint Mary's student, I love to support Saint Mary's alums. I will definitely look into more of her books for both myself and my classroom.

Learn more about this Saint Mary's author on her website!

Trigiani, A. (2009). Viola in reel life. New York: HarperTeen.

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe
By C.S. Lewis
Published by Harper Collins (1994)

My 4th graders recently completed a unit on The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe and loved it. I remember reading it in elementary school myself. It is a classic piece of children's literature that I believe all children should read at least once. It tells the imaginative story of four siblings who discover a wardrobe which leads to Narnia, a land ruled by the White Witch. They go on a journey to help a lion, Aslan, overcome the powers of the White Witch and the winters she has created. The novel contains religious connections throughout and many strong themes such as betrayal and forgiveness. It is a highly engaging novel that students of different ages would enjoy. There are tons of resources available to help teach this novel to your class. The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe is part of C.S. Lewis' series Chronicles of Narnia. It is definitely for a more mature reader due to content and themes.

Here are just a few resources available:
-http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/lion-witch-and-wardrobe#cart/cleanup
-https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=the%20lion%2C%20the%20witch%2C%20and%20the%20wardrobe

Some interesting facts about the novel!

Lewis, C. S., & Baynes, P. (1994). The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe. New York: HarperCollins.