Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

This book is about a young girl named Melody that has significant physical disabilities. She cannot talk, walk, or do much of anything on her own. However, her mind is very sharp and she is incredibly smart. The frustrating part is that no one, not even her parents, realize that she is intelligent. She is put in a classroom at school that is not challenging her at all. This is a story about how she was able to begin to communicate and reveal just how smart she truly is. Eventually she was able to start connecting with her peers and go to regular classes in school. It is a valuable story to read as a reminder not to assume someone's ability just by the way they look. It is a wonderful book!

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The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

This book was a selection I had chosen for World Read Aloud Day last week. Our high school literacy club sent students over to do a read aloud for each of my 3 classes that day. This book is powerful, thought-provoking, and has beautiful illustrations. It is a picture book, so it doesn't take long to read. One of my favorite features of the book is that it provides information in the back about many notable Black Americans that are alluded to in the story. It is a worthwhile read by a great author!

Ugly by Robert Hoge

If you have ever read Wonder, you should also read this incredible true book by Robert Hoge. He tells his life story of growing up as a child with severe facial deformities. In fact, when he was born, his mother refused to even see him. His family almost abandoned him, but thankfully, in the end, his siblings said he belonged with them. His story is full of heartaches and triumphs, and it is a powerful reminder that there is so much to a person beyond what they look like on the outside. It is a book that everyone should read!

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This book, along with the entire series it is a part of, is something I have read countless times. I return to them because the stories are so comforting and are a window into what life was like many years ago. I find Laura's life to be fascinating, and the ups and downs of her adventures with her family are what keep me turning the page to find out what will happen next. If you've never read this series, I cannot recommend it enough. Start here, with Little House in the Big Woods. It tells the story of Laura as a young girl in 1871 living with her mom, dad, older sister Mary, and baby sister Carrie. It is an autobiography, so it is based on Laura's actual life experiences. At this point, the family is living in a cabin in the woods in Wisconsin, and it tells about their daily life. Throughout all of their experiences, good and bad, you can see the way the family is deeply rooted in their love and respect for each other. When I pic...

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