Thematic Book List

Adams, L. K. (1997). Dealing with teasing.  New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

-          A nonfiction book about identifying teasing, discussing why people tease, the consequences of teasing, and how to respond to teasing.

Couric, K. (2000). The brand new kid.  New York, NY: Doubleday.

-          Lazlo is a new kid at school and is teased by his classmates for being different until two classmates decide to befriend him and show they care.  A great book for learning to accept people for their differences, identifying feelings, and dealing with name-calling and teasing.

DePaola, T. (1979). Oliver Button is a sissy.  New York, NY: Harcourt Brace & Company.

-          Despite being maliciously teased by his classmates, Oliver Button continues to do what he loves.  A good book for discussing name-calling and teasing, identifying feelings, and accepting people for their differences.

Dobkin, B. (1994). Just a little different.  Chicago, IL: Childrens Press.

-          A leveled reading book about two children, one with a physical handicap, who despite their differences have a lot in common and are best friends.

English, K. (1999). Nadia’s hands.  Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, Inc.

-          A young Pakistani-American girl feels self-conscious about her cultural traditions and must learn to forget about what her classmates will think by taking pride in her cultural heritage and cultural diversity.  This book provides a great window into identifying feelings, causes for those feelings, and learning to accept differences.

Ford, B. (2004). Don’t hit me!.  Brooklyn, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

-          Two boys learn to deal with their conflict through words rather than actions.  A leveled reading book about emotions, problem solving, and learning to empathize with others.

Hoose, P. & Hoose, H. (1998). Hey, little ant.  Barkeley, CA: Tricycle Press.

-          A boy is challenged by an ant to stop and think about the consequences of his actions and decide whether or not he will show compassion for a living thing much smaller than he.  This book taps into showing courage and compassion and sticking up for what you believe is right despite what others think.

Jordan, A. (2005). Just like me!.  New York, NY: Random House.

-          A leveled reading book about making new friends and accepting others for their differences.  A good book for encouraging students to empathize with a character who is initially misjudged.

Kline, S. (1999). Song Lee and the “I hate you” notes.  New York, NY: Penguin Group.

-          Song Lee, one of the nicest girls in class, receives hateful notes on her desk and her friends take action to stick up for her and show they care

Neasi, B. J. (1986). Listen to me.  Chicago, IL: Childrens Press.

-          A young boy and his grandmother show each other they care by listening to each other.  A good leveled reading book for showing how to care.

Waber, B. (1988). Ira says goodbye.  Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

-          After Ira’s sister breaks the news that his best friend is moving away, Ira struggles with what it means to lose a best friend, the feelings that go along with this loss, and communicating his feelings to others.

Whitcomb, M. E. (1998). Odd Velvet.  San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

-          Although Velvet is distinctly different from her classmates in both her interests and mannerisms, her classmates eventually discover that being different has a lot to offer and that diversity makes friendships fun and interesting.