Ms. Clarke's
Book of the Month
2022-2023
Welcome to Ms. Clarke's Book of the Month! Each month I will highlight a different book that you may want to check out.
Take a look at April's Book of the Month!
Counting on Katherine
How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
By Helaine Becker and Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
In honor of Women's History Month, read Counting on Katherine! Katherine Johnson wanted to be a mathematician when she grew up, but there were people who thought that Katherine could not be a mathematician because she was a woman. Katherine proved them wrong and became one of the most famous mathematicians. Read all about how she saved Apollo 13 and helped it return safely to Earth after an explosion in space!
If you love math, science and more! Read Counting on Katherine!
The Bruce Swap
By Ryan T. Higgins
Did you love the book We Don't Eat Our Classmates? How about the Bruce series by Ryan T. Higgins? If you did, then you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Bruce Swap!
Bruce is a bear who does not like fun. His family, however, loves to have fun. When Bruce's identical cousin, Kevin, comes to visit all he wants is to have fun, fun, FUN! But how much fun is too much fun?
Starla Jean
Which Came First: The Chicken or The Friendship?
By Elana K. Arnold Illustrated by A. N. Kang
Starla Jean loves to take double bike rides in the park with her dad. But this double bike ride ends very differently! Starla and her dad find a chicken and Starla can't just leave the chicken in the park by itself. Her dad says if she can catch it, then she can keep it. Can Starla catch her new feathered friend? Can she really keep her forever?
Read Elana Arnold's new book to find out! If you read A Boy Called Bat, then you are sure to enjoy Starla Jean Which Came First the Chicken or the Friendship?
Sueño Bay Adventures:
Shadow Island
By Mike Deas and Nancy Deas
Shadow Island is the first book in the Sueno Bay Adventures graphic novel series. It follows four friends: Ollie, Jenna, Kay, and Sleeves. These four unlikely friends discover an abandoned trailer deep in the woods. As they investigate, they find a photograph of their EVIL gym teacher, Ms. Grundle. Then, Ms. Grundle's car is right outside. As the four friends attempt to sneak away before Ms. Grundle can discover them, someone... or something unexpected finds them!!!
If you are looking for a new series to start, this is it. The Sueno Bay Adventures have action, adventure, mystery, great friendships... and more!
Thunder Boy, Jr.
By Sherman Alexie Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Thunder Boy Smith, Jr. does not have a "normal" name. He wants to have a name that is "normal", that is all his own. But what would that new name be?
Thunder Boy, Jr. celebrates how important names can be and it is also written by Native author Sherman Alexie. This book is a fun read and a great way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month!
Sarai And The Meaning Of Awesome
By Sarai Gonzalez and Monica Brown
Sarai Gonzalez dances, bakes, and even runs her own business! If you like cupcake selling fourth graders than Sarai and The Meaning of Awesome is the book for you. In honor of Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month, check out this book about a young girl whose family comes from North, Central and South America. Sarai's mom is from Peru and her dad is from Costa Rica.
Check out this first chapter book in the series, Sarai and the Meaning of Awesome!
School's First Day of School
By Adam Rex Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Have you ever wondered what the first day of school is like for the school? This picture book is about the first day of school and is told BY THE SCHOOL. Frederick Douglass Elementary school was built over the summer and has never meet students before. In fact, he thinks that he's actually the janitor's house!
If you like funny stories about the first day of school or you've had a first day of school, then you'll love Adam Rex's School's First Day of School!
Adam Rex also wrote On Account of the Gum!