2022-23 Reading list

June 14, 2023

Last Zoom of the School Year!

Join us on Zoom with special guest FRR 2nd grade teacher Mr. Daniel Lipton.  He will read Japanese stories in the form of kamishibai.  

Tonight, public librarian Macy will join us to share about the Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice at the Brookline Public Libraries.  Register your student now so they can begin winning prizes for reading! 

Art Gala This Saturday

Come to the Coolidge Corner Library this Saturday at 2 PM to celebrate  artwork by Brookline Readers & Leaders, created during our Zooms about inclusion and positive change-making.  Artists of the Month from Miss Abi's classes will be featured in a special display, and all artists will be honored with sashes and photographs along the red carpet!

June 7, 2023

Pride Month

Join us to welcome Lincoln 5th grade student, Noah Carlson!

In honor of LGBTQ+ Month, they will read It Feels Good To Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity, written by Theresa Thorn and illustrated by Noah Grigni.

Attendees are invited to bring paper and markers to the Zoom.

Last Zoom of the school year: next week 6/14

May 31, 2023

AAPI Heritage Month

PSB Assistant Director of Educational Equity Haeyoung Koh will be reading Grandpa Across the Ocean by Hyewon Yum.

Public Libraries of Brookline Youth Services Supervisor Julie Kellndorfer will introduce us to the Brookline Libraries' Summer Reading Program.  Don't miss out on exciting new reading opportunities and prizes over the summer!

Mark your calendars for June 17, and join us for an Art Gala honoring the students and artwork from Brookline Readers & Leaders.

May 24, 2023

Lincoln School Hosting Tonight

Tonight, we welcome special guest Reader Ms. Vina Harvey, METCO Liaison at Runkle and Baker Schools.  She will read Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Johanna Ho and lead discussion including an optional poetry-writing activity.   

May 17, 2023

Climate Change

Tonight Join us tonight to chat with local community leader Werner Lohe on what we can do to help our environment.  Mr. Lohe is a Town Meeting Member and member of Brookline's Zero Emissions Advisory Board and Conservation Commission.  He co-founded Climate Action Brookline, a grassroots organization that supports community  members with ways to reduce our carbon footprint.  

Mr. Lohe will read excerpts from children's books about climate change and will share ideas about things students can do to help.  Students are invited to come with questions and ideas about making positive environmental change in our community.  

Special Announcement: TOMORROW: SPOTLIGHT ON KINDNESS FAIR

The School Committee will hear about the FRR Kindness Fair tomorrow during the Spotlight on Excellence presentation.  Watch FRR students present to the School Committee on Thursday, 5/18 at 6:25 PM via livestream at www.brooklineinteractive.org/live or join the public meeting in person at Town Hall, 333 Washington St., 5th Floor.

May 10, 2023

BEEP (Brookline Early Education Program) Occupational Therapist Jocelyn Hesse will read Gibberish by Young Vo.   

It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says — from the school bus driver to his new classmates — sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other?

May 3, 2023

BEEP (Brookline Early Education Program) Occupational Therapist Jocelyn Hesse will read Gibberish by Young Vo.   

It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says — from the school bus driver to his new classmates — sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other?

April 26, 2023

In Honor of Autism Awareness Month

Lawrence School is hosting a special guest tonight!  Ms. Payson Chesley Ahmed will be reading ALL THE WAYS TO BE SMART, by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys.  

Payson’s career in education began over 20 years ago in a small school that honored the innate curiosity of all children and the many unique ways in which they learn. She has served in various roles within schools both as a teacher and a mentor. In her years as an educator, and a mom, Payson has found endless inspiration observing the capabilities of young children when provided a space in which all the ways to be smart are celebrated. She is currently pursing her Masters in Social Work at Simmons University.

April 19, 2023

Mrs. K (Kristina Colbert Lourie) will read The Three Astronauts, written by Umberto Eco and illustrated by Eugenio Carmi. It is a story about differences and similarities, uncertainty and certainty, and the unknown and known in all of humanity.  Take a break from break, and join Mrs. K in reading and discussion!

April 19, 2023

Lincoln School PE Instructor Mr. Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson will read Let's Go Play by Shelby McCarthy, illustrated by Rachel Batislaong. We will discuss all the wonderful ways to include each other, especially friends with different abilities.

Students attending Bingo Night will have the option to join the Zoom in a room next to the cafeteria.

April 5, 2023

BEEP Early Childhood Program Coordinator Rachel Craigen will read The Passover Mouse, written by Joy Nelkin Wieder and illustrated by Shahar Kober.  Ms. Craigen will lead a short discussion of the Jewish tradition of Passover Seder and share music.  

If you would like to follow along with the Seder, please bring a pillow and your favorite cup!

March 29, 2023

FRR Spanish teacher Profe O'Day will be our special guest reader.  She will read La Primavera (Spring) by Núria Roca in Spanish and in English, as we look forward to the next season of spring!

Did you know Profe O'Day and two other FRR educators are running in the Boston Marathon April 17?  Profe and Miss Abi are at 65% of their fundraising goal.  Please support them any way you can as they run for the Brookline Education Foundation, which provides grants directly to Brookline teachers and classrooms.  Links to donate are below:

Profe O'Day
Miss Abi
Miss O'Sullivan

March 22, 2023

In honor of Islamic Culture and the start to the Month of Ramadan, Ms. Faiza Khan, BHS parent and Director of Mathematics at Medford Public Schools (K-12), will read The Gift of Ramadan, written by Rabiah York Lumbard and illustrated Laura K. Horton.

March 15, 2023

Join us as Lincoln School hosts!  Librarian Deb Abner will read Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey.  Bring paper and markers/paint/pencils if you want to make art inspired by Alma Thomas after the reading.  

These and other pieces by Brookline Readers and Leaders have the option of being on display at the Coolidge Corner Library in May and June (see below).

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Brookline Readers & Leaders Art Gala 

at the Public Library of Brookline

Readers & Leaders have the opportunity to display their work in May and June at the Coolidge Corner Library.  The Library will also host an event to invite families and friends from the community to view the artwork in a special gala.  To submit your work for the display or participate in the planning, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ppcQtnuR7xr6bASTA

March 8, 2023

FRR 5th grade teacher Ms. Stephanie Baran will read Her Fearless Run (the story of Katherine Switzer's historic Boston Marathon) by Kim Chaffee. 

She will also share about how three of our own FRR faculty are running in the Boston Marathon for Team Brookline this year and how we can support them and our community!

March 1, 2023

BEEP educator Jillian Brown was our guest reader and delighted us with the story, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalito's, by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra.

Following the story, Mary Rossini led the children in making a portraits of their own to honor Frida Kahlo and Women’s History Month.

Participants will have the opportunity to include their portrait in a future display at the Public Library of Brookline!

February 22, 2023

The FRR team will read Little People, Big Dreams: Amanda Gorman, written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Queenbe Monyei.

Take a break from Winter Break and join us to read and chat about how one student with an auditory processing disorder and speech impediment followed her passion and delivered her poem at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.

***Due to positive feedback, the new 7 PM start time will continue through the rest of the school year***

February 15, 2023

In honor of Black History Month, FRR 1st Grade Teacher Ms. Gacheru will read I Am Ruby Bridges written by Ruby Bridges.

2nd grade student Niam will also share about his passion for making a difference in the community. Niam and his friends have completed a few projects at the school and will share about their more recent project to advocate for music to be played in the school cafeteria during lunch time! 

Niam will talk about his experience trying to:

• Understand the problem from multiple perspectives 

• Rally his classmates and teachers to help solve the problem

• Come up with a solution and implement it

February 8, 2023

BEEP Behavioral Specialist Ms. Cat DePina will read Mixed: A Colorful Story, by Arree Chung.  Following the book, students and families are invited to stay for an optional guided discussion about unity and acceptance.

February 1, 2023

Miss Abi, art teacher for both FRR and Lawrence, will read Ruby's Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee, illustrated by Joey Chou.  

After the book, Ms. Abi will lead us in an interactive Bamboo Painting. 

If you would like to display your artwork at the Coolidge Corner Public Library of Brookline this spring, please fill out this form. The artwork will be part of a larger Brookline Readers & Leaders display, which we will develop together over the next two months. To get more involved, please leave a comment in the form.

January 25, 2023

Lawrence School Vice Principal Mr. David Lindner will read Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly in honor of Black History Month

January 18, 2023

Ms. Julie Kellndorfer, Youth Services Librarian at the Public Library of Brookline will read Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar. 

Additionally, Julie will share about her job and what the Public Library of Brookline offers to the community, including books and more!  Patrons of the Brookline Village Tween Room may stop by and say hello to a familiar face!

January 11, 2023

Blankets for Change

Sibling team Leela, Niam, and Kayvion led us in our annual blanket-making service project.  

While we made no-sew blankets together, we discussed and learned more about housing insecurity in Brookline.

The cozy winter blankets we made were donated to the Brookline Food Pantry & The Welcome Blanket Brookline project.   Thank you Leela, Niam, and Kayvion!

January 4, 2023

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, FRR's own paraprofessional and After Hours University Director Ms. Tiffany Legrand will read Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr., by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier.

After the book, Ms. Tiffany and Ms. Hahn will share about MLK day, what service means, and the role of Steps to Success at FRR and in the Brookline community!

December 28, 2022

Tonight we will indulge in mindful moments as we raise awareness for poverty and hunger while instilling important lessons in empathy, gratefulness, and friendship. 

FRR parent Liz Schneider will read Maddie's Fridge, by Lois Brandt, illustrated by Vin Vogel and lead us in a mindful eating exercise to help us awaken our senses with food. 

December 21, 2022

Tonight, FRR parent and another local author Mrs. Susan Park will read her book How Puppies Make Me Feel.  

FRR students Sylvie & Freya will also share about their involvement with Dressember.

December 14, 2022

FRR student Julia led us in a reading and discussion of Ada Lovelace: Poet of Science by Diane Stanley.  As Ada Lovelace is regarded as the first computer programmer, we also shared about Hour of Code Week (Dec 5-11), which is named in honor of another computer scientist, Admiral Grace Hopper. 

December 7, 2022

Ms. Hahn, former FRR teacher, read Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco, an autobiographical book on the author's childhood experience with dyslexia.  Our discussion was full of deep thoughts on how not all differences are visible and how we can be inclusive of all types of learners and friends with different abilities.  Friends shared about personal experiences, lots of empathy was felt across Brookline tonight. As always, we are grateful for Ms. Hahn as our special reader!

November 30, 2022

We welcome Town Meeting Member Mr. Carlos Tamayo, who will read Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana Lopez, illustrated by Teresa Martinez.  We discussed what it means to break down barriers, be a young leader, and share our stories - all while listening to Selena's powerful and uplifting music. It was a wonderful night of celebrating and honoring Hispanic Heritage. 

November 23, 2022

Join FRR fourth grader Julia and FRR first grader Chelsea as they lead a gratitude activity based on the book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frane Lessac.  

Readers & leaders had fun sharing their pet or favorite stuffed animal with the group as FRR parent, author, and Town Meeting Member Susan Park read her new book, What Happens at the Dog Park. 

What a fun night of sharing, reading, and meeting new friends across Brookline schools!

November 16, 2022

Lincoln School Principal Asa Sevelius returns as our special guest reader in honor of Trans Awareness Week. He will read When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff.

Join us to celebrate the many transitions a family can experience, including welcoming a new sibling and embracing various aspects of our own identities.

November 9, 2022

In honor of Veterans Day, Mr. Neil Gordon a Town Meeting Member and Brookline Constable, will share about his experiences as a petty officer with the US Navy. We heard about life on a ship in the middle of the ocean, what being a veteran is all about, facts about the ship, his favorite place he sailed to, and much more. A big thanks to Mr. Gordon and Eliza who led us through a memorable discussion!

We will be thinking about Mr. Gordon's stories this Friday as we remember our Veterans.  

Special Guests: US Naval Veteran, Neil Gordon; FRR Student, Eliza

October 26, 2022

This week, Brookline Readers & Leaders will welcome Lawrence School Guidance Counselor Ms. Samantha Mazzeo.

To honor National Bullying Prevention Month, Ms. Mazzeo will read The Juice Box Bully. Learn about what it takes to be an upstander vs. a bystander. Check these resources out on the topics. Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Advocacy Collaborative (BACPAC)

StopBullying.gov

October 19, 2022

Officer Kristin Healy, Brookline Police Department's first LGBTQ+ Liaison, will be our guest reader.

Officer Healy will read Not Quite Narwhal, written and illustrated by Jessica Sims, a book about "fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family."

October 12, 2022

FRR Art teacher Miss Abi will be our special guest this week! Ms. Abi will read Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner, inviting us to appreciate the hidden wonders of nature.

In honor of Indigenous People's Day, Miss Abi will also share the work of Shonto Begay, a contemporary indigenous painter focusing on landscapes.

October 5, 2022

The Brookline Readers & Leaders are excited to welcome Rachel Craigen, Program Coordinator for BEEP (Brookline Early Education Program), as our special guest Reader this week!

Ms. Craigen will read Red, Yellow, and Blue Yarn by Miriam Kosman to share about the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

September 28, 2022

Lawrence Principal Ms. Monica Crowley will read Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez. This story celebrates our unique and shared heritage and how we can learn what is special about each of us and the places we live.

Discussion time will invite students to share what they like about the places their families live or have lived in the past. Please come meet new friends and support our partner school as they host the Brookline Readers & Leaders.

September 21, 2022

In honor of He for She Day, Lincoln’s very own principal, Brian Denitzio will read The Big Umbrella, written and illustrated by Amy June Bates.

Gabrielle Kyriakides will lead us in discussion of helping and including others.. Participants will be invited to share about their own experiences helping others, if they would like.

September 14, 2022

FRR Spanish teacher Isabella “Profe D” Delatorre will read Alma and How She Got Her Name, written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Ms. Martinez-Neal was born in Lima, Peru.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Profe D will lead us in discussion of heritage and ancestry. Participants will be invited to share about their own family heritage and ancestry, if they would like.

September 7, 2022

PSB Superintendent Dr. Linus Guillory, Jr. will read The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson.  This story celebrates inclusivity in the classroom and how we can learn about each other just by listening. “There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.”

We will also hear from: 

• PSB Senior Director of Equity Ms. Jenee Uttaro, who will share about the greater scope of DEI work in the district.  

• Principal Jen Buller, who will lead us in recognizing the life of Mr. Thomas Ruffen, a member of the FRR staff.