Artifacts

I reviewed three great picture books: Hot Dog by Doug Salati, Someday, Maybe by Diana Murray, and We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom. I wrote about how these books can help students learn about self-regulation, goal setting, and taking care of the earth, while also acting as mentor texts for simple reading skills.

Even simple picture books can tackle important issues and show readers all kinds of different families, cultures, and abilities.

I evaluated three books for older readers: Tig by Heather Smith (realistic fiction), All the Blues in the Sky by Renee Watson (novel in verse), and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (science fiction). These books look at how children and young adults handle major life changes, sudden grief, and the intense pressures of social media and internet fame.

These genres are great for helping students process grief and complex family dynamics. They also teach readers to think critically about what they see online instead of just following the crowd.

I read and reviewed Guts by Raina Telgemeier (graphic novel), The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (historical fiction), and the young adult adaptation of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (narrative nonfiction). These books look at everything from everyday struggles like childhood anxiety and going to therapy, to real-world issues like the refugee experience and flaws in our justice system.

Using formats like graphic novels, diaries, and true stories makes these heavy topics more accessible for students. They help normalize conversations about mental health, while opening the door for honest, real-world discussions about history and social justice.