Books of Common Thread Project
By Michael Hayes




Common Thread: School Related Issues

Sub-Category 1:  Bullies

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      

Hooway for Wodney Wat
Helen Lester/ Lynn M. Munsinger
Ages 4-8
Houghton Mifflin Books
1999
A Rat who has trouble with his r's is subjected to the abuse of a bully.

The Recess Queen
      
Alexis O'Neill/ Laura Huliska-Beith
Ages 4-8
Scholastic Press
2002
A little girl gets her way at recess until a new student shows up.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Patty Lovett/ David Catrow
Ages 4-8
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2003
Armed with the confidence bestowed on her by her grandmother, Mary Lou begins school and is confronted by some bullying.

Bully Trouble
Joanna Cole/ Marylin Hafner
Ages 4-8
Random House
1989
This book portrays a bullying situation and the proper way to handle it.

Mr. Lincoln's Way
Patricia Polacco
Ages 4-8
Philomel Books
2001
Mr. Lincoln leads the children through the difficulty of bullies.

 

Sub-Category 2:  First Day of School

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      

Little Miss Spider at  Sunny Patch School
David Kirk
Ages 4-8
Scholastic, Inc.
2000
Miss Spider begins school and has a wonderful time in the new environment.

First Day, Hooray!
Nancy Poydar
Ages 4-8
Holiday House
2000
This book portrays the positive attributes of returning to school.

Mouse's First Day of  School
Lauren Thompson/ Buket Erdogan
Ages 4-8
Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
2003
Mouse has his first day of school.

My Name is Yoon
Helen Recorvits/ Gabi Swiatkowska
Ages 4-8
Farrar Straus and Giroux
2003
This book portrays Yoon beginning a new life and school where people do not speak her native language.

Don't Go
Jane Breskin Zalben
Ages
4-8
Clarion Books
2001
A child dreads being left behind by his mother on his first day of school.

 

Sub-Category 3:  Popularity

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      

Why Pick on Me?
Louis Sachar/ Barbara Sullivan, Neal Hughes
Ages 4-8
Random House 1993
This book goes through the hard times of not being popular in a humorous manner.

Stargirl
Jerry Spinell
Ages 4-8
Alfred A. Knopf 2000
Stargirl is about an unpopular girl who finds popularity in a surprizing way.

Shattering Glass
Gale Giles
Ages 4-8
Roaring Brook 2002
An unpopular student is transformed to be cool by others.

Dork in Disguise
Carol Gorman
Ages 4-8
Harper Collins 1999
Dork goes through trials in this book about not quite fitting in.

Dork on the Run
Carol Gorman
Ages 4-8
Harper Collins 2002
Dork runs for Class President.

 
 

Sub-Category 4:  Social Skills

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      

Excuse Me!
Lisa Kopelke
Ages 4-8
Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
2003

This tiny belcher learns to be polite.

No, David!
David Shannon
Ages 4-8
Blue Sky Press
1998
David learns to behave.

Dirty Bertie
David Roberts
Ages 4-8
Abrams Books for Young Readers
2003
Dirty Bertie does gross things as his family tries to correct him.

The Berenstain Bears Forget their Manners
Stan and Jan Berenstain
Ages 4-8
Random House
1985
Mama Bear has to retrain the family of how to act.

The Grouchy Ladybug
Eric Carle
Ages 4-8
Harper Trophy
1996
A Grouchy tale of an unhappy, antisocial ladybug.

 
 

Sub-Category 5:  Nutrition

Book Cover
Title
Author/
Illustrator
Age/
Grade
Copyright/
Publisher
        Abstract      

Janice VanCleave's Food and Nutrition for Every Kid:  Easy Activities that make Learning Science Fun
Janice VanCleave
Ages 6-12
John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
1999
Teaches kids to enjoy good nutrition.

Good Enough to Eat:  A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition
Lizzy Rockwell
Ages 6-12
Harper Collins
1999
This is an educational approach to healthy eating for kids.

What Happens to a Hamburger?
Paul Showers/ Edward Miller
Ages 6-12
Harper Collins 2001
This book explores body parts and how the work with the body.

The Healthy Body Cookbook: Over 50 Fun Activities and Delicious Recipes for Kids
Joan D'Amico/ Karen Eich Drummond
Ages 6-12
John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
1999
This book offers fun food facts and ways to eat well for kids.

Eat Healthy, Feel Great
William Sears/Martha Sears and Christie Watt Kelly
Ages 6-12
Little Brown and Company
2002
This book establishes how to eat healthily.