I need some book ideas!!?

Question

I am an Education major and I am trying to build up my library. I realized that about 80% of my books are fantasy, so I'm trying to find some good books in different genres. I'm looking for books that have some diversity. The books can be funny, silly, or touch on sensitive issues.

I am not worried about the age groups, I figure if I have a bunch of books for different grade levels then it won't matter because I'll have my own kids too! :)

Thanks!

Looking for books of:
*Historical Fiction
*Biography
*Informational
*Poetry
*Concept
*Modern Fiction

Answer 1

Get Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal award winning or recommended books.

http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/awards.html

You are doing a great thing by starting now to build up that library. I teach math, but have tons of different books for the kids to read and borrow.

Best of luck! :)

Answer 2

I can help with historical fiction. I'll list them in vaguely chronological order. These are all books I've personally read and can recommend.

Medieval
Catherine, Called Birdy - Cushman

Colonial Era
Witch of Blackbird Pond - Speare
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Native Americans, early America
Sign of the Beaver - Speare
The Birchbark House - Erdrich

Civil War
Shades of Gray - Reeder
Soldier's Heart - Paulsen

Pioneer Days
Kate's Book - Shura
Little House series - Wilder
A Gathering of Days - Blos

Factory Workers
Lyddie - Paterson
January 1905 - Boling

Turn of the century
The Great Brain - Fitzgerald
Fair Weather - Peck

World War I
A Long Way to Go - ONeal

Great Depression
Bud Not Buddy - Curtis
Out of the Dust - Hesse
A Long Way From Chicago & A Year Down Yonder - Peck

World War II
The War in Georgia - Oughton
Lily's Crossing - Giff
Number the Stars - Lowry
Stones in Water - Napoli
Twenty and Ten - Bishop

Civil Rights
Mississippi Trial, 1955 - Crowe
The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 - Curtis
Yankee Girl - Rodman

Answer 3

*Historical Fiction
-A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
-Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier <3
-The Crucible, Arthur Miller
-Scarlett Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
-Candide, Voltaire <3
*Biography
-Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah
-Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass <3
-Travels, Michael Crichton <3
-The Color of Water, James McBride <3
*Informational
Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
*Poetry
-The Illiad, Homer
-The Odyssey, Homer
-Pretty much anything Shakespeare
*Concept
(?)
*Modern Fiction
-The Great Gatsby, Scott F. Fitzgerald. <3

I put <3 next to books I really liked and enjoyed and none of them are fantasy. You might have read these before in high school...but if you didn't I highly recommend them! They are definately going to help with education because a lot of them are about social groups and overcoming obstacles.

Answer 4

I have been a teacher for many years so perhaps I can offer a few ideas for you. Since you already have a collection of fanasy books, perhaps we can accurately presume you are not as interested in quantum physics or calculating Pi to the N th degree as your are in, say, literature and creative writing, correct? If you intend to deluge yourself with only this type of reading materials, I personally think you're cheating yourself out of enjoying the best part...the "heart of the melon" as it were. To really get into any genre of interest, learn how to write it yourself. This will open the doors so you can feel what your favorite authors felt when they wrote your favorite works. Learn how to research, organize, and produce your own best work in your chosen field just like your favorite authors and heros had to learn. This means you will not only need to know the materials you wish to teach, but you will also need to know how you're going to put it together and share your own experienes with others. You see, knowledge is like a smile...it's absolutely usless until it's shared with others in one form or another. Only when it's shared does it become priceless. ...:) While you are busy learning all about your heart's desired genre, your books and other teaching materials will mysteriously accumulate without your noticing them. Just point your heart in the right direction and your assets will follow. Good luck and don't sign anything you don't agree with...

Answer 5

We need to know if these books are for you, or for the children you plan to teach. I think a good children's literature course would be a great place to start.

Also, as a librarian, I am sure your local library will have a handout on best children's literature. Or, your college of education should have some great selections, too.

Answer 6

Emily Rodda writes fantasy Paul Jennings,Go to your local library and the librarian will be happy to supply you with a list of authors.J.KRowling and the Harry Potter series.

Answer 7

Go make best friends with the librarian in the children's section of any city library. They are some of the smartest people you will every meet and will be able to answer all your questions.

Answer 8

Any collection of Shel Silverstein poetry will have your kids laughing their heads off. Another good author is Roald Dahl.

Answer 9

I like Golding's Lord of the Flies - it's a total fantasy (and a bit old now) but it really explores the nature of humanity.

Answer 10

"Pamela Allen" is a fantastic author who writes for lower primary children. She has a wide range of books.

"Graeme Base" - awesome books (primary)

"Jeannie Baker" - great books with beautiful collage style illustrations